Taxonomic Enumeration of Microalgal Flora of Puthur Lake, Thrissur, Kerala, India

A taxonomic enumeration of microalgal flora in one of the major freshwater lake in Thrissur district, Kerala was conducted during 2023-2024. A total of 72 taxa belongs to 16 order, 26 families and 41 genera were identified of which 32 were chlorophyceaen members, 23 species of Charophyceae, 10 species of Euglenophyceae, 7 species of Heterkontophyceae, and 1 species of Cyanobacteria. The water quality parameters, pH and temperature, indicate that high temperatures (31-33 °C) and a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5) create the most favourable conditions for algal growth, as observed during the pre-monsoon season of the study. Thus this study suggests that the diversity and abundance of microalgae can be used to assess the level of pollution in lakes. Apart from this, the present study also explored the potential applicability of lake microalgae towards bioremediation and biofuel production etc.