Environmental Conditions of Some Paddy-cum-Prawn Culture Fields of Cochin Backwaters, Southwest Coast of India

Abstract

Temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, inorganic phosphate, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite of seasonal and perennial prawn culture fields from 3 areas of Cochin backwaters are studied. Area 1 is a region least affected ecologically and the salinity values 10 x 10-3 occur here during December to June. Area 2 which is near to the location of effluent discharge from a fertiliser factory shows high concentration of nutrients with low prawn production. Area 3 is most favourably situated to resist ecological distortions because of its proximity to the sea. The results indicate that the fields in areas 1 and 3 have environmental conditions highly suited for prawn culture whereas in area 2 the salinity conditions are not very conducive for prawn growth.