ALGAL DIVERSITY IN MIDSTREAM OF THE ACHANKOVIL RIVER DURING MONSOON AND POST MONSOON SEASON

Algae are simple organisms whose size ranges from microscopic to macroscopic large seaweeds over thirty meters long. The study examined the algal diversity in the midstream of the Achankovil River. Pandalm is located in the central point of the Achankovil River. Water samples were collected during the monsoon and post monsoon seasons. Samples were collected in the early morning; phytoplanktonic forms were gathered by plankton net. The exploration identified the presence of 41 algal genera pertaining to the classes of Chlorophyceae, Bacillariyophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae. The pollution-indicating species increased in post monsoon season in comparison to monsoon season of the river and larger numbers of algal species are reported during monsoon season