Journal of Environmental Biology

Halophilic (aerobic) bacterial growth rate of mangrove ecosystem

 

A. Saleem Khan*, M. Sheik Ali and I. Juned Ahmed Baig

Department of Biotechnology, The New College, University of Madras, Peters Road

Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014, India

(Received: July 04, 2008; Revised received: October 07, 2008; Accepted: October 11, 2008)

 

Abstract: Mangroves are woody specialized trees of tropics and are valuable flora contributing to economical, ecological, scientific and cultural resources. They thrive in salty environments like coastal regions and are aid towards disaster management facing the onslaught of giant waves such as Tsunami. Analysis of mangrove soil on the banks of the Adyar river, behind the Theosophical? society campus, Adyar, Chennai, India, gave a startling revelation of microorganisms that can tolerate different salinity ranges.? Previous studies in Pichavaram delta, have reported bacterial isolates such as nitrogen fixing bacteria, halophiles and several others.? However their efficiency in the growth of mangrove forest has been studied to a lesser extent. The present study has been designed and formulated to estimate halophilic(aerobic) bacterial load from mangroves soil sample based on depth and salinity of the soil and further the efficiency if any of these isolates in the growth of mangroves.? Results have been correlated and a cohesive conclusion reached for further intensive research.? This study throws light on the ecology of the bacterial population in the coastal marine environment inhabited by mangroves and its possible role in disaster mitigation.

Key words: Mangroves, Halophiles, Disaster mitigation

 

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