Phytoplankton Diversity Of Varhala Devi Lake In Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: Phytoplanktons are foundation of food chain in aquatic ecosystem and its importance in fresh water environment cannot be over emphasized. Varhala Devi lake is situated on the outskirts of the Bhiwandi city, Maharashtra, India, ie. towards the South in Kamatghar group Gram Panchayat area. The lake water contributes about 30% of the total city water supply. This study was designed to determine the phytoplankton diversity in water of Varhaladevi lake. phytoplankton diversity is associated with nutrient uptake, pollution and other physio-chemical parameters. During present study samples were collected by using two different types of plankton nets, were identified in laboratories and image was taken by using digital microscope. We found harmful Cynobacteria like Mycrocystis in our study along with other planktons like, Nitzschia, Anabaena, Diatoms like Navicula, Gomphonema, Oscillatoria etc. We have recorded a total of 24 species of phytoplankton among which 06 species belonging to Chlorophyceae, 12 species belonging to Bacillariophyceae, and 03 species belonging to Cynophyceae