Phytoplankton as an indicator of Eutrophication

Abstract

In modern days the major problem faced during aquaculture including pisciculture and prawn culture is nutrient pollution. The Nitrate and Phosphate ratio, normally present in pond, with respect to O 2 is 106:16:1, i.e. the red field ratio. As a result of increasing nutrients, aquatic algae, especially the major population of phytoplankton is richly supplied with nutrients. Therefore, it leads to a huge amount of their growth those results in reduction in BOD level of aquatic ecosystems like pond, lake, coastal sea and estuaries leading to eutrophication. This event can easily be understood through the presence of phytoplankton in water. High amounts of phytoplankton are present in eutrophic water. Therefore, we can say that phytoplankton intensity is the indicator of Eutrophication.