Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF PHYSICO-CHERNICAL PARAMETERS ON PHYTOPLANK- TON DISTRIBUTION OF KILAIPURA ESTUARY) ORISSA, EAST COAST OF INDIA

S. N. Panigrahi, B.K. Nayak and B.C. Acharya

Abstract

Observations on phytoplankton community in Maipura estuary during I 998-99 showed striking variations in generic/species composition and abundance in relation to the ambient water quality, particularly in the nutrient (NH3'NO2'NO3'PO4 and 5104) content. The phytoplankton population exhibited a marked variation with salinity gradient. Some planktonic groups showed seasonal succession. A bloom of Chatoceros has been observed during the study. R-mode factor analysis is applied to understand the significant relationships of planktonic forms like Chatoceros and TrichodesmiumwithNH3, NO2 and PO4; and correlations of Nitzschia with BOD, NH3' NO2 and PO4; and Chatoceros and Trichodesmium with pH and DO.