International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 3(10), 24-31, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 24 Phytoplankton Density in Comparison with Monthly Variation of Hydro biological Parameters in Manakudy Estuary, South West Coast of India Ajithamol A., Shajithamol A., Venkatesh B., Michael Babu M. Saraswathi S.3 and Bipin k jhaDepartment of zoology, Muslim Arts and Science College, INDIA Department of Chemistry, Priest University, INDIA Centre for Marine Science and technology, M.S.University, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 22nd July 2014, revised 17th September 2014, accepted 15th October 2014 Abstract Estuarine water quality and species composition of phytoplankton was studied from July 2011 to June 2012 at four locations in Manakudy estuary .Water temperature, pH, salinity, DO, BOD levels were detected. 57 species of the phytoplankton were identified from all the locations. Diatoms were the most diverse group with 33 species followed by the Green algae (12); the blue green algae (7) and din flagellates (5) species. The percentage distribution of Bacillariophyta (74.23%) in station 2 contributed more, among all the stations. during the study period. The observation from the study revealedi that phytoplankton density is not very good predictors for the changes in water quality in the study area. Keywords: Manakudy estuary, physico-Chemical parameters, phytoplankton and species composition. Introduction Aquatic ecosystems are affected by several health stressors that significantly deplete biodiversity, the loss of biodiversity and its effects are predicted to be greater for aquatic ecosystems than for terrestrial ecosystems. Estuaries are characterized by the gradient of salinity in a semi enclosed coastal system. It plays a fundamentally important role as nursery areas for many aquatic organisms. To assess the potentialities of any aquatic system, the hydrobiological study are very essential. Physico-chemical variables which influence the distribution and abundance of plankton communities in estuaries3, 4Phytoplankton is the important biological part in the energy transfer in food chain which transfers energy to the higher organisms5,6. The phytoplankton composition is affected by various environmental factors such as pH, temperature, salinity, turbidity, light and nutrients. The density of phytoplankton often changes and each species appears to have its own peak period in different estuaries. The nutrient loads also play a major role in ecological system of biological communities, associated mostly with eutrophication processes10. The aim of this paper is to show the species composition and distribution of phytoplankton in relation to physico-chemical parameters. Material and Methods Description of study area: Manakudy estuary is located in the southwest coast of Kanyakumari district, Tamilnadu. It is a large estuarine system, has a total area of about 150 ha , extending over 2 km and is located between 84’ N latitude and 7726’ E longitude. The water samples were collected from four different points on the estuary every month respectively. It receives wastewater discharges from nearby coir-cottage industry, the agricultural runoff and human activities. Collection of water sample: Monthly samplings were made between the time interval of 7 am and 9 am from July 2011-June 2012 throughout the year. Water samples were collected in a polythene can (2 litre) from a different depth of three spots in each stations Physicochemical analysis: The physico - chemical parameters such as rainfall, water temperature, pH, salinity, DO and BOD was analysed. Rainfall data were obtained from Meteorological Department at Chennai. pH was measured by using a digital PH meter. Salinity is measured by salinity refractometer. Water temperature by thermometer. DO were estimated by the Wrinkler’s titration method11. BOD was estimated by Wrinkler’s method12Phytoplankton analysis: Phytoplankton samples of Manakudy estuary were collected in polythene can (2litre) using a net mesh size (No.25). In each station three spots were randomly fixed. The collected phytoplankton samples are brought to a laboratory, then preserved in 4% formaldehyde and identified with suitable literatures13-17,. The phytoplankton analysed were assigned to major groups viz. diatoms, green algae , blue green algae, and dinoflagellates. The numerical plankton counts were made by Haemocytometer counting with binocular microscope and the results are expressed in cells/ml. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 25 Statistical analysis: All the values were computed, analysed and presented as mean ± standard deviation. The correlation coefficients (r) were calculated for phytoplankton density and physico - chemical parameters by using MS office - Excel, to understand their relationship. Results and Discussion The physical and chemical characters of water are considered as the important principles in the identification of the quality and type of the water for any aquatic system18. Rainfall is one of the main factors responsible for seasonal variation in hydrobiological parameters19. The total annual rainfall of (184.61mm) was recorded in the Manakudyestuary. The maximum rainfall was reported in the month of November (44mm), absence of rainfall occur during February, May (table 1). In the present study, peak values of rainfall were observed in monsoon season and the lower values were recorded during the pre and post monsoon seasons. It was also reported by earlier workers20. Statistical analysis of rainfall was negatively correlated with DO in all the study stations (table 3). The surface water temperature (C) varied from 23.00-25.57, 22.53-27.63, 23.67-28.73 and 23.00-27.00 in ST-1, ST-2, ST-3 and ST-4 respectively (Table 1). The Maximum water temperature during march was due to high solar radiation and minimum recorded during August up to November was due to the strong land see breeze and precipitation . Rainfall brings the major change in the study station high value during summer could be attributed21. The temperature variation is one of the factors in the estuarine system, which may influence the physico-chemical characteristics22. The water temperature showed negative correlation with rainfall and positive correlation with PH in all the four stations. Table-1 Average mean value of physico-chemical parameters during the months July’11 to June ‘12 Parameters Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Rainfall(mm) 14.87 12.47 4.93 34.65 44 23.93 19.60 0 13.0 7.83 0 9.33 Station 1 WT 21.43 21.47 23.00 24.57 24.40 23.43 23.30 26.40 26.00 25.50 25.57 23.53 PH 7.26 7.14 7.33 7.77 7.17 7.48 7.20 7.16 7.40 7.61 7.52 6.84 S 24.00 23.67 21.33 25.67 27.67 26.67 12.00 10.00 11.67 15.00 9.00 7.67 DO 5.43 5.47 4.23 3.53 3.53 3.63 5.90 4.77 5.30 5.50 3.60 5.13 BOD 4.07 3.23 2.53 1.57 4.70 0.57 0.70 2.13 2.70 1.90 0.63 2.77 Station 2 WT 25.00 22.53 26.00 23.00 25.53 23.67 23.63 27.50 27.63 26.63 25.57 24.00 PH 7.12 7.28 6.93 7.19 7.14 6.50 6.58 7.24 7.42 7.77 6.57 6.84 S 18.00 15.00 15.00 19.00 20.00 20.67 7.00 6.00 7.00 9.00 6.33 6.00 DO 5.47 4.47 3.70 3.50 2.67 1.73 1.70 1.87 3.27 3.80 4.70 6.23 BOD 3.20 2.43 0.57 1.77 5.30 0.57 3.70 2.90 3.53 2.83 2.60 3.67 Station 3 WT 24.60 24.33 24.70 25.30 24.53 23.67 23.67 27.67 28.53 28.73 25.70 24.00 PH 7.62 7.03 6.50 7.63 7.57 6.83 6.83 7.24 7.49 7.46 6.74 7.02 S 6.67 7.00 8.33 6.00 4.00 5.33 5.00 4.33 5.33 7.00 4.67 4.67 DO 5.00 4.03 3.50 3.57 4.53 4.57 6.23 5.60 4.93 3.87 3.80 5.17 BOD 3.57 2.53 1.03 1.47 2.00 1.93 3.73 2.53 2.73 0.73 0.63 2.83 Station 4 WT 23.00 24.00 24.30 24.27 23.50 23.00 23.57 26.50 25.53 27.00 25.60 26.57 PH 7.29 6.96 7.13 7.23 7.21 6.82 7.25 7.70 7.25 7.34 7.03 7.19 S 0.67 1.33 1.67 1.33 0.33 0.67 1.33 1.33 1.67 1.00 1.33 1.67 DO 5.43 5.33 3.53 3.33 3.63 5.80 5.77 5.43 5.63 4.80 6.13 4.77 BOD 1.73 2.47 0.73 0.67 1.60 3.67 0.53 0.63 0.60 2.00 2.73 2.50 WT-Water Temperature (\rC), S-Salinity (ppt), DO-Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l), BOD-Biological Oxygen Demand (mg/l). International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 26 The pH ranged between (6.84 -7.77, 6.50-7.77, 6.50-7.63 and 6.82-7.70) in the four study stations Station-1, Station-2, Station-3 and Station-4 respectively (table-1). The maximum value observed in April and minimum in December. The PH of river water entering estuaries is high during dry season and decreases markedly during monsoon23. The PH variation in different season depends on different factors such as reduction of salinity, temperature and decomposition of organic matter24. It shows positive correlation with water temperature of sampling stations (table-3). Salinity value varied in station 1(7–27ppt), station 2(6-20ppt), station 3(4-8ppt), and station 4(0-1ppt) (table-1). During November, it was minimum in station 4 and maximum in station 1. It is also observed that in manakudy estuary during this month, marine water influx was high in barmouth. Similar observations were noted in the Mahi estuary25 and some Nigerian coastal waters26. The recorded high values of salinity could be attributed to the low amount of rainfall and higher rate of evaporation27. The inflow of freshwater from the land rainwater can change the salinity in the back waters, estuaries, backwaters and mangrove habitats. The salinity recorded a negative correlation with BOD in the four stations (table-3). Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) content ranged from (3.53-5.47), (1.70-6.23), (3.80-6.23) and (3.33-6.13) in all the four stations ST-1, ST-2, ST-3 and ST-4respectively (table-1). The maximum value was observed in the month of December and minimum value in January. The higher wind velocity joint with heavy rainfall which results with freshwater mixing might be the higher DO value 28. But the low level of DO recorded can be attributed to low density of aquatic plants and phytoplankton 29or the sewage discharges gradually affecting the aquatic life30. The DO reported to have negative correlation with rainfall of the station (table-3). The results showed that the BOD (mg/l) varied in st 1, st 2, st 3, st 4 as 0.57±4.07, 0.57±3.67, 0.63-3.57 and 0.60-3.67 (table-1). Maximum value recorded during November and the minimum level was observed in January. were due to The activity of micro-organisms and self purification of surface water system are major reason for the biological Oxygen demand (BOD) in all the stations 31. The statistical analysis of BOD is positively correlation with DO of the stations (Table 3). Phytoplankton species composition: A total of 57 taxa were identified from the manakudy estuary (table-2). These include 33 bacillariophyceae, 12 taxa belonging to chlorophyceae, 7 taxa cyanophyceae, 5 taxa dinophyceae (table-2). The percentage occurrence of different phytoplankton groups with respect to total phytoplankton at four stations of mankodi estuary throughout the year has been given in (figure-2). The dominant species recorded at different sampling stations belonged to the genera Coscinodiscusexentricus, Coscinodiscusconcinniformis, Thalassionemasubtilis, Navicula sp., Lauderiaannulata ,Nitzchialongissima, Pseudo-nitzchiasp, Nitzchiasp, Aulacoseirasp, Scenedesmusquadricauda, Nannochloropsissalina, Chlorella sp, Anabaena sp, Oscillatoriasp, Oscillatorialutea. The percentage contribution of each group of phytoplankton was in the following order like Diatoms Green algae Blue green algae Dinoflagellates. In manakudy estuary , diatoms were dominant (44) and also constituted 74.3% in station 2 , minor percentage in station 3, Dinophyceae 0.56% (Fig 2). Diatoms were the dominant group in the phytoplankton community in the four sampling stations of Bahía Blanca Estuary32. Table-3 Correlation coefficient values of physico-chemical parameters and phytoplankton density at the four stations of Manakudy estuary during July’11-June’12 station 1 Rain fall WT pH Salin ity DO BOD Phyto den Rainfall 1 WT -0.17 1 pH 0.15 0.34 1 Salinity 0.69 -0.51 0.28 1 DO -0.39 -0.25 -0.40 -0.41 1 BOD 0.28 -0.31 -0.46 0.35 0.14 1 Phytoden -0.01 0.21 0.04 -0.21 -0.55 -0.19 1 Station 2 Rain fall WT pH Sali nity DO BOD Phytoden Rainfall 1 WT -0.41 1 pH -0.03 0.42 1 Salinity 0.70 -0.43 -0.04 1 DO -0.30 -0.15 0.12 -0.12 1 BOD 0.28 0.20 0.24 -0.28 0.10 1 Phytoden 0.34 -0.46 -0.15 0.29 0.59 0.28 1 Station 3 Rain fall W. temp pH Salinity DO BOD Phyto den Rainfall 1 WT -0.38 1 pH 0.46 0.41 1 Salinity -0.24 0.02 -0.16 1 DO -0.03 -0.10 0.05 -0.55 1 BOD 0.13 -0.31 0.19 -0.25 0.83 1 Phytoden 0.55 -0.46 0.08 -0.17 -0.33 -0.21 1 Station 4 Rain fall WT pH Salinity DO BOD Phyto den Rainfall 1 WT -0.60 1 pH -0.22 0.49 1 Salinity -0.59 0.51 0.12 1 DO -0.49 0.08 -0.10 0.04 1 BOD -0.04 -0.08 -0.68 -0.36 0.36 1 Phytoden -0.18 0.39 0.08 0.11 0.11 0.17 1 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 27 Table-2 List of phytoplankton species distribution recorded at Manakudy estuary during July 2011- June 2012 in the four stations S. No Taxonomic species S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 Bacillariophyta (Diatoms) 1 2. 3 4. 5. 6. 7 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23 24. 25. 26. 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Coscinodiscusexcentricus* Ehrenberg Coscinodiscusconcinniformis*Simonsen CyclotellamaneghinianaKutzing ThalassionemanitzschioidesGrunow and Hustedt Grammatophoraundulata Baxillariapaxillifer (O.F.Muller) Hendey Chaetocerosaffinis Lauder Aulacoseirasp*Simonnsen Stephanodiscussp Synedrasp Nitzchiabicapitata*Cleve Naviculadistans*(W.Smith) Ralfs Navicularostellum*W.Smith Membraneis challenger Grunow Cymbellagracilis Cylindrothecaclosterium (Ehrenberg) Reimann and Lewin Thalassionemasubtilis* Fragillariasp Gyrosigmabalticum (Grunow) Cleve Guinardiasp Skeletonemacostatum (Greville) P.T.Cleve Rhaphoneisamphicerous (Ehrenberg)Ehrenberg RhizosoleniacrassaSchimper in Karten Striatelladelicatula Lauderiaannulata* P.T.Cleve Nitzchialongissima*(Brebisson) Ralfs Pseudo-nitzchiasubcurvata*(Hasle)G.Fryxell Pseudo-nitzchiaturgidula (Hustedt) Hasle Pseudo-nitzchiagraniivargraniiHasle RhizosoleniafragillissimaBergon Surirellasp Asterionella japonica Cleve Pleurosigmaangulatum (Quekett) W.Smith 9 6 1 4 4 4 7 9 3 7 2 3 7 9 7 3 4 4 1 3 1 13 5 5 0 1 5 3 3 4 3 3 3 12 3 1 5 3 4 3 5 2 6 2 2 2 1 1 0 22 2 1 0 2 1 1 0 17 5 3 0 4 0 1 4 2 5 2 0 2 2 3 8 3 2 6 5 1 3 1 5 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 5 9 5 2 5 5 2 1 2 1 1 3 1 0 1 1 3 2 3 10 7 1 1 3 2 3 2 9 3 4 3 2 0 1 0 8 8 2 2 1 0 0 1 1 Chlorophyta (Green algae) 34 35 36 37 38 39 Cosmariumsp Closteriumsp Dunaliellasalina Chlorella marina Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck Chlorella salina* 1 0 0 5 3 6 1 2 0 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 5 3 1 2 4 1 2 1 40 41 42 43 44 45 Pediastrumsp* Spirogyra sp* Scenedesmusdimorphis Scenedesmusquadricauda*(Turp.)Breb.Var.WestiiG.M.Smith Nannochloropsissalina* Chlorococcumhumicola(Naegeli) Rabenhorst 7 4 1 2 5 1 4 1 0 1 1 1 9 3 6 7 6 3 8 5 8 4 2 2 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 28 Dinophyta (Dinoflagellate) 46 47 48 49 50 Alexandriumsp Akashiwosanguinea (Hiraska) G.Hansen Prorocentrummicans Ehrenberg Ceratinumfusus (Ehrenberg)Dujardin Ceratinumlineatum (Ehrenberg) Cleve 4 2 3 2 2 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 4 1 0 Cyanophyta (Blue green algae) 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 Anabaena nodularia Anabaena sp* Gleocapsasp Nostocsp* MicrocystisaeruginosaKutzing Oscillatoriasp* Oscillatorialutea* Agardh 3 7 2 4 0 4 4 6 2 3 3 0 3 2 2 5 4 5 0 7 3 2 7 1 3 3 10 6 Total number of individual species 218 156 180 167 *Dominated taxa throughout study stations In the present investigation of manakudy estuary, diatoms were found to be dominant throughout the study period. Diatoms are cosmopolitically distributed and are considered to be of the opportunistic algal group in the sense that they are quite sensitive to minor change in environment 33. Most diatoms were capable of surviving in the estuarine environment irrespective of the variable salinity34 During the study period, it is observed that the chlorophyceae was dominant in the month of February (post-monsoon) in station 4. The chlorophyta were less tolerant of salinity and then restricted to the freshwater zone of the estuary35. The phytoplankton density (cells/l) in the manakudy estuary recorded higher level during June (35×10) in station-1, low level (2×10) recorded in April in station 2 (figure-1). Similar observations were earlier reported36. Phytoplankton and their growth depend on several environmental factors, which are variable in different seasons and regions37. Pollution causing species in Manakudy estuary were Alexandriumsp, Microcystisaeruginosa, Oscillatorialuteawere observed. Plankton communities in the estuary can be served as an indicator for the change in ecosystems under the pollution stress. The statistical analysis of correlation coefficients in the present study revealed that phytoplankton shows positive and negative correlation with the physico-chemical parameters. In the station 1 (r= -0.01) recorded low value of negative correlation among phytoplankton with rainfall (table-3). Figure-1 Population density (cells/ml) in the sampling stations of Manakudy estuary during July’11-June’12 International Research Journal of Environment Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) International Science Congress Association Percentage distribution of phytoplankton in the study sites of Manakudy Conclusion The present study of the manakudy estuary indicates that the salinity level is the main factor responsible for variation in the hydrobiology. In this estuarine ecosystem, the main cause of the adjoin and separati on of sandbars in bar mouth is the major reason for the hydrobiologicalchanges. Diatoms were dominated throughout the study period. Rainfall, which have a direct effect on the density and distribution of phytoplankton species. Tidal action, affected the d iversity indices too low level through the interchange of estuarine and marine communities and the favouring of distinct species in different sectors of the estuary. In the sampling stations, 15 species were present in all the months. It is evident that t he Manakudy estuary has been polluted by domestic sewages, disposal of coconut husk retting factory and agricultural runoff. References1.Sala O.E ., Chapin F.S., Armesto J.J., Berlow E., Environment Sciences_______________ _________________________ International Science Congress Association Figure2- Percentage distribution of phytoplankton in the study sites of Manakudy estuary from July’11 to June‘12 The present study of the manakudy estuary indicates that the salinity level is the main factor responsible for variation in the hydrobiology. In this estuarine ecosystem, the main cause of the on of sandbars in bar mouth is the major reason for the hydrobiologicalchanges. Diatoms were dominated throughout the study period. Rainfall, which have a direct effect on the density and distribution of phytoplankton species. Tidal iversity indices too low level through the interchange of estuarine and marine communities and the favouring of distinct species in different sectors of the estuary. 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