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International Journal on Algae

ISSN for PRINT: 1521-9429

Institutional price:	$905.00
Issues per year:	4

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2007, Volume9

108 pages

DOI: 10.1615/InterJAlgae.v9.i1

Issue price - $251.00

Seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton and their relationship with the environment in the Pavana and Mutha rivers (Pune-India)

N. Jafari Ghavzan
Department of Botany, University of Pune, India, Ganeshkhind, Pune-411007, India

V. R. Gunale
Department of Botany, University of Pune, India

ABSTRACT

Distribution patterns of algal flora assemblages in two rivers in Pune-India, and their relation to different environmental gradients are presented. Two sets of factors were evident; one was associated with water chemistry and the other to phytoplankton taxonomic composition, abundance, seasonal variability and distribution were examined. The various indices calculated for post-monsoon, winter and summer clearly indicate increasing nutrient load due to decrease in natural flow of water. These indices help us to understand the change in algal community structure. One hundredth-ninety two species were identified from four divisions of algae, Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae, and Euglenophyceae prevail. The enhanced growth of the algal flora was noticed during summer period which could be attributed due to increased temperature and light during this season. Scenedesmus, Stigeoclonium, Cosmarium, Pediastrum, Closterium, Oscillatoria, Anabaena, Microcystis, Navicula, Nitzschia, Euglena and Phacus were the most abundant of algal flora. Shannon-Wiener diversity indices for phytoplankton in the epilimnion followed very similar seasonal patterns in these rivers, supporting the hypothesis that in freshwaters, diversity patterns of these groups are linked. Correlation between phosphorus and abundance further supported the former conclusion that phosphorus is the controlling factor in phytoplankton growth. This study prove that after a drastic change of ecological conditions the regeneration of the planktonic life of the rivers started rapidly, we suggest that when using algal to evaluate water quality, ecoregional characteristics of river stretches should also be considered.