2 nd International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research & Practice Page | 245 Volume III Issue I IJRSI ISSN 2321-2705 Evaluation of Phytoplankton Abundance With Reference To Physico-Chemical Properties of Tapi River at Galteshwar, Surat,Gujarat, India Taruni Sarang, Kapila Manoj Department of Aquatic Biology, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Surat-395007 (Gujarat), INDIA Abstract:–The present investigation deals with the phytoplankton abundance with respect to Physico-chemical properties of Tapi during March-2015 to August-2015. For the given purpose Galteshwar, a riverine zone of Tapi was selected. The water samples and plankton samples were collected, preserved and analysed in laboratory as per method described in APHA (2005). Monthly variation of water quality parameters like Temperature, pH, Chloride, Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand were investigated. The investigation shows the organisms of family Bacillariophyceae (Diatoms) were dominating on Chlorophyceae followed by Cyanophyceae. The range of phytoplankton between 282-564unit/L was noted. Statistical correlation coefficient analyses were used to interrelate to the Physico-chemical parameters with phytoplankton density. Keywords:-Phytoplankton,Physico-chemicalproperties, Galteshwar, Tapi River I. INTRODUCTION lankton, The tiny and drifting organisms found in all types of water bodies. They are mainly represented as Phytoplankton and zooplankton. Mathivanan and Jaykumar (1995) stated that Plankton are very sensitive to the environmentalchanges. Tolerance, abundance, diversity and dominance in the habitat can be seen particular by Plankton..Therefore plankton population observation may be used as a reliable tool for bio monitoring studies to assess the population status of aquatic bodies. Phytoplanktons are primary producers. The Quality and Quantity of phytoplankton are good indicator of water quality.(Muhammed Ali et al.,2005). Phytoplankton productivity is often the primary source of all the organic matter in an ecosystem. Being an index of trophic status phytoplankton reflect the overall environmental condition of the system and its potentiality. Their density has been reported to be affected by the quality of water.(Trivedy, 2000). The Tapi River is one of the major west flowing rivers in the western part of India. Tapi originated from Satpura Mountain in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh at an elevation of 752 m above sea level. Tapi runs 724 km from its origin though three states (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat) before it join the Arabian sea near Dumas Surat. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS As Study site Galteshwar was selected this is located near the kamrej. Galteshwar is located at Kamrej near the bank of Tapi River. ( Lat. 21° 16' 51.1572'' N and Long. 73° 5' 0.4776'' E). It is freshwater zone of Tapi where inlet of agricultural waste, Sand mining, and waste from temple are found. The surface Water samples were collected on monthly basis at selected site. The Phytoplankton samples were collected by filtering 50L of water through plankton net of having 20μ mesh size. The samples were concentrated up to 100ml and preserved with 4% formalin and Lugol’s iodine solution. The quantitative estimation of Phytoplanktonwas carried out by Lackey’s drop method.(APHA, 2005). Qualitative estimation also done by using standard literature.(Sarode and Kamat and APHA). III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION The Physico-chemical properties of Tapi river water given in Table-1 Table-1 The Physico-chemical properties of Tapi River water and Phytoplankton density (unit/L) P Month Temp. pH Chloride DO BOD COD Phytoplankton density (unit/L) Total Bacillariophyceae Chlorophyceae Cyanophyceae March 27.5 7.35 38.48 9.122 4.054 120 492 54 18 564 April 28 7.2 20 9.324 5.27 117.6 310 62 12 384 May 32 8.25 19.99 10.135 2.235 30.768 224 50 8 282 June 30.3 7.59 23.99 9.52 3.04 124.99 320 44 32 396 July 26 7.38 26 6.283 2.837 43.776 400 60 14 474 August 24.7 7.45 16 12.36 7.095 247.43 330 44 20 394 % 83.23% 12.59% 4.17% -- --