Dinoflagellates cyst assemblage concerning trophic index for eutrophication from major ports along the west coast of India. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rodrigues, R.V.; Patil, J.S.; Anil, A.C.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 176(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Dinoflagellate cyst -- Ports -- Eutrophication -- Trophic index -- Harmful Algal Blooms; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113423
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: An overview of dinoflagellates cysts assemblage is presented as a trophic index for three monsoon-influenced estuarine and marine ports along the Indian coast. The cyst distribution (including harmful species) showed a trend of highest abundance and species number in highly eutrophicated estuarine (Cochin-south) followed by medium (New-Mangalore-central) and low (Kandla-north) levels of eutrophicated marine ports. The investigation revealed four new species in the region ( Bitectatodinium spongium, Gonyaulax elongatum, Brigantedinium sp. and potential harmful species Blixaea quinquecornis -cyst similar to planktonic). Autotrophs dominance in the highly productive Cochin and New-Mangalore ports reveals that, in eutrophic systems, heterotrophs need not always be dominant. The indicator taxa ( Polykrikos, Protoperidnium, and Lingulodinium ) presence in high density indicated a eutrophic system. This study concludes cyst (species numbers/Fisher-α index/indicator species) as potential eutrophication proxies and emphasizes greater harmful-algal-bloom risks in the high trophic-index ports (Cochin and New-Mangalore). Highlights: Studied dinoflagellate cysts assemblage from monsoon influenced Indian major ports. Cochin, Mangalore & Kandla ports formed high, medium & low level of eutrophication. Cyst abundance & species richness increased with eutrophication (Eut) levels. Autotrophic cysts dominance, diversity, species richness form potential Eut proxies High-medium eutrophicated ports harbour more cysts of potential harmful species.