Variations in major nutrients content of mangrove leaves during decomposition in sewage polluted water

Abstract

Variations in the levels of major nutrients, viz. carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in the leaves of Avicennia marina andAvicennia officianlis decomposing in the sewage polluted fishing harbour were studied for seven weeks. Carbon and phosphorusshowed a steady decline in concentration with increasing period of decomposition and the conserve was true for nitrogen up tothe end of the sixth week. the ratio of carbon/nitrogen (C/N) decreased steadily in both the species with  increasing periodof decomposition and all the converse was true for nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P). Decrease in the concentration of carbon alongwith increase in nitrogen content indicated that decomposed mangrove leaves of high food value.