Imprint of cyclone Phailin on water quality of Chilika lagoon

The very severe cyclonic storm Phailin, a category-5 hurricane, was developed over the north of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 9 October 2013. Subsequently, it propagated towards north-northwest and made landfall at the Gopalpur coast, Odisha on 12 October1. Chilika lagoon, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia, is in close proximity to Gopalpur

Oil pollution in Chilika lagoon: An anthropogenic threat to biodiversity

Chilika lagoon is situated on the east coast of India and is spread over three districts of Odisha, namely Puri, Khordha and Ganjam. The water spread area varies between 1165 and 906sq.km during monsoon and summer respectively. It is a hot spot for biodiversity, and the largest wintering ground for migratory avian guests on the Indian sub-continent

Distribution of hydro-biological parameters in coastal waters off Rushikulya Estuary, East Coast of India: A premonsoon case study

The hydro-biological parameters of coastal waters off Rushikulya estuary was investigated during premonsoon 2011. Important hydro-biological parameters such as water temperature, salinity, pH, DO, NO2, NO3, NH4, PO4, SiO4, TSM, Chl-α, phytoplankton and zooplankton were measured during the present study. Temperature established a strong positive correlation with salinity and pH during the present study. Chl-α found in positive relation with NO3, SiO4 and TSM. Analysis of variance revealed significant monthly variation in pH, salinity and TSM. Significant station wise variation was observed in DO and most of the nutrients i.e., NO3, NH4, PO4, SiO4. A total of 119 species of phytoplankton were identified of which 84 species are of diatoms, 22 species of dinoflagellates, 7 species of green algae, 5 species of cyanobacteria (blue green algae) and 1 species of cocolithophore. Phytoplankton abundance varied between 25543 (Nos. L-1) and 36309 (Nos. L-1). Diatoms dominated the phytoplankton community followed by dinoflagellates in all the months. Diatoms contributed to 82-89 of the total phytoplankton population density whereas dinoflagellates contributed to 6-12. The regression between Chl-α and phytoplankton abundance resulted with weak relation (R2 = 0.042). Zooplankton fauna composed of 134 species of holoplankton and 20 types of meroplankton were encountered during the study period. Zooplankton population dominated by copepod during all months and accounted for 74 to 85 to the total zooplankton. The population density ranged from 6959 to 35869 Nos./10 m3. Analysis of variance explained no significant variation in total zooplankton abundance and also for different groups of zooplankton

Biological implications of cyclone Hudhud in the coastal waters of northwestern Bay of Bengal

A very severe cyclonic storm, Hudhud, equivalent to a category-4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS), originated in the Andaman Sea on 6 October 2014. The cyclone propagated west-northwestward and made landfall near Visakhapatnam, northern coast of Andhra Pradesh on 12 October 2014. The study area, Gopalpur (southern coast of Odisha) was in the active influence zone of Hudhud and in close proximity (~260 km north) to the landfall point (Figure 1). This region is an important mass nesting rookery for vulnerable olive ridley sea turtles, which aggregate for breeding in the coastal waters off Odisha from November to May1. This region is also identified as a time-series station under the SATellite Coastal and Oceanographic REsearch (SATCORE) programme coordinated by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS); it is being monitored since 2009

A preliminary study on the environmental factors triggering frequent bloom of diatom Asterionellopsis glacialis (Castracane) Round 1990 along west coast of Bay of Bengal

A time-series observation of Asterionellopsis glacialis (Castracane) Round 1990 bloom in the surf zone of east coast of India and associated physico-chemical parameters, was carried out during pre-monsoon period (May 2018). This study also reviews the species status as a surf-zone diatom and its temporal characteristics. Referring to the earlier study, the temporal characteristic of A. glacialis bloom in Indian context can be classified as "sporadic" due to the alteration of blooming community and may be also further investigated for its seasonality as the bloom mostly observed during the pre-monsoon season. Among the nutrients, silicate is identified as a major factor controlling the bloom of A. glacialis. The present study highlights the introduction of biogenic silica attributed to precipitation induced land runoff and the effect of wind as important environmental factors responsible for A. glacialis proliferation in nearshore waters of east coast of India

Mass beach stranding of blue button jellies (Porpita porpita, Linnaeus, 1758) along Odisha coast during summer season

1093-1096Beach stranding of the jelly Porpita porpita (Linnaeus 1758) was observed in stretches from Astaranga to Puri (Odisha) during May 2016. A study was carried out by taking environmental parameters to decipher the possible causes. These jellies were abundant in the coastal waters during this period. It was found out that this jellyfish was observed in large numbers in this coast during March-May (summer season). From the satellite derived current and wind data, it was observed that the beach stranding was due to drifting of the jellyfishes favoured by shoreward current and wind.

A preliminary study on the environmental factors triggering frequent bloom of diatom <i>Asterionellopsis glacialis</i> (Castracane) Round 1990 along west coast of Bay of Bengal

533-541A time-series observation of Asterionellopsis glacialis (Castracane) Round 1990 bloom in the surf zone of east coast of India and associated physico-chemical parameters, was carried out during pre-monsoon period (May 2018). This study also reviews the species status as a surf-zone diatom and its temporal characteristics. Referring to the earlier study, the temporal characteristic of A. glacialis bloom in Indian context can be classified as ―sporadic‖ due to the alteration of blooming community and may be also further investigated for its seasonality as the bloom mostly observed during the pre-monsoon season. Among the nutrients, silicate is identified as a major factor controlling the bloom of A. glacialis. The present study highlights the introduction of biogenic silica attributed to precipitation induced land runoff and the effect of wind as important environmental factors responsible for A. glacialis proliferation in nearshore waters of east coast of India

COVID-19 impacts and adaptations in Asia and Africa's aquatic food value chains

The COVID-19 pandemic is a shock affecting all areas of the global food system. We tracked the impacts of COVID-19 and associated policy responses on the availability and price of aquatic foods and production inputs during 2020, using a high frequency longitudinal survey of 768 respondents in Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Myanmar, Nigeria. We found the following: (1) Aquatic food value chains were severely disrupted but most effects on the availability and accessibility of aquatic foods and production inputs were short-lived. (2) Impacts on demand for aquatic foods, production inputs, and labor have been longer lasting than impacts on their supply. (3) Retail prices of aquatic foods spiked briefly during March-May 2020 but trended down thereafter, whereas prices of production inputs rose. These trends suggest a deepening ‘squeeze’ on the financial viability of producers and other value chain actors. (4) Survey respondents adapted to the challenges of COVID-19 by reducing production costs, sourcing alternative inputs, diversifying business activities, leveraging social capital, borrowing, seeking alternative employment, and reducing food consumption. Many of these coping strategies are likely to undermine well-being and longer-term resilience, but we also find some evidence of proactive strategies with potential to strengthen business performance. Global production of aquatic food likely contracted significantly in 2020. The importance of aquatic food value chains in supporting livelihoods and food and nutrition security in Asia and Africa makes their revitalization essential in the context of COVID-19 recovery efforts. We outline immediate and longer-term policies and interventions to support this goal.Additional co-authors: Arun Padiyar, Suresh Rajendran, A B C Mohan, Ravi Babu, Michael Joseph Akester, Ei Ei Phyo, Khin Maung Soe, Ajibola Olaniyi, Sunil N Siriwardena, Michael Phillips, Shakuntala H Thilste

Alpha-tocotrienol is the most abundant tocotrienol isomer circulated in plasma and lipoproteins after postprandial tocotrienol-rich vitamin E supplementation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tocotrienols (T3) and tocopherols (T), both members of the natural vitamin E family have unique biological functions in humans. T3 are detected in circulating human plasma and lipoproteins, although at concentrations significantly lower than α-tocopherol (α-T). T3, especially α-T3 is known to be neuropotective at nanomolar concentrations and this study evaluated the postprandial fate of T3 and α-T in plasma and lipoproteins.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ten healthy volunteers (5 males and 5 females) were administered a single dose of vitamin E [526 mg palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) or 537 mg α-T] after 7-d pre-conditioning on a T3-free diet. Blood was sampled at baseline (fasted) and 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 24 h after supplementation. Concentrations of T and T3 isomers in plasma, triacylglycerol-rich particles (TRP), LDL, and HDL were measured at each postprandial interval.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After TRF supplementation, plasma α-T3 and γ-T3 peaked at 5 h (α-T3: 4.74 ± 1.69 μM; γ-T3: 2.73 ± 1.27 μM). δ-T3 peaked earlier at 4 h (0.53 ± 0.25 μM). In contrast, α-T peaked at 6 h (30.13 ± 2.91 μM) and 8 h (37.80 ± 3.59 μM) following supplementation with TRF and α-T, respectively. α-T was the major vitamin E isomer detected in plasma, TRP, LDL, and HDL even after supplementation with TRF (composed of 70% T3). No T3 were detected during fasted states. T3 are detected postprandially only after TRF supplementation and concentrations were significantly lower than α-T.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Bio-discrimination between vitamin E isomers in humans reduces the rate of T3 absorption and affects their incorporation into lipoproteins. Although low absorption of T3 into circulation may impact some of their physiological functions in humans, T3 have biological functions well below concentration noted in this study.</p