Composition, Density and Diversity of Phytoplankton in Rathi Cheruvu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Telangana, India

The current study deals with composition, density and diversity of phytoplankton during January 2023 to December 2023 monthly in the Rathi cheruvu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Telangana, India. Samplings were collected from different locations of the study site during a one year research period. Several physico-chemical parameters were studied from two sampling stations such as water temperature, pH, DO, BOD, SO4, NO3, PO4 and Cl-, of which pH, DO and BOD were shown to be the most significant in growth and development of phytoplanton. In the current study revealed a total number of 43 species of phytoplankton belonging to four major classes i.e. Chlorophyceae with 16 species, Bacillariophyceae with 14 species, Euglenophyceae with three species and Cyanophyceae with 10 species. The maximum population of phytoplankton diversity was observed during summer followed by monsoon with a total 1058 phytoplankton species during one year of study period. Finally the study showed that the study site has a well balanced phytoplankton community.