Be a part of 5^th International Conference on Aquaculture & Marine Biology

Title: Monitoring of coastal water quality of different Islands of South Andamans through the siliceous lenses

Biography:

Ravi Pratap Singh is a research scholar in the Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University under the guidance of Dr. G. Padmavati, a well knows plankton taxonomist and ecologist. This research focused on monitoring the coastal water quality of different islands of South Andamans taking a Phytoplankton as a bioindicator. His current finding and observation will support the state government in their planning and monitoring of coastal water quality to maintain the ecosystem services of these pristine Islands of Andaman.

Abstract

Diatoms are siliceous organisms that are commonly known as single-celled phytoplankton. Phytoplankton is excellent bioindicator to evaluate the health of an aquatic ecosystem, showing a significant relationship with environmental parameters. In the present study, phytoplankton monitoring has been carried out to access the health of different islands of south Andamans. A sampling of phytoplankton and coastal water has been carried out followed by laboratory analysis using standard methods for the period of 12 months (April, 2018 to March, 2019) at 4 sampling sites. A total of 62 genera belonging to five major families such as Bacillariophyceae (54 %), Chlorophyceae (21%), Cyanophyceae (11%), Deemidiaceae (13%) and Euglenophyceae (1%) were encountered. The diversity of phytoplankton confirmation positive correlation with dissolved oxygen, pH, Nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate. Overall high diversity of phytoplankton has been observed form least polluted islands whereas high density of phytoplankton of particular genera is recorded during pre-monsoon and anthropogenically effected areas. The presence of Gomphonema sp shows mixing of polluted water through creeks in coastal waters. Occurrence of Nitzschia sp, Navicula sp, Synedra sp, Closterium sp, and Chlamydomonas sp are indicators of organic pollution hence confirming the deteriorating condition of the coastal water quality. Continuous monitoring of coastal water is required to access the water quality. Based on continuous observation necessary regional action plan need to be developed to prevent the deteriorating water quality of the Island ecosystem. Enforcement of necessary action plan and regularisation will be the effective footstep to avoid coastal pollution through anthropogenic activities.