19(2)S1: 29-37, 2024 www.thebioscan.

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SPATIO-TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF PHYTOPLANKTON DIVERSITY

IN TWO PERENNIAL LENTIC FRESH WATER BODIES OF DHANBAD
(JHARKHAND)
Sharmila Kumari and Shailendra Kumar Sinha

Department of Zoology, Binod Bihari Mahto Koyalanchal University, Dhanbad- 826004, Jharkhand, India

Corresponding author:
E-mail: kumarisharmila967@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63001/tbs.2024.v19.i02.pp29-37

ABSTRACT
KEYWORDS
Limnological, Limnological and phytoplankton studies provide crucial insights into the overall health and dynamics of
Phytoplankton, freshwater ecosystems. The present study aims to evaluate limnological characteristics as well as to analyse
Shannon Index, the phytoplankton community composition of the two selected aquatic environment i.e., Karbala (P1) and
Pandey (P2) pond during the study period from November 2020- October 2021. The annual mean values of the
Evenness Index.
key limnological parameters of Karbala (P1) – Pandey Pond (P2) such as, Temperature 26.8ºC – 25.08ºC, EC
Received on: 1139.58 µs/cm – 736 µs/cm, TDS 968.66 mg/L – 510.42 mg/L, pH 7.4 – 7.36, BOD 5.07 mg/L – 2.26 mg/L, COD
81.35 mg/L – 23.01 mg/L, DO 4.47 mg/L – 6.33 mg/L, Cl- 117.92 mg/L – 40.31 mg/L, Ca2+ 76.28 mg/L – 26.64
mg/L, Mg2+ 28.25 mg/L – 8.71 mg/L, NO 3- 2.78 mg/L – 1.42 mg/L, PO 43- 1.18 mg/L – 0.99 mg/L respectively,
have been recorded. In the present study, phytoplankton community represented by 4 major classes, i.e.,
Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Euglenophyceae. In P1, the dominated phytoplankton group
Accepted on: were observed in the order of Cyanophyceae (40.8 %) > Chlorophyceae (31.3 %) > Bacillariophyceae (26.3 %) >
Euglenophyceae (1.7 %). In P2, the phytoplankton group showed the following trend, Bacillariophyceae (43.8 %)
> Chlorophyceae (33.1 %) > Cyanophyceae (22.9 %) > Euglenophyceae (0.2 %). The biodiversity indices in both
ponds, P1 and P2, the high evenness value of 0.95 and 0.91 respectively, shows an equitable distribution of
Corresponding author species, while the Shannon index value indicates a lower to moderate level of species diversity.

INTRODUCTION status of water environment (Michelutti et al., 2001; Simboura and

The microscopic, unicellular, free-floating algae known as Zenetos, 2002; Tiwari and Chauhan, 2006; Smol and Stoermer, 2010
phytoplankton are a very diverse collection of organisms found in Jafari and Alavi, 2010 Bere and Tundsi, 2011;).
aquatic environments. (Wetzel, 2001 and Ariyadej et al., 2004). Understanding the relationship between phytoplankton and these
Phytoplankton, the photosynthetic flora are the major primary physicochemical parameters is critical for managing freshwater
producer in any aquatic food chain and contributing significantly to ecosystems efficiently. In order to maintain healthy phytoplankton
oxygen production through photosynthesis. In addition, populations and general biological balance in freshwater bodies, it is
phytoplankton plays a crucial role in the food webs as they are the essential to monitor and manage nutrient inputs, prevent pollution,
principal food source for zooplankton fishes and other aquatic fauna and regulate water flow.
(Suseela, 2009; Jagadeeshappa and Kumara, 2013 Vajravelu et al., The aim of the present study is to understand the various aspects,
2018). viz., the physical and chemical factors, their interactions and impact
For the overall health of aquatic environment, the sustainability of on the composition, prevalence, abundance, dispersion and diversity
plankton composition in freshwater settings must be addressed. of algal community, of the two selected fresh water ponds (Karbala
(Reiss et al., 2009). Aquatic’s physico-chemical properties determine Pond, P1 and Pandey Pond, P2) in the district of Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
the prevalence and abundance of phytoplankton species. The algal MATERIALS & METHODS
population reacts promptly to changes in the aquatic environment, STUDY AREA
particularly when it comes to limnological parameters. (Chellappa et The study was carried out into perennial freshwater ponds located in
al., 2008). The perusal of the structure and distribution of two different geographical areas of district Dhanbad in the state of
phytoplankton species is an effective bioindicator for assessing water Jharkhand. The two selected ponds named as Karbala Pond P1,
quality (Peerapornpisal et al., 2004). Many studies revealed that situated in the Jharia Coldfield (JCF) region with a latitude 23º44’03”
microscopic analysis have long been used as indicator of pollution N and Longitude 86º24’12” E and Pandey Pond P2, situated in the
 non- coalfield region of Dhanbad lies between the latitude 23º50’05” 𝒏 ∑𝒙𝒚 − ∑𝒙 ∑𝒚
N and longitude 86º25’33” E. 𝒓=
√𝒏 ∑𝒙𝟐 – (∑𝒙)𝟐 √𝒏 ∑ 𝒚𝟐 − (∑ 𝒚𝟐 )
SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS
Samples were taken from the aforementioned water bodies for the
analysis of Limnological and biotic factors from November 2020 to Where,
October 2021. A total of twelve parameters were taken into account r = Karl Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient
for analysis water temperature, pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC) n = number of total observations
were measured by using Celsius thermometer (0º C to 100º C), x & y = Two different variables
Portable Conductivity and pH meter respectively, at the site of 6. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA)
sampling. Other parameters like Total Dissolved Solids (TDS),
CCA is another multivariate ordination technique used to
Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical
explore and evaluate the interrelationship between the
Oxygen Demand (COD), Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Chloride
environmental variables and species composition. It allows for a
(Cl-), Nitrate (NO3-) and Phosphate (PO43-), were analysed in
better understanding of the phytoplankton population, pattern,
accordance with standard methods provided in APHA, 2005.
and structure in relation to the aquatic ambient conditions.
PHYTOPLANKTON SAMPLING
(Fan, et al., 2012; Khan et al., 2017).
For phytoplankton analysis 50 litre of water filtered in a bolting silk
All the above-mentioned indices and statistical analysis were
plankton net with a mesh size 25µm. The collected samples were
preserved with 5% Lugol’s solution. A Sedgewick Rafter counter cell done by using the software PAST version 4.03 and MS Excel 2007.
was used for quantitative analysis of phytoplankton by using 1 mL of Result and Discussion
sample. Phytoplankton, then identified up to the genus level with the SPATIO-TEMPORAL VARIATIONS IN LIMNOLOGICAL VARIABLES
help of keys and monographs (Needham and Needham, 1966;
Prescott, 1962; Tonapi, 1980; Adoni et al., 1985). Monthly fluctuations and calculated mean and standard
deviation (SD) values are summarised in table 1.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND BIODIVERSITY INDICES Water temperature (WT) ranged between 18 º C to 36 ºC with
Various formulas were used to compute the following indices as given annual mean value 26.8ºC in P1. Whereas in P2, WT ranges
below between 16 ºC to 34ºC with a mean value of 25.08ºC (Kumari and
1. Simpson’s Index (D)
Sinha, 2023) Temperature greatly impacts a number of critical
It is used to measure the species dominance, developed by Simpson
variables including pH, DO and Conductivity (Jena et al., 2013;
in 1949. The value of D ranges between 0 and 1, 0 represent an
Chatap et al, 2016).
infinite diversity and 1 represent no diversity. Which means, the
greater the D value, the lower the diversity. The equation is The ability of water to transfer electrical current is referred to
as conductivity. In a nutshell, conductivity is a direct indicator
∑𝑺𝒊 𝒏𝒊(𝒏𝒊 − 𝟏) of the amount of ions present in the water. (Kumari and Sinha,
𝐃= 2023) EC values varied from 986 µS/cm to 1321 µs/cm (1139
𝑵(𝑵 − 𝟏) µs/cm) in P1 while 583 µs/cm to 879 µs/cm with mean value 736
Where, µs/cm in P2 during the study period.
D = Simpson Index (Dominance) In the present investigation, TDS range between 804 mg/L – 1098
S = Total number of species in sample mg/L with annual average value 968.66 mg/L in P1. In P2, TDS
ni = number of individuals of the i-th species readings fluctuated between 426mg/L to 597 mg/L with annual
N = total number of individuals in the sample mean 510.42 mg/L during November 2020-October 2021. The
taste, smell, and overall quality of water for drinking and other
uses can all be impacted by high TDS levels.
2. Simpson’s Index of Diversity (1-D)
pH is a crucial water chemical parameter, essential for
In this index, the value also ranges between 0 and 1, but here, the determining the growth, biological functions and survival of
greater the value, the greater the sample value. biotic factors. Any aquatic environment has annual pH
∑𝑺𝒊 𝒏𝒊(𝒏𝒊 − 𝟏) fluctuations due to seasonal changes and a number of physico-
𝐃=𝟏− chemical variables. (Lawson, 2011; Ishaq and Khan, 2013). In the
𝑵(𝑵 − 𝟏)
3. Shannon - Weiner Diversity Index present study the value of pH fluctuates between 7.1 to 7.9 with
annual mean value 7.4 in P1 whereas 7.1 to 7.7 with an annual
Shannon index is a measure used to quantify the diversity of species mean 7.36 at P2.
in community. It takes into account both species abundance and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) ranges between 3.1 mg/L to
species evenness. The Shannon Index is denoted as H′. The Shannon 7.5 mg/L with annual mean value of 5.07 mg/L in P1 and 1.4
index is calculated by the equation given below: mg/L to 2.9 mg/L with annual mean 2.26 mg/L in P2. The range
𝒔
of COD, 62.7 mg/L to 94 mg/L were recorded during the study
𝐇′ = ∑ 𝑷𝒊 𝑰𝒏 𝒏𝒊/𝑵
period in P1 (81.35 mg/L) while 18.6 mg/L to 28.2 mg/L were
𝒏=𝟏
Where, recorded in P2 with mean value 23.01 mg/L. BOD and COD are
H’= Shannon Index crucial factors to elucidate the pollution level of any water
S= number of taxa bodies (Jain and Dhanija, 2000; Panda et al, 2018).
Pi= Proportion of total number of individuals In P1, the range of DO lies between 3.7 mg/L to 5.5 mg/L with
ni = number of individuals of each species mean value 4.46 mg/L. In P2, DO spanned between 5.8 mg/L to
N = total number of individuals 7.2 mg/L with 6.33 mg/L mean value. Dissolved oxygen; is a vital
component of any aquatic ecosystems or living organism. A
4. Evenness Index number of variables like temperature, pressure and existence of
It quantifies how evenly individuals are distributed among different photosynthetic organisms can affect the amount of dissolved
species in an ecosystem. The values range between 0 and 1. Higher oxygen in water bodies. Many investigations on seasonal
values represents the higher evenness. variations in the DO concentrations have been done by Ramulu
𝑯′ and Benarjee, 2013; Sing et al., 2013; Panda et al, 2017;
𝑬= ′
𝑯 𝒎𝒂𝒙 Lawson, 2011; Naseer and Sinha, 2023; Kumari and Sinha, 2023.
Where,
E = Evenness index
Hʹ = diversity index
Hʹ max = In S

5. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient

This statistical method used to quantify the structure and
direction of the linear relationship between two continuous
variables on the same interval.
 Table 1: Seasonal Variations in limnological factors in P1 and P2
during November 2020 – October 2021

Chloride value ranged from 98 mg/L to 134 mg/L and 32 mg/L

Karbala Talab (P1) Pandey Pond (P2) to 50 mg/L in P1 and P2 respectively. In both ponds, chloride
concentrations lied within the permissible limits as per WHO &
BIS. However, high chloride concentrations can be toxic to
Max. Max. aquatic organisms. Chloride ions can disrupt the
osmoregulatory balance which may lead to physiological stress,
reduced growth rates, reproductive issues and even mortality
Parameters Min. Mean SD Min. Mean SD
(Hunt, et al., 2012).
36 34
The concentration of calcium at P1, ranged between 66.3 mg/L
Temp (° C)
to 88 mg/L with mean value of 76.28 mg/L while 18.7 mg/L to
18 26.8 5.67 16 25.08 5.74
1321 879 33.8 mg/L at P2 with mean value 26.64 mg/L were measured
EC (µs/cm) during the study year. Magnesium level vary from 20.83 mg/L
986 1139.58 107.33 583 736 89.24 to 40.15 mg/L with annual mean 28.25 mg/L at P1 whereas 0.36
1098 597 mg/L to 17.7 mg/L with mean 8.71 mg/L at P2. Although
TDS (mg/L) Calcium and magnesium are frequently associated but
804 968.66 88.48 426 510.42 41.34 magnesium’s concentration is typically lower than calcium
7.9 7.7 (Venkatasubramani and Meenambal, 2007).
pH Nitrate level oscillated between 1.79 mg/L to 4.03 mg/L with
7.1 7.4 0.25 7.1 7.36 0.18 2.78 mg/L mean value at P1 while 0.93 mg/L to 1.84 mg/L with
7.5 2.9 mean value 1.42 mg/L at P2. Elevated concentrations of
BOD (mg/L) nitrate, a nutrient that is vital to aquatic plants, can lead to
3.1 5.07 1.41 1.4 2.26 0.44 eutrophication, which can worsen the quality of water bodies
94 28.2 and result in dangerous algal blooms (Naseer and Sinha, 2023).
COD (mg/L) In the present investigation, Phosphate readings fluctuated
62.7 81.35 10.53 18.6 23.01 3.22 between 0.72 mg/L to 1.41 mg/L with annual mean 1.18 mg/L
5.5 7.2 at P1 (Karbala Pond) and 0.46 mg/L to 1.4 mg/L at P2. Similar
DO (mg/L) to nitrate, elevated level of phosphate may also alter the water
3.7 4.467 0.57 5.8 6.33 0.458 quality.
134 50
-
Cl (mg/L)
98 117.92 11.3 32 40.31 5.63 TEMPORAL Variations and Abundance of Phytoplankton
88 33.8
Ca2+ (mg/L) An investigation was carried out to determine the occurrence
66.3 76.28 6.95 18.7 26.64 4.8 and abundance of phytoplankton community in both P1 and P2.
40.15 17.7 In both ponds, all total 23 phytoplankton genera were recorded
2+
Mg (mg/L) during the study period. Assessment of phytoplankton variation
is an excellent method for evaluating the pollution status and
20.83 28.25 6.485 0.36 8.71 5.66
4.03 1.84 biotic potential of any aquatic ecosystem (Pawar et al, 2006).
NO3- (mg/L) Class-wise monthly variations and average values of
1.79 2.78 0.71 0.93 1.42 0.25 phytoplankton in P1 and P2 depicted in table 2 & 3.
1.41 1.4
PO43- PHYTOPLANKTON ABUNDANCE IN KARBALA POND (P1)
(mg/L)
0.72 1.18 0.203 0.46 0.99 0.29
In the present study, a total of 17 phytoplankton genera were
recorded during November 2020 to October 2021 belonged to
four major classes as Cyanophyceae (6 species), Chlorophyceae
Graph 1: Class-wise phytoplankton abundance in P1 and P2. (5 species), Bacillariophyceae (5 Species) and Euglenophyceae
(1 species). Class Cyanophyceae includes Anabaena sp.,
Merismopedia sp., Microcystis sp., Nostoc sp., Oscillatoria sp.,
Spirulina sp.
Class Chlorophyceae includes genera viz., Closterium sp.,
Eudorina sp., Pediastrum sp., Scenedesmus sp., Spirogyra sp.
Bacillariophyceae characterised by Bacillaria sp., Diatoma sp.,
Fragilaria sp., Navicula sp., Nitzschia sp. Single genera Euglena
sp. represents the Euglenophyceae. Among the total
phytoplankton count i.e., 2397, Cyanophyceae was the most
abundant group constituting 40.8 %. Chlorophyceae contributed
31.3 % of the total count. Bacillariophyceae accounted for 26.3
% and Euglenophyceae represent the least contributed group
with only 1.7 % of the total Population (Depicted in Graph 1).
The present study showed that, maximum phytoplankton count
was recorded during summer season with total count 894 U/L
followed by winter season (827 U/L) and lastly lowest number
of phytoplankton were recorded in rainy season with 676 U/L
count in Karbala Pond P1. Kumar et al., 1990; Richardson et al.,
2000; Verma et al., 2001; Izaguirre et al., 2001; also observed
similar trend in order of Summer > winter > rainy.
 Table 2: Phytoplankton species count in both ponds during also suggests its eutrophic and nutrient rich nature (Muhammad et
November 2020-October 2021. al., 2005; Tas and Gonulol, 2007; Sharma et al., 2016)
Karbala Pond Pandey Pond (P2) In P2, the most dominant species was Bacillaria sp., Cymbella sp.,
(P1) Nostoc sp., Anabaena sp., Spirogyra sp., Staurastrum sp., Pinnularia
Sl. Class Phytoplankton Total Average Total Average sp., Synedra sp. Phytoplankton genera like, Cosmarium sp.,
No. Genera/Species Count Count Count Count Microspora sp., Staurastrum sp., Pinnularia sp., and Synedra sp.,
1 Anabaena sp. were only observed in P2. Whereas these abovementioned genera
275 22.91 211 17.58 were not observed in P1, elevated levels of sewage and organic
2 Merismopedia pollution might be the contributing factors and vulnerable to the
Cyanophyceae

sp. 143 11.92 - -

pollution. Similar observations were also reported by Rajagopal et
3 Microcystis sp.
158 13.17 - - al., 2010. Phytoplankton community has long been reported as
4 Nostoc sp. bioindicators of aquatic environment (Shashi et al., 2008; Fekadu and
131 10.92 213 17.75
5 Oscillatoria sp. Chanie, 2017)
188 15.66 144 12
6 Spirulina sp. Table3: Monthly variation in phytoplankton count in (P1) Karbala
82 6.83 126 10.5
7 Closterium sp. Pond and (P2) Pandey Pond during November 2020- October 2021.
106 8.83 151 12.58
8 Cosmarium sp.
- - 137 11.41 Month Karbala Pond (P1) Pandey Pond (P2)
9 Eudorina sp.
Chlorophyceae

197 16.42 191 15.91 Total Average Total Count Average

10 Microspora sp. Count Count (U/L) (U/L) Count (U/L)
- - 154 12.83 (U/L)
11 Pediastrum sp. Nov. 189
217 18.08 - -
12 Scenedesmus sp. 2020 8.22 219 9.52
112 9.33 - - Dec. 204
13 Spirogyra sp. 2020 8.87 254 11.04
118 9.83 207 17.25
14 Staurastrum sp. Jan 2021 223
- - 164 13.66 9.69 245 10.65
15 Bacillaria sp. Feb 2021 211
102 8.5 267 22.25 9.17 257 11.17
16 Cymbella sp. March 202
- - 253 21.08
2021 8.78 308 12.61
Bacillariophyceae

17 Diatoma sp.
124 10.33 182 15.17 April 254
18 Fragilaria sp. 2021 11.04 276 11.043
20 1.66 160 13.33 May 2021 201
19 Navicula sp. 8.74 254 12
234 19.5 126 10.5 June 237
20 Nitzschia sp. 2021 10.304 302 13.13
150 12.5 - -
21 Pinnularia sp. July 145
- - 190 15.83 2021 6.304 222 9.65
22 Synedra sp. Aug 2021 211
- - 150 12.5 9.17 290 13.39
23 Euglena sp. Sept 167
phycea
Eugleno

2021 7.26 183 7.96

Oct. 153
40 3.33 6 0.5 2021 6.65 222 9.65
Total 2397 3032

PHYTOPLANKTON ABUNDANCE IN PANDEY POND (P2)

Based on the seasonal comparison, in P2, the lowest phytoplankton
The total phytoplankton count of 3032 have been recorded in Pandey count (917 U/L) were recorded during rainy season and highest during
summer (1140 U/L) and moderate in winter (975 U/L). The primary
Pond (P2) during November 2020 to October 2021.
reason of the lowest phytoplankton count during monsoon season
A total of 18 phytoplankton genera belonged to four major classes might be due to intense flooding (Verma et al., 2001; Bhaskar et al.,
i.e., Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and 2015). According to (Ravishanker et al., 2009), the temperature of
Euglenophyceae, were observed during the study period. Among 18 the water also affects the quantity and occurrence of phytoplankton.
phytoplankton genera, the order of dominant class as follows The summer months are ideal for the growth and reproduction of
Bacillariophyceae (7) > Chlorophyceae (6) > Cyanophyceae (4) > phytoplankton as a result of high temperature and prolonged
Euglenophyceae (1). Following species were observed include photoperiod (Farahani et al., 2006; Chowdhury et al., 2007; Tyor and
Deepti, 2012).
Anabaena sp. Nostoc sp., Oscillatoria sp., Spirulina sp., Closterium
sp., Cosmarium sp., Eudorina sp., Microspora sp., Spirogyra sp.,
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PHYTOPLANKTON DIVERSITY INDICES
Staurastrum sp., Bacillaria sp., Cymbella sp., Diatoma sp., Fragilaria
BETWEEN P1 AND P2.
sp., Navicula sp., Pinnularia sp., Synedra sp., and Euglena sp.
The average value of phytoplankton diversity indices of P1 & P2 is
In Pandey Pond P2, among the total phytoplankton count (3032),
provided in the Table 4.
Bacillariophyceae was the most dominant with 43.8 %. The second
The phytoplankton diversity index is well documented and reliable
dominant group was Chlorophyceae with 33.1 % of total count.
tool to elucidate the evenness, richness and stability of communities
Cyanophyceae contributed 22.9 % and Euglenophyceae contributed
(Mousing et al., 2016). The aim of the present study is to shed light
only 0.2 % of total phytoplankton count (Depicted in Graph 1).
upon the distribution and diversity of phytoplankton in both
aforementioned ponds. The average value of Simpson’s diversity
In the present study, in P1, the most dominated taxa were Anabaena
index at P1 & P2 is 0.92 and 0.94 respectively, indicating higher
sp. followed by Navicula sp., Pediastrum sp. Eudorina sp.,
species diversity. However, there were no substantial differences in
Oscillatoria sp., Microcystis sp., Nitzschia sp., Merismopedia sp.,
diversity in both the water bodies. Shannon’s index, with a value of
Nostoc sp. These taxa’s existence indicates an excessive pollution
2.7 in P1 indicates low to moderate level of species richness and
load and nutrient rich environment. (Pundhir and Rana, 2002;
abundance. Likewise, P2 also represents lower average value of 2.8
Chellappa, 2008).
for the Shannon’s index.
In overall, Cyanophyceae was the most dominant group in P1, which
 [Table 5: Pearson’s Correlation Matrix among limnological
parameters and Phytoplankton Average count of Karbala Pond (P1)
Table 4: Fluctuations in average count in diversity indices in both during November 2020-2021]
ponds (P1 & P2) from November 2020- October 2021.

Phyto

1
Diversity Karbala Pond (P1) Pandey Pond (P2)
Indices

Phosphate

-0.25257
Average Standard Average Standard

1
Count Deviation Count Deviation
(U/L) (U/L)
[Table 5: Pearson’s Correlation Matrix among limnological
Simpson’s Index

0.664567

-0.54029
parameters and Phytoplankton Average count of Karbala Pond (P1)

Nitrate
(D)
during November 202

1
0.075 0.0071 0.063 0.0014
Simpson’s Index
of Diversity (1-

0.388945
-0.65163

-0.57013
D)

Cl-
0.92 0.0072 0.936 0.0014

1
Shannon Index
(H´)

0.482842

0.562382
-0.83412

-0.69891
2.65 0.079 2.797 0.0108

Mg2+

1
Evenness_e^H/S
0.909 0.031 0.951 0.0212

0.821053

0.611978
-0.85053

-0.56922
-0.5453
Ca+

1
With high evenness index value of 0.95 and 0.91 at P2 and P1
Karbala Pond (P1) Correlation Matrix

respectively, signifies the distribution of individual among different

species is quiet even. According to Pielou (1975), it shows that both

0.451581

0.320913

0.540526
-0.58547

-0.53507

-0.35811
ponds have a diversified and harmonious environment.
COD

1
CORRELATION ANALYSIS BETWEEN LIMNOLOGICAL FACTORS AND
PHYTOPLANKTON ABUNDANCE

0.302412

0.737322

0.831217

0.627927
-0.73424

-0.76819

-0.64252
The result of correlation coefficient (P> 0.05) between limnological
BOD

1
factors and phytoplankton abundance in both ponds P1 and P2 shown
in Table 5 & 6 respectively. Water Temperature shows significant
positive relationship with EC with value of 0.69 at P1 and 0.96 at P2.
As the EC increases with high temperature. There is positive
0.820315

0.833386

0.671981
-0.84937

-0.72101

-0.80804

-0.67905

-0.73911
correlation between EC and TDS with a value of 0.52 and 0.43 at P1
DO

and P2 pond respectively, signifies the presence of high content of

salts and ions (Perlman, 2014). There is a negative correlation
between pH and WT with a value of -0.73 and -0.83 at P1 and P2
0.088852

0.323628

0.225369

0.333501
-0.38696

-0.23421

-0.29656

-0.10272

-0.05011
respectively. Similar results were also observed by Kumari and Sinha,
2023. There is significant positive relationship between BOD and COD
pH

at both the ponds i.e., P1 (0.3) and P2 (0.81).

Phytoplankton abundance shows positive relationship with nitrate
and phosphate with a value of 0.01 and 0.5 respectively at P2. Nitrate
0.428236

0.035275

0.328492

0.021516

0.116207
-0.74494

-0.83496

-0.28108

-0.29688
0.46434

and phosphate are the key element that enhance the phytoplankton
TDS

growth. On the contrary, at P1 Phytoplankton abundance shows

negative relationship with nitrate (-0.54) and phosphate (-0.25).
Similar results were also observed by Suresh et al., 2013; Sharma et
al., 2016. These findings revealed that matrix elucidation of
0.529601

0.800442

0.441991

0.765417

0.241339
-0.72922

-0.43802

-0.16085

-0.40163

-0.49758
-0.4105

Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient is used to assess the

EC

interrelationship between the biotic and abiotic factors. (Matta et

al., 2009; Elayaraj and Selvaraju, 2014).
0.841737

0.130824

0.287111

0.079464

0.218237

0.079277
-0.73089

-0.70102

-0.32173

-0.17662
0.69233

0.12389
TEMP

Phosphate
Nitrate

Phyto
TEMP

Mg2+
COD
BOD
TDS

Ca+
DO
pH

Cl-
EC
 [Table 6: Pearson’s Correlation Matrix among limnological
parameters and Phytoplankton Average count of Pandey
CANONICAL CORRESPONDENCE ANALYSIS (CCA) Pond (P2) during November 2020-2021]

CCA is another multivariate statistical technique, used to

explore and evaluate the interrelationship between two sets of
data. CCA is notably an extremely efficient tool for

Phyto
understanding the effects of ecological factors on a set of

1
species abundance in an ecological system. (Fan, et al., 2012;
Khan et al., 2017). CCA analysis plot demonstrated the four
major classes of phytoplankton, at P1 (Figure 1) and P2 (Figure
2), was governed by a set of ecological parameters viz., WT,

Phosphate

0.509293
EC, TDS, pH, DO, BOD, COD, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, NO3- and PO43-. For
P1 (Karbala Pond), eigen value for the first two axes were 0.007

1
and 0.006 respectively. CCA plot for P2 showed the eigen values
for the first two axes were 0.008 and 0.004 respectively. CCA
plot for P1 showed the negative relationship between
temperature and pH. Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae

0.011598
-0.46724
Nitrate
showed positive relationship with summer season. Whereas,

1
Cyanophyceae had positive relationship with winter season.
CCA plot for P2, pH had negative relation with temperature,
TDS, EC. Cyanophyceae showed positive relation with post-

0.520348

0.687678
monsoon season. Whereas, Euglenophyceae and

-0.50341
Bacillariophyceae showed positive relationship with summer

Cl-

1
season and Chlorophyceae had positive relation with rainy
season.
The results of CCA analysis revealed that Temperature, pH and

0.859898

0.653666

0.473273
-0.73815
nutrients are the primary environmental variables controlling

Mg2+

1
changes in the structure and pattern of the phytoplankton
community in both the ponds (P1 and P2), the results agreed
with other research on the variables affecting the algal

0.650982
-0.91134

-0.83194

-0.48699

-0.48198
abundance and diversity. (Fadel et al., 2015; Devi et al., 2016;
Ca+
Pandey Pond (P2) Correlation Matrix

Gogoi et al., 2020; Badila et al., 2022).

1
CONCLUSION

0.840255

0.842766

0.695239

0.478227
-0.63882

-0.70927
In the present study, in P1, Cyanophyceae dominated the
COD

1
phytoplankton community with (40.8 %) followed by
Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae with 31.3 % and 26.3 %
respectively. Whereas, in P2, the dominated phytoplankton

0.819522

0.875874

0.760539

0.859943

0.452489
-0.76952

-0.71193
group were observed in the order of Bacillariophyceae (43.8 %)
BOD

> Chlorophyceae (33.1 %) > Cyanophyceae (22.9 %) >

1

Euglenophyceae (0.2 %). The dominance of Anabaena sp.,

Navicula sp., Pediastrum sp. Eudorina sp., Oscillatoria sp.,
Microcystis sp., Nitzschia sp., Merismopedia sp., Nostoc sp. and
0.685255

0.647522
-0.94706

-0.77389

-0.66771

-0.89166

-0.40329
highest density of Cyanophyceae group in P1, indicates its -0.8389
DO

eutrophic and nutrient rich nature.

In the both ponds P1 and P2, the Shannon index values indicate
lower to moderate level of species diversity and high evenness
0.194125

0.547014

0.419735

0.010013
-0.27426

-0.57416

-0.70562

-0.26365
-0.5344

index value with 0.91 and 0.95 respectively, indicates even

pH

distribution of species. The Pearson’s Correlation and Canonical

Correspondence analysis, signifies the interconnection
between spatio-temporal variations in the concentrations of
0.324617

0.110813

0.054852
-0.31359

-0.42393

-0.02144

-0.26941

-0.03437

-0.51383

physico- chemical factors and the phytoplankton’s composition,

0.44153
TDS

abundance and pattern.

1

The present study comprehends the role of phytoplankton as

bio-indicators, indicating the quality status of water
environment and vice-versa, providing baseline for
0.431622

0.139266

0.007961

0.316055

0.270079

0.507904

0.206634
-0.89221

-0.38847

-0.21238

-0.2751

understanding the ecological and phytoplankton dynamics for

EC

the future researchers.

0.961477

0.565372

0.244241

0.204815

0.132062

0.083518
-0.83291

-0.11897

-0.25527

-0.23019

-0.38417
0.34431
TEMP

Phosphate
Nitrate

Phyto
TEMP

Mg2+
COD
BOD
TDS

Ca+
DO

Cl-
pH
EC
Figure 1: Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) plot of Bhaskar, K., Nautiyal, S., Khan, Y. D. I. and Rajanna, L. 2015.
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