ALGAE AND WATER POLLUTION IN MAIII ESTUARY

Abstract

Distribution of phytoplankton, chlorophyll a and phaeophytin was studied at different locations in the
Mahi estuary during 1982. The water quality at the discharge point was poor while the region away from
it was relatively unpolluted. The results indicated a wide range of variation in phytoplankton population
(7.68-5010. 96x104  cells/1, chl. a 2.22-58.22 mg/m3)and phaeophytin (0.20-10.21 mg/nr3). The ratio of chl. a/
phaeophytin were remarkably low at highly polluted stations. Higher abundance of the genera Oscillatoria and Nitzschia were recorded at polluted stations. The diversity of species at the unpolluted station was higher (1.56) as compared to the polluted station (1.07).