Investigation on Cyanobacteria and algal community structure in soil around Jakrem hot spring, Meghalaya
Carefulness Macnelson Dirborne*, Andy Roberts Hoojon1 and Papiya Ramanujam*1
*Department of Botany, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), Baridua, Ri Bhoi-193101 (India) 1Department of Botany, North-eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, East Khasi Hills-793022 (India) *Address for correspondence: cariedirborne@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
In this investigation, Cyanobacteria and soil algal community structure in and around Jakrem hot spring, Meghalaya was recorded. Sites selected were located at three different distances from the hot spring. Soil parameters like pH, conductivity, moisture content and temperature were significantly different and were also observed to be higher in Site 1 and lower in Site III. No significant variation was observed for organic carbon, nitrate and phosphate. A total of 52 species were recorded in which Chlorophyceae was the dominant group (19 species) followed by Bacillariophyceae (17 species) and Cyanobacteria (14 species). The maximum number of Cyanobacteria observed in Site I was significantly positively correlated with pH, conductivity, moisture content, temperature and phosphate but diatoms were negatively correlated with pH. In Site III, the presence of Chlorophyceae was correlated with acidic nature of the soil.