Ecology of mudbanks - Phytoplankton productivity in Alleppey mudbank

Abstract

The standing crop of phytcplankton, in terms of \t 
\nbiomass, chloropliyll a and total ceils, recorded high \t 
\nvalues during the rise as well as maturity of the \t 
\nmudbank. However, the primary production \t 
\nshowed high values only before, and not during or \t 
\nafter, the formation of the mudbank Qualitatively, \t 
\na total of 58 species of phytoplankters were present. \t 
\nA no'abie feature seen in association with the mud\t 
\nbank was the blooming of Noctiluca miliaris, at the \t 
\ntime of dissipation of the mudbank during both the \t 
\nseasons'of 1971 and 1972. The possible relation\t 
\nship of phytoplankton to and the role it plays at the \t 
\nmudbank is briefly discussed.