Vertical distribution of phosphate, nitrate and nitrite of Lakshadweep waters in the Arabian Sea

The paper presents the estimation of physico-chemical parameters of seawater samples collected from 28 stations between 7˚ 50'and 13˚N and between 70˚ and 75˚ E on board FORV Sagar Sampda in February, 1987. Water samples drawn from selected depths of 0, IW, 200,300, and 500111 were analyzed for dissolved oxygen and nutrients(phosphate, nitrate and nitrite). In general, lower concentration of nutrients was recorded at surface and lOO m depth at all stations. Higher concentrations of nutrient components were encountered at deeper depths with low valuc5 of dissolved oxygen. Lowest nutrient values at surface and highest at bottom (5M) n ~ ) recorded, in microgram-at/l, were PO,-1': 0.14-7.17; NO,-NO. 08 27.35 and NO,-N: Trace - 1.48 except with 1.65 microgram-at/l at 3(!0 m. I'robable factors governing the distribution of analyzed parameters in Lakshadweep waters arc discussed