Asterionellopsis glacialis (Family: Fragilariaceae, Class: Bacillariophyceae, Phylum: Ochrophyta) bloom and its impact on plankton dynamics at Kalpakkam (Bay of Bengal, Southeast coast of India)

Abstract

An intense bloom of Asterionellopsis glacialis (Family: Flagilariaceae; Class: Bacillariophyceae; Phylum: Ochrophyta) was observed in the near-shore waters at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. Proliferation was supported by the favorable temperature, salinity, and nutrient levels in the coastal waters prevailing in the post-northeast monsoon period. BIOENV analysis and PCA confirmed salinity and nitrate as the key environmental factors responsible for the A. glacialis abundance. Cluster analysis further supported the distinct state of coastal water during the bloom with respect to physicochemical properties. The bloom period was floristically and faunistically richer than the pre- and post-bloom periods. The cluster and nMDS analysis confirmed the effects of bloom on plankton dynamics in the near-shore waters at Kalpakkam. The dominance of meroplankters especially, Cirripedia nauplii and Bivalvia larvae over Copepoda during the peak bloom period, was a significant result of the study. PCA ordination plot for the quantitative aspects of phytoplankton and zooplankton groups further supported the above observation. Among Copepoda, Cyclopoida and Poecilostomatoida (mostly carnivorous) exceeded the Calanoida (mostly herbivorous) during the peak bloom period unlike the reverse trend observed during other periods. Fish eggs and larvae were available in substantial numbers during the bloom which indicated their proliferation in the presence of the blooming diatom standing stock as the food material.

Keywords

• Asterionellopsis bloom
• Phytoplankton
• Zooplankton
• Plankton dynamics
• Coastal waters
• Southeast coast of India