Abstract
Water quality plays an important role in the growth, distribution and abundance of aquatic organisms. Interest in water analysis is due to the enormous importance of water to all categories of living organisms. The present investigation was carried out during November 2013 to August 2014 in order to determine the species richness of microalgae in the Pond and River. Water samples were collected from two stations of Pond and River for the analysis of physicochemical parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, alkalinity, acidity, calcium, chloride, total hardness and magnesium. Microalgae samples were also collected at monthly intervals (Net size No 25) and it was identified using the taxonomic keys and manuals. A total of 98 species belonging to four classes (Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae) were identified. Of these, Chlorophyceae were dominated in terms of species richness (36 species), followed by Bacillariophyceae (28 species), Cyanophyceae (25 species) and Euglenophyceae (9 species). Algal species such as Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Ankistrodesmus, Closterium, Navicula, Nitzchia, Synedra, Gamphonema, Merismopedia, Chroococcus, Microcystis, Anabaena, Euglena and Phacus were collected from the Pond.