Biomass & Composition of Zooplankton in Auranga, Ambika, Purna & Mindola Estuaries of South Gujarat

Abstract

Mean biomass of zooplankton in Auranga, Ambika, Purna and Mindola estuaries were 4.31, 3.46, 3.58 and 3.17 ml/100 m³ respectively. Relatively higher biomass was recorded during ebb period in Auranga, Purna and st 1 of Ambika. In Mindola and st 2 of Ambika the flood period sustained higher biomass. Copepods, molluscan veligers, decapod larvae mysids and chaetognaths were the major constituents in the collections. In general, chaetognaths, decapod larvae and fish larvae were caught in higher abundance during the flood conditions. The prevailing water quality of Ambika and Mindola indicates deteriorating conditions and consequently some reduction in biomass and population density of certain groups were observed.