Water sampling and analysis of physico-chemical parameters
Four seasonal collections were made from January 2011 to
December 2011. Samples were collected from each station (four
seasons×three stations×six replicates). Rainfall data were collected
from the metrological department office at CAS in Marine Biology,
Annamalai University. Muthupettai for station I and Parangipettai for
station II and Pamban for station III. Water samples were collected
in pre-cleaned polypropylene containers, just below the water surface
separately from the sampling sites. After collection, all the samples were
cooled and then brought to the laboratory in an insulated thermocool
box. Soon after returning to the laboratory, the water samples were
filtered through a Whatman GF/C filter paper for nutrient analysis.
Water temperature was measured using a mercury centigrade
thermometer with 0.5°C accuracy. The pH of samples was measured