Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

DIURNAL VARIATIONS IN PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PHYTOPLANKTON DIVERSITY OF HIGH ALTITUDE LAKE DODI TAL, UTTARAKHAND (INDIA)

M.S. Rawat, Dhyal Singh, B. Bantwan, Manju P. Gusain* and O.P. Gusain

Abstract

The present study was carried out to determine the variation in physicochemical parameters and phytoplankton during the diel cycle of a high altitude lake, Dodi Tal (3188 m asl), located at a distance of 38 km from Uttarkashi in the state of Uttarakhand (India). Water quality of the lake is slightly alkaline. 22 genera of phytoplankton belonging to 16 families, 6 orders and 4 classes were reported. Generic diversity of chlorophyceae was recorded higher than bacillariophyceae but in case of density it was reverse. Synedra, Spirogyra, Gomphonema and Navicula were the dominant genera phytoplankton in the lake.