Dissolved and particulate lipids in the Arabian Sea off Bombay Coast

Abstract

Concentrations of dissolved lipid ranged from 20-140 µg.l^-1 in the surface and 30-150 µg.l^-1 in near bottom waters while particulates lipid varied from 6-109 and 29-133 µg.l^-1 respectively in surface and bottom waters. Dissolved lipid contributed 39-92% of total lipid. No relationship was evident between lipid distribution and distance from shore. Contribution of plankton lipid carbon to total lipid carbon varied from 0.9-27%. Results indicate that lipid originates either from detritus matter or from anthropogenic sources.