Chanchal Garg, Monika Attri, Anju Rani, Ekta, Ambika Gandhi and Monika
Abstract
The River Yamuna flows through the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh before merging with the River Ganga. Originating from the Yamunotri Glacier at an altitude of approximately 6,387 meters, the river is facing severe ecological stress due to pollution and other anthropogenic activities. The present study was conducted to investigate the diversity of diatoms, algae, fungi, nematodes, and pollens at two sites of the Yamuna River in Village Mohna, Faridabad, Haryana, during the spring season. A total of 60 genera belonging to different taxonomic groups, including Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Zygnematophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Klebsormidiophyceae, Agaricomycetes, Dothidiomycetes, Saccharomycetes, Ulvophyceae, Coscinodiscophyceae, and Chromodorea, were identified. Among these, genera such as Oscillatoria, Surirella, Fragilaria, Navicula, Gomphonema, Synedra, Nitzschia, Phormidium, Pinnularia, Hyalotheca, and Spirogyra were found to be dominant. Diatom analysis is an important tool in forensic science, particularly in the investigation of drowning and body dumping cases. Variations in phytoplankton communities indicate the ecological status and primary productivity of aquatic ecosystems. These microorganisms also contribute significantly to nitrogen fixation, maintenance of water quality, soil fertility, and water retention capacity. Most of the identified species showed cosmopolitan and tropical distribution patterns. The present study provides baseline information on the biodiversity of the Yamuna River and highlights its ecological and forensic significance. The findings may serve as a reference for future environmental monitoring and conservation studies.