Eutrophication Status of Marine Environment of Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru Ports

2009

Environ Monit Assess

Zooplankton abundance, biomass, and composition from the ports of Mumbai, India, were studied by selecting 14 stations in and around the area during three different periods between 2001 and 2002 (Nov 01, Apr 02, and Oct 02). The results are compared with the records available since the 1940s. Copepod species such as Canthocalanus sp., Paracalanus arabiensis, Cosmocalanus sp., Euterpina acutifrons, Nannocalanus minor, and Tortanus sp. which were not reported in the earlier studies were observed during the present investigation. Purely herbivorous forms like Nannocalanus minor, Paracalanus sp., and Temora discaudata were in reduced abundance during Apr 02 sampling which was coupled with reduction in the diatom population. Whereas increased abundance of some carnivorous and omnivorous forms during Apr 02 sampling can be related to the changes in the food web dynamics.

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the abundance and composition of zooplankton from the ports of Mumbai, India

Gaonkar

Krishnamurthy

2009

Environ Monit Assess

“…Temperature, pH, suspended particulate matter (SPM), salinity, nutrients, DO and bacteria were analyzed following standard procedures and are published elsewhere (Sawant et al 2007). …”

Section: Water Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Over the years, a gradual increase in nitrate concentration along with a simultaneous decrease in dissolved oxygen (DO) has been observed. Characterization based on Assessment of Estuarine Trophic Status (ASSETS) model (Bricker et al 2003) indicates that the current status is poor and the environment is degrading (Sawant et al 2007). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dinoflagellates in a mesotrophic, tropical environment influenced by monsoon

D’Costa

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

Patil

et al. 2008

The changes in dinoflagellate community structure in both -the water column and sediment in a mesotrophic, tropical port environment were investigated in this study. Since the South West Monsoon (SWM) is the main source of climatic variation, observations were made during two consecutive post-monsoon periods (2001 and 2002) and an intervening pre-monsoon period (2002). The pre-monsoon period supported a more diverse dinoflagellate community in the water column compared to both post-monsoon periods. Heterotrophic dinoflagellates were abundant in the water column as well as sediment. A seasonal cycling between vegetative and resting cysts of autotrophic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates governed by the environmental characteristics of the study area was observed. Temperature, salinity and suspended particulate matter were the main factors affecting dinoflagellate community structure in both the water column and sediment. The dominant dinoflagellates in the water column differed during both post-monsoon periods that followed two dissimilar monsoon events. Prorocentroids and gonyaulacoids dominated the water column subsequent to the 2001 SWM, whereas dinophysoids and unidentified tiny dinoflagellates dominated during the next post-monsoon period. The 2001 SWM started in May, peaked during June-July and reduced gradually to end in October. The 2002 SWM was erratic; it started late (in June) and ended earlier (in September). These observations highlight the potential of the SWM to influence the community structure of dinoflagellates in tropical waters and points to the importance of long-term studies to discern robust variations in dinoflagellate communities in response to fluctuating monsoon regimes.

“…Such an increase in traffic increases the risk of introductions and calls for appropriate management strategies. The degrading environmental conditions, in Mumbai harbour as described by Sawant et al (2007), can compound problems further by altering the community and facilitating the growth of tolerant invasive species. former and present country focal point, respectively, for Global Ballast Water Management Program in India.…”

Section: Hard Substratum Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Mumbai harbour, India: gateway for introduction of marine organisms

Gaonkar

Sawant

et al. 2009

Environ Monit Assess

Self Cite

Ships have been identified as one of the important vectors in the translocation of organisms from one bioregion to another leading to bioinvasion. In this context, harbours serve as a gateway for the introduction of alien species. Surveys were carried out in the vicinity of ports of Mumbai for macrobenthic fauna, zooplankton and hard substratum community on three different occasions during 2001-2002. The study shows that 14 polychaete species are recently introduced to this area. Mytilopsis sallei, a bivalve, which is an invasive species in the Indian context continued to be present but was restricted to enclosed docks, indicating preference for embayed water bodies. The polychaete Protula tubularia was abundant in the hard substratum community and is being reported as a possible ship-mediated introduction.