Journal of Environmental Biology

Correlation of total heterotrophic bacterial load in relation with

hydrographical features of Pazhayakayal estuary, Tuticorin, India

Author Details

J. Rani

(Corresponding author)

V.V. Vanniaperumal College for Women, Virudhunagar-626 001, India

e-mail: ranivvvcvnr@gmail.com

Anita Kannagi

Jayaraj Annapackiam College for Women, Periakulam - 625 601, India

V. Shanthi

Jayaraj Annapackiam College for Women, Periakulam - 625 601, India

Publication Data

Paper received:

05 January 2011

Revised received:

07 April 2011

Accepted:

23 April 2011

Abstract

An investigation was made on total heterotrophic bacterial (THB) load in relation with hydrographical features of Pazhayakayal estuary, Tuticorin, from July 2009 to June 2010. The? water temperature (25 to 32^oC), pH (7 to 10), and? salinity (0? to 35.7?) were maximum? during? summer? season (April - June)? and minimum? during? monsoon? season (October - December). The dissolved oxygen (do) varied from 0.2 to 9.95 mg l^-1. The THB load was high? (42.0?10-7cfu ml^-1) during? monsoon season? and? low (1.2?10-7cfu ml^-1) during? summer. The correlation was insignificant between? temperature,? pH and? THB? load, however? THB load was? negatively correlated? with salinity. Almost in all? the? stations (I-VI), THB load? were found? to? be? maximum (40.0?10^-7,36.0?10^-7, 30.0?10^-7,36?10^-7, 42.0?10?10^-7 and 29.6?10^-7 cfu ml^-1)? during monsoon? season might? be? due? to? the? bulk? rainfall? and? freshwater input.

Key words

Pazhayakayal estuary, Hydrographical features, Heterotrophic bacteria, THB load

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