Hydrological factors and the primary production in marine fishponds

Abstract

In the earlier papers dealing with the ecological characteristics of the salt water lagoon near Mandapam and the results of experimental fish culture in such areas, Tampi (1959 and i960) indicated that certain intrinsic factors are responsible for restricting biological productivity of these environments. Since then some experiments in this field have been conducted to assess the basic productivity of the area. A few preliminary trials in the use of artificial manures have also been tried to test the response in any possible increase in biological production. The results, in conjunction with the hydrological factors, are broadly presented in this paper which may be significant while the problem of utilising salin€ coastal lagoons is receiving increased attention in our country. In this context, a reference to the pioneering work of Gross, Marshall and their collaborators in the United Kingdom during the years from 1944 to 1949 is of utmost significance. A good amount of subsequent work, although mainly done in fresh water ponds, have bearing on the present problem. These are indicated in the review by Mortimer (1954) and Maciolek (1954).