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Abstract:
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As the title of the thesis indicates, a detailed analysis of microalgae, the
major primary producers and the first link in aquatic food chains, was carried
out during this study. Microalgae are either planktonic or benthic. The studies
on these microscopic autotrophs are having an upsurge of interest recently due
to their variations, adaptations, short generation time and various utilitarian
aspects, including food, fodder and fuel. The surface water samples collected during the cruises
(cruise nos. 189, 193, 195, 196, 203, 204, 205, 207 and 209) of Fisheries and
Oceanographic Research Vessel (FORV) Sagar Sampada (Fig.2.2), conducted
during the period from November 2000 to November 2002, are used as
samples for microalgal estimation in the EEZ of India. The present research
work includes the identification and distributional pattern of planktonic
microalgae in the EEZ of India. The blooms encountered during the above
mentioned cruises of FORV Sagar Sampada and the blooms of Kerala coast
during the period from 2001-2005 are also studied |