Algal biomass and composition of cumulative panels deployed during postmonsoon and monsoon seasons in Waghotana Estuary

Abstract

Aluminium and glass panels were deployed on a raft in Waghotana Estuary, Maharashtra, India during different seasons. The panels were exposed for a period of two to eight months (cumulative panels) and algal biomass and species composition were noted. Algal biomass values tended to increase gradually during postmonsoon season whereas during monsoon opposite trend was observed showing higer algal biomass values initially on both the types of substrata. Comparatively, higher biomass was noted on the aluminium panels during both the seasons. Various species of <i>Enteromorpha</i> and <i>Cladophora</i> appeared to be the main fouling algae although there was an enhanced abundance of the former on the aluminium panels and higher abundance of the latter on glass panels. Species of <i>Ulva, Cladophoropsis</i> sp. and <i>Antithamnion</i> sp. were found to settle on aluminium panels only. <i>Porphyra</i> sp. was common to both the types of panels during monsoon. Likewise, <i>Sphacelaria</i> sp. settled on both the substrata. The variations in fouling pattern are attributed to the nature of substrata and the period of deployment of panels.