A study on the correlation between hydrographical features and Microalgae abundance at Sri Uma Kotilingeswara Swami temple stream, Punyagiri, S.Kota, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, India

Monitoring microalgae is crucial for assessing water quality in aquatic environments, as it provides insights into the fundamental characteristics and ecological balance of these systems. Microalgae are essential indicators of species abundance and health in freshwater ecosystems. This study aimed to examine the correlation between microalgae abundance and hydrographical parameters air temperature, water temperature, rainfall, humidity, and wind at the Punyagiri Hills near S. Kota in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, over three years from May 2018 to April 2021. The results indicated that Chlorophyceae were the most prevalent group, constituting 57% of the total microalgal community, with 35 genera and 61 species identified. Bacillariophyceae represented 25% of the community, comprising 17 genera and 32 species. Cyanophyceae accounted for 12%, with 14 genera and 25 species, while Euglenophyceae made up 6%, with 4 genera and 9 species. The study found that air and water temperature, as well as wind, had a significant positive correlation with Bacillariophyceae abundance. In contrast, rainfall and humidity showed a positive correlation with the abundance of Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, and Euglenophyceae.