Enhancement of Phytoplankton Community of Brackishwater System by Iron Fertilization

Abstract

Cell carbon content was studied in six major species of Coscinodiscus collected from three brackishwater ponds of Indian Sundarbans treated differently by the researchers of Department of Marine Science, University of Calcutta with the financial assistance of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India during 2012. The carbon content of the species varied significantly with treatment (p < 0.01), which may be attributed to exposure of the phytoplankton community to different environmental conditions. The maximum values of phytoplankton volume and carbon in iron fertilized pond speaks in favour of phytoplankton bloom due to iron enrichment. Interestingly low nutrient concentrations coincided with maximum phytovolume, phytocarbon and phytopigment (Chl a) in the iron fertilized pond, which is in accordance with the HNLC (High Nitrate low Chlorophyll) concept – a common phenomenon in several large regions of the surface waters of world ocean.