Study of physico-chemical parameters and phytoplankton diversity of Ousteri lake in Puducherry

The present study was carried out in the Ousteri lake (Puducherry State) from October 2013 to September 2014. The samples were collected during morning hours and were analysed monthly for physical, chemical and biological parameters. The various physico-chemical parameters like Water temperature, pH, Free CO2, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity, Electrical conductivity, Total dissolved solids, Total alkalinity, Chloride, Phosphate, Nitrate, Biological oxygen demand and Chemical oxygen demand were analyzed. Results have shown an increased concentration in physico-chemical parameters is more in summer compared to other seasons. The plankton studies were noticed that a total of 34 species belonging to 26 genus under the 4 classes. Among these, Cyanophyceae comprised of 15 species (belonging to 11 genera) followed by Chlorophyceae 9 species (belonging to 7 genera), Bacillariophyceae 7 species (belonging to 6 genera) and Euglenophyceae 3 species (belonging to 2 genera) were recorded. During the study it was found that Cyanophyceae algal growth is dominated over Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae.