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Pak. J. Bot., 42(4): 2599-2604, 2010. |
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Updated: 09-12-10 |
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WEIGHT LOSS AND CHANGES IN ORGANIC, INORGANIC AND CHLOROPHYLL CONTENTS IN THREE SPECIES OF SEAWEEDS DURING DECOMPOSITION
SEEMA SHAFIQUE, PIRZADA J.A. SIDDIQUI*, R.A. AZIZ, ZAIB-UN-NISA BURHAN AND SHAHNAZ N. MANSOOR
Abstract: Seaweed species constitute an important component in the mangrove ecosystem in Pakistan and contribute to the primary production and food web. Decomposition rate of these most common species of seaweed viz., Enteromorpha intestinalis, E. clathrata and Ulva reticulata occurring in mangrove environment were estimated in the laboratory using nylon mesh bag. Each seaweed species was decomposed separately in nylon net bag (1 mm2 mesh) and were placed in well aerated seawater tanks. Triplicate sample bags of each seaweed species were retrieved after 2, 5, 7, 14, and 30 days and treated for further analysis. Seaweeds decompose at significantly higher rate compared to mangroves. Time required for 50% weight loss (t50) was 2, 6 and 5 days for E. intestinalis, E. clathrata and U. reticulata, respectively. E. intestinalis appeared to decompose faster than the other two species. Concentration of total chlorophyll was initially high and decreases during decomposition with a concomitant increase in Phaeopigment (degraded form of chlorophyll). Two-way analysis of variance showed that concentration of total chlorophyll and weight loss depends on incubation period and each species had significantly different (p<0.001) decomposition rates.
Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Karachi-7570, Pakistan |
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