Mud of a mud bank in Kerala, south-west coast of India

Abstract

Fine particles of mud measuring <1 to 300 µm constitute the mud of the Alleppey mud bank. These particles, with some variations in their size, occur throughout the year in the region of the mud bank. Total phosphorus content of the mud is high and its carbon content is related to the texture of the mud. Mud, largely composed of very fine particles, has relatively high organic carbon content. Plant pigments and carbohydrate occur in very low concentrations and the caloric value of the mud is also low indicating that the mud is of poor nutritional value. Fish and prawns caught from the region of the mud bank contain large quantities of mud in their guts suggesting that mud is ingested when probably other food organisms are not readily available.