Calcium phosphate saturation in seawater around the Andaman Island

Abstract

Ionic product (IP) of calcium phosphate is calculated at some stations around Andaman Island. The depthwise variations of the ionic product of calcium phosphate seem to follow a normal trend with maximum saturation value between 100 to 200 m. Using apparent solubility product of 4 x 10/20 C given by Kester and Pytocowicz. The maximum percentage saturation works out to be 67, 65, 95, and 97 respectively towards west, east, north and south. The inorganic mineral phosphate and calcium content in the sediment samples are also estimated to check the possibility of calcium phosphate precipitation. The mineral phosphate as well as calcium in the sediment samples in the western region are higher than the other areas, which may be suggestive of the precipitation of calcium phosphate in this region