Biological characteristics of the Laccadive Sea (Lakshadweep)

Abstract

Primary productivity, chlorophyll <i>a</i>, phaeopigments and particulate organic carbon were studied in the Laccadive Sea during March-April 1978. Column primary productivity, chlorophyll a and phaeopigments ranged from 254 to 830 mg C/m² day (av. 372), 1.4 to 15.4 mg/m² (av. 4.9) and 1.16 to 17.2 mg/m² (av. 4.6) respectively. Pigments from nannoplankton were 22 to 100% of the total phytoplankton pigments. Particulate organic carbon values ranged from 1.55 to 6.16 g/m² (av. 3.61). <i>Trichodesmium erythraeum</i> and <i>T. thiebautii</i> were present at all the stations. <i>Gymnodinium</i> sp. was mostly present near the islands. Attenuation coefficient varied from 0.061 to 0.113. On an average the detrital carbon was 81% of the particulate organic carbon.