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Biological characteristics of Central Indian Basin waters during the southern summer

DRS at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography

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Title Biological characteristics of Central Indian Basin waters during the southern summer
 
Creator Matondkar, S.G.P.
Nair, K.K.C.
Ansari, Z.A.
 
Subject deep-sea mining
biological properties
phytoplankton
biomass
photosynthesis
Prrimary production
water column
zooplankton
summer
 
Description Phytoplankton biomass, taxonomy, primary productivity, and photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) were studied as part of baseline data collection for prospective nodule mining in the Central Indian Basin during the ORV Sagar Kanya cruise SK-120 in January 1997. The phytoplankton cell counts and chlorophyll a estimates showed low biomass level, suggesting low rates of primary productivity in the region studied. The average chlorophyll a value was 0.775 mg m sup(-3) at surface and 17.75 mg m sup(-2) in the water column. Similarly, average primary productivity at surface was 3.72 mg C m sup(-3) d sup(-1) and was 51.23 mg C m sup(-2) d sup(-1) in column. The chlorophyll a maxima at 50 to 80m was the characteristic feature of the euphotic zones of the area. Average phytoplankton counts at the surface were low (3960 cells=l), compared to those at 25m (6421 cells=l) and 75m (5187 cells=l). At most of the stations mesozooplankton biomass was maximum in the top 50m water column, indicating the importance of grazing in the euphotic zone. Appreciable quantities of mesozooplankton were observed below the euphotic zone, where settlement of chlorophyll a occurs. The low iron concentration in the water and its relationship with the water column productivity were correlated. The results show that waters in the CIB have low productivity in the surface as well as subsurface layers. This is expected to change in this case of a mining discharge in to these layers, possibly locally affecting the existing marine ecosystems. The final impact of such mining activity may remain negligible in the deep sea environment.
 
Date 2008-02-22T04:45:41Z
2008-02-22T04:45:41Z
2005
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier Marine georesources and geotechnology, Vol.23; 299-314p.
http://drs.nio.org/drs/handle/2264/880
 
Language en
 
Rights Copyright [2005]. It is tried to respect the rights of the copyright holders to the best of the knowledge. If it is brought to our notice by copyright holder that the rights are voilated then the item would be withdrawn.
 
Publisher Taylor and Francis