Identification and investigation of biodiversity and abundance of phytoplankton in the Kan River, Tehran

Abstract

This study focused on phytoplankton identification, and relationship between biotic and abiotic parameters at three stations in the Kan River during 2014. This study identified 19 phytoplankton taxa comprised of diatoms (13 genera), chlorophytes (4 genera) and cyanophytes (2 genera). The results showed that diatom abundance was dominated (average of 1068000 ± 390000 cells. l-1, 97 % total abundance) in the Kan River. Chlorophytes showed the lowest abundance (12700 ± 30000 cells.L-1) in this study. The annual average phytoplankton abundance was calculated as 1075000 with the maximum value recorded in February 2013 (1420000 cellL-1). The PCA analysis displayed, the diatoms Cocconeis sp., Achnanthes sp., Navicula sp. and Gomphonema sp. were dominated with the lowest variance and high components loading score. Based on CCA analyses, total phosphors, total nitrogen and water temperature were the significant abiotic parameters to increase cyanophytes and chlorophytes abundance in the Kan River. The biodiversity index of plankton was between 1.8 and 2 and the lake status is falls in the moderate category. Limnological monitoring and assessment of environmental pollution are recommended in Kan River for sustainable development of this ecosystem.

Keywords

• phytoplankton
• diversity
• abundance
• kan river