J. Env. Bio-Sci., 2014: Vol.

28 (2): 329-331 ISSN 0973-6913 (Print), ISSN 0976-3384 (On Line)

PHYTO-PLANKTON DIVERSITY OF SHARDA RIVER WITHIN TANAKPUR DISTRICT,

UTTARAKHAND, INDIA
Shivani Sharma and S.N. Rao
Department of Zoology
R.H.G.P.G. College, Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar
shivanisharma1234@gmail.com

Received: 25-08-2014 Accepted: 25-11-2014

This study is focused on phyto-planktonic diversityof Sharda river water from July 2013 to June 2014. The qualitative
evaluation of plankton with seasonal variation and water quality of ShardaRiverwere analyzed. Three groups of phyto-plankton viz.
Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae were identified during the study period, Bacillariophyceae were most dominant
among the all groups at all the study sites.

Phytoplankton are the autotrophic components of the plankton
community and a key factor of aquatic ecosystems. The name
comes from the Greek words phyton meaning "plant", and
planktos, meaning "wanderer" or "drifter". Phyto-plankton forms
a highly diverse group of micro-organism and play vitalrole in
transfer of energy in aquatic ecosystem. Therefore,
phytoplankton population observation may be used as a reliable
tool for biomonitoring studies to assess the pollution status of
aquatic bodies. The fresh water habitats have their own
physical, chemical and biological characteristics which are
molded by local physiographic conditions. The ecology
determines the habitability and abundance of flora and fauna
in different sections. In any aquatic ecosystem, the
management and exploitation is juxtapository feature to
establish basic relationship influencing abiotic and biotic
parameters. The abiotic and biotic features are interwoven
structurally and functionally which influence the aquatic
organisms1. In the present study an attempt has made to find
the phytoplankton diversity in the Sharda River within Tanakpur
district.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area: The present study was conducted on the famous
Shardariver at Tanakpurdistrict during year 2013-2014. Phyto-
plankton sample collected monthly from July, 2013 to June
2014. Regular monthly samples were undertaken between 9:00
- 11:00 AM from each site throughout the study period. Ten
liters of water from each sites were filtered through plankton
net (Mesh size No. 20) to get the plankton and preserved
immediately in 100 ml. plastic bottle by using 4% formalin.
Preserved samples were scanned under microscope,
measured by micrometer and identified. Phytoplankton species
composition was examined from preserved water sample in
acid Lugol's solution. Phytoplankton diversity was identified
with the help of standard methods2.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The planktonic diversity and their presence in different seasons
are described below and summarized in Table-1. during summer
season and minimum level was recorded in winter which is
antagonistic to dissolved oxygen level.
QUALITATIVE ESTIMATION OF PHYTO-PLANKTON: A
total number of 36 genera of phytoplankton were encountered
during the course of study. The occurrence of various
phytoplankton species at three selected sampling stations
has been given in the Table-1. Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae)
accounted for the major share of phytoplankton diversity,
represented by 22 genera (Achnanthes, Amphipleura,
Amphora, Bacillaria, Brebissonia, Cocconeis, Cymatopleura,
Cymbella, Diatoma, Diatomella, Epithelmia, Eunotia, Fragilaria,
Frustulia, Gomphoneis, Melosira, Meridion, Navicula,
Nitzschia, Pinnularia, Synedra and Tabellaria), green algae
(Chlorophyceae) were appeared to be the second dominating
group in terms of phytoplankton diversity, represented by 13
genera (Cladophora, Closterium, Hormidium, Mesotaenium,
Microspora, Pediastrum, Rhizoclonium, Spirogyra,
Stegioclonium, Tetradesmus, Ulothrix, Uronema, Zygnema)
while the qualitative analysis of blue green algae
 Phyto-plankton Diversity of Sharda River (330)

Table-1. Phyto-planktonic Diversity during different seasons in Sharda river during 2013-14

[Mon= Monsoon, Win= winter, Sum=summer, + = Present, - = absent, +++ = Abundant]

(331) Sharma and Rao

(Cyanophyceae) constituted only 01 genera (Anabaena). to high velocity and debris during the monsoon season. Similar
During the study period phytoplankton distribution followed results were shown by other researchers and described the
the pattern, Bacillariophyceae> Chlorophyceae> bacillariophyceae, chlorophyceae and myxophyceae was
Cyanophyceae. Biological assessment is useful alternative higher in number during the month of January and February
for assessing the ecological quality of aquatic ecosystems month and minimum during the month of July and August5-6.
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