Phytoplankton as biomonitors: A study of Museum Lake in Government Botanical Garden and Museum, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala India

Abstract

An assessment of the pollution status of Museum Lake in the Thiruvananthapuram Botanical Garden and Museum was conducted. Analysis of different community structures of the planktonic taxa in the lake revealed it is organically polluted, attributable to the organic litter from riparian vegetation. A total of 30 most pollution‐tolerant phytoplankton genera and 24 pollution‐tolerant species were identified. Pollution‐tolerant phytoplankton genera in the lake included Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae. Scenedesmus, Pinnularia, Euglena, Ankistrodesmus, Closterium, Crucigenia, Kirchneriella, Merismopedia and Oscillatoria were some of the phytoplankton pollution tolerant genera whereas, Nitzschia palea, Synedra acus, Scenedesmus quadricauda, Pandorina morum and Trachelomonas volvocina were some of the pollution tolerant species noted. Excessive nutrient loading from the surrounding area is definitely degrading the quality of this urban lake ecosystem. Detailed information regarding the pollution status of a waterbody is very important in this regard, noting it ultimately assists in undertaking proper management of a waterbody. The Palmer Algal Index score for Museum Lake was 37, indicating it is highly organic enriched. The results of different algal indices (e.g. Chlorophycean Index; Nygaard Index) indicated a eutrophic condition for Museum Lake, being attributed to its increased organic enrichment. Canonical correspondence analysis between environmental variables and the microalgal bioindicators also highlighted the influence of the physical and chemical parameters on phytoplankton abundance and distribution in Museum Lake.

Diatoms recovery from wastewater: Overview from an ecological and economic perspective

“…Investigator worldwide have examined various water bodies using pollution tolerant diatom species to measure the pollution level by employing algal indices such as Palmer’s Algal Index; Chlorophycean Index; Nygaard’s phytoplankton indices to better realize the water quality. For example, some investigator utilized Nygaard’s Algal Index to evaluate the trophic status of Hatia Dam revealing the oligotrophic condition of water bodies [ 30 ]. Mishra and co-workers studied the Bhoj Wetland, employing Nygaard’s Algal Index to illustrate the wetland’s eutrophic nature [ 31 ].…”

“…Sharan and Rekha used Nygaard’s Algal Index in their evaluation of the trophic status of Hatia Dam, finding the waterbody to exhibit an oligotrophic status [ 33 ]. But still, diatoms potential is hardly exploited as bioindicators in determining the economic conditions as compared to other groups of microalgae [ 30 ].…”

Phytoplankton communities in Pinang River, Malaysia: Exploratory study in the profoundly polluted river

“…Physicochemical parameters are an important factor in determining the abundance of phytoplankton and indicating the status of water quality in an aquatic ecosystem. Ajayan and Ajit Kumar (2017) suggested that phytoplankton diversity and abundance effectively monitor deteriorating water conditions. On the other hand, water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, salinity and dissolved oxygen regulate the species composition of phytoplankton (El Gammal et al, 2017).…”

“…On the other hand, some of the phytoplankton genera and species found throughout the sampling period, such as Cyclotella meneghiniana, Coelastrum sp., Closterium sp., Gomphonema sp., Scenedesmus sp., Nitzchia sp., Navicula sp., Euglena sp., Phacus sp., Pediastrum sp., Synedra ulna., and Tracheolomonas sp., were significant species used to indicate the conditions of the Pinang River due to their characteristics as a pollutant-tolerant species (Ajayan & Ajit Kumar, 2017). Other than Coelastrum sp.…”

Assessing the Water Quality of Akwa Ibom State North-West District, Nigeria, using Water Quality Indices and Palmer Pollution Index

“…PPI: This index has been considered by many scientists as an effective tool to evaluate the level of organic pollution in aquatic environment (Ajayan, Ajit Kumar, 2018;Cicek, Amuc, 2017;Ghaderpoori et al, 2018;Kar et al, 2018;Vishal, Metta, 2020;Yusuf, 2020). The rating of water quality indices is based on the occurrence of pollution indicator species in the sampled water bodies.…”