Plankton as Bioindicators in Aquatic Pollution Monitoring

Plankton, the microscopic component of aquatic ecosystems, play a dual role as primary drivers of trophic dynamics and sensitive indicators of environmental change. Their rapid response to physicochemical perturbations, ease of sampling, and ecological relevance render them effective tools for biomonitoring. Shifts in community structure in response to nutrient enrichment, oxygen stress, and thermal or salinity anomalies make plankton excellent bioindicators for environmental changes. Modern tools such as molecular diagnostics, AI-based identification, and remote sensing can be used for enhancing monitoring efficiency.