Seasonal variations in the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of the Eastern Arabian Sea

Abstract

The entire area along the west coast of India, between Cape Comorin and Kandla within the EEZ was covered in six research cruises of FORV Sagar Sampada, 2 each in pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon periods during 1991-93. Data on the physical, chemical and bio- logical parameters were collected at every station (one degree square) from surface to maximum depth of 500 m by using Rosette samplers along with CTD Unit. The results of the investigations indicated definite fluctuations in the physico-chemical and biological features in different seasons. The influence of physico-chemical features on primary production in terms of chlorophyll a and other relevant observations made by earlier workers were compared and briefly discussed in order to get a comprehensive picture of the characterestics of the waters in different seasons in the eastern Arabian Sea.