Spatial and temporal distribution of cyanobacteria in Batticaloa Lagoon.
The necessity to understand the relationship between cyanobacterial species abundance and water quality variations in coastal lagoons is crucial to develop strategies to prevent further cyanobacterial proliferation. This paper evaluates the relationship between water quality variations on the distribution of cyanobacteria during a 12-month period in Batticaloa Lagoon (Sri Lanka) using Redundancy analysis and Pearson correlations. Drastic variations in pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and total phosphorus (TP) levels were reported, but not turbidity and NO3(-). This brackish waterbody is hypereutrophic (TP levels>0.1mg/L). The cyanobacterial community contained 13 genera and 22 species. NO3(-), TP and turbidity levels positively influenced cyanobacterial abundance during all seasons indicating that nutrient (largely phosphorus) and sediment entry control is highly crucial along with periodic monitoring of cyanobacterial growth.
Department of Zoology, Eastern University, Vantharumoolai, Chenkaladi, Sri Lanka. Electronic address: harriseusl@gmail.com.
Jalaldeen Mohamed
JM
Harris
Department of Zoology, Eastern University, Vantharumoolai, Chenkaladi, Sri Lanka.
Periyathamby
P
Vinobaba
MAS Capital (Private) Limited, 10th Floor, Aitken Spence Tower II, 315, Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka; MAS Active Trading (Pvt) Limited, No. 231, D.M. Colombage Mawatha, Nawala, Sri Lanka.
Ranil Kavindra Asela
RKA
Kularatne
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, Hapugala, Galle, Sri Lanka.
Champika
C
Ellawala Kankanamge
D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D054712:Salinity; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology*; D062211:Spatio-Temporal Analysis
D010758:Phosphorus
Batticaloa Lagoon; Cyanobacteria; Nitrates (NO(3)(−)); Total phosphorous (TP); Turbidity; Water quality