Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences https://i-scholar.in/index.php/ijgms National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, New Delhi en-US Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences 0379-5136 Mangrove Species Selection for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals From The Sundarbans, Northeast Coast of India https://i-scholar.in/index.php/ijgms/article/view/223819 In the Sundarbans mangrove forest, heavy metals like Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, and Cr were assessed in soil, leaf, stem and root tissue of various mangrove species. Except for Zn and Cu, the levels of other metals in plant organs were lower than the metal concentration in sediments. Cu and Cr accumulations were to some extent higher in tissues of all mangrove species in comparison to the permissible limit in plants. Physicochemical properties of sediments might greatly influence the availability of metals to mangroves. The mangroves, <em>Nypa fruiticans</em>, <em>Ceriops decandra</em> and <em>Phoenix paludosa</em> are classified as excluders of Cu with more accumulation of metals mainly occurring in roots, with a resultant Translocation Factor (TF) &lt; 1 and a Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) &gt; 1. Both <em>Heritiera fomes</em> and <em>Aegialitis rotundifolia</em> are classified as accumulators, extractors and translocators of Cu and extractors and translocators of Zn. Accumulators could be considered as tolerant as well as indicator plants for controlling the movement of metals from root to shoot that becomes proportional to the metals in the sediment. All of these characteristics of mangrove species in terms of heavy metal accumulation could be considered as phytoremediation potentiality of mangrove plants and associates. More investigation in these aspects needs to be carried out not only to identify other species suitable for phytoremediation but also to ensure safe food chains in the coastal ecosystems. P. Mukherjee P. K. Das P. Ghosh 2023-03-31 2023-03-31 52 Distribution of Meiofauna in the Sublittoral Sediments of the Tropical Island Ecosystem, Off Port Blair, Andaman Sea https://i-scholar.in/index.php/ijgms/article/view/223820 Meiofaunal studies from offshore sediments of the Andaman Sea were conducted during the South-West Monsoon Season (SWMS), North-East Monsoon Season (NEMS) and Non-Rainy Season (NRS) of the year 2019. The study focused on identifying the meiofauna and its distribution from the sub-littoral sediments of South Andaman Islands. Altogether ten meiofaunal groups viz., foraminifera, nematodes, copepods, pteropods, diatoms, polychaetes, kinorhyncha, ostracods, halacarids and gastrotricha were reported in the present study. Foraminifera dominated throughout the study period (24 %), followed by nematodes (22 %), while gastrotrichs (0.94 %) were found to be the least abundant group. NEMS was observed to have the highest meiofaunal density among all three seasons. Cluster analysis represented foraminifera and nematodes as a single cluster with the highest similarity percentage (97 %). Shannon-Weiner diversity index was highest in North Bay during Non-Rainy Season (NBNRS) and lowest in Corbyn’s Cove during South-West Monsoon Season (CCSWMS). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results indicated that sediment composition, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Organic Carbon (OC) content were the most important factors influencing the meiofaunal distribution in these areas. The study revealed marked differences in the meiofaunal population dynamics compared to the mainland India and have also reported additional meiofaunal groups from the studied regions. T. K. A. Arunima N. M. Afnan V. Swathi N. S. Heera K. Shah P. M. Mohan 2023-03-31 2023-03-31 52 Variability in Catch Composition and Cpue of Bottom Trawl Fishery Along Parangipettai, Cuddalore and Pazhayar, Southeast Coast of India, Bay of Bengal https://i-scholar.in/index.php/ijgms/article/view/223821 The present study intended to find out the variations in fish composition and CPUE (Catch Per Unit Effort) (November 2017 – March 2018) of bottom trawl fishery at three stations viz., Parangipettai, Cuddalore and Pazhayar. Out of 16 sampling from these three stations, the highest CPUE was recorded from Parangipettai (70 kg/hr) and Cuddalore (51.4 kg/hr) between January and February 2018. Altogether, 67 finfish and shellfish species were identified from the trawl catches, of which <em>Trichiurus lepturus, Leiognathus equula, Nemipterus furcosus, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Nibea maculata, Deveximentum insidiator, Nemipterus randalli, Terapon theraps, Eubleekeria splendens, Loligo vulgaris, Nemipterus japonicus, Sepia officinalis</em>, and<em> Leiognathus berbis</em> were found as commercially important fishes. Additionally, <em>Loligo vulgaris</em> (165 kg) and <em>Leiognathus berbis</em> (35 kg) were found dominantly in the total catches from January to March 2018. The present investigation revealed that amid three study areas investigated, Parangipettai and Cuddalore exhibited higher total catch, CPUE, and fish diversity, which is also highlighted in the PCA (Principal Component Analysis). The high catch noticed in these areas might be due to increased productivity in the post-monsoon season supported by corresponding monsoonal nutrient influx, as Parangipettai and Cuddalore coastal waters experience high estuarine influx. Further, it was also evidenced by the observed higher values of essential nutrients such as nitrate (Cuddalore: 7.66 μM; Parangipettai: 8.17 μM) and silicate (Cuddalore: 6.68 μM; Parangipettai: 8.48 μM), and chlorophyll-a concentration (Cuddalore: 1.43 μg/l; Parangipettai: 2.09 μg/l) at both the stations. M. Vajravelu R. K. Sarangi S. Ayyappan 2023-03-31 2023-03-31 52 First Record of <i>Lethrinus olivaceus</i> Valenciennes, 1830 (Perciformes: Lethrinidae) From the Northern East Coast of India https://i-scholar.in/index.php/ijgms/article/view/223822 The Long-face emperor,<em> Lethrinus olivaceus</em> Valenciennes, 1830, a reef-associated fish, was collected from the Gopalpur coast, Odisha. This study provides first record information of the species from the Odisha coast and also gives attention to the protection of this species by recommending conservation of coral reef-laden benthic habitats. Earlier, this species was reported along the southernmost tip of India (Wadge Bank); however, the present study reports the species from the northern part of the east coast of India. S. R. Mohanty L. Patnaik Anil Mohapatra 2023-03-31 2023-03-31 52 First Report of Indian Frogfish, <i>Antennarius indicus</i> Schultz, 1964 From the Hooghly-Matlah Estuary of India https://i-scholar.in/index.php/ijgms/article/view/223823 The primarily benthic, shallow-water, reef-associated Indian frogfish, <em>Antennarius indicus</em> Schultz 1964, belongs to the family Antennariidae (order Lophiiformes) and may be found in nearly all of the world's tropical and subtropical oceans and seas. Comprehensive morphological parameters of the Indian frogfish found in the Hooghly and Matlah estuary systems of India are provided by the current study. A single specimen with a length 97.87 mm and weight 33.48 g was collected from the winter migratory bagnet catch at Fraserganj fish landing site. Till now, there are no records of the occurrence of frogfishes in the Hooghly-Matlah estuarine system. The morphological features such as dorsal-fin spines - 3, dorsal-fin rays - 12, anal fin rays - 7, pectoral-fin rays - 10, and pelvic fin rays - 5, confirmed the first record of Indian frogfish A.<em> indicus</em> from the Hooghly-Matlah estuarine system. The estuary's current condition was revealed by the examination of the water quality at the collection site. D. Bhakta R. K. Manna A. Ray S. M. Nair C. Jana S. Mandal S. Samanta B. K. Das 2023-03-31 2023-03-31 52