Microalgae in the Southwest Coast of India

Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Further studies on the process of coastal upwelling along the south west coast of India - possible correlations with biological productivity

An attempt is made to study the possible relationship between the process of upwelling and zooplankton biomass in the shelf weters along the south west coast of India between Cape comorin and Ratnagiri based on oceanographic and Zooplankton data collected by the erstwhile FAO/UNDP Pelagic Fishery Project,Cochin between 1973 and 1978. Different factors such as the depth from which the bottom waters are induced upwards during the process of upwelling,the depth to which the bottom waters are drawn, vertical velocity of upwelling and the resultant zooplankton productivity were considered while arriving at the deductions. Except for nutrients and phytoplankton productivity, for which simultaneous data is lacking, all the major factors were taken into consideration before cocluding- xon positive/negative correlation.

Variations on the infaunal polychaetes due to bottom trawling along the inshore waters of Kerala (south-west coast of India)

Variations of the infaunal polychates populations due to bottom trawling were studied during December 2000 to November 2002 at depth ranging from 0-50 m along Cochin-Munambam area (Kerala, long. 76degree10'94" to 75degree 56' and lat.9degree58' to 10degree10'), in the southwest coast of India.Infaunal polychaetes from the sediment samples were collected both before and after experimental trawling in order to assess the variations on their abundance (no.m-2),biomass(g.m-2) and diversity due to bottom trawling .Highest variations in polychaetes were recorded at station 9 in May 2002 where polychaete abundance increased to 20710 no.m-2 after trawling from 2787 no.m-2 before trawling.Biomass showed highest variations at station 3 in December 2000 where biomass increased from 7.16g.m-2 recorded before trawling to 34.53 g.m-2 in the samples collected after trawling .Multivariate community analysis carried out based on both species abundance and biomass of plychaetes also confirm the wide variations in the similarities of the stations comparing both before and after trawling

Ecobiogeography, Spatial and Temporal Variations of Microzooplankton Along the East Coast of India

In the present study an attempt has been made to understand the microzooplankton community along the easr coast of India. Most of the earlier studies projected Bay of Bengal as an oligotrophic system where phytoplankton growth is limited by a number of factors among which nutrients are the foremost. Hence it is logical to consider that the most of the primary production in the Bay of Bengal could be contributed by small sized phytoplankton harnessing the available resources, which in turn can be utilized effiency by the microzooplankton only. Hence microzooplankton could play in transferring primary organic carbon to higher tropic levels in this region.

BIOCHEMICAL GENETIC STUDIES ON THE OIL SARDINE, Sardinella longiceps (CUVIER AND VALENCIENNES, 1847) FROM SELECTED CENTRES OF THE WEST COAST OF INDIA

The main objective of the present investigation was to study the biochemical genetic variability within the species and genetic structure of its regional populations from west coast. Realising the recent report of occurrence of oil sardine fishery in east coast of India, population samples from Mandapam and Madras were also included in the present investigation. The original data gathered on the population genetics of the species have helped to interpret and evaluate the results objectively. The important conclusions drawn from a detailed discussions on the subject would throw some light on the probable process of problematic fluctuations in the abundance of oil sardine fishery of India. The academic and applied values of present discoveries need not be emphasised. The data used for the doctoral thesis were generated during the ICAR ad-hoc project on the "Population genetic studies on oil sardine, sardinella longiceps to identity distinct genetic stocks", carried out at CMFRI, Cochin during the years, 1988-1991

Meiobenthos of the Shelf Waters of West Coast of India With Special Reference to Free-Living Marine Nematodes

Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Investigations on the Distribution Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Squid (Loligo spp.) in Relation to Levels in Food Fishes from the West Coast of India with a Perspective on Seafood Safety

The present study entitled "Investigations on the Distribution Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Squid (Loligo spp.) in Relation to Levels in Food Fishes from the West Coast of India with a Perspective on Seafood Safety"attempts to establish the base line data on metal levels in squids along the west coast of India. The study is of great relevance in the present context when utmost importance is being given for producing wholesome seafoods especially in the export market with a perspective on seafood safety.The thesis presents a comprehensive account of the base line data on important heavy metals, viz., Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn Cr and Ni in the edible and non-edible body components of the most abundant Loligo species, viz., L. duvauceli caught along the west coast of India.

Algal blooms and zooplankton standing crop along the southwest coast of India

Dept. of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry,CUSAT

Marine Benthos of the Continental Shelf of Southwest and Southeast Coast of India

Department of Marine Biology,Microbiology and Biochemistry,Cochin University of Science and Technology

Contribution of size fractions of planktonic algae to primary organic productivity in the coastal waters of Cochin- south west coast of lndia

This thesis entitled “Contribution of size fractions of planktonic algae to primary organic productivity in the coastal waters of cochin,south west coast of india”. Marine ecosystems planktonic algae are the most important primary producers on wliich considerable attention is being given on account of their supreme status in the marine food chain.The study of primary production in the Indian Ocean started With DANA (I928-30),, John Murray t I933-34). Discovery ( I934) and Albatross (I947-48) expeditions which tried to evaluate productivity from nutrients and standing crop of phytoplankton .The bioproductivity of the marine environment is dependent on various primary producers. ranging in size from picoplankton to larger macro phytoplankton. The quantity and quality of various size fractions of planktonic algae at any locality depend mainly on the hydrographic conditions of the area .In the coastal waters of Cochin- south west coast of lndia. Planktonic algal community is composed mainly of the diatoms, the dinoflagellates, the blue-green algae and the silicoflagellates, the former two contributing the major flora and found distributed in the all size fractions. The maximum number of species of diatoms at station 1 and station 2 was found in the pre-monsoon season.. The size groups of planktonic algae greater than 53 um are dominated by filamentous- chain forming and colonial diatoms. The coastal waters of Cochin. planktonic algae less than 53 um in size contribute significantly to primary productivity and the biodiversity of the microflora, indicating the presence of rich fishery resources in the south west coast of india.The study of different size fractions of planktonic algae and their relative contribution to the primary organic production is a useful tool for the estimation of the quantity and quality of fisheries.A deeper investigation on the occurrence of these microalgae and proper identification of their species would be of immense help for the assessment of the specificity and magnitude of fishery resources.

Studies on the Biology, Ecology and Fishery of the sea cucumber Holathuria (hetriatyla) scabra (Jaeger) from southeast coast of India

The distribution of the holothurian H. KH.) scabra indicated its availability all along coastal areas on Palk Bay from Rameswavam to Mallipattinam and along the Gulf of Hannah coast from Pamban to Ervadi and Tuticmhin,'at 4~2O m depth.The major fishing for holmthurians was done by skin diving at all the centres. The tallu valai was operated at Tuticorin and Vedalai and trawlevs were operated at Rameswaram.The fmod of H. KN.) scabra consists of ovganic matter which contains mud, sand, shell debris, bivalves and algae. Obsehvatinns indicated the species seems to be a n0n—se1ective feeder. The assimilation efficiency from sediment to faeces indicated that the faecal pellets of H. KH.) scabra are semidigested.A multiple relationship was fitted between total length, total weight, gutted weight, gonad weight and maturity stages were found significant.The fishing season for holothurians commences from October to March along Gulf of Manner coast and from March to October along Palk Bay coast.The percentage of catches recorded by skin diving, trawlere and tallu valai were 80.04%, 10.27% and 9.69% respectively. Skin diving contributes to maximum catch.The holothurians landed all along the Gulf of Manner and Palk Bay coasts constitute 25.6% and 74.4% respectively. This showed that Palk Bay coast is more productive.

An integrated study on the hydrogeology of Bharathapuzha river basin, South West coast of India

The present work deals with the An integrated study on the hydrogeology of Bharathapuzha river basin ,south west coast of india. To study the spatial and temporal behaviour of the groundwater system of the Bharathapuzha river basin.To discover the sub-surface parameter by ground resistivity surveys.T o determine the groundwater quality of the Bharathapuzha river basin for the different seasons {pre monsoon and post monsoon with reference to the domestic and irrigational water quality standards.Present study will provide a good database on the hydrogeological aspects within the river basin.The study area covers l7 block Panchayats. Of these, Chitoor block is ‘over exploited’, Kollengode, Trithala, and Palakkad are ‘critical’ in category and Kuttippuram and Sreekrishnapuram blocks are ‘semi critical’ in terms of groundwater development.Comparison of Geomorphology map with drainage map shows that the geomorphology has a clear control on the drainage net work of the basin. The structural hill area shows a highest drainage network, where as pediment shows lowest drainage network.There are many discontinuous lineament in the Bharathapuzha river basin which can be connected by a straight line.Ground water flow directions are generally towards the western portions of the study area. From the northern region Water flows towards the central and also water from the eastern and southern side confluences at the centre and move towards western side of the basin.The positive correlation of transmissivity and storativity values show good aquifer conditions exists in the present study area .

Studies in the effects of hydrogen sulphide on the penaeid prawns of Kayamkulam lake, Southwest coast of India

The work presented in this thesis is centered mainly around delineating the toxic effect of hydrogen sulphide on penaeid prawns and understand its influence on the ecology of estuary. The present investigation also involved characterization of the effects of hydrogen sulphide on the growth and behavioural responses of Penaeus indicus. The test animals employed during the present study namely indicus and Metapenaeus dobsoni are both ecologically and economically relevant. The thesis embodying the details of the investigation has been organized into three chapters comprising Acute toxicity, influence of hydrogen sulphide on the ecology of estuary and effect of hydrogen sulphide on growth and substratum selectivity of penaeid prawn. Each chapter has been partioned into various sections as Introduction, Material and Methods, Results and Discussion for a lucid presentation of the subject matter.