Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
(http://www.bioline.org.br/im)
VOLUME 30
NUMBER 3
SEPTEMBER 2001
CONTENTS
Influence of cooastal flooding on surge estimates along the east coast of India
R Mahadevan & G. Latha
115-122
An empirical model for estimating hourly solar radiation over the Indian seas during
summer monsoon season
N Mohan Kumar, P V Hareesh Kumar & R R Rao
123-131
Application of Ocean Colour Monitor chlorophyll and AVHRR SST for fishery
forecast: Preliminary validation results off Gujarat coast, northwest coast of India
H U Solanki, R M Dwivedi, S R Nayak, J V Jadeja, D B Thakar, H B Dave
& M I Patel
132-138
Thraustochytrid protists degrade hydrocarbons
Mula T Raikar, Seshagiri Raghukumar, V.Vani, Jason J David
& D Chandramohan
139-145
Crude oil degradation by a marine actinomycete Rhodococcus sp.
S L Sharma & A. Pant
146-150
Seasonal variations in taxonomic composition, abundance and food web relationship
of microzooplankton in estuarine and mangrove waters, Parangipettai region,
southeast coast of India
N Godhantaraman
151-160
Phenology of brown alga Coilodesme japonica (Phaeophyta, Dictyosiphonales) with
respect to the host-specificity along Muroran coast, North Pacific Ocean, Japan
Geetanjali V Deshmukhe & M Tatewaki
161-165
Water soluble polysaccharides of marine algal species of Ulva (Ulvales, Chlorophyta)
of Indian waters
A K Siddhanta, A M Goswami, B K Ramavat, K H Mody & O P Mairh
166-172
Benthic foraminiferal responses to bottom water characteristics in the Palk Bay, off
Rameswaram, southeast coast of India
V Kumar & V Manivannan
173-179
Short Communications
Age and asymmetry studies on the Indian mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta
180-182
CONTENTS
114
(Osteichthyes: Scombridae) collected from the Red Sea coast of Yemen
L A Jawad, M M A Taher & H M H Nadji
Microbial L-asparaginase from mangroves of Andaman Islands
Rajeswari Shome & B.R. Shome
183-184
185
Errata
IJMS 30(1) (2001) 18-24
IJMS 30(2) (2001) 70-74
IJMS 30(2) (2001) 81-86
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol.30,September 2001,pp.115-122
Influence of coastal flooding on surge estimates along the east coast of India
R Mahadevan & G Latha
National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai – 600 036, India
Received 29 September 2000, revised 5 March 2001
In this paper, the influence of coastal flooding on surge estimates along the coast is examined using a procedure that
is different from the conventional wet-dry grid point method. The coastal boundary is assumed fixed in the present
study. The mass and momentum fluxes across the coastal boundary due to surge flooding the coastal regions are
modelled as sources/ sinks along this boundary in the equations governing the flow field. The equations are solved using
an explicit finite element scheme. The surges estimated with the source terms in the governing equations (i.e. allowing
coastal flooding) and without them (i.e. applying the impermeable vertical wall assumption along the coast) show that
the coastal flooding has insignificant influence on surge levels along the coast. Hence surges along the coast could be
accurately estimated using the simple model, which assumes a fixed impermeable vertical wall along the coastal
boundary.
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol.30,September 2001,pp.123-131
An empirical model for estimating hourly solar radiation over the Indian seas
during summer monsoon season
115
N. Mohan Kumar, P. V. Hareesh Kumar & R . R. Rao
Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Thrikkakara (PO), Cochin – 682021, Kerala, India.
Received 22 December 2000, revised 11 April 2001
Performance of the widely used Octa model [Quart. J. R. Met. Soc., 114 (1988) 165-182] for the estimation of
hourly solar radiation over the Indian seas during summer monsoon season is evaluated. This model was found to
overestimate radiation for all sky conditions, in particular for 7 and 8 octa cloud cover by 300 W.m-2. For overcast sky
conditions, observed radiation was found to be independent of the altitude of the sun and dependent only on cloud
thickness. The dominant cloud types observed during this period are thick cumulus and cumulonimbus with an average
base height of 300-1000 m. With a view to improve hourly estimation of radiation for all cloud categories, a new set of
regression equations was developed based on transmission of radiation in the atmosphere and the altitude of the sun.
With the new model, estimation has considerably improved for all cloud amounts as indicated by the reduction in the
standard error estimates, in particular for 7 and 8 octa cloud cover. Application of these two models to three independent
data sets also suggests the suitability of the new model for the hourly estimation of radiation for monsoon cloud
conditions over the Indian Seas.
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol.30,September 2001,pp.132-138
Application of Ocean Colour Monitor chlorophyll and AVHRR SST
for fishery forecast: Preliminary validation results
off Gujarat coast, northwest coast of India
H U Solanlki, R M Dwivedi & S R Nayak
Marine and Water Resources Group, Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad 380 015, Gujarat, India
and
J V Jadeja, D B Thakar, H B Dave & M I Patel
Commissionerate of Fisheries, Fisheries Department, Gujarat State, Gandhinagar 382 010, Gujarat, India
Received 20 September 2000, revised 27 April 2001
Quantitative analysis of sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll improve our understanding of circulation
and distribution of phytoplankton population in water masses. In this study near synchronous IRS P4 Ocean Colour
Monitor (OCM) derived chlorophyll and NOAA AVHRR derived SST are used for exploring fishery resources. Ocean
Colour Monitor data were atmospherically corrected using long wavelength approach. Ocean Chlorophyll – 2 (OC2)
bio-optical algorithm was applied to corrected radiance to calculate chlorophyll concentration. Multi channel sea surface
temperature (MCSST) approach was adopted for estimation of SST from split window of NOAA AVHRR. Both data
sets were geometrically corrected and registered with master image of north westcoast of India so as to generate geocoded chlorophyll and SST images. Sea surface temperature contours generated and overlaid on chlorophyll images to
generate composite images. These composite images were interpreted for generating experimental fishery forecast along
the Gujarat coast. Different types of the oceanic features like, coastal fronts, fringe fronts, rings, mushrooms, meanders
and features shaped as tongue and mushroom, jet etc. were selected for forecast. The information was disseminated to
Porbandar for validation. Gill-netters were used for experimental fishing. Suggested areas were located using global
positioning system (GPS). The feedback received from fishing sites were analysed. The catch per gill net operation was
normalised and compared with month wise normal catch available around Porbandar. About 2-3 fold increase in the
catch in potential fishing zones (PFZ) area was observed. The frontal positions in chlorophyll image coincide with
temperature boundaries at some locations. This coincidence indicates that physical and bio-chemical processes are
closely coupled at these locations and can be used for identification of potential fishing zones (PFZs).
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol.30,September 2001, pp.139-145
CONTENTS
116
Thraustochytrid protists degrade hydrocarbons*,†
Mula T Raikar, Seshagiri Raghukumar#, V Vani, Jason J David & D Chandramohan
Biological Oceanography Division, National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India
Received 3 November 1995, revised 18 June 2001
Although thraustochytrid protists are known to be of widespread occurrence in the sea, their hydrocarbon-degrading
abilities have never been investigated. We isolated thraustochytrids from coastal waters and sediments of Goa coast by
enriching MPN isolation tubes with crude oil. Three isolates tested showed positive hydrophobicity of cell walls as
judged by the Microbial Adhesion to Hydrocarbons (MATH) assay. Addition of Bombay High crude oil to nutrient
broth slightly enhanced growth of the protists as compared to unenriched controls. Autoclaved crude oil added to
sediments was degraded by 2 thraustochytrids to a much greater extent than non-autoclaved oil. Tarballs supported
excellent growth of thraustochytrids when added to a peptone broth. Inoculation of thraustochytrids to tarball-enriched
sediment resulted in a decrease of up to 71% of tarball contents after a month. Up to 30% of tarballs added to peptone
broth was degraded by thraustochytrids in 7 days, as estimated by gravimetry and gas chromatography. Fractions above
the retention time for 20 C aliphatics were degraded to a much greater degree than those below 20 C. Thraustochytrids
appear to play a definite role in tar ball degradation in sediments.
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol.30,September 2001, pp.146-150
Crude oil degradation by a marine actinomycete Rhodococcus sp.
S.L. Sharma & A. Pant*
Division of Biochemical Sciences, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411 008, India
Received 30 August 2000, revised 5 March 2001
An actinomycete isolated from a chronically oil-polluted coastal region near Mumbai (Bombay) Harbour was
identified as a strain of Rhodococcus and deposited as Rhodococcus sp. NCIM 5126 in the National Collection of
Industrial Microorganisms, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune. The isolate degraded aliphatic and aromatic, but not
the asphaltene fractions of three different crude oils. Under optimized conditions: 70 mM nitrogen as urea, 0.1 mM
phosphorous as K2HPO4, pH 8.0 at 30oC and 150 rpm on a laboratory shaker for 72 hours, 72%, 60% and 35% of the
aliphatic fraction of Bombay High, Assam and Gujarat crude oils respectively were degraded. Although the organism
was isolated from seawater and it grew optimally at 0.4M NaCl, tolerating up to 1.7M NaCl, it was also able to grow on
distilled water nutrient broth medium, suggesting that it is a facultative halophile. It may therefore be important in the
bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils and aquatic systems, both marine and fresh water. The present data
also support earlier evidence that chronic contamination along the coast has resulted in a substantial natural flora capable
of degrading hydrocarbons. In view of the naturally high tropical temperatures, supplying nitrogen to these ecosystems
could result in fast clean-up of such contaminants.
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol.30,September 2001, pp.151-160
Seasonal variations in taxonomic composition, abundance and food web
relationship of microzooplankton in estuarine and mangrove waters,
117
Parangipettai region, southeast coast of India
N. Godhantaraman*
Center of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University,
Parangipettai-608 502, Tamil Nadu, India
Received 23 May 2000, revised 23 April 2001
Seasonal abundance and the relationship of microzooplankton with higher trophic levels were studied in the tropical
estuarine and mangrove waters, from Parangipettai (11 29’ N; 79 46’ E). Taxonomic composition and abundance of
microzooplankton exhibited clear seasonal variations, being highest in summer and lowest in monsoon. The overall
mean abundance in summer was 4.0 fold (estuary) and 2.5 fold (mangrove) higher than in monsoon. Over the study
period, tintinnid ciliates overwhelmingly dominated the microzooplankton community both in terms of species diversity
(mean 62%) and abundance (mean 65%). The remaining taxa included rotifers, copepod nauplii, naked ciliates,
metazoan larval forms and veliger larvae. Their position in the food web was assumed from the gut content of the
common secondary and tertiary consumers. The food web relationships closely followed the existing seasonal pattern of
microzooplankton abundance, i.e. tintinnids, cirriped nauplii, veliger larvae, foraminiferans and naked ciliates
constituted the basic food for the higher trophic level organisms during dry months (January to September), whereas in
(rainy) monsoon season (October to December) the food items comprised of those from rotifers, copepod nauplii and
some euryhaline tintinnids. The seasonal variations of microzooplankton abundance is positively correlated with
environmental (temperature and salinity) and biological variables (chlorophyll a). Thus, summer and monsoon
conditions exert major influence on the microzooplankton community and the food web structure of the Parangipettai
waters.
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol.30,September 2001, pp.161-165
Phenology of brown alga Coilodesme japonica (Phaeophyta, Dictyosiphonales) with
respect to the host-specificity along Muroran coast,
North Pacific Ocean, Japan
Geetanjali V. Deshmukhe* & M. Tatewaki
Institute of Algological Research Faculty of Science, Hokkaido Unversity, Muroran 051 Japan
Received 11 May 2000, revised 10 February 2001
Coilodesme japonica – a brown temperate algal species grows epiphytically on three marine algal host
species namely Cystosiera hakodatensis, Sargassum confusum and Dictyopteris divaricata. The distribution
pattern, phenology and host-specificity in the field was studied. Out of the 3 hosts, C. hakodatensis was most
favoured host by C. japonica (100% by May) followed by S. confusum. The least favourite host was D.
divaricata (only 5% were epiphytized). The rhizoidal portion was less epiphytized in both the cases.
Maximum number of C. japonica thalli and biomass were found on the size class 3 and 4. Host surface, age
and biochemistry play important role in the C. japonica distribution and biomass colonization.
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol.30,September 2001, pp.166-172
CONTENTS
118
Water soluble polysaccharides of marine algal species of Ulva
(Ulvales, Chlorophyta) of Indian waters
A. K. Siddhanta*, A.M. Goswami, B. K. Ramavat, K.H. Mody & O.P. Mairh
Marine Algae & Marine Environment Discipline, Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute,
Bhavnagar 364 002, Gujarat, India
Received 13 November 2000, revised 3 May 2001
Cold and hot water extracts of four different species of Ulva viz. U. reticulata, U. lactuca, U. rigida and U. fasciata
were studied for their polysaccharide (PS) contents. In both the cold (CWE) and hot water (HWE) extracts relatively
higher yield of polysaccharides were obtained in Ulva fasciata (6.5 and 16% respectively). Ulva lactuca was found to
contain higher amounts of protein (33.1% in CWE), uronic acid (35.7% in HWE) and sulfate (23.8% in HWE). Cold
water extracts were found to be enriched with hexose sugars, comprising a part of structural polysaccharide, whereas the
hot water extracts were rich in rhamnose, xylose as well as glucose. The average molecular weight of these polymers
were found to be in the range 1.14 to >2.0106 Da. Seasonal variation of PS of U. fasciata were also studied alongside.
For this, cold and hot water soluble polysaccharides (PS) were isolated separately from the samples of Ulva fasciata
Delile, collected monthly from a single location during the season of algal growth (September-March) of the year 199596 from the west coast of India. Yield (17-21%) and viscosity (203 247 cps) of HWE were high during the active period
of growth (October-February) of algae. Given the abundance of Ulva species in Indian waters coupled with the potential
utilities of their polysaccharides, the results obtained in this investigation would be useful in product development and
bioprospecting strategies.
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol.30,September 2001, pp.173-179
Benthic foraminiferal responses to bottom water characteristics in the Palk Bay, off
Rameswaram, southeast coast of India
1
V.Kumar & 2V.Manivannan
1Department
of Geology, National College, Tiruchirapalli-620 001, Tamil Nadu, India
of Geology, Government College, Salem 636 007, Tamil Nadu, India
2Department
Received 29 August 2000, revised 10 May 2001
Recent benthic foraminiferal assemblages from the shallow shelf sediments of the Palk Bay, off Rameswaram were
studied qualitatively and quantitatively. The study revealed that the microfaunal assemblage consisting of 108 benthic
foraminiferal species belonging to 50 genera of 27 families. Various bottom water parameters were determined and
correlated with the foraminiferal population and seasonal distribution of living population was evaluated. The ecology
and distribution of eight widespread and abundant foraminiferal species of the study area viz. Spiroloculina communis,
Quinqueloculina seminulum, Triloculina insignis, T. trigonula, Ammonia beccarii, A. tepida, Pararotalia nipponica and
Osangularia venusta were discussed in detail. Increase in temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen content of the
bottom water were observed as favourable factors promoting the abundance of living population in the study area.
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol.30,September 2001, pp.180-182
Age and asymmetry studies on the Indian mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta
(Osteichthyes: Scombridae) collected from the Red Sea coast of Yemen
119
L.A.Jawad
School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
and
M.M.A.Taher & H.M.H.Nadji
Marine Science Department, Faculty of Science, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen
Received 22. March 2000, revised 8 May 2001
Asymmetry analyses have been carried out for some bilateral characters of Rastrelliger kanagurta collected off the
Red Sea coast of the Republic of Yemen. The results show that the level of asymmetry is high in the eye lens weight and
low in the post-orbital length. The results also show that the level of asymmetry of post-orbital length and eye lens
weight increases with the increase of the length of the fish.The ocular lens diameter and weight tested as age indicators
showed that the technique cannot be adopted for age determination of this species.
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol.30,September 2001, pp.183-184
Microbial L–asparaginase from mangroves of Andaman Islands
Rajeswari Shome* & B. R. Shome
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Post Box No 181,
Port Blair, A & N Islands –744101, India
E-mail: raji_shome@123india.com
Received 6 January 2000, revised 25 April 2001
Bacterial strains from mangroves of Andamans were assayed for L-asparaginase enzyme. One hundred and eight
(54%), of total 200, isolates synthesized L–asparaginase, growing at pH 7.2 and 37C temperature. Only two gram
negative strains appeared to be potent for large-scale production.