Trace-Metals In Water And Phytoplankton Of Visakhapatnam Harbor Area, East-Coast Of India

Abstract

Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd and Co in surface and bottom levels are higher in water and in mixed phytoplankton samples in the harbour as compared to their concentration level in coastal waters. Though the trace metal concentrations in coastal waters are higher than average values of the Indian Ocean, they are however, lower than those reported for coastal and inshore waters of Bay of Bengal. Significant correlations are observed between some trace metals in water and phytoplankton, indicating their common association with them.