Seasonal Distribution of Phytoplankton in Riwada Reservoir, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present study deals with seasonal variations, correlation coefficient and biodiversity indices of phytoplankton during April 2011 to March 2012 in the Riwada reservoir, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Sampling was performed at five stations during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon. There were a total of 57 genera belonging to four major groups i.e., Chlorophyceae (27 genera), Bacillariophyceae (14 genera), Cyanophyceae (13 genera) and Euglenophyceae (three genera). Maximum and minimum total phytoplankton population and percentages were recorded at station three in pre monsoon and at station two during monsoon. The maximum and minimum species richness (Menhinick index R2) were found to be 1.29 at station one and 1.10 at station three respectively. Maximum and minimum species diversity (H1) were found at station four (3.98) and station two (3.71). Maximum species evenness was recorded at stations one, being four and five; minimum species evenness was recorded at station two. Correlation coefficient matrix indicated significant positive relationship with water temperature, pH, transparency, biological oxygen demand and chlorides, negative relationship with electric conductivity, total solids, total dissolved solids, total hardness, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, sulphates and phosphates of water. The diversity indices showed that the reservoir have a well balanced phytoplankton community.

Species composition, substrate specificity, and seasonal abundance of periphytic algae in a tropical riverine system Periyar, India

“…Oterler (2016) reported a negative correlation of phytoplankton with DO from his studies on the Tundzha river, Turkey. Kaparapu and Geddada (2013) also agree with the negative correlation of DO with periphytic algal assemblages as per their studies on the Riwada reservoir, Andra Pradesh.…”

“…Satkauskiene and Glasaite (2013) from their studies on the Nemunas river, Lithuania reported that higher temperatures and alkaline pH favor the growth of periphyton. A significant positive association of phytoplankton with water temperature, pH, and chlorides were reported by Kaparapu and Geddada (2013) from their studies conducted on a tropical freshwater system. Axis 1forms a negative association with dissolved oxygen (r=-0.653) and with stations 1and 2.…”

“…Increased water temperature and light availability in the pre-monsoon period result in the abundance of periphytic algae (Sohani, 2015). Low temperature, increased water currents, cloudy weather, and low nutrient availability may be the main causes of decreased periphytic algal abundance reported during monsoon season (Kaparapu & Geddada, 2013). As the water current increases the chances of washing off the periphytic mat increase, thereby affecting the succession pattern of the periphytic colonizers.…”

“…During the pre-monsoon period, generally in all lotic ecosystems water becomes more stable, organic, and nutrient load increases. The increased temperature enhances the rate of decomposition and helps in subsequent phytoplankton production (Hajong & Ramanujam, 2018;Kaparapu & Geddada, 2013). Increased water temperature and light availability in the pre-monsoon period result in the abundance of periphytic algae (Sohani, 2015).…”

Water Quality and Plankton Assessment of Eme River, Umuahia, Southeast Nigeria

“…Evenness values were relatively higher in stations 2 and 3 in both phytoplankton and zooplankton indicating the effect of the anthropogenic activities in the other stations. Evenness index is an indication of whether all species are equally abundant in a sample [86]. This means that species evenness will decrease as the plankton population size increase.…”