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DISTRIBUTION OF CHLOROPHYLL IN THE MANGROVE SEDIMENTS OF SONMIANI BAY, PAKISTAN

SUMERA FAROOQ^1* AND P.J.A. SIDDIQUI

Abstract: Chlorophyll content especially chlorophyll a (Chl a) is a measure of microphytobenthos (MPB) biomass in sediments. In this study both vertical and horizontal variations in Chl a content in mangrove forest was detected. This is the first report on the vertical distribution of Chl a in the sediments of mangrove forests at Sonmiani Bay. The stations differ in chlorophyll content in sediments and range between 0.8-4.9 Chl a μg g⁻¹. Comparatively higher value of Chl a was obtained from Station II where nutrient loading from small ephemeral river was observed.  Dry conditions, long exposure periods, and high Salinity may be responsible for low Chl a content in Sonmiani Bay mangrove sediments. The lower values of Chl a is an indication of lower standing stock of MPB and benthic primary productivity. The study provides the base line data and may be useful in the prediction of MPB abundance and benthic productivity in mangrove sediments.

Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi. Karachi-75270, Pakistan

¹Present address:  Department of Zoology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

*Corresponding author E-mail: sumera_farooq@yahoo.com