Journal of Environmental Biology March 2008, 29(2) 271-274 (2008)
©Triveni Enterprises, Lucknow (India) For personal use only
Free paper downloaded from: www. jeb.co.in Commercial distribution of this copy is illegal
Abundance and seasonal variations of phytoplankton in the creek waters
of western mangrove of Kachchh-Gujarat
A. Saravanakumar*1, M. Rajkumar1, G.A. Thivakaran2 and J. Sesh Serebiah2
1
Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai - 608 502, India
2
Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, Bhuj - 370 001, India
py
(Received: August 14, 2005 ; Revised received: July 10, 2006 ; Accepted: August 12, 2006)
Abstract: The phytoplankton was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively in regard to their abundance in creek waters at three sites along the western
mangrove of Kachchh. In total one hundred and four species of phytoplankton were identified. Among them 82 species diatoms (Bacillariophyceae), 16 species
dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae), 3 species blue greens (Cyanophyceae) and 2 species were green algae. The density in all the three sites varied from 94,166.67
to 2,44,500 cells l-1. The salinity ranged from 36 to 44‰ , temperature 17 to 35oC and pH ranged from 7 to 8.9 respectively. These semi arid zone mangrove
creek area having high densities were recorded during monsoon and early winter season.
Key words: Gulf of Kachchh, Mangroves, Phytoplankton
PDF of full length paper is available with author (*sarvaan@rediffmail.com)
Co
Introduction Long 68o 31’ 21”- E) and Site 3 – Medi – Sinthodi Creek (Lat N 23o
Phytoplankton forms the vital source of energy in the marine 27 54.8, Long E; 68o 29 15.1) (Fig. 1) were with 2-5 km distances
environment. They initiate the marine food chain, by serving as between each other.
food to primary consumers, which include zooplankton, shellfish,
Sampling of phytoplankton at each of the three sites was
finfish and others (Ananthan et al., 2004; Tas and Gonulol, 2007).
The pelagic algal communities make important contributions to the carried out every month from the surface creek water. The plankton
smooth functioning of mangrove ecosystem. Robertson and Blabber net (mouth diameter 0.35 µm) made of bolting silk (No 30, Mesh
(1992) suggested that the plankton in mangrove habitats contribute size–48 µm) was towed for half an hr at each station. These samples
from 20 to 50% total fish productivity. Fertility and healthiness of were preserved in 5% neutralized formalin for further analysis. For
mangrove environment is reflected through productivity of the the quantitative analysis of phytoplankton, the settlement method
phytoplankton and zooplankton as primary and secondary described by Sukhanova (1978) was adopted. Numerical plankton
e
producers. However studies on phytoplankton abundance and analysis was carried out using Utermohl’s inverted plankton
distribution in the Western mangrove belt of Kachchh region is microscope. Biodiversity indices such as species diversity, richness
lacking. Species composition and seasonal variation in phytoplankton and evenness were calculated following the standard formulae
abundance has been studied in other regions of Indian coastal (Shannon and Weaver, 1949; Gleason, 1922; Pielou, 1966). The
lin
waters (Tiwari and Nair, 1998; Ramaiah and Ramaiah, 1998; data collected was grouped into different seasons and a calendar
Perumal et al., 1999; Padhi and Padhi, 1999; Gopinathan et al., year was divided into 3 main seasons viz. winter (November to
2001; Tiwari and Chauhan, 2006; Sridhar et al., 2006; Mathivanan February), summer (March to June) and monsoon (July to October).
et al., 2007). In the present paper an attempt has been made to
study the spatial and temporal distribution of phytoplankton in western Results and Discussion
mangrove regions of Kachchh. The salinity varied from 36.5 to 42‰ (Fig. 2). The water
temperature ranged from 21.8 to 33.5oC (Fig. 3). The dissolved
Materials and Methods oxygen concentrations ranged from 4.0 to 5.2 ml l-1 (Fig. 4). The
The water temperature was measured in-situ with Merck monthly fluctuations in the pH followed a trend ranged from 7.3 to
On
mercury thermometer of 0.1oC accuracy. Hydrogen ion concentration 8.4 (Fig. 5). The maximum value was recorded in winter and
was measured with pH meter with reference to a standard buffer minimum during monsoon season.
solution. Rainfall data was obtained from meteorological
department at Bhuj, Kachchh Gujarat. The salinity was estimated Monthly variation in phytoplankton species composition,
by hand refractometer (Atago, Japan) and DO was estimated by percentage composition, population density, species diversity,
Winklers method on the spot (Strickland and Parsons, 1972). The richness and evenness were documented for a period of two years
site selection was based on their proximity to open coast and the from January 1999 to December 2000 at all the three sites. A total of
level of anthropogenic pressure. The three selected sites (St.), 103 species of phytoplankton were recorded during the present
namely, Site 1 – Jakhau – Babber Creek (Lat N23o13 59’2; Long E study. Among them 82 species diatoms (Bacillariophyceae), 16
68o36 38’1), Site 2 – Sanghi – Kharo Creek (Lat 23o 17’ 36.4 – N; species dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae), 3 species blue green algae
Journal of Environmental Biology March, 2008
272 Saravanakumar et al.
Table - 1: Phytoplankton species diversity, richness and evenness at three study sites
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
Year
Winter Summer Monsoon Winter Summer Monsoon Winter Summer Monsoon
Diversity
1999 1.568 1.635 1.569 3.355 3.224 3.227 2.240 2.424 2.273
2000 3.950 3.670 3.970 3.805 3.547 3.883 3.915 3.907 4.050
Richness
1999 0.800 0.900 0.970 0.850 0.890 0.982 0.921 0.978 0.991
py
2000 0.820 0.920 0.985 0.878 0.925 0.974 0.945 0.945 0.987
Evenness
1999 0.413 0.383 0.385 0.800 0.818 0.858 0.505 0.548 0.508
2000 0.945 0.935 0.970 0.948 0.908 0.960 0.945 0.928 0.981
Pakistan
Co
India
Kachchh District - Gujarat
of the study area ranged from 0.80 to 0.99. Generally richness was
higher during monsoon and lower during winter season. The species
e
evenness index varied from 0.38 to 0.98, which was the maximum
during monsoon and minimum during winter and summer seasons.
In Gujarat, particularly in Kachchh district, the monsoon is
predicted by the hot dry weather prevailing in the months of March
lin
to June. The rain sets in over most of the Gujarat between late June
to September, while October and November constitute the early
winter (GUIDE, 1999). The months of December, January and
February are practically without rain. Kachchh district experiences
typical ‘Monsoon climate’ with rainy season confined to four months
from mid June to September when 93 to 98 percent of the annual
rainfall occurs (GUIDE, 2000).
Fig. 1: Map showing the study area
The surface water temperature in the present study ranged
On
(Cyanophyceae) and 2 species were green algae. Among various between 17 and 37oC. There was a steady increase in temperature
species, Hemidiscus hardmanianus, Cosinodiscus radiatus, from March to June, which was peak during May and very low
Cerataulina bergonii and Spirulina were the most abundant. The temperature of 17oC recorded during winter. All the stations showed
population density in all the 3 sites varied between 2,44,500 to a similar trend in terms of seasonal changes. Generally, surface
94,166,67 cells l-1 (Fig. 6). When compared site wise, abundance water temperature is influenced by the intensity of solar radiation,
the highest value was recorded in Site 3 which was more in monsoon evaporation, freshwater influx and cooling and mix up with ebb and
and less in the same site during winter. The overall species percentage flow from adjoining neritic waters. In the present study, summer
was diatoms 79.61%, dinoflagellates 15.53%, blue green algae 2.92% peaks and monsoonal troughs in air and water temperature has
and green algae 1.94% respectively. The diversity values varied been found to be similar to that reported for west coast of India
from 1.56 to 4.05 bits/individual (Table 1). The overall richness values (Desai, 1992; Arthur, 2000).
Journal of Environmental Biology March, 2008
Abundance of phytoplankton in Gulf of Kachchh 273
43 The salinity acts as a limiting factor in the distribution of living
42
Salinity ‰ 41
organisms, and its variation caused by dilution and evaporation
40 and influences the fauna of the intertidal zone (Gibson, 1982;
39
38
Balasubramanian and Kannan, 2005; Sridhar et al., 2006).
37 Generally, changes in salinity in the brackish-water habitats such as
36
35 estuaries, backwaters and mangrove are due to the influx of
34 freshwater from land run off caused by monsoon or by tidal variations.
33
Winte r Sum m e r M ons oon Winte r Sum m e r M ons oon In the present study, salinity at all the sites was high during summer
1999 2000 and low during the monsoon season. Higher values during summer
Fig. 2: Seasonal variation of salinity recorded from Site 1, 2 and 3 could be attributed to the high degree of evaporation in the study
area (Sampathkumar and Kannan, 1998). Though perennial rivers
py
40
35 are absent, the run off due to rains during the monsoon season
Temperature oC
30
could influence the reduction in salinity. Thus the variation of salinity
25
20
in the study sites could probably be due to mainly freshwater run off
15 entering the creek systems as reported by Vijayalaksmi et al. (1993)
10
for the Gulf of Kachchh and Saisastry and Chandramohan (1990)
5
0
for the Godavari estuary.
Winte r Sum m e r M ons oon Winte r Sum m e r M ons oon
1999 2000 In the present investigation, dissolved oxygen was high
Co
Fig. 3: Seasonal variation of temperature recorded from Site 1, 2 and 3 during monsoon in all the sites which might be due to the cumulative
6.0
effect of higher wind velocity coupled with heavy rainfall and the
5.0
resultant freshwater mixing or it may be also due to photosynthesis.
Relatively low values recorded during winter may be due to reduced
4.0
agitation and turbulence of the coastal and creek waters. De Souza
DO mg/l
3.0
and Sen Gupta (1986), Zingde et al. (1987) have attributed
2.0
seasonal variation of dissolved oxygen mainly to the freshwater
1.0
influx and ferruginous impact of sediments. It is well known that the
0.0
Winte r Sum m e r M ons oon Winte r Sum m e r M ons oon
temperature and salinity also affect the dissolution of oxygen
1999 2000 (Vijayakumar et al., 2000).
Fig. 4: Seasonal variation of dissolved oxygen recorded from Site 1, 2 and 3
Hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in surface waters
remained alkaline at all the sites throughout the study period with
e
8.6
8.4
8.2 maximum value during the summer and winter seasons and minimum
8.0
values during monsoon. Generally, fluctuations in pH values during
pH
7.8
7.6 different seasons of the year are attributed to factors like removal of
7.4
CO2 by photosynthesis through bi-carbonate degradation, dilution
lin
7.2
7.0 of seawater by freshwater influx, reduction of salinity and temperature
6.8
6.6
and decomposition of organic matter (Upadhyay, 1988; Ragothaman
Winter Sum m er Monsoon Winter Sum m er Monsoon
and Patil, 1995; Paramasivam and Kannan, 2005). In the present
1999 2000
study, diatoms formed the dominant group followed by dinoflagellates,
St.1 St.2 St.3 blue green and green algae in all the three sites. Percentage
Fig. 5: Seasonal variation of pH recorded from Site 1, 2 and 3 contribution of each group of phytoplankton was in the order:
Diatom>Dinoflagellates>Blue greens>Greens.
350000
On
300000
1999 2000 Generally, diatoms were found to be dominant in near coastal
Population density (Cells/l)
250000 and estuarine waters in west coast (Tiwari and Nair, 1998; Ramaiah
200000 and Ramaiah, 1998; Gopinathan et al., 2001; Gowda et al., 2001).
150000 High population density and species diversity was observed during
100000 monsoon at all the three sites. The lowest population was recorded
50000 in early winter. A similar trend was evident in the west coast by
0 Subrahmanyan (1959) and Rajagopalan et al. (1992), which
Monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon
Winter
Summer
Winter
Summer
Winter
Summer
revealed that the phytoplankton production was at its peak during
southwest monsoon (June to September). During monsoon season
St 1 St 2 St 3
Fig. 6: Seasonal variation of population density recorded from Site 1, 2,3
the Bacillaria paradoxa, Bellerochea malleus, Odentella pulchella,
Journal of Environmental Biology March, 2008
274 Saravanakumar et al.
O. heteroceros, Cerataulina bergonii and Chaetoceros compressus Kannan, R. and K. Vasantha: Micro plankton of the Pichavaram mangals,
were the dominant diatoms. southeast coast of India. Species composition and population density.
Hydrobiol., 247, 77-86 (1992).
Further, high density of phytoplankton of 50, 11,872 cells l-1 Mathivanan, V., P. Vijayan, Selvi Sabhanayakam and O. Jeyachitva: An
assessment of plankton population of Cauvery river with reference to
and 6,85,260 cells l-1 was observed in the Pichavaram mangrove pollution. J. Environ. Biol., 28, 523-526 (2007).
east coast by Kannan and Vasantha (1992). It is evident that in the Padhi, M. and S. Padhi: Phytoplankton community of Gopalpur estuary.
present study highest population recorded in all the sites. According Seaweed Res. Utiln., 21, 95-97 (1999).
to Subrahmanyan (1967), optimum conditions such as a fall in Paramasivam, S. and L. Kannan: Physico-chemical characteristics of
Muthupettai mangrove environment, sourtheast coast of India. Int. J.
water temperature and salinity due to monsoon and abundance of Ecol. Environ. Sci., 31, 273-278 (2005).
nutrients due to upwelling and river discharge are the important Perumal, P., P. Sampathkumar and P. K. Karuppasamy: Studies on the
factors for high production of phytoplankton. Southwest monsoon in bloom forming species of phytoplankton in the Vellar estuary, southeast
py
India is of prime importance in the production of phyto and coast of India. Ind. J. Mar. Sci., 28, 400-403 (1999).
Pielou, E.C.: The measurement of diversity in different types of biological
zooplankton, especially in the inshore upwelling areas. It is well collection. J. Theoret Biol., 13, 144 (1966).
known that an intense monsoon triggers strong upwelling along the Ragothaman, G. and T. Patil: Studies on the physico-chemical parameters
west coast of India (Subrahmanyan, 1967). The hitherto study and phytoplankton of Narmada estuary. Enviromedia, 14, 221-226
revealed that the distribution of phytoplankton abundance and (1995).
Rajagopalan, M.S., P.A. Thomas Mathew, K.J. Naomi, P. Kaladhran, V.K.
diversity reflects the status of mangrove creek systems diversity Balachandran and Geetha Antony : Productivity of the Arabian sea
and productivity as a whole. The present baseline information of the along the southwest coast of India. Bull. Cent. Mar. Fish. Res. Inst.,
phytoplankton distribution and abundance would form an useful tool 45, 9-37 (1992).
for further ecological assessment and monitoring of these coastal Ramaiah, N. and N. Ramaiah: Phytoplankton characteristics in a polluted
Co
Bombay harbour, Thana-Bassein creek estuarine complex. Ind. J.
ecosystems of western mangroves of Kachchh. Mar. Sci., 27, 281-285 (1998).
Robertson, A.I. and S.J.M. Blabber: Plankton, epibenthos and fish communities.
Acknowledgments In: Tropical mangrove ecosystems (Eds.: A.I. Robertson and D.M.
The authors would like to thank Gujarat State Forest Alongi). Coastal Estuar. Stud., 41, 173-224 (1992).
Saisastry, A.G. and R. Chandramohan: Physico-chemical characteristics of
Department for giving permission to carry out this study. We are
Vasishta Godavari estuary, eastcoast of India: Pre-pollution status.
grateful to Director of Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology and Prof. T. Ind. J. Mar. Sci., 19, 42-46 (1990).
Kannupandi, CAS in Marine Biology, Parangipettai, Annamalai Sanpathkumar, P. and L. Kannan: Seasonal variations in physico-chemical
University, Tamilnadu for their constant encouragement and advice characteristics in the Trangueban Nagapattinam region, southeast coast
of India. Poll. Res., 17, 397-402 (1998).
in various stages of the studies.
Shannon, C.E. and W. Weaver: The mathematical theory of communication
(University of Ilinois Press, Urbana), 117 (1949).
References
Sridhar, R., T. Thangaradjou, S. Senthil Kumar and L. Kannan: Water quality
Ananthan, G., P. Sampathkumar, P. Soundarapandian and L. Kannan: and phytoplankton characteristics in the Palk Bay, southeast coast of
e
Observations on environmental characteristics of Ariyankuppam India. J. Environ. Biol., 27, 561-566 (2006).
estuary and Verampattinam coast of Pondicherry. J. Aqua. Biol., 19, Strickland, J.D.H. and T.R. Parsons: A practical hand book of seawater
67-72 (2004). analysis. Fish. Res. Board Can. Bull., 167, 185-199 (1972).
Arthur, R.: Coral bleaching and mortality in three Indian reef regions during an Subrahmanyan, R.: Phytoplankton Souvenir, 20th Anniversary, Central Marine
El Nino southern oscillation event. Curr. Sci., 79, 12 (2000). Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin, India. pp. 89-93 (1967).
lin
Balasubramanian, R. and L. Kannan: Phisico-chemical characteristics of the Subrahmanyan, R.: Studies on the phytoplankton of the west coast of India.
coral reef Environs of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, India. Part I and II. Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci., 50, 113-187 (1959).
Int. J. Ecol., Environ. Sci., 31, 265-271 (2005). Sukhanova, Z.N.: Settling without inverted microscope. In: Phytoplankton manual,
De Souza, S.N. and R. Sen Gupta: Variations of dissolved oxygen in Mandovi UNESCO (Ed.: A. Sourlna). Page Brothers (Nourich) Ltd. p. 97 (1978).
and Zuari estuaries. Ind. J. Mar. Sci., 15, 67-71 (1986). Tas, Beyhan and Arif Gonulol: An ecologic and taxonomic study on
Desai, P.: Coastal environment of Gujarat - Special reference to the Gulf of phytoplankton of a shallow lake, Turkey. J. Environ. Biol., 28,
Kachchh (Remote sensing application mission). Coastal Environement, 439-445 (2007).
Space Application Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad. pp. 129-146 (1992). Tiwari, L.R. and V.R. Nair: Ecology of phytoplankton from Dharamtar creek,
Gibson, R.N.: Recent studies on the biology of intertidal fishes. Oceanogr. west coast of India. Ind. J. Mar. Sci., 27, 302-309 (1998).
Mar. Biol. Ann. Rev., 20, 363-414. (1982). Tiwari, Ashesh and S.V.S. Chauhan: Seasonal phytoplanktonic diversity of
Gleason, H.A.: On the relation between species and area. Ecology, 3. pp. Kitham lake, Agra. J. Environ. Biol., 27, 35-38 (2006).
On
156-162 (1922). Upadhyay, S.: Physico-chemical characteristics of the Mahanadi estuarine
Gopinathan, C.P., R. Gireesh and K.S. Smitha: Distribution of chlorophyll ‘a’ ecosystem, eastcoast of India. Ind. J. Mar. Sci., 17, 19-23 (1988).
and ‘b’ in the eastern Arabian sea (west coast of India) in relation to Vijayakumar, S., K.M. Rajesh, Mridula R. Mendon and V. Hariharan: Seasonal
nutrients during post monsoon. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. India, 43, 21-30 (2001). distribution and behavior of nutrients with reference to tidal rhythm in
Gowda, G., T.R.C. Gupta, K.M. Rajesh, H. Gowda, C. Lingadhal and A.M. the Mulki estuary, southwest coast of India. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. India,
Ramesh: Seasonal distribution of phytoplankton in Nethravathi estuary, 42, 21-24 (2000).
Mangalore. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. India, 43, 31-40 (2001). Vijayalakshmi, R.N., K. Govindan, N. Ramaiah and S.N. Gajabhiye: Fishery
GUIDE.: Rann and Desertification, submitted to UNDP- Phase I report. State potential of the Gulf of Kachchh. J. Ind. Fish. Ass., 23, 91-103 (1993).
(Environmental Action Programme : Gujarat), 240 (1999). Zingde, M.D., S.A.H. Abidi, P. Sharma and M.A. Rokade: Base water
GUIDE.: An ecological study of Kachchh mangroves and its associated quality off Thailand. In: Contribution in marine sciences (Ed.: Dr. S.Z.
fauna with reference to its management and conservation, submitted to Qasim). 60 th Birthday Felicitation Volume National Institute of
Gujarat state forest Department - Phase I report, 74 (2000). Oceanography, Goa, India. Vol. 307. p. 318 (1987).
Journal of Environmental Biology March, 2008
