Limnological Characteristics and Palmer Algal Pollution Index-Based Assessment of the Ramganga River (Bareilly-Shahjahanpur Stretch), Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the limnological features and diversity of phytoplankton of the Ramganga River of Bareilly Division of Uttar Pradesh, India. The water samples were collected at two sampling locations (Site-A) Bareilly-Badaun Highway Ramganga Bridge, Bareilly, and, (Site-B) Allahganj, Shahjahanpur) on a monthly basis from October 2023 to January 2024. Physico-chemical data like temperature, pH, TDS, TSS, TS, DO, BOD, conductivity, calcium, sodium, ammonia and total hardness were measured by using APHA standard methods. The standard limnological techniques were used for sampling, identification, and quantification of phytoplankton. A total of four major algal families, namely Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae were recorded. During the study, a total of 43 phytoplankton taxa were identified. Euglena, Oscillatoria, Navicula, Nitzschia, Scenedesmus and Chlorella were observed as different genera capable of tolerating pollution levels in the different parts of the river ecosystem. The results of the Palmer's Algal Pollution Index showed moderate to high organic pollution at the sites of sampling. The study showed that there is a significant link between the assemblage of phytoplankton and water quality parameters. The results have shown the role of algal communities in assessing the health of the river, which can be used in future biomonitoring and conservation of the Ramganga River.