Spatial variation of chlorophyll integrity in a mangrove plant (Excoecaria agallocha) of Indian Sundarban, with special reference to leaf element and water salinity

Present study describes a site specific variation of leaf elemental concentration and Photosynthetic pigment concentration in a mangrove plant Excoecaria agallocha in Sundarban, India. Three locations (S1, S2 and S3) were selected according to water salinity gradient in north to southward direction. Range of water salinity is from 19 ppt to 34 ppt. All elements (Fe, Cu, and Mn) are found to be higher in S1 followed by S2 and S3 except Zn. They follow the trend like Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu. Interestingly photosynthetic pigment concentration (total chlorophyll, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b) showed negative correlation with salinity i.e. increase in water salinity causes decrease in pigment concentration. Results from our study depicts that Sundarban is facing problems for increasing pollution load and water salinity. Keywords: Excoecaria agallocha, Leaf element, Mangrove, Salinity gradient, The Sundarban.