Phytoplankton

Investigations on phytoplankton of the Indian Seas has assumed great significance during the last 5 decades. As these microscopic organisms fluctuated in response to climatic changes, water movements, seasonal variations, nutrient content of the water etc. they form an important and convenient link in the assessment of the stock of potential resources. The shelf and oceanic waters of the Indian seas show fluctuations in the standing crop of phytoplankton due to the effect of two monsoons. Available data indicated that the waters along the west coast of India are more fertile than that along the east coast mainly due to upwelling and other favourable factors conducive to phytoplankton growth. Some of the ecological factors contributing to the pattern of production of phytoplankton are also briefly discussed