Primary productivity in nearshore waters of Thal, Maharashtra Coast

Abstract

Primary productivity off Thal, Maharashtra, India was evaluated at 3 stations during Feb. 1980 to Jan. 1981. The area was quite turbid and the euphotic zone never exceeded 2.5 m. Column production ranged from 0.69 to 605.21 mg C. m^-2.d^-1 (av. 78.2 mg C. m^-2.d^-1). Rate of production at all stations was maximum in August. Chl a maxima were spread over the July/August period. Correlation between nutrients and production was very low suggesting that instantaneous concentration of nutrients was insignificant. The estimated annual primary production potential of the study area (38.72 km²) was 1105 t C.