Seasonal variation of planktonic micro algal and cyanobacterial diversity in the temple pond of Tepakulam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu Mrs. Deepa P.K.1, Dr Panneerselvam A.2, Dr. Thajuddin N.3 1Research Scholar, Pg & Research Department of Botany & Microbiology, Avvm Sri Pushpam College, Poondi, Thanjavur DT. E-mail: deepacck@gmail.com 2Associate Professor & Head (Retd), Pg & Research Department of Botany & Microbiology, AVVM Sri Pushpam College, Poondi, Thanjavur DT., E-mail: panneer.botany@gmail.com 3Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, Dean, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, E-mail: nthaju2002@yahoo.com Online published on 2 April, 2019. Abstract Microautotrophs play a major role in the sustainability of nature. They are well adapted to flourish in diverse climatic and edaphic conditions. They vary morphologically to adjust with the changing external factors. This study focused on the diversity of microalgae and cyanobacteria in two seasons on a temple pond in Tepakulam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. The variations of physiochemical parameters of temple pond water were analyzed using standard parameters in APHA. The amounts of COD, BOD were calculated at different seasons. Also the microalgal diversity was assessed used light and confocal microscopic studies. About 30 species of eukaryotic microalgae and prokaryotic cyanobacteria were found on different planes of the stagnant water body. Bacillariophyceae shares the 42%, 21% population along with Cyanophycea 38%, 33% and 18%, 32% Chlorophyceae, 2%, 5% Euglenophyceae with equal strength was also observed. This study opens the way for the assessment of biodiversity, surveillances and longevity of microalgae in the fluctuating environment in a temple pond that is situated on the most polluted area in the heart of Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu. Top Keywords Microalgae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, physico-chemical parameters, Light and Confocal Microscopy. Top |