Phytoplankton Diversity Based Pollution Indic...

Phytoplankton Diversity Based Pollution Indices for Chikkabanavara Lake: A Peri-Urban Lake in Bengaluru Urban District

Author Name : Veenashree, Nandini Natarajan

ABSTRACT

Chikkabanavara lake - a peri-urban lake in the northern part of Bengaluru urban district and also a major valley of Arkavathi river is highly eutrophicated due to entry of sewage, wastewater from the automobile service stations, agricultural runoff without any treatment and the dumping of urban solid waste on the lake bund which drains leachate directly into the lake. Studies were carried out to enumerate the seasonal phytoplankton diversity and pollution indices in the Chikkabanavara lake opting standard methods of American Public Health Association (APHA, 2012). Four groups of phytoplankton have been observed, which belonged to group Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae where in Chlorophyceae was found to be the most dominating group in the lake. The Palmer pollution index and the diversity indices using “PAST” software of the phytoplankton were also carried out. The result of seasonal phytoplankton diversity shows that the water quality of Chikkabanavara lake has been declining due to high anthropogenic pressure. Consequently, it is essential to restore and retain the integrity of Chikkabanavara lake to ensure the propagation of aquatic life and recreation in and around the lake. Keywords: Algal diversity, Chikkabanavara lake, phytoplankton, pollution, water quality.