Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper


Vol.14, Issue 1, 2008

Page Number: 31-33

ECOLOGY OF CLAM BED IN KALBADEVI ESTUARY, RATNAGIRI

M.M. Girkarl, G.N. Kulkarni, S.B. Satam and S.S. Todkari

Abstract

During seven-month period (July 2002 to January 2003), surface water temperature and salinity of Kalbaclevi estuary, varied from 27°C to 31°C and 22 to 30 ppt respectively without any particular seasonal trend. The minimum pH of 7.34 and maximum of 7.74 were observed, while dissolved oxygen values were recorded 4.6 to 5.8 mg/L without much variation with season. In the present investigation organic matter fluctuated from 0.23 to 1.27%. The water level, i.e. depth varied from 2 to 3.7 m depending on tidal influence. The substratum composition at site contain 50% clay, 17% silt and 33% sand.