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Eutrophication induced changes in benthic community structure of a flow-restricted tropical estuary (Cochin backwaters), India

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Abstract

The influence of anthropogenic loading on the distribution of soft bottom benthic organisms of a tropical estuary (Cochin backwaters) was examined. The industrial activities were found to be high in the northern and central part of the estuary, where dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN > 210 μM) and phosphorus (DIP > 6.5 μM) have caused high abundance of chlorophyll a (up to 73 mg m − 3) and accumulation of organic carbon in sediments (up to 5%). Principal component analysis distinguished three zones in the estuary. The central zone (Z1) was characterized by organic enrichment, low species diversity, and increased number of pollution tolerant species. Long-term deterioration of the estuary is indicated by an increase in the nutrients and chlorophyll a levels by sixfold during the last few decades. Flow restrictions in the lower estuary have lead to a fourfold increase in sediment organic carbon over the period of three decades. The reduced benthic diversity followed by an invasion of opportunistic polychaetes (Capitella capitata), are indicative of a stress in the estuary.

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  1. G. D. Martin

    Present address: Department of Chemical Oceanography, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin – 16, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR), Regional Center, P.B.No 1913, Cochin, 682018, India

    G. D. Martin, P. A. Nisha, K. K. Balachandran, N. V. Madhu, M. Nair, P. Shaiju, T. Joseph & K. Srinivas

  2. Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management-Project Directorate, Ministry of Earth Sciences, NIOT campus, Chennai, 601032, India

    G. V. M. Gupta

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  1. G. D. Martin
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Martin, G.D., Nisha, P.A., Balachandran, K.K. et al. Eutrophication induced changes in benthic community structure of a flow-restricted tropical estuary (Cochin backwaters), India. Environ Monit Assess 176, 427–438 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1594-1

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