NOPR Collection:

Anomalous circulation around the southern Indian peninsula observed during winter, 2009; and the generation mechanisms

2020-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Anomalous circulation around the southern Indian peninsula observed during winter, 2009; and the generation mechanisms Authors: Rao, Golla Nageswara; Sreenivas, Pentakota Abstract: In the present study we have analysed the currents data collected on board INS Sagardhwani using Vessel-Mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (VM-ADCP) along the southern Indian peninsula and Sri Lanka during December 2009. The observed currents deviated from climatological circulation pattern except around Sri Lanka. The southeastern region of peninsular India has evidenced the most anomalous currents from in-situ observations, with a northward flowing east India coastal current which is often southward (climatologically). The ROMS model is unable to simulate the observed anomalous currents, whereas the high-resolution (1/12 degree) HYCOM ocean model had reasonably well simulated these currents. From HYCOM simulations, we have found that small scale eddies (which are not captured or resolved by altimeter) are responsible for the observed anomalous behaviour of currents (east India coastal current) over southeastern India. This work further emphasizes the need of high-resolution ocean modelling for proper representation of key physical process and associated circulation systems. Page(s): 343-351

Integrated coastal zone management practices for Sundarbans, India

2020-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Integrated coastal zone management practices for Sundarbans, India Authors: Pitchaikani, J. Selvin Abstract: Sundarban is the only tiger inhabited mangrove forest on the globe which is threatened by severe coastal erosion due to relative sea level rise. Effects of climate change events including increased atmospheric temperature, changes in rainfall patterns, drinking water scarcity, reduced agriculture productivity, declining fish catch, increased salinity and extreme weather events such as floods, cyclones and tidal surge, are likely to have profound adverse impacts on the estuarine biodiversity and livelihoods of inhabitants of the region. Tigers in Sundarbans stray into the neighbouring villages during low tide to prey upon cows and goats. Obviously, all these phenomenon leads to a daily survival battle for the inhabitants. To address these issues, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) practices are essential and is being implemented in Sagar Island and Gosaba Island of Sundarbans through ICZM project, funded by the World Bank. The alternative livelihood programme for coastal fishermen community of the Sundarbans Islands, income generation activities, encouraging salt tolerant paddy cultivation, establishment of rainwater harvesting system, construction of multipurpose cyclone shelters, and strengthening of the nylon fencing in Tiger Reserve Forest etc. are recommended for the sustainable development of the Sundarbans. An area specific approach or regional plan for Sundarbans is essential, as they have specific problems such as Tiger straying, seawater intrusion, erosion of embankments etc. Page(s): 352-356

Marine macro-algae as a bio-indicator of heavy metal pollution in the marine environments, Persian Gulf

2020-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Marine macro-algae as a bio-indicator of heavy metal pollution in the marine environments, Persian Gulf Authors: Bibak, Mehdi; Sattari, Masoud; Tahmasebi, Saeid; Agharokh, Ali; Namin, Javid Imanpour Abstract: The northern parts of the Persian Gulf are more affected by pollutants because of their low depth, limited rotation, salinity, and high temperature. The anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic contaminations caused by organic and inorganic pollutants in aquatic ecosystems will eventually lead to increase pollution in water, sediments, and aquatic organisms. It seems that, algae are the most suitable indicator for soluble heavy metals (HMs) in both active and passive states. Samplings were carried out on a monthly basis in four different stations in Bushehr Province, northwest of the Persian Gulf from March 2016 to March 2017. ICP-mass spectrometry was used to determine Pb, Cu, Cd, As, Cr, Zn, Al, Mn, Co, V, Ni, Mg, S, Fe, and Ca concentrations in some macroalgae. In this study Padina gymnospora (brown algae) and Hypnea hamulosa (red algae) had the highest absorption, while the Cladophoropsis membranacea (green algae) showed the least absorption in all the sampling areas. Page(s): 357-363

Seasonal variation of ichthyofauna in trawling grounds off Mangaluru coast, Southwest coast of India

2020-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Seasonal variation of ichthyofauna in trawling grounds off Mangaluru coast, Southwest coast of India Authors: Kumar, J.; Benakappa, S.; Naik, A. S. Kumar; Rawat, S. Abstract: Mangaluru coast, Southwest coast of India has vast aquatic bio-resources and offers considerable scope for marine fisheries development. The present investigation was carried out to assess the ichthyofaunal diversity off Mangaluru coast, Karnataka, India (Lat.12°50'54" N; Long. 74°50'11" E). The data for the study was collected from 160 multiday trawlers operating from Mangaluru fishing harbour during September, 2012 to April, 2013. A total of 97 species belonging to 72 genera, 50 families and 15 orders were recorded. Order Perciformes was the most diversified group having 56 fish species (57.7 %) followed by Clupeiformes 14 fish species (14.4 %), and Tetraodontiformes and Pleuronectiformes with 4 fish species each (4.1 %). The family Carangidae contributed 13.4 per cent of total number of species, followed by Clupeidae (6.2 %) and Engraulidae (5.2 %). Trichiurus lepturus contributed 15.42 per cent of total landing followed by Sardinella longiceps (12.1 %), Nemipterus japonicus (10.7 %), Decapterus russelli (9.9 %), Rastrelliger kanagurta (9.6 %) and Nemipterus randalli (8.4 %). The overall cluster analysis of the Bray-Curtis similarity (hierarchical clustering) shown that maximum similarity (89.7 %) was between March-2013 and April-2013. The study showed that the samples from adjacent months were having more similarity in species composition and abundance. The stress value, which overlying on the MDS plot (0.06), showed greater extent of ordination in the collected samples. Page(s): 364-372