Algal diversity of freshwater lakes of Odisha

Abstract

Freshwater is essential resource for human beings as well as other animals. A lake newlineprovides habitat for many aquatic microbes, animals and plants which supports biodiversity newlinein the surrounding environments as well. Algae are ubiquitous in distribution newlineabout 90% of them are aquatic. In addition to this, algae flourishing in water bodies newlinepolluted with organic wastes and play an important part in Self-purification of water newlinebodies , as they are able to accumulate nutrients, heavy metals, pesticides, organic and newlineinorganic toxic substances in their cells/bodies. Algal diversity in a lake plays a significant newlinerole in determining tropic status and developing strategies for their conservation. Algae, newlineparticularly microalgae commonly known as phytoplanktons are the primary producers in newlineaquatic food chain and play a key role in bio monitoring of trophic status of water bodies. This is known that the first step towards the conservation of an aquatic system should be newlineidentification and assessment of algal diversity composition of the aquatic body. newlineThe sceneries of Odisha are covered by rivers, lakes and rivulets with beautiful newlinecoastal area. Most of the area covered by much nick-nack lake in Odisha. The state shows newlinedifferent type of lakes including three important lakes such oxbow lake (Ansupa), shoreline newlinelake (Tampara) and anthropogenic lake (Kanjia hata). Anuspa lake is situated Banki Block newlineof Cuttack district under Athagada forest dission of the Odisha state. This lake is located newlineon the left bank of the Mahanidi river and surrounded by two hills such as Saranda and newlineBishunupur hill. The lake lies between 20and#730; 26and#697; 28.43quot to 28and#730; 28and#697; 34.44quot N latitude and 85and#730; newline35and#697; 56.74quot to 85and#730;36and#697; 30.01quot E longitude; at all elevation of 57.8 m). newline