PHYTOPLANKTON PRODUCTION AND CHLOROPHYLL DISTRIBUTION IN THE EASTERN AND CENTRAL ARABIAN SEA IN 1994-1995

Measurements of primary production, chlorophyll a, particulate organic carbon (POC) and nitrogen (PON) were carried out during the inter-mon soon, winter monsoon and summer monsoon seasons of 1994-95 in the cent ral and eastern Arabian Sea, The integrated production rate varied bet ween 193-199, 337-643 and 770 mgCm(-2) d(-1) respectively in the open ocean (along 64 degrees E) for the three seasons, The corresponding va lues in near coastal stations were 281-306, 200-807 and 440-1760 mgCm( -2) d(-1), Column chlorophyll a values for these seasons were between 8-17, 13-27 and 34-44 mgm(-2) in the open ocean and 11-12, 10-34 and 1 6 to 88 mgm(-2) for near coastal waters, A subsurface chl maximum (SCM ) at similar to 40-60 m was conspicuous during the intermonsoon period , The seasonal variation in productivity was consistent with the circu lation patterns and associated nutrient levels, Phytoplankton and zoop lankton (as carbon) contributed 10-22% of POC, Estimated division rate of phytoplankton varied from 0.7 to 3 for different seasons and locat ions.