SEASONAL VARIABILITY OF DISSOLVED NUTRIENTS IN MANGROVE ECOSYSTEMS ALONG SOUTH WEST COAST OF KERALA, INDIA

Abstract

The mangroves of Kerala are fast disappearing due to developmental activities. There are very few studies conducted in the chemical aspects of these ecosystems. The main objective of this study is to assess the spatial and seasonal variation of hydrographical as well as nutrients in mangrove ecosystems along Kerala coast. Five sampling sites least intervened by industries were selected for the study. Sampling was done for a period of six months in monthly intervals. A monsoonal hike of dissolved nutrients was observed in all ecosystems except in the constructed mangrove wetland. The constructed wetland exhibited a different hydrography and nutrient level in all seasons. The mangrove forest in this area consists of the species Bruguiera gymnorrhiza which has been planted since forty years. Key words: wetlands; mangroves; nutrients; season; constructed wetland DOI: 10.3126/jowe.v3i0.2264 Journal of Wetlands Ecology , (2009) Vol. 3, pp 32-42