Horizontal Distribution of Micro Algae in Vasishta Godavari Estuary, Andhra Pradesh, India

River Vasishta Godavari is one of the branches of Godavari River. Horizontal distribution of micro algae and estuarine algae was studied for a period of one year from May 2023 to April 2024. A total of 65 micro algae and 5 species of estuarine algae were identified in the three selected study sites of the Vashista estuary. Out of these 65 micro algae, 17 belongs to Chlorophyceae, 28 belongs to Bacillariophyceae, 12 belongs to Cyanophyceae, 6 Euglenophyceae and remaining two species belongs to Dinophyceae. At the mouth of estuary more Bacillariophyceae members were observed than the away from the river mouth region. Abundance of phytoplankton cells per one liter was more in April and November months during the period of investigation in all stations of the Vasishta Godavari estuary.