Record Details

Iron released from ilmenite mineral sustains a phytoplankton community in microcosms

DRS at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography

View Archive Info
 
 
Field Value
 
Title Iron released from ilmenite mineral sustains a phytoplankton community in microcosms
 
Creator Fernandes, C.E.G.
Velip, D.
Mourya, B.S.
Shaikh, S.
Das, A.
LokaBharathi, P.A.
 
Subject phytoplankton
placers
ilmenite
biotic communities
 
Description Natural biotic communities from Kalbadevi Bay were monitored in microcosms (1-l glass flasks) to test the hypothesis that iron released from ilmenite through microbial action contributes to proliferation of phytoplankton. Microcosms containing ilmenite had significantly higher phytoplankton growth compared with controls containing no ilmenite or those containing only ferrous sulfate. Phytoplankton cell numbers in the ilmenite-supplemented treatment were 20X higher than in controls. The later stages were marked by the dominance of bottom dwelling Nitzschia spp. and Navicula spp. Iron-preferring Eunotia spp. and Pinnularia spp. were also encountered. Hence, increased phytoplankton biomass may be attributable to the steady release of bioavailable iron. We therefore infer that ilmenite mineral might sustain the phytoplankton community in ilmenite-dominated systems. Increases in density and diversity of phytoplankton over time and significant interrelationship between various parameters in the microcosm containing ilmenite indicate that stimulatory effect of iron released from this mineral could be beneficial to the biota in the system.
 
Date 2011-11-09T12:10:34Z
2011-11-09T12:10:34Z
2011
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier Botanica Marina, vol.54; 2011; 419?430
http://drs.nio.org/drs/handle/2264/3946
 
Language en
 
Rights An edited version of this paper was published by Walter de Gruyter. This paper is for R & D purpose and Copyright [2011] Walter de Gruyter. All efforts have been made to respect the copyright to the best of our knowledge. Inadvertent omissions, if brought to our notice, stand for correction and withdrawal of document from this repository.
 
Publisher Walter de Gruyter