Preliminary observations on the total phosphorus content of the inshore waters of the Malabar Coast off Calicut

Abstract

Although the occurrence and distribution of phosphates in sea-water have been the subject of extensive studies and its significance as a plant nutrient influencing seasonal cycles of plankton production well recognised, investigations on total phosphorus content have been found to be also useful in the light of recent advances concerning the phosphorus cycle in the sea. While the observed fluctuations in the levels of readily available nutrients in soluble inorganic forms may throw some light on the factors controlling productivity, it has been suggested in recent years that total phosphorus may serve as an index of the potential fertility of water masses in different regions.