PHYTOPLANKTON DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE IN THE PONDS OF DHANBAD, JHARKHAND, INDIA
*Bushra Naseer and Shailendra Kumar Sinha
ABSTRACT
Phytoplankton have been an important biological indicator of water quality. Studies on the physical and chemical characteristics of water are essential for identifying the kind, degree, and water quality of pollution present in a water body. The current effort was performed to study the phytoplankton diversity along with the physico-chemical characteristics of three abandoned perennial ponds over the period of one year, from July 2020 to June 2021. A total of 21 species of phytoplankton under five classes which include Conjugatophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae, and Euglenophyceae, were recorded, identified, and observed. Overall, the study's results showed a trend toward high physico-chemical parameter values and low phytoplankton diversity. As per the observed results, it was determined that even though the chosen ponds are currently in poor condition, they can be made appropriate for fish culture practice—but only after applying specific developmental management measures thereby enhancing the physico-chemical characteristics of the ponds' water by continuous monitoring. Future scientists conducting research in a related field can use the current study as a baseline information.
Keywords: Phytoplankton, Diversity, Pond, India.
[Full Text Article]
[Download Certificate]