Phytoplankton pigments in relation to primary production and nutrients in the inshore waters of Tuticorin, southeast coast of India

Abstract

Annual variation of primary production and chlorophyll-alpha of the inshore area of Tuticorin indicated three peak periods, during March-April, June-July and September-October. The multiple regression analysis indicated significant levels of co-relation by chlorophyll-alpha and nitrates with primary production. Among nutrients only nitrate and phosphate have influence on primary production while nitrite and silicate have insignificant role. The usefulness of chlorophyll-alpha in relation to the primary production rates as a measure of the standing crop of phytoplankton and the role of nutrients in the organic production of the inshore area of Tuticorin are also briefly discussed.