Morpho-Taxonomic Identification and Seasonal Correlation between Algal Diversity and Water Physico-Chemical Parameters in District Bajaur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

The current study was carried out to identify morpho-taxa and determine the seasonal link between algal diversity and water physico-chemical parameters in District Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Total of 52 algal species belonging to 2 classes, 6 orders, 13 families, 22 genera, were reported from the four different sites (E1, E2, E3 and E4) of District Bajaur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Comprehensive investigation of four research stations revealed the phytoplankton diversity from Chlorophyceae to Cyanophyceae. All species were collected from the fresh water bodies during March spring to August rainy season in 2021. Collected Species were scrutinized taxonomically by using light microscope. In all studied sites genus Scenedesmus was dominant with fifteen species in both seasons, while all other micro-algal species were dominant at site E1, Salarzai Thali Dam in March spring session. During the study period, a total of 36 green micro-algal species and 16 blue-green micro-algal species were documented. Additionally, the sampling sites underwent thorough water physico-chemical analyses to explore any potential correlations with the diversity of phytoplankton. Conducted water physico-chemical analysis revealed that phytoplankton diversity greatly affects by various factors like Total soluble salts, Total Alkalinity, pH, TDS, EC, Temperature, Carbonate (Figure presented.), Bicarbonate (Figure presented.), Chloride Cl-1, Sulphate (Figure presented.), (Figure presented.), Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+1, K+1, BOD and COD, Turbidity. The supreme supportive water physico-chemical parameters for the algal development was recorded are the Temperature, pH, and the presence of nutrients like (Figure presented.), Na+1, K+1, Mg+2, Ca+2. Hence, the current study reveals that District Bajaur is a rich source of algae and an ideal place for their cultivation.