Plant Archives Vol. 11 No. 1, 2011 pp.

17-20

ISSN 0972-5210

DIVERSITY OF CHLOROCOCCALES WITH RESPECT TO PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN THREE SELECTED PERENNIAL PONDS OF AGASTEESWARAM TALUK, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT (TAMIL NADU), INDIA
R. Mary Christi1, A. Selvin Samuel2, N. Renuka Bai1 and T. Christy Kala1
1

Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Womens Christian College, Nagercoil 629 001, South India. 2 Department of Botany and Research Centre, St. Johns College, Palayamkottai, India.

Abstract
Chlorococcales are one of the most rapid detectors of environmental changes in fresh water bodies. The diversity of Chlorococcales in three perennial ponds namely Parakaikulam (Pond 1), Paulkulam (Pond 2) and Thenikulam (Pond 3) was studied for a period of six months after the heavy rainfall of North-east monsoon. Diversity of Chlorococcales was observed during the present investigation with 13 different species in Pond 1, 11 species in Pond 3 and 6 species in pond 2. Higher level of nutrients favoured the growth of Chlorococcales. Abundance of Chlorococcales with more number of species existed during the summer months. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, phosphates, nitrates and calcium showed significant impact on the species diversity. Algal bloom with Pediastrum simplex, Scenedesmus acutiformis, S. dimorphus and S. smithi during March and April was observed in Parakaikulam. In Thenikulam (Pond 3) bloom is caused by Pediastrum duplex and S. acutiformis. Such algal bloom was not existed in Paulkulam and the six species recorded showed uneven distribution. Key words : Chlorococcales, algal bloom, physico-chemical parameter.

Introduction
Phytoplanktons are present almost in all natural water bodies. The nutrient deficient natural water harbouring low population of phytoplanktons and nutrient enriched water bodies harbouring high population with more diversity. The excessive algal growth or algal bloom in highly enriched water with sewage gives dark green colour to the water bodies (Trivedi and Goel, 1984). Phytoplanktons take up available forms of nutrients that derived from multiple sources (Reynolds, 1998). Phytoplanktons are one of the most rapid detectors of toxins and other chemicals. Pollution stress reduces the number of algal species but increased the number of individuals. Species diversity of the freshwater habitats are very much affected by the eutrophication. The relationship of phytoplanktons with physicochemical parameters in fresh water bodies were revealed by many Indian limnologists (Munawar, 1970; Pingle, 2003; Milind, 2008). The members of Chlorococcales belonging to the class Chlorophyceae are the commonly occurring phytoplanktonic group showing abundance in

fresh water habitats. Nico (2000) reported that distribution of Chlorococcales is more irregular but a typical increase in summer at the surface water. Our knowledge regarding the occurrence and distribution of Chlorococcales in India is meager. Philipose (1967), Patel and Daniel (1990), Jose and Patel (1992), Pingle (1992), Deshmukh and Gunale (2007), studied the Chlorococcales from different parts of the country. In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the distribution pattern and diversity of Chlorococcales in three different fresh water bodies. Comparative study was made by assessing the physicochemical characteristics.

Materials and Methods

The investigations were carried out in three largest perennial ponds of Agasteewaram Taluk, Kanyakumari District. Parakaikulam (Pond 1) called as Thaikulam is at Parakai with an water spread area of 85.70 hectares. From this pond the surrounding of 457.0 hectares of paddy fields are getting irrigation. Paulkulam (Pond 2) is at Mathusoothanapuram village with an water spread area

18

R. Mary Christi et al.

Table 1 : Seasonal variation in the physicochemical parameters of Perennial pond I. (November 2008 April 2009) Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Parameters Temperature pH Bicarbonate (ppm) Chloride (ppm) Calcium (ppm) Magnesium (ppm) Sodium (ppm) Potassium (ppm) Dissolved oxygen mg/l November 28 7.6 158.6 42.54 24.04 4.9 42.5 13.3 3.8 December 26.5 7.7 158.6 28.36 8.02 12.2 37.01 14.08 4.6 January 27.0 7.8 109.8 77.9 8.02 19.44 38.85 14.7 4.8 February 27.5 7.45 115.9 53.18 18 10.9 28.5 16.6 5.0 March 29.5 8.14 79.3 49.6 16 13.4 54.4 10.8 4.2 April 29.0 8.1 73.22 60.27 16.3 8.51 23.91 13.68 4.4

Table 2 : Seasonal variation in the physico-chemical parameters of Perennial pond II. (November 2008 April 2009) Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Parameters Water Temperature pH Bicarbonate (ppm) Chloride (ppm) Calcium (ppm) Magnesium (ppm) Sodium (ppm) Potassium (ppm) Dissolved oxygen mg/l November 28.0 6.9 97.63 28.4 20.4 4.9 19.43 7.04 3.7 December 24.5 7.7 112 17.73 8.02 9.72 23.9 8.6 4.0 January 27.3 6.7 79.3 56.7 18 13.4 17.3 8.6 3.8 February 28.0 7.4 67.12 35.45 14 10.9 6.3 7.8 4.0 March 29.0 7.3 67.12 38.99 20.04 3.65 24.6 5.71 3.8 April 27.5 7.4 54.94 42.54 10.02 9.72 9.43 14.47 3.4

Table 3 : Seasonal variation in the physico-chemical parameters of Perennial pond III. (November 2008 April 2009) Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Parameters Temperature pH Bicarbonate (ppm) Chloride (ppm) Calcium (ppm) Magnesium (ppm) Sodium (ppm) Potassium (ppm) Dissolved oxygen mg/l November 26.2 6.3 24.41 24.82 6.4 8.51 5.52 2.1 4.8 December 27.4 6.78 36.61 31.4 10.2 8.2 5.19 1.76 5.8 January 27.3 6.9 35.61 25.38 8.02 7.29 4.09 1.76 6.5 February 28.6 7.1 36.61 24.82 10.25 6.74 4.55 1.17 6.8 March 29.3 7.33 48.85 25.38 10.02 7.30 5.52 1.76 7.3 April 29.8 7.15 35.5 24.8 10.2 8.1 4.54 1.76 6.4

of 26.20.5 hectares. The area of paddy fields getting irrigation is 131.0 hectares. Thenikulam (Pond 3) is at the village near Parvathipuram with an water spread area of 18.56.0 hectares and agricultural area 32.850 hectares. Water samples were collected from different sites once in a month for a period of six months. The collection of samples were started after the north-east monsoon in November, 2008 and continued upto April, 2009. Temperature and pH measurements were carried out in the study area itself. Samples for dissolved oxygen were fixed on the spot with Winklers reagent. The other chemical analysis were done using standard methods for the analysis of water and waste water (APHA, 1995). Phytoplanktons were collected by planktonic net (mesh

size 40 micron) and concentrates were preserved with 4% formalin. Chlorococcales were identified using manuals of Philipose (1967), Fritsch (1977), Desikachary and Raja Rao (1980) and Anand (1998).

Results and Discussion

The Physico-chemical parameters of the three ponds are shown in tables 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Occurrence of Chlorococcales in the three perennial ponds is reported in table 4. All these perennial ponds are irrigation ponds with water inflow through Kothiyar and Pazhyar rivers. They are rain fed during the monsoon period. They are also used for domestic purposes, especially for bathing, washing clothes and animal invading.

Chlorococcales w.r.s. to Physico-chemical Parameters in Three Selected Perennial Ponds of Agasteeswaram Taluk, Kanyakumari (T.N.), India
Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.

19

Table 4 : Diversity and occurrence of Chlorococcales in the perennial ponds. (November 2008 - April 2009)

The observation on the average values of physico-chemical parameters showed that almost all the parameters are highest in pond 1, intermediate in pond 3 and lowest in pond 2. Seasonal changes in temperature were well marked in all the study sites. This is in coincidence with the report of Milind (2008). Seasonal changes in temperature and Chlorococcales distribution are showing direct relationship in pond 1 and 3. Similar observations were made by Zafar (1967), Mruthunjaya et al. (2007) and Miliand (2008). The average density of Chlorococcales was low in winter season and fairly high during summer. Deshmukh and Gunale (2007) also reported the same. Mruthunjaya et al. (2007) reported that the distribution pattern of Chlorococcales is influenced by the varying physico-chemical parameters. The present investigation is also coinciding with this report. Munawar (1970) and Seenayya (1971) stated that oxidisable organic matter influenced the growth and abundance of Chlorococcales. The abundance of Chlorococcales in pond 1 is due to the entry of more organic matter through domestic wastes. Nitrogenous organic matter, the amount of phosphates, pH and inorganic substrates are considered as the regulators of the members of Chlorococcales (Mruthunjaya et al., 2007). A similar regulatory effect by the pH and inorganic substrates was observed in the present investigation. In the present investigation, higher pH favoured the growth of Chlorococcales. Zafar (1967) reported that the growth of Chlorococcales is favoured by the presence of high pH in water. Gradual increase in pH had direct proportion to the quantity of Chlorococcales. Comparatively pond 1 had higher pH and in which recorded the highest count of Chlorococcales in all the observations. Murugesan and Sivasubramanian (2008) have studied the occurrence of Chlorococcales and reported that they did not exhibit any regular trend and they flourished in water rich in dissolved oxygen and pH during March and April. Similarly there was no regular trend in the distribution in pond 2. Sreenivasan (1964) reported that the peaks of phytoplankton occurred at different periods

Pond 3

+ + + + +

Pond 2

Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.

Pond 1

Sl. No.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Chlorella vulgaris, Beyerinck. Pediastrum simplex, Meyen. Pediastrum duplex, Meyen. Pediastrum tetras var. tetrahedron (Corda) Rabenth Desmodesmus protuberans, Fritsch et Ritch. Scenedesmus dimorphus, Kutz. Secenedesmus acutiformis, Schroder. Scenedesmus smithi, Teiling. Scenedesmus armatus (Chod) Smith Scenedesmus denticulatus Lagerheim. Scenedesmus bijugatus var. alternans (Turpin) Kuetz. Coelastrum microporum, Naegeli Ankistrodesmus falcatus (Corda) Ralfs Actinastrum hantzschii, Lagerh Tetraedron muticum, (A. Br) Hansg. Tetraedron regulare, Kuetz. Tetraedron trigonum, (Naeg.) Hansg. F. gracile. Hydhodictyon reticulatum, L.

Organisms

+ + + + + +

+ + + + + + +

+ + + + + + + +

+ + + + + + + + + + +

+ + + + + + + + + +

+ + + + + + + + + + +

+ + + + + +

+ + + + + +

+ + +

+ +

+ + + + + + + +

+ + + + + + + +

+ +

+ + + + +

+ + + + + + + +

+ + + + + + + +

20

R. Mary Christi et al.

in different years. Apart from temperature other parameters like high pH, alkalinity and nutrients are also responsible for their organic production. Genera like Chlorella, Pediastrum, Scenedesmus, Tetraedron and Ankistrodesmus were very common throughout the study period (Murugesan and Sivasubramanian, 2008). Except Ankistrodesmus other members showed the similar distribution. Low concentration of calcium and magnesium lower the growth of Chlorococcales and higher concentration of calcium and magnesium favoured the growth of Chlorococcales. Under limited potassium conditions growth and photosynthesis of algae are poor and respiration higher (Jayakumar and Karpagam, 2005). Suthar et al. (2005) reported that the domestic waste contributes increase of sodium in water bodies. Highest level of sodium in pond 1 was due to the discharge of domestic waste from surrounding villages into the pond. The diversity and distribution pattern of Chlorococcales in pond 1 and 3 are almost equal. Pond 1 had thirteen different species, pond 3 eleven different species whereas pond 2 had only six different species. There was no algal bloom in the second pond. The total number of Chlorococcales were also much lower than the other water bodies (Pond 1 and 3). This is because of the abundance of macrophytes especially the submerged free floating forms Ceratophyllum demersum and Hydrilla verticillata. Nelumbo nucifera, Cyperus articulatus and C. pangorei were the other dominant macrophytes persistent in pond 2. The Chlorococcales biodiversity is influenced by dynamic activities with response to physico-chemical characteristics in these fresh water habitats. The investigations helped to assess the trophic status and pollution level. Accordingly pond 1 is eutrophic during summer months due to the inflow of more domestic sewage pond 3 is moderately polluted and pond 2 is mesotrophic.

References
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Vol. I. Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. Jayakumar, S. and S. Karpagam (2005). Factors affecting productivity of Phytoplankton in a reservoir of Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu. Indian Hydrobiology, 8(2) : 187192. Jose, L. and R. J. Patel (1992). A systematic account of Chlorococcales new to Kerala. Phykos, 31(1 & 2):95 - 101. Milind S. Hujare (2008). Limnological studies of the perennial water body, Attigre Tank, Kolhapur Dist, Maharashtra. Nat. Env. Poll. Tech., 7(1) : 43 48. Mruthunjaya, T. B., S. P. Hosmani, N. R. Rajendra Prasad and B. M. Sudeep (2007). Diversity and distribution pattern of Chlorococcales with respect to physico-chemical characteristics of three water bodies. Indian Hydrobiology, 10(2) : 293 - 300. Munawar, M. (1970). Limnological studies on freshwater ponds of Hyderabad India II. The biocenose. Distribution of unicellular and colonial Phytoplankton in polluted and unpolluted environments. Hydrobiologia., 36 : 105 - 128. Murugesan, S. and V. Sivasubramanian (2008). Fresh Water diatoms from Porur Lake, Chennai. Indian Hydrobiology, 11(1) : 149 - 154. Nico Salmaso (2000). Factors affecting the seasonality and distribution of cyanobacteria and Chlorophytes : a case study from the large lakes south of the Alps, with special reference to Lake Garda : Part I. Cyanoprokaryotes and Chlorophytes across Lake Tropic Status. Hydrobiologia, 438 : 43 - 63. Patel, R. J. and J. K. Daniel (1990). Some Chlorococcales new to India. Phykos, 29(1 & 2) : 129 - 135. Philipose, M. T. (1967). Chlorococcales. Indian Council Agricultural Research, New Delhi. 323 p. Pingle, S. D. (1992). A note on algae of Pashan Lake Chlorococcales. Biol. Ind., 3(1 & 2) : 81 - 82. Pingle, S. D. (2003). Periodicity and succession of phytoplankton of Pashan lake. Indian Hydrobiology, 6(1 & 2) : 101 - 109. Reynolds, C. S. (1998). What factors influence the species composition of phytoplankton in lakes of different trophic status? Hydrologia., 369/370 : 11-26. Seenayya, G. (1971). Ecology of the plankton of certain fresh water ponds of Hyderabad, India 1. Physicochemical complexes. Hydrobiologia, 37(1) : 7 - 31. Sreenivasan, A. (1964). The limnology, primary production and fish production in a tropical pond. Limnol. Oceanoorg, 9(3) : 391 - 396. Suthar, S., Chandrasing, Rajesh Kumar, G. S. Diviya and Mohan K. Kaushik (2005). Ground water quality of Sri Ganganagar city, Rajasthan. Eco.Env. Pol. Res., 4 (4) : 515 - 519. Trivedy, R. K. and P. K. Goel (1984). Chemical and Biological Methods for Water Pollution Studies. Environmental Publications, Karad. p. 158 - 159. Zafar, A. R. (1967). On the ecology of algae in certain fresh water ponds of Hyderabad India III. The Periodicity. Hydrobiologia, 30 (1) : 96 - 112.