Changing climate and its effect on cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are the most primitive life form on earth, play major role in scavenging volume of carbon dioxide and produces maximum oxygen in the atmosphere and metabolites through photosynthetic process. Summer month and elevated water temperature for longer period in combination with pollutants and liquid waste discharge created suitable environmental condition for growth of cyanobacteria. During the survey, altogether 105 cyanobacteria comprising 93 species, 09 variety and 03 forms were identified in samples collected from 55 water bodies of Maldah District. Out of 93 species, 37 species have been scruitinised for properties of benefit and nuisance. Oscillatoria was recorded most dominant genus followed by Anabaena and Microcystis. Property-wise maximum 24 species were recorded as indicators of pollution followed by 14 species for antibiotic, medicines, vitamins, etc., 10 species for lipid and 4 species for protein and for other beneficial properties like carbohydrates and bio-fertilizer & land reclamation recorded in 3 species and metal removal and indicator of clean water and taste and odor recorded in 2 species. However, as 13 species were recorded under the category toxin necessary precautionary measures have been suggested for preventing from any deleterious impacts likely to cause due to toxins of varying nature as reported for its production by the bloom forming species. Overall, as compared to the beneficial properties, nuisance species were evaluated 22.89% only. Hence, keeping in view of 77.10% species of beneficial properties as recorded may help in betterment of mankind in future.