DOCSLIB.ORG

Influence of Water Quality on the Biodiversity of Phytoplankton in Dhamra River Estuary of Odisha Coast, Bay of Bengal

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Influence of Water Quality on the Biodiversity of Phytoplankton in Dhamra River Estuary of Odisha Coast, Bay of Bengal March JASEM ISSN 1119-8362 Full-text Available Online at J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. , 2011 All rights reserved www.bioline.org.br/ja Vol. 15 (1) 69 - 74 Influence of Water quality on the biodiversity of phytoplankton in Dhamra River Estuary of Odisha Coast, Bay of Bengal PALLEYI, S; KAR, R N; *PANDA, C R Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar-751013, India *Corresponding author : [email protected] ABSTRACT: Dhamra estuarine ecosystem is a hotspot of rich biological diversity which supports a patch of mangrove along with unique flora and fauna. In this study, the diversity of phytoplankton population and other factors that control their growth and biodiversity were investigated. The samples were collected monthly from Dhamra estuary of Bay of Bengal at 6 different stations (grouped under three regions) from March -2008 to February -2009. A total of 41 genera of phytoplankton species belonging to 4 classes of algae were identified. The maximum value of 9.3 X 10 4 cells l -1 was recorded in post monsoon season. Phytoplankton of Bacillariophyceae, appearing throughout the year, and represent majority of population (75-94%) at all the sampling stations, followed by Dinophyceae (3-14%), Cyanophyceae (3-8%) and Chlorophyceae (0-4%) classes. The Shannon- weavers diversity index (H) remains between 0.22 and 2.49. Based on the correlation coefficient data, phytoplankton shows positive relationship with DO, salinity, nutrients and negative relationship with temperature and turbidity. Present study shows that the occurrence and diversity of these primary producers do not subscribe to a single dimensional phenomenon of a single factor, rather than, a consequence of a series of supported factors which will help to maintain and balance such type of fragile ecosystem. @JASEM Estuaries are characterized by the gradient of salinity is the world’s most important nesting beach for Olive in a semi enclosed coastal system, flourishing a group Ridley sea turtles on the Orissa coast of Bay of of organisms uniquely capable of using the salinity Bengal. gradient to a competitive advantage. Phytoplanktons represent the base of pelagic food webs in estuarine Although, a number of studies have been carried out ecosystem and play a major role in the global cycling on the ecological conditions of estuarine region, as of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and other elements Bay of Bengal is considered as a low productive zone and the regulation of earth’s climate. The biomass (Madhupratap, et al ., 2003), very limited work has distribution and species composition of been done in the east coast of Orissa. Moreover, not phytoplankton have important effects on carbon as much of information on phytoplankton species fixation rates and on transfer of energy in food webs. composition and diversity is available in this Studies of the abundance, distribution and particular estuarine region. composition of phytoplankton communities are, therefore, a fundamental contribution to our MATERIALS AND METHODS understanding of the structure and function of Sampling of surface water was carried out throughout estuarine ecosystems. Phytoplankton communities the year (March-2008 to February-2009) on a are multispecies communities, which are highly monthly basis at Dhamra River Estuarine region. A multifaceted in terms of their diversity and dynamics. total of 6 stations ,where station-1 and 2 covers the Successional shifts in phytoplankton community lower estuarine region (marine region, depth-63 ft), structure are mainly due to changes in environmental station-3 and station-4 covers the river mouth region variables such as nutrients and other physico- having depth of 27ft and 26ft, respectively and chemical variables which influence the distribution station-5 (26ft) and station-6 (26ft) were the riverine and abundance of plankton communities in estuaries region or fluvial region dominated by freshwater but (Cleorn, 1987; Ferreira et al ., 2005; Madhu et al ., subjected to tidal action. 2007). Water samples for the measurement of salinity, Estuarine regions are important sinks for several turbidity and nutrient parameters were collected in elements. In this study we tried to identify and asses Polypropylene bottles and for DO and BOD the trend of phytoplankton species diversity at measurement, water samples were collected in DO Dhamra Estuarine region with the water physico – bottles and analysed by Winkler method. The chemical parameters. Dhamra river is the union of temperature and salinity was measured in situ using river Brahmani and Baitarani, the two largest rivers sensor based Multi WTW 340i/set. Salinity was of Orissa, situated at the Bhadrakh district, just north again cross-checked by silver nitrate titration (Oxner, of the boundary of Bhitarkanika wild life sanctuary, 1920). Turbidity was measured by Nephlometric famous for its estuarine crocodiles and approximately method using HACH 2100P Turbidimeter. Basic 10 km from the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, which nutrient parameters (nitrite, nitrate, ammonia and *Corresponding author : [email protected] 70 phosphate) were measured according to standard reflection of significant alteration in ambient methods (Grasshoff, 1999). For quantitative and conditions within an ecosystem. Basically, Diatom qualitative analyses of phytoplankton (Verlencar, (class- Bacillariophyceae), Dinoflagellates (class- 2004), a Sedgwick-Rafter plankton counting chamber Dinophyceae), Cocolithophores and Silicoflagellates was used and samples were examined (class- Chrysophyceae) and blue-green algae (class- microscopically by trinocular Nikon 90i Eclipse Cyanophyceae) are the principal phytoplankton taxa automated microscope. All 1,000 squares on the in the ocean. In Dhamra estuarine water sample, chamber were screened (Gilbert, 1942). Empty phytoplankton belonging to class Bacillariophyceae frustules were not included in the total counts. dominated over other classes of phytoplanktons at all Phytoplankton cell identifications were based on the 6 stations in the whole year (March-08 to Feb- standard taxonomic keys (Verlencar, 2004; Botes, 09). After Bacillariophyceae, some genus of 2003). The results are expressed as numbers of cells Dinophyceae, few of Cyanophyceae and occasionally L–1 and phytoplankton diversity was calculated using Chlorophyceae genus were observed (Fig 2). Shannon’s diversity index. (Shannon and Weaver, 1949) Plankton communities in the estuary can be served as an indicator for the change in ecosystems under the H = -∑ pi ln pi pollution stress. In ecology, a diversity index is a statistics, which is applied to measure the species Where H - is the diversity index; ln - is the natural biodiversity in an ecosystem. A stressed environment logarithm; i - is an index number for each species typically has a lower number of species with one or present in a sample; pi - is the number of individuals two species (those adapted to the stress) having many within a species (ni) divided by the total number of more individuals than the other species (Gao and individuals (N) present in the entire sample. Song, 2005). As our study area was identified as a low productive zone (Madhupratap et al ., 2003), the RESULT AND DISCUSSION diversity index remained between 0.22 and 2.49 Phytoplankton abundance and species composition throughout the year at all the sampling stations (Fig showed both spatial and seasonal variation. The 2). During the post monsoon season, as a result of dominant species recorded at different sampling fresh water flushing and changes in salinity, the stations belonged to the genera Coscinodiscus, estuarine region experiences the most dramatic Skeletonema, Nitzschia, Navicula, Thallasiothrix, change in phytoplankton species composition, as is Triceratium, Biddulphia, Ceratium, Rhizosolenia, evident from the diversity index data (Fig 2). The Thallasionema, Bacillaria, Chaetocerous, Melosira, highest phytoplankton population density reached 4 –1 Trichodesmium, Podosira, Pleurosigma . There was upto 9.3 x 10 cells l at river mouth region during succession of different species recorded during the month of December-2008 (in the post monsoon different sampling seasons at different sampling season). The total phytoplankton community during points. The numbers of phytoplankton genus under this proliferation was composed mainly of diatoms these classes are identified as Bacillariophyceae 31 and dominated by a single diatom species genus and several species, 2 genus of Chlorophyceae, Pleurosigma angulatum . Abiotic features in estuaries 6 genus of Dinophyceae and 2 genus of vary depending upon the degree of protection from Cyanophyceae. The percentage occurrence of water motion (waves, tidal currents), the quality of different phytoplankton groups with respect to total fresh water input and circulation patterns including phytoplankton taxa at six different stations of residence time of the water, depth and salinity Dhamra estuary throughout the year has been given gradient. Further abiotic factors change both in Figure-I. The Shannon’s diversity indexes were temporally and spatially, so that a wide variety of also graphically presented in Figure-II. The habitats exist in estuaries. Diversity and abundance correlation coefficient values of different physico- of phytoplankton are related to the physico chemical chemical and biological data of Dhamra estuarine parameters in general and more particularly to water samples throughout the year are presented in temperature, DO, BOD, salinity and nutrient Table 1.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mahanadi Delta
    Study Area - Mahanadi Delta Mahanadi delta is formed by a network of three major rivers: Mahanadi, Brahmhani and Baitarini draining into the Bay of Bengal. The coastline of the delta is about 200 km long which stretches from south near Chilika to north up to Dhamra River. Using SRTM 30m digital surface elevation data, area within 5m contour from the coast line has been extracted within the vicinity of Mahanadi delta (Figure 1). Figure 1 SRTM 5m filled contour (shown as light blue) overlaid on LULC map of Mahandi Delta The 5m contour spread across districts of Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur and Bhadrak. Chilika lake is also within 5m contour line and within the Mahanadi delta. The district Baleswar, in the extreme north is within 5m contour, but it is outside the Mahanadi delta. The geomorphological map (Figure 2) of the region (Source: Bhuvan-NRSC) also indicates that these features lie in coastal region of Mahanadi and adjacent river systems. Using the above criteria, five districts, namely, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Bhadrak have been considered as the study area for Mahanadi Delta (Figure 3). The north and south bounds of the study areas have been defined using the geomorphological map, and Jajpur has been excluded, as it is not lying in the Mahanadi river system, though part of coastal zone. The total study area is 13137.679sq km and consisting of 5 administrative districts and 45 Blocks (sub-district) as shown in Figures 3 and 4 respectively. In Table 1 the physical area of the blocks/districts has been provided.
    [Show full text]
  • Talcher-Dhamra Stretch of Rivers, Geonkhali-Charbatia Stretch of East Coast Canal, Charbatia-Dhamra Stretch of Matai River and Mahanadi Delta Rivers) Act, 2008 Act No
    THE NATIONAL WATERWAY (TALCHER-DHAMRA STRETCH OF RIVERS, GEONKHALI-CHARBATIA STRETCH OF EAST COAST CANAL, CHARBATIA-DHAMRA STRETCH OF MATAI RIVER AND MAHANADI DELTA RIVERS) ACT, 2008 ACT NO. 23 OF 2008 [17th November, 2008.] An Act to provide for the declaration of the Talcher-Dhamra stretch of Brahmani-Kharsua- Dhamra rivers, Geonkhali-Charbatia stretch of East Coast Canal, Charbatia-Dhamra stretch of Matai river and Mahanadi delta rivers between Mangalgadi and Paradip in the States of West Bengal and Orissa to be a national waterway and also to provide for the regulation and development of the said stretch of the rivers and the canals for the purposes of shipping and navigation on the said waterway and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-ninth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 1. Short title and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the National Waterway (Talcher-Dhamra Stretch of Rivers, Geonkhali-Charbatia Stretch of East Coast Canal, Charbatia- Dhamra Stretch of Matai River and Mahanadi Delta Rivers) Act, 2008. (2) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. 2. Declaration of certain stretches of rivers and canals as National Waterway.—The Talcher- Dhamra stretch of Brahmani-Kharsua-Dhamra rivers, Geonkhali-Charbatia stretch of East Coast Canal, Charbatia-Dhamra stretch of Matai river and Mahanadi delta rivers between Mangalgadi and Paradip, the limits of which are specified in the Schedule, is hereby declared to be a National Waterway. 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Migration As an Adaptation to Climate Change in Mahanadi Delta
    Migration as an Adaptation to Climate Change in Mahanadi Delta Shouvik Das, Sugata Hazra* , Tuhin Ghosh*, Somnath Hazra, and Amit Ghosh (*Presenting Authors) School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur University, India Abstract Number: ABSSUB-989 Adaptation Future 2016, Rotterdam, Netherlands Introduction Study Area Socio-Economic Profile • Agriculture and fishery sectors of natural resource based The Decadal Variation in Population Since 1901 Map of India economy of deltas are increasingly becoming unprofitable due to 2,500,000 Climate Change. Bhadrak 2,000,000 Kendrapara • This results in large scale labour migration, in absence of Jagatsinghapur 1,500,000 alternative livelihood option in the Mahanadi delta, Odisha, Mahanadi Delta Khordha Odisha: 270 persons per sq. km. 1,000,000 Puri India: 382 persons per sq. km. India. Population Total • Labour migration increased manifold in the coastal region of 500,000 Odisha in the aftermath of super cyclones of 1999 and 2013. - 1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 Year 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 • The present research discusses whether migration can be 30 Population Growth Rate (%), 2001-2011 considered as an adaptation option when the mainstay of 20 Odisha: 14.05% livelihood, i.e. agriculture is threatened by repeated flooding, sea 10 0 level rise, cyclone and storm surges, salinization of soil and crop (%) Rate Growth Bhadrak Kendrapara Jagatsinghapur Khordha Puri 1% failure due to temperature stress imposed by climate change. 5% Malkangiri 205 9% Koraput 170 26% 157 5% Methodology Rayagada 146
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Water Quality of Baitarani River
    Published by : International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT) http://www.ijert.org ISSN: 2278-0181 Vol. 7 Issue 07, July-2018 Assessment of Water Quality of Baitarani River Dr. Tushar Kumar Nath1, Bhagirathi Tripathy2 Abhijeet Das3 1Professor, IGIT, Sarang 2Assistant Professor, IGIT, Sarang 2Faculty, Civil Engg. Department, IGIT, Sarang, Dhenkanal, Abstract - Levels of various physico-chemical parameters quality of water for irrigation. However, such water along with coli form cell units were determined for fourteen influences crops yield. water samples in pre-monsoon, monsoon and post- monsoon periods between March-2014 to Feb-2015 to assess the water quality stations of Baitarani River. Most of the LITERATURE REVIEW parameters were of maximum value in post-monsoon period. The samples were acidic in post-monsoon period River basins are highly vulnerable to contamination due where as slightly acidic to alkaline in other periods. The pH, to absorption and transportation of domestic, industrial EC, TDS, TH, the major cations and anions in all samples and agricultural waste water. Anthropogenic influence as and DO values in most of the samples were well within the well as natural processes degrade surface waters and BIS and WHO limits. But turbidity, TSS, total and faecal impair their use for drinking, industrial, agricultural and coliform units and in some cases BOD values were beyond recreational purposes (Kumar and Dua, 2009). India is the limits indicating contaminated water bodies. Fe and heading towards a fresh water crisis mainly due to Cr contributed a lot for high value of WQI. The sample improper management of water resources and from (S8) was found to be unsuitable for drinking and environmental degradation.
    [Show full text]
  • Infrastructure Study Report for 300 Mt Steel by 2025
    DRAFT INFRASTRUCTURE STUDY REPORT FOR 300 MT STEEL BY 2025 MECON LIMITED RANCHI- 834002 JULY, 2014 (R0) No. 11.14.2014.PP 2151 JUNE, 2015 (R1) DRAFT JOINT PLANT COMMITTEE Ministry of Steel, GOI INFRASTRUCTURE STUDY REPORT FOR 300 MT STEEL BY 2025 MECON LIMITED Ranchi – 834002 No. : 11.14.2014.PP 2151 JULY , 2014 (R0) JUNE, 2015 (R1) INFRASTRUCTURE STUDY REPORT FOR 300 MT STEEL BY 2025 GOVT. OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF STEEL PREFACE It is largely being felt now by Country’s policy makers that manufacturing has to be the backbone of future growth strategy of India over the next decade. Accordingly, the new manufacturing policy aims at increasing manufacturing growth rate to 11-12% by 2016-17 and raising its share in GDP from current 16% to 25% by 2025. The policy envisages creation of National Investment & Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) equipped with world class infrastructure facilities to promote manufacturing activities in the country. To achieve the manufacturing growth of GDP’s share from 16% to 25% by 2025, there will be substantial increase in steel demand. Some of the NMIZs are being planned in mineral rich states offering excellent potential location for setting up new steel plants. Draft National Steel Policy 2012 targets crude steel capacity of 300 Mt in the country by the middle of the next decade (2025-26). A High Level Committee on Manufacturing (HLCM) in its meeting held on 9th July 2013 which was chaired by the then Hon’ble Prime Minister endorsed the growth strategy targeting National Mission of 300 Mt crude steel output by 2025-26.
    [Show full text]
  • Article Download
    wjpls, 2018, Vol. 4, Issue 2, 127-134 Research Article ISSN 2454-2229 Satyabrata et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical World Journal and ofLife Pharmaceutical Sciences and Life Sciences WJPLS www.wjpls.org SJIF Impact Factor: 4.223 EFFECT OF ESTUARINE EFFLUENTS ON BENTHIC FAUNAL COMMUNITIES IN RELATION TO TIDAL DYNAMICS OF DHAMRA ESTUARY *1,2Satyabrata Das Sharma, 1Rashmi Ranjan Behera, 1Upasana Mohapatra, 1Chitta Ranjan Panda and 2Lakshman Nayak 1CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Environment and Sustainability Department, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751013, India. 2Department of Marine Sciences, Berhampur University, Odisha-760007, India. *Corresponding Author: Satyabrata Das Sharma CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Environment and Sustainability Department, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751013, India. Article Received on 17/12/2017 Article Revised on 07/01/2018 Article Accepted on 28/01/2018 ABSTRACT Estuaries are an integral part of the hydrological cycle and regulate the particle delivery from rivers to the coastal environment and to the ocean. The high human population density and rapid economic growth in coastal Bay of Bengal makes the coastal biodiversity at risk. Now a days pollution monitoring is highly appreciable work for conserving coastal water quality and the aquatic diversity. Benthic invertebrates are useful bio-indicators providing a more accurate understanding of changing aquatic conditions. In this apprehension, the study was deals with benthic monitoring in relation to water and sediment quality along Dhamra estuary of East coast of India. Water, sediment and benthic samples were collected in every tidal rhythm (high tide, mid tide and low tide) over a period of 36 hours from May, 2016 to March, 2017.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mahanadi Delta: Understanding the Present State of Climate Change, Adaptation and Migration
    The Mahanadi Delta: Understanding the Present State of Climate Change, Adaptation and Migration Introduction The Mahanadi delta is formed by a network of three major rivers comprises over 13,000 sq.km which includes five administrative draining into the Bay of Bengal: the Mahanadi, Brahmhani and Baitarini. districts in Odisha state: Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Khorda, The coastline of the delta is approximately 200km long from near and Puri and 45 administrative blocks (sub-districts) (Figure 1). Chilika in the south to the Dhamra River in the north. The study area The delta houses the Chilika Lake which is the largest brackish water lagoon in India; Bhitarkanika mangrove forest famous for crocodiles; Gahirmatha beach which is a natural habitat of Olive Ridley turtles; famous sandy beaches along the coast; the port of Paradwip; and the religious tourist destination of Puri. Inhabited by 10.6 million (2011 Census) people, the population density is highest in Khordha (800 persons/ Km2) and lowest in Puri (488 persons/ Km2) among the five study districts. However exposure to monsoon flooding, tropical cyclones and erosion are compelling inhabitants to migrate out of the Mahanadi Delta. Under these circumstances, DECCMA explores whether migration is an adaptation option in such low lying deltaic regions and aims to provide policy support to create conditions for sustainable gender- sensitive adaptation. Figure 1: DECCMA Study Area for Mahanadi delta www.deccma.com @deccma October 2017 Mapping Land Cover Changes and Hotspots Land Cover Land cover mapping for 2011-12 showed agriculture as the most prominent category of land cover, occupying 64% of the land under single, double or triple crop type.
    [Show full text]
  • Sea Turtle Nesting Habitats on the Coast of Orissa1
    88 Marine Turtles of India 7 Sea Turtle Nesting Habitats on the Coast of Orissa1 Bivash Pandav, B C Choudhury and C S Kar In Orissa, four species of sea turtles—olive ridley turtles, green turtles, hawksbill turtles and leatherback turtles—have been reported, though the nesting of only one species, the olive ridley (which is the most common species along the east coast of India), has been confirmed (Dash and Kar 1990). Gahirmatha, one of the major mass-nesting beaches of olive ridleys in the world, has been known to the scientific world since 1973 (Daniel and Hussain 1973, Bustard 1974, 1976, Kar 1980, Bustard and Kar 1981, Kar and Bhaskar 1982, Biswas 1982, Silas et al 1984). However, except for the Gahirmatha nesting population, very little is known of the conservation status of the olive ridley or of their nesting populations and habitats in India. Scientific research on sea turtles started in Orissa only in the 1970s. But even this was largely confined to the rookery at Gahirmatha (Bustard 1976, Kar 1980, Kar and Bhaskar 1982, Silas et al 1983, Silas et al 1984, Kar and Dash 1984, James et al 1989, Dash and Kar 1990). In 1974–75, eggs collected from the Gahirmatha and Konarak coasts were artificially hatched for the first time (Biswas et al 1977), but little attention has been paid to other sea turtle nesting beaches along the Orissa coast. In fact, a second mass- nesting ground of the olive ridley in Orissa—Devi river mouth in Cuttack district— was discovered only in 1981 (Kar 1982), and there has been no information from this site since 1982.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity Assessment of Dhamra Port Site and Surrounding Areas, Orissa © Greenpeace / P
    © GREENPEACE / SUMER VERMA BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT OF DHAMRA PORT SITE AND SURROUNDING AREAS, ORISSA © GREENPEACE / P. MOHAPATRA BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT OF DHAMRA PORT SITE AND SURROUNDING AREAS, ORISSA Report commissioned by Greenpeace and prepared by the North Orissa University Principal Investigator: Dr. Sushil K. Dutta Professor & Head, Department of Zoology, North Orissa University and Member, IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group and IUCN, Captive Breeding Specialist Group Special acknowledgments: Prathyush Mohapatra/Vasundhara Team members: Prasad Kumar Dash, Shiva Prasad Parida, Deepak Kumar Singh, Nimay, Jyoti, Indra and Mahat Publishers: Greenpeace India, 3360, 13th B Main, Indirangar, HAL II Stage, Bangalore, 560 038. Tel: +91 80 4115 4861 Fax: +91 80 4115 4862 www.greenpeaceindia.org © Greenpeace, May 2007 Contact: [email protected] Foreword 4 1 Executive Summary 5 2 Introduction 10 2.1 Study Area 2.2 Objectives 2.3 Methodology 3 Findings 14 3.1 Mammals 3.2 Avifauna 3.3 Sea Turtles 3.4 Snakes 3.5 Amphibians 3.6 King Crabs 3.7 Icthyofauna 3.8 Flora 4 Impacts of Port Construction 29 4.1 On Port Site and Immediate Surroundings 4.2 On Marine Diversity 4.3 On Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary 5 Recommendations 32 Appendices 33 FOREWORD The Dhamra port is being projected as one of the largest in India and South Asia by the time it is commissioned. Given its location near the Bhitarkanika National Park and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, there have been concerns raised for almost a decade now on the possible harmful impacts that the port’s construction, operation and the ancillary development it spawns, will have on the environment, ecology and wildlife of the region.
    [Show full text]
  • Influence of Water Quality on the Biodiversity of Phytoplankton in Dhamra River Estuary of Odisha Coast, Bay of Bengal
    March JASEM ISSN 1119-8362 Full-text Available Online at J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. , 2011 All rights reserved www.bioline.org.br/ja Vol. 15 (1) 69 - 74 Influence of Water quality on the biodiversity of phytoplankton in Dhamra River Estuary of Odisha Coast, Bay of Bengal PALLEYI, S; KAR, R N; *PANDA, C R Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar-751013, India *Corresponding author : [email protected] ABSTRACT: Dhamra estuarine ecosystem is a hotspot of rich biological diversity which supports a patch of mangrove along with unique flora and fauna. In this study, the diversity of phytoplankton population and other factors that control their growth and biodiversity were investigated. The samples were collected monthly from Dhamra estuary of Bay of Bengal at 6 different stations (grouped under three regions) from March -2008 to February -2009. A total of 41 genera of phytoplankton species belonging to 4 classes of algae were identified. The maximum value of 9.3 X 10 4 cells l -1 was recorded in post monsoon season. Phytoplankton of Bacillariophyceae, appearing throughout the year, and represent majority of population (75-94%) at all the sampling stations, followed by Dinophyceae (3-14%), Cyanophyceae (3-8%) and Chlorophyceae (0-4%) classes. The Shannon- weavers diversity index (H) remains between 0.22 and 2.49. Based on the correlation coefficient data, phytoplankton shows positive relationship with DO, salinity, nutrients and negative relationship with temperature and turbidity. Present study shows that the occurrence and diversity of these primary producers do not subscribe to a single dimensional phenomenon of a single factor, rather than, a consequence of a series of supported factors which will help to maintain and balance such type of fragile ecosystem.
    [Show full text]
  • The National Waterway (Talcher-Dhamra Stretch
    TO BE INTRODUCED IN LOK SABHA Bill No. 92 of 2006 THE NATIONAL WATERWAY (TALCHER-DHAMRA STRETCH OF RIVERS GEONKHALI-CHARBATIA STRETCH OF EAST COAST CANAL, CHARBATIA-DHAMRA STRETCH OF MATAI RIVER AND MAHANADI DELTA RIVERS) BILL, 2006 A BILL to provide for the declaration of the Talcher-Dhamra stretch of Brahmani-Kharsua-Dhamra rivers, Geonkhali-Charbatia stretch of East Coast Canal, Charbatia-Dhamra stretch of Matai river and Mahanadi delta rivers between Mangalgadi and Paradip in the States of West Bengal and Orissa to be a national waterway and also to provide for the regulation and development of the said stretch of the rivers and the canals for purpose of shipping and navigation on the said waterway and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 1. (1) This Act may be called the National Waterway (Talcher-Dhamra Stretch of Short title and Rivers, Geonkhali-Charbatia Stretch of East Coast Canal, Charbatia-Dhamra Stretch of Matai commencement. River and Mahanadi Delta Rivers) Act, 2006. 2 (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Declaration 2. The Talcher-Dhamra stretch of Brahmani-Kharsua-Dhamra rivers, Geonkhali- of certain Charbatia stretch of East Coast Canal, Charbatia-Dhamra stretch of Matai river and Mahanadi stretches of rivers and canals delta rivers between Mangalgadi and Paradip, the limits of which are specified in the Schedule, as National is hereby declared to be a National Waterway.
    [Show full text]
  • Gahirmatha Beach Located in the Bhirtarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary Supports the Largest Known Nesting Ground of Olive Ridley Turtle in the World
    1 DEVELOPMENT TEAM Primary data collection : Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar, Orissa Database development : Dr. S. Sundaramoorthy Dr. T. Shunmugaraj Mr. V. Ramanathan of ICMAM-PD Dr. S. Rajaguru Dr. V. Ravi & Mr K. Shivakumar of IOM, Anna University Remote sensing and GIS : Mr. V. Balamurugan, IOM, Anna University Information system development : Dr T. Shunmugaraj, ICMAM-PD and Mr. V. Balamurugan, IOM, Anna University Multimedia design and development : Ms. K. Radha and Dr. T. Shunmugaraj of ICMAM-PD Report preparation : Dr. T. Shunmugaraj of ICMAM-PD Project review : Dr. B. R. Subramanian and Dr. V. Sampath of ICMAM-PD 2 1. I ntroduction The coastline of India extending to over 7,500 km, harbours a variety of specialised marine ecosystems like coral reef, sea grass, mangroves, nesting and feeding grounds and lagoons, supporting a variety of resources. Bhitarkanika is one such unique ecosystem (mangroves, nesting and breeding grounds for turtles) situated on the east coast of India in the state of Orissa. The coastline of this region is sandy in nature and free of rocks and stones. The area includes Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, which are of International repute. Gahirmatha beach located in the Bhirtarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary supports the largest known nesting ground of olive ridley turtle in the world. (Bustard, 1976; Kar and Bhaskar, 1982; Dash and Kar 1990). About 0.2 to 0.7 million olive ridley turtles visit this beach during December - April for mass nesting every year. However, in the last 20 years, large scale mortality and shifting of nesting is being observed. The uniqueness of the topography of this area lies in the manner in which the region is criss-crossed by a network of rivers and flanked by the sea on one side.
    [Show full text]