Using Dominant Phytoplankton as a Bioindicator of Water Quality in Huay Samran, Sisaket Province

Abstract

This work studied the use of phytoplankton as a bioindicator to assess the quality of water in Huay Samran, Sisaket province. Sampling was taken from 6 stations during December 2013 to August 2014. Water samples were filtered through a plankton net with an opening size of 21 micrometers. A total of 5 divisions with 104 species were found. The largest number of species was in division Chlorophyta (58 species); this was followed by Euglenophyta (20 species) and Chrysophyta (15 species). Top three dominant species were Closterium sp. 1; this was followed by Ceratium furcoides (Levander) Langhans and Navicula sp. 1. The AARL-PP Score (Applied Algal Research Laboratory - Phytoplankton) of 5.0 was noted, implying
that Huay Samran could be classified as being in a mesotrophic condition. The correlation between the dominant species and water quality was then determined. Closterium sp. 1 positively correlated with the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of the water. C. furcoides (Levander) Langhans positively correlated with the transparency, pH and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) of the water. Navicula sp. 1 positively correlated with the transparency but negatively correlated with the phosphate concentration at a confidence level of 95%. Based on the observed data, it is concluded that Huay Samran could be classified as in the Category 3 of the water quality standards for surface water.