Sameer, Terdalkar, S.N. Kumbhar and A.S. Kulkarni
Abstract
Sediment samples were collected from seven sampling stations of the Bhatye Estuary, Ratnagiri, and were analysed for the qualitatively and quantitatively for the presence of dinoflagellate cysts.The studies revealed presence of two key cysts forming species - Alexandrium catenella and Gymnodinium catenatum.Their numerical abundance ranged from 1.06 to I 2.4 x lOs cysts/m2 and 1.42 to 7.11 x I Os cysts/m? respectively. Most of the cysts encountered were present at the sediment water interface and exhibited chances of resuspension, survival and germination only in the presence of benthic biological activity.