Spatio-Temporal Variability of Sediment Chemistry and Biochemical Compounds in tropical Mangrove Ecosystem

Abstract The tropic status and sediment quality of the mangrove forest has been assessed using biochemical indices. All the samples are collected from seven mangrove forest located at South west coast of India during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Biochemical composition of sedimentary organic matter from the selected mangrove ecosystem was characterized by the dominance of was dominated carbohydrate followed by proteins and lipids in all seasons and stations (CHO%>PRT%>LPD%). Comparatively higher concentration of carbohydrates in the sediments has been attributed to the accumulation of aged organic matter due to the faster utilization of proteins than carbohydrate by microorganisms. Tannin and lignin content was found at the selected mangrove stations for the study as the most common compound and crucial variable. The PRT/CHO ratio revealed the presence of aged organic matter at stations 1,2 and 3 (Northern Kerala mangroves) and newly created organic debris at stations 4,5 (Kochi) ,6 and 7 (Kollam). The LPD/CHO ratio also supported the same. The Bio Polymeric Carbon (BPC) values indicated that at all the samples, except at the station 6 showed eutrophic nature. In the statistical analysis talks about strong interrelationships prevailing between the biochemical constituents revealed their origin from a common source.