Airborne Algal Diversity in the Atmosphere of Lonar Crater, Buldhana District, Maharashtra

Study of airborne algae from the atmosphere of World famous Lonar Crater.It is situated (North Latitude 19 o 55' 45'', East Longitude 76 o 34' 00'') in Buldhana district of Maharashtra state.For the first time, by using Petriplate exposure method, aerophycological experiments were conducted for one year i. e. from December 2022 to January 2023.A total of 24 samples were obtained during study tenure.29 airborne algal taxa under 22 genera belonging to Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Cyanophyceae were cultured, identified and recorded.Cyanophycean algal taxa dominated the algal flora of Lonar Crater.Among Cyanophyceae, Phormidium, Arthrospira and Plectonema were dominant.Gloeocystis gigas and Gloeocystis major were dominant among Chlorophyceae.Bacillariophyceae was represented by Pinnularia, Navicula sp and Nitzschia palea.