Hydrobiology of the inshore waters off Tuticorin in the Gulf of Mannar

Abstract

A study conducted for a period of one year (2003) on the hydrobiology of the coastal and inshore waters off Tuticorin based on samples from the surface and bottom regions of two stations, indicated a bimodal oscillation in water temperature and unimodal fluctuation in salinity. The sewage polluted first station showed comparatively lower dissolved oxygen content, higher productivity and high nutrient content. At the second station, high nitrite concentration was observed associated with monsoon season. Very high statistically significant difference (P<0.001) was observed in the dissolved oxygen content, productivity and nutrient concentration between the two stations. The zooplankton volume was also less both in quantity as well as in diversity at the first station. Copepods followed by Lucifer, and fish eggs were the dominant groups at both stations.