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Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake
Reports of human illnesses resulting from accidental ingestion of toxic
cyanophyta during water sports were obtained in army trainees undertaking a
canoeing exercise in the United Kingdom, in this case both gastro-intestinal and
pulmonary illnesses were reported. Turner et al. (1990) stated that this genus is
highly toxic and dangerous for life of aquatic animals, human causes so many
diseases like diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, headache, weakness pain
in muscles and joints such ratio of microcystis species may cause lethal effect
and may cause many gastro intestinal illness in the inhabitant human population
as well as livestock. Much attention is needed and more research work is
required on the control of Microcystis species and other poisonous algae to make
the clean and fresh water for native human consumption.
The presence of blue green algal species indicate a high ratio of total hardness in
the lake water, secondly resistance towards the temperature, third to protect for
the growth of flora from sunlight, generally these species are included in third
category of flood for fish and fauna. The blue green algae genus Aphanocapsa,
Aphanothece, Microcystis is included in the toxic group. They create toxicity
dangerous for aquatic life as well as human beings. A total number of 45 species
of the blue green algae belong to 13 genera of phyla Cyanophyta in which 10
species of genus Microcystis, 7 species of genus Oscillatoria, 5 species of each
genera Aphanocapsa, Merismopedia and a minimum number of one species of
Aphanothece, Eucapsis, Pseudoholopedia, 2 species of Gloeocapsa,
Phormidium, Spirulina and 3 species of Chroococcus, Gomphosphaeria and
Lyngbya were recorded. Phormidium this genus has much more resistance
power, even recorded temperature of up to 73 o C e.g. hot water spring Kotli
(Kashmir), Chitral, Tata Pani near Nanga Parbat but in advance countries
recorded up to 84 o C of water. Aphanocapsa, Chroococcus, Eucapsis,
Gloeocapsa, Gomphosphaeria, Merismopedia, Microcystis, Oscillatoria, Spirulina
are included in epilimnion flora and found as phyto, tycho and Euplankton.
Spirulina are indicative of high temperature of water but its good habitat in high
temperature of water along with high ratio of salinity and especially after monsoon
season. The algal blooms observed in such a habitat are included in medicinal
the group. In technologically advanced countries it has great importance and a
high market value; it is also used as a vitamin.
A total of 58 species belonging to 13 genera of phyla Volvocophyta in which the
largest number are from the genus Cosmarium (14 species), 10 species of genus
Scenedesmus, 9 species of the genus Pediastrum and 1 species of genus
Arthrodesmus, Desmidium, 2 species of the genus Ankistrodesmus, Tetraedron,
Spondylosium, 3 species of genus Coelastrum, were recorded. Seven genera of
family Desmidiaceae like Arthrodesmus, Closterium, Cosmarium, Desmidium,
Euastrum, Spondylosium, and Staurastrum are included in hypolimnion flora of
Desmid groups. All the species of these genera were collected from 1 cm above
the soil in the lake water. The collection of these species proved to be difficult as
care must be taken so as not to mix the sample with the soil along with
nematodes and fungus. Fungal spore easily attack algal species. Fungus is more
dangerous from toxic species for aquatic life, fishes, fauna etc. In these
circumstances it is very difficult to save such flora or phytoplankton crops from
contamination. At the time of culture or further growth, all the species of these
genera indicate increased calcium hardness, as free floating flora produce a thick
layer. Species of genera of order Chlorococcales like Ankistrodesmus,
Tetraedron, Coelastrum, Crucigenia, Scenedesmus, Pediastrum are included in
epilimnion flora, these species food for fish and fauna species of the genus
Scenedesmus, Pediastrum the presence of which indicate for chloride hardness.
WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 75 of 165