Spatio-temporal variability of physico-chemical variables, chlorophyll a, and primary productivity in the northern Arabian Sea along India coast

Abstract

The present study attempts to understand the seasonal and spatial variations in the physico-chemical (temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients) and productivity characteristics of the northern Arabian Sea off the Indian coast. Samples were collected from four different sites off the Veraval coast. The values of the physical and chemical variables were higher during the summer season, whereas nutrient concentrations were high during the winter season due to the maturity of intake nutrients during post-monsoon and winter convective mixing during the northeast monsoon. The dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration was strongly and positively correlated with the net primary productivity (NPP) and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) content to support productivity along the region. Dissimilarity in study variables was observed between the inshore and offshore locations. Principal component analysis revealed a strong relationship between nutrients and productivity variables (Chl-a and NPP). Nutrient levels were high at inshore sites, which can be attributed to the heavy nutrient load from land-based anthropogenic activities and impact due to natural processes like water mixing, sedimentation, and wave activities. Nutrients were strongly and positively correlated with the productivity variables, i.e., Chl-a and NPP. Chl-a positively correlated with NPP (r = 0.90), which indicates that it is a principle productivity pigment in the marine ecosystem.

Keywords: Biological productivity; Hydrological variables; Inshore and far shore waters; Nutrients.