Biju, A; Dr.Saramma, Panampunnayil U(National Institute of Oceanography, July , 2008)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
Members of the order Mysidacea are important component in marine
and estuarine plankton inhabiting all regions of the oceans. There are many
brackish water species and few species occur in fresh water, some have
become adapted to the specialized environments of caves and wells. They are
omnivores, responsible for remineralisation of a substantial portion of the
detritus in the water column. They form an important link in the food chain
(between microbial producers and secondary consumers) and therefore play a
major role in the cycling of energy within the aquatic ecosystem. In tropical
and subtropical waters, swarms of mysids are exploited commercially and
marketed as preserved cooked food. Mysids have been used in fish farming as
live feed resource. They are also excellent experimental organism, extremely
useful in the studies of potential impact of various pollutants in the aquatic
environment. Mysids are also used in wood pulp effluent plants.Considering the significant role of mysids in the productivity of tropical and coastal ecosystems,the present study has been undertaken to extend our knowledge on the systematics,
species composition, distribution,abundance and ecology of mysid fauna of the
Indian EEZ and adjoining areas. The present study therefore will undoubtedly fumish
valuable information on Mysidacea of the Indian waters.
Gibinkumar, T R; Dr.Boopendranath, M R(Cochin University of Science & Technology, July , 2008)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
In the context of Indian fisheries there is a paucity of information on bycatch, in general, and bycatch reduction technologies, in particular. In this study, a detailed investigation on trawl bycatch and bycatch reduction measures is attempted with a view to evolve optimized BRDs for improving selectivity of commercial shrimp trawls. The objectives of the study included design and development of hard bycatch reduction devices (BRDs), comparative evaluation of hard bycatch reduction devices, for selective trawling, bycatch characterisation of the trawl landings, off Central Kerala; and investigations on status of the existing trawling systems operated off Central Kerala.
Description:
School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Annies, Joseph; Dr.Rosamma,Philip(Cochin University of Science and Technology, July , 2008)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
This thesis Entitled Haematological responses of penaeus monodon to environmental alterations and pathogenic invasion. Thesis concluded from the present study that stress is accompanied by
alterations in haemolymph metabolic variables and immune responses that influences the susceptibility of P. monodon to infection. Acute salinity variations were proved to be a stress condition that enhances the susceptibility of P. monodon to V. harveyi and WSSV infection. Ambient Cu at 0.1 mg 1" and ambient Zn at 1.0 mg 1" proved immunostimulatory in increasing the immunocompetence of P. monodon to WSSV infection and higher concentrations of Cu and Zn proved immunosuppressive.
Haemolymph total protein, total carbohydrates and total lipids showed the highest relation with immune responses. THC, PO, ACP and ALP that greatly correlated with the survival rate proposed as reliable biomarkers of health in P. monodon. The study highlights the need for proper management practices and regular health monitoring to be adopted to avoid mass mortality in shrimp culture ponds.
Description:
Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry,
School of Ocean Science and T echnology,
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Abdu Rahiman, K P; Dr. Sunilkumar Mohamed, K(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, August , 2008)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
Food and feeding habits of fourteen demersal finfishes exploited off the
Karnataka coast were studied to investigate trophic interactions within the
marine food web. Index of Relative Importance (lRI),Ontogenetic, seasonal (pre-monsoon,
monsoon and post-monsoon) variation in feeding and prey-predator
relationship studies were conducted.The results of prey-predator trophic interaction studies identified four
major trophic guilds based on the predators feeding similarity.Trophic guild I is 'copepod and detritus fceders'with an average
group similarity of 61.4%. The second trophic guild, 'prawn and crab
feeders'with an average similarity of 52.7%. 'Acetes feeders', the largest trophic
guild with an average group similarity of 62.5%, composed of six
demersal finfish species.The guild 'piscivores' is
constituted by C. limba/us and P. arsius with an average similarity of
45%.For each predator, ontogenetic diet shift
is common and is characterized by prey of low to high trophic level.Strong
selection of certain prey types was observed in some predators while most
of them avoided abundant prey.In addition to Acetes spp, strong
predation impact was observed for penaeid prawns, epibenthic crabs and
detritus.This information on trophic guilds and prey-predator interactions can be
used to construct trophic model on the benthic ecosystem off Karnataka
and to investigate fishery induced changes as well as predation impact of
different animals on commercially important demersals
Description:
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute,
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Priyalakshmi, G; Dr.Ravindranatha Menon,N(Cochin University of Science and Technology, September , 2008)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
The oceans in their expanse cover, seven - tenths of the Earth surface. Despite being restricted in size, the littoral zone or the intertidal zone (beach) has the greatest variation in environment factors of any marine area .Stemming from this variation ,a treamendous diversity of life, which may be great as or greater than that found in the more extensive sub tidal habits exist in this realm. the study beaches harbour diverse and abundant assemblage of marine organisms. Besides macro funna, microscopic organisms belonging to the lower and higher invertebrate taxa profusely inhabit these beaches. The ecological realm where these animals exist is known as the interstitial environment, which in principle includes the pore spaces in between the sand grains containing copious supply of nutrient rich oxygenated seawater. An astonishing diversity of taxa could be found within the interstitial fauna.
Padma, P; Dr.Muraleedharan Nair, S(Cochin University of Science & Technology, October , 2008)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
This study was aimed at to characterize the spatio-temporal trends in
the distributional characteristics of various species of nitrogen and phosphorus as
well as to elucidate the factors and processes aflecting these nutrients in the
dissolved, particulate and sedimentary phases of a river estuarine system. The
main area of study is Chalakudy river in Kerala, which is a fresh water system
originating from Anamalai hills and ending at Arabian Sea. Its basin is between
I00 05 ’ to I00 35’ North latitude and 76” 15 ’ to 760 55’ East longitude. Being a
riparian bufler zone, the dynamics of nutrient mobility tend to be more complex
and variable in this river-estuarine system.The diflerent species of nitrogen estimated from the filtrate were nitrite-N, nitrateN,
ammonia-N, urea-N, total nitrogen and residual nitrogen. The diflerent forms
of phosphorus estimated from the filtrate were phosphate-P, total-P and residualP.
Pre weighed sediments as well as particulate matter were analysed for
quantijying nitrite-N, nitrate-N, ammonia-N and urea-N. Total nitrogen was estimated after digestion with potassium persulfate. Fractionation of phosphorus
in sediment/particulate matter was performed by applying sequential extraction
procedure. The dijferent forms of phosphorus thus estimated were loosely bound
(exchangeable) P, Fe/Al bound P, polyphosphates, Ca bound P and refractory P.
Sedimental total P was also measured directly by applying digestion method.The analyses carried out in this bimonthly annual survey have revealed specific
information on the latent factors influencing the water quality pattern ofthe river.
There was dependence among the chemical components of the river sediment and
suspended matter, reflecting the water quality. A period of profound
environmental change occurred and changes in various species had been noted in
association with seasonal variations in the waterway, especially following
enhanced river runoff during the monsoon. The results also successfully
represented the distribution trend of nutrients during the rainy as well as dry
season. Thus, the information gathered in this work will also be beneficial for
those interested or involved in river management, conservation, regulation and
policy making in regional and national levels.
Description:
Dept.of Chemical Oceanography,Cochin University of Science and Technology.
Prasanth A, Pillai; Dr.Mohan Kumar, K(Cochin University of Science & Technology, October , 2008)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
The present study illustrates the biennial oscillation in different ocean-atmosphere
parameters associated with interannual variability of Indian summer monsoon rainfall.It also accounts the role of different processes like ENSO, IOD, QBO and ISO in the monsoon variability during the TBO years.
Description:
Department of Atmospheric Sciences,
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Ancy, Sebastian; Dr.Ramachandran,A(Cochin University of Science & Technology, January , 2009)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
Shrimp Aquaculture has provided tremendous opportunity for the
economic and social upliftment of rural communities in the coastal areas of our
country Over a hundred thousand farmers, of whom about 90% belong to the
small and marginal category, are engaged in shrimp farming. Penaeus monodon is
the most predominant cultured species in India which is mainly exported to highly
sophisticated, quality and safety conscious world markets. Food safety has been of
concem to humankind since the dawn of history and the concern about food safety
resulted in the evolution of a cost effective, food safety assurance method, the
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). Considering the major
contribution of cultured Penaeus monodon to the total shrimp production and the
economic losses encountered due to disease outbreak and also because traditional
methods of quality control and end point inspection cannot guarantee the safety of
our cultured seafood products, it is essential that science based preventive
approaches like HACCP and Pre requisite Programmes (PRP) be implemented in
our shrimp farming operations. PRP is considered as a support system which
provides a solid foundation for HACCP. The safety of postlarvae (PL) supplied
for brackish water shrimp farming has also become an issue of concern over the
past few years. The quality and safety of hatchery produced seeds have been
deteriorating and disease outbreaks have become very common in hatcheries. It is
in this context that the necessity for following strict quarantine measures with
standards and code of practices becomes significant. Though there were a lot of
hue and cry on the need for extending the focus of seafood safety assurance from
processing and exporting to the pre-harvest and hatchery rearing phases, an
experimental move in this direction has been rare or nil. An integrated
management system only can assure the effective control of the quality, hygiene
and safety related issues. This study therefore aims at designing a safety and
quality management system model for implementation in shrimp farming and
hatchery operations by linking the concepts of HACCP and PRP.
Description:
School Of Industrial
Fisheries, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Sabu,P; Dr.Revichandran,C(Cochin University of Science & Technology, January , 2009)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
The present study
examines the importance of low saline waters and resulting barrier layer
in the dynamics of the ASWP using observational data.The oceanic general circulation models (OGCM) are very useful for
exploring the processes responsible for the ASWP and their variability.
The circulation and thermohaline structure stimulated by an OGCM
changes a lot when the resolution is increased from mesoscale to macro
scale. For a reasonable simulation of the ASWP, we must include the
mesoscale turbulence in numerical models. Especially the SEAS is an
eddy prominent region with a horizontal dimension of 100 to 500 km and
vertical extent of hundred meters. These eddies may have an important
role on the evolution of ASWP, which has not been explored so far.Most of the earlier studies in the SEAS showed that the heat buildup
in the mixed layer during the pre-monsoon (March-May) is primarily
driven by the surface heat flux through the ocean-atmosphere interface,
while the 3-dimensional heat budget of the ML physical processes that are
responsible for the formation of the ASWP are unknown. With this
background the present thesis also examines the relative importance of
mixed layer processes that lead to the formation of warm pool in the
SEAS.
Jasmine, P; Dr.Saramma, Panampunnayil U(Cochin University Of Science And Technology, January 16, 2009)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are both highly
dynamic ecosystems, due to the seasonally reversing monsoon winds,
but the processes affecting the mesozooplankton community remain
poorly understood. These are important basins exhibiting enhanced
biological production as a result of upwelling, winter cooling and
other episodic events such as eddies and gyres. Zooplankters are
primarily the prey for almost all fish larvae. Seasonal changes in the
biogeochemical processes can strongly affect zooplankton density
and distribution, which in turn, strongly affect the larval growth, and
consequently, the pelagic fish recruitment. It is clear that plankton
biomass and biogeochemical fluxes are not in steady state. Acoustic
data on mesozooplankton abundance suggests that they also exist in
the mesopelagic zone. Earlier studies were confined only to the upper
200 m and hence the structure of mesozooplankton community in the
deeper layers was not well known. Copepods are the dominant
mesoplankton group, and therefore the majority of the studies were
focused on them. The planktonic ostracods are the second major
crustacean group and at times, their swarms can outnumber all other
planktonic groups. The understanding of the community structure of
the ostracods is essential to establish their role in the marine food
web. Mesozooplankton is responsible for the vertical flux of organic
matter produced by phytoplankton and is assumed to be equivalent to
new production (Eppley & Peterson, 1979). Since the fate of newly
produced organic matter depends upon their consumers, the
zooplankton biomass must be estimated in size fractions or
taxonomic components to understand the vertical flux of organic
carbon. It is thus important to update our knowledge on different
groups of zooplankton on the basis of seasonal and temporal
distribution. The distribution in space and time is essential for
modeling the carbon cycling that structure the marine ecosystems
Description:
Department Of Marine Sciences,Cochin
University of Science and Technology
Vinayan,V B; Dr.Seralathan, P(Cochin University of Science and Technology, February , 2009)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
The present investigation on " Hydrology, stratigraphy, and evolution of the palaeo-lagoon (Koleland basin)in the Central Kerala coast, India" is an integrated approach based on hydrogeological,geophysical,hydrochemical and stratigraphic aspects.A strong scientific data base of the study area is generated using interpretation of well observation and water quality analysis. The salient findings of the present study are given to provide a holistic picture on the hydrogeology (including groundwater resource and its quality),stratigraphy and evolution of the palaeo-lagoon
Laluraj, C M; Dr.Muraleedharan Nair, S(Cochin University of Science and Technology, February , 2009)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
The metals present in the surface sediments have high demand on a
global perspective, and the main reservoir of these elements is believed to be
the ocean floor. A lot of studies on metals are going on throughout the world
for its quantification and exploitation. Even though, some preliminary
attempts have been made in selected areas for the quantitative study of
metals in the western continental shelf of India, no comprehensive work has
been reported so far. The importance of this study also lies on the fact that
there has not been a proper evaluation of the impact of the Great Tsunami of
2004 on the coastal areas of the south India. In View of this, an attempt has
been made to address the seasonal distribution, behavior and mechanisms
which control the deposition of metals in the sediments of the western
continental shelf and Cochin Estuary, an annex to this coastal marine region.Surface sediment samples were collected seasonally from two
subenvironemnts of southwest coast of India, (continental shelf of Kerala and
Cochin estuarine system), to estimate the seasonal distribution and geochemical
behavior of non-transition, transition, rare-earth elements, Th and U. Bottom
water samples were also taken from each station, and analysed for temperature,
salinity and dissolved oxygen, hence the response of redox sensitive elements to
oxygen minimum zone can be addressed. In addition, other sedimentary
parameters such as sand, silt, clay fractions, CaCO3 and organic carbon content
were also estimated to evaluate the control factors on level of metals present in
the sediment. The study used different environmental data analysis techniques
to evaluate the distribution and behavior of elements during different seasons.
This includes environmental parameters such as elemental normalisation,
enrichment factor, element excess, cerium and europium anomalies and
authigenic uranium.
Description:
Department of Chemical Oceanography,Cochin University of Science and Technology