Biomonitoring of selected freshwater bodies using diatoms as ecological indicators

Lakes supply water for irrigation, drinking, fisheries, etc. and thus have significant economic and recreational value. In order to determine impacts of human activities on aquatic ecosystem it is important to distinguish anthropogenic impact and natural variation. In limnetic ecosystem, water quality is influenced by physical, chemical, and biological factors. Freshwater communities are very much sensitive to environmental variables. The algal flora constitutes a vital link in the food chain and its productivity depends on water quality at a given time. Diatoms in particular are of utmost importance, as potential indicators of water quality due to their sensitivity and strong response to many physical, chemical and biological changes. Occurrence of diatom communities in selected fresh water bodies of Goa along with physico-chemical parameters have been studied for a period of two consecutive years and the data has been used in biomonitoring. Using OMNIDIA GB 5.3 software, Louis Leclercq IDSE/5 index is derived and the level of degradation due to organic and anthropogenic pollution has been found out. Findings showed seasonal variations in physico-chemical parameters and diatom population. The diversity of diatoms was considerably high in Syngenta, Lotus and Curtorim lakes compared to Khandola Pond. Gomphonema parabolum, Navicula halophila, Navicula microcephala, Navicula mutica indicates organic pollution in the water bodies. Amphora ovalis, Stauroneis phoenicenteron, Synedra ulna indicates anthropogenic pollution in Syngenta, Lotus and Curtorim lakes while Navicula rhynococephala indicate anthropogenic pollution in Khandola Pond. Biomonitoring has been proven to be necessary and hence the importance of diatoms as ecological indicators of water quality has been stressed.