ISSN: 2572-3103
+44 1300 500008
Shanta Nair
India
Research Article
Heavy Metal Pollution Influence the Community Structure of Cyanobacteria in Nutrient Rich Tropical Estuary
Author(s): Abdulaziz Anas, Jasmin C, Sheeba VA, Gireeshkumar TR and Shanta Nair
Abdulaziz Anas, Jasmin C, Sheeba VA, Gireeshkumar TR and Shanta Nair
Anthropogenic inputs influence the community structure and activities of microorganisms, which may impinge the functioning of estuarine and coastal ecosystem. The aim of the present study was to understand the influence of dissolved heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn) on community structure of cyanobacteria in a nutrient rich tropical estuary, Cochin Estuary (CE), across the southwest coast of India. Dissolved heavy metals were higher in CE during dry season, with Zn as major pollutant. The level of dissolved Zn was higher in stations near river head during dry (130 μg L-1) and wet seasons (105 μg L-1). The community structure of cyanobacteria was higher in CE during wet season (H’ index: 1.4 to 3.1) compared to that in dry season (H’ index: 1.1 to 2.2). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed the prevalence of Synechococcus sp in CE. PCA analysis indicated t.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2332-2632.1000137