Distribution of phytoplankton in relation with water quality of alappuzha – changanasserry canal of kuttand wetland ecosystem, southern India

The distribution and diversity of phytoplankton in relation with the water quality of Alappuzha – Changanasserry canal in the Kuttanad wetland ecosystem, part of Vembanad Kol Ramsar site in Kerala was assessed in the present study. The results showed that in total, 78 species were recorded from the whole stretch of the canal. Out of these, 39 species belonged to Chlorophyceae, 1 species of Chrysophyceae, 15 species of Bacillariophyceae, 10 species of Eugleninae and 15 species of Myxophyceae were recorded. Anabaena utermohli (47992/l organisms) Anabaenopsis arnoldii var. indica (46680 organisms/l) of Myxophyceae were abundant followed by Melosira granulata (13032 organisms) of Bacilariophyceae. Nitrate nitrogen showed high positive correlation with all phytoplankton group which indicates that nitrate is one of the major controlling parameter of the phytoplankton standing biomass. Phosphate is the most important controlling factor responsible for the growth of Euglenophyceae and Cyanophyceae members resulting in Euglenoid blooms. Dinobryon sociale is an indicator of clean water algae which is present only at the pollution free sites of the canal.