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ABSTRACT
Surface sediments were collected from the shore and lagoons of Kavaratti, Kadamat and Agatti islands of Lakshadweep Archipelago during May 2015 and analysed for the spatial distribution of the micronutrient element, phosphorus. Phosphorus was separated by sequential extraction procedure into five fractions – exchangeable (Ex-P), iron bound, (Fe-P), calcium bound (Ca-P), organic and residual fractions (OP) and total phosphorus (TP). The average relative contribution of each P species to TP was: OP > Ca –P > Ex – P > Fe – P. The high concentration of organic and residual phosphorus (87–96%) compared to inorganic phosphorus is particularly evident at stations characterised by higher total phosphorus concentrations. Among the three forms of IP in the sediments, Ca-P was dominant at all stations. The OC/OP ratio ranged from 3 to 163 in the sediments, suggesting that the organic matter in sediments had been subjected to degradation. Hence, the major contribution towards organic and residual phosphorus form is from the residual fraction comprising biologically resistant or non-available phosphorus form composed of refractory materials. The concentration of phosphorus reported in the present study is higher than that of the earlier studies in Lakshadweep, indicating a terrestrial and anthropogenic influence on the sediment.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India for the financial assistance to carry out the research work.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Anu Joy is a PhD student in Chemistry at St. Albert’s College affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Her area of research is trace metal pollution in Lakshadweep Archipelago.
P. Anoop is a Scientific Assistant in Indian Navy at Vishakhapatnam. He was a participant in Indian Arctic Expedition – 2014 and 2016 and Southern Ocean Expedition – 2016 conducted by NCAOR, Govt. of India. He is also a research scholar in Chemistry at St. Albert’s College affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.
R. Rajesh is a Junior Research Fellow in Chemistry at St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam. His area of research is organometallic catalysis.
Jose Mathew is a Scientific Assistant in Indian Navy at Vishakhapatnam. He is also a research scholar in Chemistry at St. Albert’s College affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. His area of research is trace metal pollution in estuarine sediments.
Dr Angel Mathew is an Assistant Professor in the Statistics department of Maharaja’s College, Kerala. He is an expert in statistical data analysis. His research interests include time series analysis and reliability modelling.
Dr Anu Gopinath is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aquatic Environment Management at Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies. She has more than 30 publications to her credit in reputed international journals and authored 5 books. She handled several scientific projects, and her expertise falls under the domain of pollution studies in marine and freshwater ecosystems. She was awarded Commonwealth Fellowship at the University of Southampton, UK – 2012. She was a participant in Indian Arctic Expedition – 2014, 2016 and 2017 conducted by NCAOR, Govt. of India. She was awarded Indian Society of Analytical Scientists award for outstanding contribution in teaching and research – 2014, DST Fast Track Scheme for Young Scientist – 2012 and DST Young Women Scientist Fellowship – 2006.