Photosynthetic Efficiency in Lawson's Bay on the East Coast of India

Seasonal variations in the efficiency of utilization of radiant energy by phytoplankton photosynthesis in a tropical embayment followed the same pattern as that of primary production. showing that incident radiation did not limit phytoplankton production. Peak values in primary production and photosynthetic efficiency coincided with periods of nutrient enrichment caused either by upwelling during the southwest monsoon or by run-off during the northeast, monsoon. A world-wide comparison of published data on photosynthetic efficiencies in different latitudes showed that higher efficiency is achieved in the tropics, where the values are similar to those observed on phytoplankton cultures. Based on the maximum efficiency of photosynthesis attained, three regimes can be recognized in tropical waters: 1) regions of upwelling with a maximum of 6%,. 2) coastal bays with 0.7%, 3) oceanic regions with 0.24%.     

Effects of Environmental Perturbations on Short-Term Phytoplankton Production off Lawson's Bay,A Tropical Coastal Embayment

1. The phytoplankton cycle off Lawson's Bay, Waltair follows a bimodal pattern with a major peak during March–May; a minor peak during October–November months and with a low production during the summer months i.e., June–August.
2. During the summer months of 1957, 1958, 1960 and 1962 dumping of dredged spoil from the entrance channel of the harbour into the sea resulted in a natural enrichment of waters.
3. Following this enrichment, there was a qualitative and quantitative increase in the phytoplankters thus leading to the development of a bloom.
4. Only Thalassiosira subtilis and Chaetoceros curvisetus commonly bloomed during the four years.
5. The increase in gross production which varied from 3–13 fold and the high photosynthesis-respiration ratios 5.1 to 10.5 indicated that the bloom populations were in a healthy state.
6. The decrease of the populations to the initial levels suggests that some unknown factor, other than those investigated must have been operating.
7. Consequences of eutrophication of different origins on stimulation of phytoplankton production are briefly discussed.