Benthic studies in south Gujarat estuaries

Abstract

Benthic biomass and faunal composition in relation to various environmental conditions of the four South Gujarat estuaries namely the Auranga, Ambika, Purna and Mindola were studied and compared. Mean population density of benthos in Auranga, Ambika, Purna and Mindola were 318690, 54727, 122350 and 88368 m@u-2@@ respectively. Mean benthic biomass (dry wt.) in Auranga, Ambika, Purna and Mindola were 7085, 411, 1814 and 1922 mg m@u-2@@ respectively. Differential abundance of macro and meiofaunal groups was noticed among the four estuaries. The predominance of meiofauna both in terms of biomass and numerical abundance in the benthic productivity of the four estuaries was clearly indicated. Foraminifera were the dominant group in all the four estuaries. All the four estuaries had the sandy bottom at their mouth and the percentage of silt and clay increased towards the upstream regions. On an average, the higher percentage of organic matter in the sediment was found associated with clayey silt. It was observed that wherever industrial pollution occurred benthos were badly affected