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A regional algorithm to model mesozooplankton biomass along the southwestern Bay of Bengal

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A three-dimensional regression analysis attempted to model mesozooplankton (MSP) biomass using sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a). The study was carried out from January 2014 to July 2015 in the southwestern Bay of Bengal (BoB) and sampling was carried out on board Sagar Manjusha and Sagar Purvi. SST ranged from 26.2 to 33.1 °C while Chl-a varied from 0.04 to 6.09 μg L−1. During the course of the study period, there was a weak correlation (r = 0.32) between SST and Chl-a statistically. MSP biomass varied from 0.42 to 9.63 mg C m−3 and inversely related with SST. Two kinds of approaches were adopted to develop the model by grouping seasonal datasets (four seasonal algorithms) and comprising all datasets (one annual algorithm). Among the four functions used (linear, paraboloid, the Lorentzian and the Gaussian functions), paraboloid model was best suited. The best seasonal and annual algorithms were applied in the synchronous MODIS-derived SST and Chl-a data to estimate the MSP biomass in the southwestern BoB. The modelled MSP biomass was validated with field MSP biomass and the result was statistically significant, showing maximum regression coefficient for the seasonal algorithms (R2 = 0.60; p = 0.627; α = 0.05), than the annual algorithm (R2 = 0.52; p = 0.015, α = 0.05).

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Director and Dean, CAS in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and authorities of Annamalai University for providing with the necessary facilities. We also thank the Director, Space Application Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Govt. of India, Ahmedabad, and the Deputy Director, RESPOND, ISRO HQ, Department of Space, Govt. of India, Bangalore. We are thankful to the Coordinator of RESPOND programme (Project Ref. No. ISRO/RES/4/606/2012–2015). The authors are also thankful to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and two anonymous reviewers.

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  1. R. Mahesh

    Present address: National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600025, India

  2. T. Thangaradjou

    Present address: Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi, 110016, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, Porto Novo, Tamil Nadu, 608502, India

    R. Mahesh, A. Saravanakumar & T. Thangaradjou

  2. Space Application Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380015, India

    H. U. Solanki & Mini Raman

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  1. R. Mahesh
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Correspondence to A. Saravanakumar.

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Mahesh, R., Saravanakumar, A., Thangaradjou, T. et al. A regional algorithm to model mesozooplankton biomass along the southwestern Bay of Bengal. Environ Monit Assess 190, 246 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-6578-6

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