A seasonal study of phytoplanktons diversity of Gomti river Lucknow, (U.P.) India: A pollution indicator

Gomti: One of the important river of Indo-gangetic system and perennial river of Awadh plains and run across the major part of U.P. covering nine districts and 940 Km stretch area. A study was carried out to observe phytoplankton diversity, density and distribution in three different seasons summer, monsoon and winter during 2012–13 at five different sites. Various genera of algae belonging to chlorophyceae viz. Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra, Oedogonium, Ulothrix, Hydrodictyon, Vaucheria, Scenedesmus, Desmidium, Zygnema, Mongeotia spp., Microspora spp., Gonium sociale, Pediastrum, Ranunculus aquatilis, Seven genera of bacillariophyceae viz. Stauroneis-pusilla, Cosmarium –formosuhum, Micrasterias desmids, Synedra-ulna, Navicula-sphaerophor, Nitzschia stagnorum, Synura, Myxophyceae viz. Volvox aureus, Oscillatoria, Stigonema have been recorded. Phytoplanktons are significant formal natural occupier of all water bodies. Monitoring programmes of phytoplanktons are very important. They may provide information on possible new introductions and may serve as early warning system to detect the pollution level. Chlamydomonas, Ranunculus aquatilis Microspora spp, Volvox aureus were the most abundant followed by Ulothrix, Hydrodictyon, Desmidium. High concentration of diatoms at Daliganj bridge and Nishatganj bridge indicate polluted zone of the river. Oscillatoria and Stigonema spp. at polluted sites can be used as an indicator of organic pollution in the river. In the present study role of planktons as bioindicator in aquatic health as well as their role in survival of aquatic taxa of animals in river Gomti has been discussed. Proper biological and chemical treatment of domestic sewage and industrial effluents before discharge to river system is suggested.