POLLUTION BIOINDICATORS PHYTOPLANKTON COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND SPECIES DIVERSITY OF RIVER GHAGGER IN PUNJAB, INDIASUPINDER KAUR, HARVINDER KAUR SIDHUAbstract Phytoplankton that respond rapidly to environmental change have been very useful, the identification of particular indicator species being widely used in assessing water quality. The effect on the quality of water is shown in the community structure and diversity of phytoplankton. The phytoplankton community structure and species diversity were studied at Ghagger River over a period of two years. Phytoplankton samples were collected using phytoplankton net on monthly basis. Plankton diversity and abundance varied during different seasons. The samples were collected and preserved in 5% solution of formaldehyde on the spot, and then brought to the laboratory for further study. The different types of indices such as Simpson index, Shannon Weaver index and species evenness index were employed to analysis the data. |