BACTERIAL ABUNDANCE, COMMUNITIES AND HETEROTROPHIC ACTIVITIES IN THE COASTAL WATERS OFF TAMIL-NADU

Culturable aerobic heterotrophic bacterial (CAHB) numbers, total direc t counts (TDC), bacterial generic composition and uptake of labelled g lucose by natural microbial assemblages were studied from a few select ed coastal sites off Tamil Nadu. A high abundance of CAHB and TDC was observed in most Locations. Microbial heterotrophic uptake and respira tion rates of labelled glucose were high (except off Madras) suggestin g a highly active microflora at most of these locations. Many bacteria l genera were seen in these sites with a general predominance of Vibri o, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Alteromonas and strains of Enterobacteriace ae. Autochthonous microflora along the Tamil Nadu coast appears to be very active and it is possible to suggest from this study that these c ommunities continue to biotransform organic materials actively at curr ent levels of anthropogenic interactions with these waters.