Research Article
KS Anila Kumary
Abstract
Water quality, sediment characteristics and biotic components (plankton and benthos) of Kayamkulam lake and the adjoining Ayirumthengu mangrove waters (between 9°2’and 9°12’N latitude and 76°26’ and 76°32’E longitude) in Kerala was studied for a period of one year. All the physic- chemical characteristics and biological parameters analysed reported significant temporal variations. Salinity variations were more conspicuous than the variations in other parameters. Nutrients (NO3-N, NO2-N and PO4-P) values in general were higher in the mangrove water than in the lake water. The sediments were silty sand and clayey sand with good amount of organic matter. Diatoms contributed more than 50% of the phytoplanktons and copepods dominated the zooplanktons (>40%). Benthic density (annual mean) was 1796 m-2 in the lake bottom and 3210 m-2 in the mangrove environment.