OCCURRENCE OF PHYTOPLANKTON OF SOME ESTUARIES FROM RATNAGIRI DISTRICT DURING RAINY SEASON

Occurrence, diversity and density of phytoplankton were recorded in five estuaries from Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra during rainy season. A total of 104 phytoplankton species belonging four division, viz, Cyanophyceae (11), Chlorophyceae (7), Dinophyceae (3) and Bacillariophyceae (83) were reported in the present study. Species diversity and density was recorded highest at Ranpar estuary and from Bacillariophyceae it was greater than other divisions. Diversity index is very high due to number of contributing species. He result concluded that the selected estuaries are more fertile with rich phytoplankton productivity.