Sujatha, C H; Aneeshkumar, N(Elsevier, January 2, 2012)
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Abstract:
Sedimentary biomarker pigments around Cochin estuary situated in the southwest coast of India were
determined by HPLC. Fucoxanthin, an indicator of diatom was observed to be the most abundant
carotenoid pigment in the estuary. Dinoflagellate derived carotenoid pigment peridinin was confined in
the southern part of estuary and zeaxanthin pigment indicative of cyanobacteria were more found in
sites influenced by anthropogenic activities. One compound having close similarity to fucoxanthin was
also detected. Alloxanthin (cryptophyceae), chl b (green algae), canthaxanthin, neoxanthin, lutein and
peridinin isomer were also detected by spectra and corresponding algal class were identified. The highest
concentration of chl a (11.01 mg g 1) found near to the anthropogenic affected area while the lowest chl
a (0.65 mg g 1) was recorded in industrial area. Degradation products of chl a, such as pheophorbide and
pheophytin were observed and principal mode of mechanism of degradation were derived. Higher
pheopigments content than chl a, reflects a density trapping of dead cells and early degradation of
phytopigments from grazing activities
Description:
Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 99 (2012) 182-190