Seasonal variations of phytoplankton population in Powai Lake, Mumbai, India

摘要

The present study was conducted in Powai Lake, Mumbai. Water samples were collected and analysed for various physico-chemical parameters. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytoplankton was also done. Phytoplankton samples collected from Powailake during the study period revealed occurrence of four groups. Among these the most abundant group was Cyanophyceae, which accounted on an average 52.87 (± 1.287) %, while the second abundant group Euglenophyceae contributed 37.80 (± 0.904) % on an average, and this followed by Chlorophyceae with a contribution of 4.98 (± 0.242)%. The least abundant group, Bacillariophyceae had contributed on an average 4.35 (± 0.213) % to the total phytoplankton. High phytoplankton density was found in summer, followed by spring and winter, while the lowest density was found during monsoon. Cynophyceae group was observed to be the most abundant during summer while the low value was observed during monsoon. High abundance of Euglenophyceae group was also found during summer while in monsoon season this group was least abundant. In case of chlorophyceae group, the peak was observed during winter while the lowest abundance was observed during summer. A maximum abundance of Bacillariophyceae group was observed during spring while the lowest abundance of this group was observed during the summer.