Abstract

The physicochemical characterization of seven marine sediment samples was investigated and collected from different zones along with Thondi coastal sediments along the southeast coast of India. The study found that variation in physical parameters and mud contents were due to differences in sediment source. Results of Station 3 revealed the calculated average values as follows: Bulk density (BD) (1.3 g/cm³), particle size distribution of - sand (50.5%), silt (31.5%), and clay (18%). Further, the water holding capacity (WHC) was observed to be 65.3%. These studies moderately describe the WHC of space or pores of the soil particles. The fine, well sored sediments contain BD, particle size distribution, and water holdinsg capacity. According to the chemical characterization, sediments were categorized into organic carbon (OC) (1.2%) and organic matter (OM) (2.0%) the area for land derived materials from surrounding rocks. Moderate significant linear correlations were observed between OC and TN, indicating the occurrence of these components in a common phase organic matter. Even though, in the correlation of the total phosphate in organic matter, these two elements was negatively correlated, indicating anthropogenic regions of phosphate exportation. The study found three well structured sediments of the bacterial community association and primary productivity.

Key words: Marine sediments, carbonate, anthropogenic, phosphate, primary productive.