Assessment of Phytoplankton Diversityin Midstream of Achankovil River during Monsoon and Post Monsoon Seasons

Algae are organisms with size ranging from microscopic to hundred feet to large seaweeds. The present study focuseson the algal diversity in Pandalam area of Achankovil river, Kerala, India. Pilgrims of Sabarimala uses the water of Achankovil River for various sanitary purposes and there by waste dump in river may cause water pollution and related ecological problems.Water samples werecollected during the monsoon and post monsoon seasons in the early morning before increasing the intensity of sunlight. Phytoplanktonic forms were collected using plankton net.The analysis of physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, salinity and productivity show a slight variation in mean value during the two seasons. The study reveals presence of forty one algal genera belongings to four algal classes.Theresults showed that parameters such as dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, total hardness and silicate indicatevariations with relation to seasons.The variations and distribution of phytoplankton and changes in physico-chemical parameters in freshwater helps to know the water quality of the river.