European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Water plays major role in biodiversity conservation hence the need for its protection. The integrity of an aquatic ecosystem can be accessed through the physico-chemistry and phytoplankton structure. Samples were collected monthly from the study site for 12 months from July 2016 to July, 2017. Nutrient concentration (phosphate) was comparatively higher in the dry season than south west and North West monsoon. Four phytoplankton divisions including Bacillariophyceae (29species), Chlorophyceae (19 species), Chrysophyceae (12 species), and Myxophyceae (09 species) were identified. The most dominant among the pollution indicators were Pleurosigma directum, Synedra nana and Euglena granulate.  Phytoplankton count also registered higher value during non-rainy months.  The distribution of the plankton shows that they are sensitive to changes in levels of nutrients and other interactions with one another and with other factors. As such the plankton can be good indicators of water quality. The seasonal and spatial distribution of the plankton in this study shows that, they are sensitive to changes in levels of nutrients and other interactions with one another and with other factors. As such the plankton can be good indicators of water quality.