PRODUCTION OF PARTICULATE ORGANIC MATTER BY THE REEF ON KAVARATTI ATOLL (LACCADIVES)

Abstract

The concentration of particulate organic carbon in the vicinity of Kavaratti Atoll is much greater than that of the surrounding sea. The particulate organic matter, which is largely produced by the coral reef, amounts to about 20% of the total gross production of the reef community. It is suggested that, in the absence of an adequate standing crop of phytoplankton, the particulate matter may form an important source of energy to zooplankton in coral reef waters.