SHAILENDRA KUMAR SINHA.pmd

NSave Nature to Survive
QUARTERLY
6(1&2): 47-50, 2012
47
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TEMPORAL PHYTOPLANKTON DIVERSITY IN TWO PERENNIAL
WATER BODIES (RANI POND AND RAJA POND) JHARIA COALFIELD
OF DHANBAD (JHARKHAND) DURING MONSOON OF 2004-2006
SHAILENDRA KUMAR SINHA*, RUPAM MALLIK 1 AND ABHISHEK 2
Department of Zoology, P K Roy Memorial College, Dhanbad – 826 004
1 Department of Zoology, SSLNTM College, Dhanbad
2 Kavya Communications, New Delhi
e-mail: sinhashailendra66@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
Water is one of the most essential natural resources available to mankind. In coal
mining and industrial areas, the surface water and groundwater is usually polluted
and contaminated. Coal mining is a developmental activity which is bound to
damage the natural ecosystem directly or indirectly. The biodiversity of the aquatic
ecosystem is adversely affected by mining and industrial operations in the vicinity.
Irrespective of the mining methods employed, mining is bound to cause various
environmental problems and one of them is water pollution. Besides this, sewage
and industrial effluents water are also present in coal mining areas (Nikhil Kumar,
2005).
The Jharia Coalfield (JCF) is a highly industrialized area having coal mining as the
main activity. There are a number of lentic water bodies in the colliery and
industrial areas in Jharia Coalfield of Dhanbad region. Most of the water bodies in
JCF are polluted because of mining and industrial activities. Discharge of
uncontrolled and untreated industrial and sewage wastewater is the major source
of pollution.
Before mining activities started in JCF, a good floral and faunal diversity existed
there. This floral and faunal diversity, both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity
decreased after mining activities set in
The biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems depends largely on the quality of the
water which, in turn, is dependent upon the extent of mining and industrialized
operations and the manner of management of wastes in the vicinity. The aquatic
flora and fauna which occupy prominent position in terms of their ecological and
economic values are responsible for the preservation of aquatic ecosystem. The
objective of this study is to examine species diversity (phytoplanktons) and
pollution indicators of JCF.
Jharia Coal Field (JCF) lying between 23º29’ to 23º48’ N L and 86º11’ to 86º27’
E L spread over an area of 450 km2 . The field is roughly sickle shaped its longer
axis running northwest and smaller in southeast. This Coalfield belongs to
Gondwana group of Permian age and has Talcher, Barakar, Barren and Raniganj
measures. The coal basin extends for about 38km. in the east-west direction and
a maximum of 18km. in the north-south direction. The total reserve of the area is
estimated to be 16.4 billion tons including 4.3 billion tons of prime coking coal
(Chandra, 1992).
There are several lentic and lotic water bodies in the Jharia Coalfield. Damodar is
the main river. The chief ponds are Rani Pond, Bekar Bandh, Raja Pond, Rejali
pond, Matkuria Talab, etc. Besides ponds, there is several seasonal and perennial
shallow lentic water bodies located in different parts of JCF.
ABSTRACT
Qualitative and quantitative analyses of
phytoplankton have been done in monsoon
season for two consecutive years (2004-2006).
During monsoon of 2004, a total of 20 genera
were identified from Rani pond. The
phytoplankton density was found between
677U/L to 730U/L. The genus Diatoms were
present in highest number while Closterium
was present in least number. During monsoon
of 2005 the phytoplankton density was found
in the range of 436U/L to 486U/L. The genus
Diatoma was the most abundant taxa while
Cosmarium was present in least number.A
total of 18 genera were identified from this
pond. Raja pond is located in coalmine area
of BCCL at Jharia. It is the most polluted pond
of the area as it receives sewerage of Jharia
town. In Raja pond Chlorophyceae was the
most dominant class in monsoon season in
both the years. In monsoon of 2004, the
phytoplankton density was in the range of
296 to 310U/L. The genus Microcystis was
the most abundant taxa while Spirogyra was
present in least number. A total of 14 genera
were identified at Raja pond. During
monsoon of 2005, the phytoplankton density
was found in the range of 352 to 393U/L. The
genus Oscillatoria was the most abundant taxa
while Eudorina was present in least number.
A total of 13 genera were identified from this
pond.
KEY WORDS
BCCL
Phytoplankton
Chlorophyceae
Cyanophyceae
Received : 09.01.2012
Revised : 29.03.2012
Accepted : 01.05.2012
*Corresponding author

SHAILENDRA KUMAR SINHA et al.,
Table 1: Species composition and density of phytoplankton in rani
pond (Monsoon, 2004)
Phytoplanktons July August Sept.
Anabaena sp. 28 24 33
Bacillaria sp. 43 56 50
Closterium sp. 6 3 6
Cymbella sp. 60 56 46
Chlamydomonas sp. 20 20 16
Cosmarium sp. 6 10 13
Diatoma sp. 86 86 83
Euglena sp. 43 26 30
Eudorina sp. 36 30 26
Fragilaria sp. 70 83 55
Microcystis sp. 16 16 10
Nostoc sp. 8 18 20
Navicula sp. 56 90 90
Nitzchia sp. 23 30 20
Oscillatoria sp. 22 24 30
Pandorina sp. 16 10 13
Pithophora sp. 10 22 20
Staurastrum sp. 73 70 56
Spirogyra sp. 40 36 44
Volvox sp. 34 20 16
696 730 677
Table 2: Species composition and density of phytoplankton in rani
pond (Monsoon 2005)
Phytoplanktons July August September
Anabaena sp. 10 13 10
Closterium sp. 13 30 23
Cymbella sp. 43 46 36
Chlamydomonas sp. 10 26 21
Cosmarium sp. 8 12 7
Diatoma sp. 73 86 66
Euglena sp. 23 27 16
Eudorina sp. 16 13 18
Fragilaria sp. 66 60 56
Microcystis sp. 10 13 18
Nostoc sp. 6 8 11
Navicula sp. 76 53 46
Oscillatoria sp. 10 28 14
Pandorina sp. 27 12 20
Pithophora sp. 18 21 28
Staurastrum sp. 18 15 16
Spirogyra sp. 10 7 14
Volvox sp. 11 16 16
448 486 436
Anthropogenic activities, urbanization, land reclamation and
accelerated industrialization have resulted in pollution of
majority of lotic and lentic water bodies (Prasannakumari et
al., 2003). Polluted aquatic ecosystem exerts adverse impact
on the aquatic flora and fauna and causes loss of biodiversity.
The physico-chemical nature of water bodies affects the
aquatic flora and fauna altering their number and biodiversity.
The pond ecosystem undergo maximum diurnal and seasonal
changes when compared to other lotic system (Khatri, 1985;
Munshi and Munshi, 1995).
The species diversity of planktonic and epiphytic rotifers of
the Delhi segment of Yamuna River has been reported by
Arora and Mehrotra (2003). The water quality index of river
Sanamachhakandana at Keonjhargarh, Orissa have been
reported by Bhanja and Patra (2000).
48
The objective of the present study is to study the qualitative
and quantitative studies of pollution indicating species of
phytoplanktons as reported by Arora (1966). Oscillatoria,
Nitzschia, Anabena Navicula, Spirogyra, Cosmariumare
pollution indicating phytoplanktons.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two perennial ponds of JCF namely Rani Pond and Raja pond
were selected for the present study.
Rani Pond is located around the residential area of Dhanbad
district away from coal mines. This pond does not receive any
domestic sewage or industrial effluents but washermen and
local residents extensively use this pond for their daily chores.
Raja pond is located in coal mining area of BCCL at Jharia. It is
the most polluted pond of Jharia because it receives sewerage
of Jharia town.
Periodic sampling was done at both the sites in Monsoon
season for two consecutive years.
Sample was collected from the surface and sub-surface as
well. The most common counting method used to quantify
preserved phytoplankton samples is the Utermohl Technique
(Utermohl, 1958) and as modified by Nauwerck in 1963
(Nauwerck, 1963). Staining is not required in this method
because samples are preserved in Lugol’s solution. This
method involves settling a known volume of sample into a
counting chamber. The volume of subsample settled will
dictate the density of phytoplankton. (Findlay and Kling, 2001).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Qualitative and quantitative analyses of phytoplanktons of
Rani Pond and Raja Pond have been done in monsoon season
for the two consecutive years.
Rani Pond
The phytoplankton composition and density at Rani Pond in
monsoon 2004 are shown in Table 1. In July the phytoplankton
density was 696U/L while in August and September months,
it was 730 and 677 U/L respectively. The genus Diatoma was
present in highest number while Closterium was present in
least number. A total of twenty genera were identified from
this site. Four ‘class’ of algae viz. Cyanophycea, Chlorophyceae,
Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae represented the
phytoplankton communities at this site. Chlorophyceae
accounted for nine taxa while Cyanophyceae represented
only four genera. Six species represented Bacillariophyceae
while a single taxon belonged to Euglenophyceae. Staurastrum
was the most abundant taxa while Closterium was the
abundant taxa from Chlorophyceae. Anabaena and
microcystis were respectively the most abundant and the least
represented taxa from the class Cyanophycea. Diatoma and
Nitzchia were, respectively, the mostabundant and least
represented taxa from Bacillariophyceae.
Phytoplankton compositions in both years in terms of class
percentage have been shown in Fig. 1.
Among the phytoplanktons, Bacillariophyceaewas the most
dominant group in both the years of study. 51.4% of the
phytoplanktons recorded belonged to Bacillariophyceae, 32%

Table 3: Species composition and density of phytoplankton in Raja
pond (Monsoon 2004)
Phytoplanktons July August Sept.
Anabaena sp. 22 34 38
Closterium sp. 36 23 23
Chlamydomonas sp. 24 18 20
Cosmarium sp. 26 22 20
Diatoma sp. 24 26 18
Euglena sp. 13 10 16
Eudorina sp. 13 13 18
Fragillaria sp. 26 23 20
Microcystis sp. 33 40 36
Navicula sp. 20 23 20
Oscillatoria sp. 30 26 23
Pithophora sp. 14 10 16
Staurastrum sp. 16 20 18
Spirogyra sp. 13 16 10
310 304 296
Table 4: Species composition and denstiy of phytoplankton in Raja
pond (Monsoon 2005)
Phytoplankton July August Sept.
Anabaena sp. 34 38 42
Closterium sp. 30 32 32
Chlamydomonas sp. 34 28 30
Cosmarium sp. 25 23 28
Diatoma sp. 34 46 26
Eudorina sp. 12 8 14
Fragillaria sp. 34 28 12
Microcystis sp. 34 36 43
Navicula sp. 44 38 30
Oscillatoria sp. 54 48 36
Pithophora sp. 18 22 20
Staurastrum sp. 18 16 15
Spirogyra sp. 22 28 24
393 391 352
Table 5: Classification of phytoplankton based on water quality of
the habitat
Taxa Clean water Polluted Wastewater
algae water algae Treatment
Plant Algae
Pinnularia +
Oscillatoria +
Nitzchia +
Anabaena
Spirulina
+
Clostridium +
Navicula + +
Euglena +
Spirogyra +
Staurastrum +
Cosmarium +
Chlorella +
Closterium +
Chlamydomonas +
belonged to Chlorophyceae, 11.8% to Cyanophycea and
4.7% to Euglenophyceae in Monsoon 2004.The
phytoplankton composition in monsoon 2005 was similar to
that in the monsoon months of 2004.
The phytoplankton composition and density in Monsoon
2005 are shown in Table 2. In July a total of 448 individuals
49
TEMPORAL PHYTOPLANKTON DIVERSITY
were present per litre while in August and September months,
the phytoplankton concentrations were respectively 486 and
436 U/L. The genus Diatoma was the most abundant taxa
while Cosmarium was present in least number. A total of 18
genera were identified at this site. Four ‘class’, namely
Cyanophycea, Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and
Euglenophyceae represented the phytoplankton community
in this season as well. Chlorophyceae accounted for 9 taxa
while Cyanophyceae and Bacillariophyceae represented four
genera each.
Raja pond
The phytoplankton composition and density at Raja pond in
Monsoon 2004 are shown in Table 3. In July, a total of 310
individuals were present per litre while in August and
September months, the phytoplankton concentrations were
respectively 304 and 296 organisms per litre. The genus
Microcystis was the most abundant taxa while Spirogyra was
present in least number. A total of 14 genera were identified at
this pond. Four ‘class’ of algae viz. Cyanophyceae,
Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae
represented the phytoplankton communities at Raja Pond.
Chlorophyceae accounted for 7 taxa while Cyanophyceae
represented 3 genera. 3 species represented Bacillariophyceae
while a single taxon belonged to Euglenophyceae. The taxa
belonging to Chlorophyceae were Chlamydomonas,
Closterium, Eudorina, Pithophora, Stawrastrum, Cosmarium,
and Spirogyra. Taxa belonging to Cyanophyceae were
Microcystis, Oscillatoria and Anabaena. The three taxa
representing Bacillariophyceae were Fragilaria, Navicula and
Diatoma sp. Euglenophyceae was represented by single genus,
i.e. Euglena. Chlorophyceae was the most dominant class.
Closterium was the most abundant taxa while Spirogyra was
the least abundant taxa from Chlorophyceae. Microcystis and
Oscillatoria were respectively the most abundant and least
represented taxa from the class Cyanophyceae. Only 3 species
were reported from Bacillariophyceae.
The result of quantitative analysis of phytoplankton during
monsoon of 2005 has been shown in Table 4. In July the
phytoplankton density was 393 U/L while in August and
September months it was 391 and 352 U/L respectively. The
genus Oscillatoria was the most abundant taxa while Eudorina
was present in least number. A total of 13 genera were identified
in Raja Pond during monsoon of 2005. Three ‘class’ of algae
viz. Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae
represented the phytoplankton community in this season as
well. Chlorophyceae accounted for 7 taxa while
Cyanophyceae and Bacillariophyceae represented 3 genera
each. Chlorophyceae was the most dominant class.
Closteriumwas the most abundant genus while Eudorina was
the least abundant taxa from Chlorophyceae. Only 3 species
were reported from Bacillariophyceae.
Phytoplanktons have been classified on the basis of their
occurrence in clean water or polluted water in Table 5. A
glance at the table indicates that Oscillatoria sp, Nitzchia sp.,
Anabaena sp., Euglena sp., Spirogyra sp., Chlorella sp. and
Chlamydomonas sp. have been established to be present in
polluted water (APHA, 2000). Studies on phytoplankton
diversity in response to abiotic factors in Veeranam lake in the
Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu shows that maximum

SHAILENDRA KUMAR SINHA et al.,
Parcentage composition
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
phytoplankton diversity was during post-monsoon season and
minimum diversity was observed in pre-monsoon season
(Senthil Kumar and Sivakumar, 2008). In the present study
however most of these taxa were found to be present at almost
both the sites. Thus, it can be concluded that both the study
stations are polluted to some extent and degree of pollution
can be established from the results of water quality-analysis
and zooplankton studies.
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Figure 1: Phytoplankton composition at Rani pond during 2004-06
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