NOPR Collection:

Mangrove species selection for phytoremediation of heavy metals from the Sundarbans, Northeast coast of India

2024-03-04T06:11:43Z

Title: Mangrove species selection for phytoremediation of heavy metals from the Sundarbans, Northeast coast of India Authors: Mukherjee, P; Das, P K; Ghosh, P Abstract: In the Sundarbans mangrove forest, heavy metals like Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, and Cr were assessed in soil, leaf, stem and root tissue of various mangrove species. Except for Zn and Cu, the levels of other metals in plant organs were lower than the metal concentration in sediments. Cu and Cr accumulations were to some extent higher in tissues of all mangrove species in comparison to the permissible limit in plants. Physicochemical properties of sediments might greatly influence the availability of metals to mangroves. The mangroves, Nypa fruiticans, Ceriops decandra and Phoenix paludosa are classified as excluders of Cu with more accumulation of metals mainly occurring in roots, with a resultant Translocation Factor (TF) < 1 and a Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) > 1. Both Heritiera fomes and Aegialitis rotundifolia are classified as accumulators, extractors and translocators of Cu and extractors and translocators of Zn. Accumulators could be considered as tolerant as well as indicator plants for controlling the movement of metals from root to shoot that becomes proportional to the metals in the sediment. All of these characteristics of mangrove species in terms of heavy metal accumulation could be considered as phytoremediation potentiality of mangrove plants and associates. More investigation in these aspects needs to be carried out not only to identify other species suitable for phytoremediation but also to ensure safe food chains in the coastal ecosystems. Page(s): 123-129

Distribution of meiofauna in the sublittoral sediments of the tropical island ecosystem, off Port Blair, Andaman Sea

2024-03-04T06:10:03Z

Title: Distribution of meiofauna in the sublittoral sediments of the tropical island ecosystem, off Port Blair, Andaman Sea Authors: Arunima, T K A; Afnan, N M; Swathi, V; Heera, N S; Shah, K; Mohan, P M Abstract: Meiofaunal studies from offshore sediments of the Andaman Sea were conducted during the South-West Monsoon Season (SWMS), North-East Monsoon Season (NEMS) and Non-Rainy Season (NRS) of the year 2019. The study focused on identifying the meiofauna and its distribution from the sub-littoral sediments of South Andaman Islands. Altogether ten meiofaunal groups viz., foraminifera, nematodes, copepods, pteropods, diatoms, polychaetes, kinorhyncha, ostracods, halacarids and gastrotricha were reported in the present study. Foraminifera dominated throughout the study period (24 %), followed by nematodes (22 %), while gastrotrichs (0.94 %) were found to be the least abundant group. NEMS was observed to have the highest meiofaunal density among all three seasons. Cluster analysis represented foraminifera and nematodes as a single cluster with the highest similarity percentage (97 %). Shannon-Weiner diversity index was highest in North Bay during Non-Rainy Season (NBNRS) and lowest in Corbyn’s Cove during South-West Monsoon Season (CCSWMS). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results indicated that sediment composition, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Organic Carbon (OC) content were the most important factors influencing the meiofaunal distribution in these areas. The study revealed marked differences in the meiofaunal population dynamics compared to the mainland India and have also reported additional meiofaunal groups from the studied regions. Page(s): 130-144

Variability in catch composition and CPUE of bottom trawl fishery along Parangipettai, Cuddalore and Pazhayar, Southeast coast of India, Bay of Bengal

2024-03-04T06:11:32Z

Title: Variability in catch composition and CPUE of bottom trawl fishery along Parangipettai, Cuddalore and Pazhayar, Southeast coast of India, Bay of Bengal Authors: Vajravelu, M; Sarangi, R K; Ayyappan, S Abstract: The present study intended to find out the variations in fish composition and CPUE (Catch Per Unit Effort) (November 2017 – March 2018) of bottom trawl fishery at three stations viz., Parangipettai, Cuddalore and Pazhayar. Out of 16 sampling from these three stations, the highest CPUE was recorded from Parangipettai (70 kg/hr) and Cuddalore (51.4 kg/hr) between January and February 2018. Altogether, 67 finfish and shellfish species were identified from the trawl catches, of which Trichiurus lepturus, Leiognathus equula, Nemipterus furcosus, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Nibea maculata, Deveximentum insidiator, Nemipterus randalli, Terapon theraps, Eubleekeria splendens, Loligo vulgaris, Nemipterus japonicus, Sepia officinalis, and Leiognathus berbis were found as commercially important fishes. Additionally, Loligo vulgaris (165 kg) and Leiognathus berbis (35 kg) were found dominantly in the total catches from January to March 2018. The present investigation revealed that amid three study areas investigated, Parangipettai and Cuddalore exhibited higher total catch, CPUE, and fish diversity, which is also highlighted in the PCA (Principal Component Analysis). The high catch noticed in these areas might be due to increased productivity in the post-monsoon season supported by corresponding monsoonal nutrient influx, as Parangipettai and Cuddalore coastal waters experience high estuarine influx. Further, it was also evidenced by the observed higher values of essential nutrients such as nitrate (Cuddalore: 7.66 μM; Parangipettai: 8.17 μM) and silicate (Cuddalore: 6.68 μM; Parangipettai: 8.48 μM), and chlorophyll-a concentration (Cuddalore: 1.43 μg/l; Parangipettai: 2.09 μg/l) at both the stations. Page(s): 145-154

First record of Lethrinus olivaceus Valenciennes, 1830 (Perciformes: Lethrinidae) from the northern east coast of India

2024-03-04T06:06:44Z

Title: First record of Lethrinus olivaceus Valenciennes, 1830 (Perciformes: Lethrinidae) from the northern east coast of India Authors: Mohanty, S R; Patnaik, L; Mohapatra, Anil Abstract: The Long-face emperor, Lethrinus olivaceus Valenciennes, 1830, a reef-associated fish, was collected from the Gopalpur coast, Odisha. This study provides first record information of the species from the Odisha coast and also gives attention to the protection of this species by recommending conservation of coral reef-laden benthic habitats. Earlier, this species was reported along the southernmost tip of India (Wadge Bank); however, the present study reports the species from the northern part of the east coast of India. Page(s): 155-157