Diversity and ecology of pollution tolerant phytoplankton along Patalganga estuary, West Coast of India

Abstract

The present study aimed to comprehend the seasonal diversity and distribution of the phytoplankton community influenced by organic matter through point and non-point sources in different salinity regimes of the Patalganga estuary. High nutrient loading in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus from mid to upper stretch of the estuary during post monsoon has resulted in high diversity and density of pollution indicator phytoplankton. The study identified 38 pollution tolerant genera within the estuary. Palmer’s Algal Genus Pollution Index (AGPI) also substantiated that mid to upper estuary is moderately organic polluted during post monsoon. In contrast, during pre monsoon, the study identified low density and diversity due to lower riverine input and prolonged exposure to pollution which rendered the environment toxic for the phytoplankton. The study concluded that the unspecified and scattered non-point sources contribute more significantly to the deterioration of the meso-oligohaline region of the estuary as compared to the point sources.