Distribution of particulate organic matter in Rajapur and Vagothan estuaries (west coast of India)

Abstract

The distribution Of particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate carbohydrates (PCHO) and particulate proteins (PP) in the suspended particulate matter was studied. The POC, PCHO and PP concentrations ranged from 176 to 883 mug.l-1, 115 to 647 mug.l-1, 1.5 to 4.4 mg.l-1 at Rajapur estuary and 290 to 893 mug.l-1, 108 to 653 mug.l-1, 2.4 to 4.7 mg.l-1 at Vagothan estuary respectively. Correlation analysis showed that PCHO appeared to be associated with living phytoplankton at both the estuaries, however, POC formed a major source of PCHO at Vagothan estuary. Considerable quantity of organic matter was also associated with detritus originating from runoff.