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The phytoplankton along a pollution gradient in the river Mahanadi (M.P. state) India – a multivariate approach

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Abstract

Phytoplankton of the River Seonath, a major tributary of Mahanadi river system, was studied for 15 months together with physical–chemical variables in relation to a pollution gradient. Multivariate analysis and ordination by Principal Components Analysis of the physical–chemical variables and phytoplankton density indicated a community replacement along a pollution gradient. The dominant benthic diatom community, mainly comprising Achnanthes trigibba and A. affinis of the upstream was replaced by Chlorophycea at the middle stretch and Cyanophycea at the downstream sites. Chlorella, Scenedesmus and Coelastrum dominated among Chlorophyceae in the middle stretch in the highly polluted sites, followed by the Cyanophycean assemblage of Microcystis and Merismopedia.

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Unni, K.S., Pawar, S. The phytoplankton along a pollution gradient in the river Mahanadi (M.P. state) India – a multivariate approach. Hydrobiologia 430, 87–96 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004025231206

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