Use of Algae and Cyanobacteria to Assess the State of Pollution in Qattinah Lake

Abstract

Most monitoring programs of water ecosystems, if any in Syria, rely on physical and chemical measurements and the absence or significant lack of biometrics. In this research biometrics used to assessment water pollution state in Qatina Lake. 67 species related to 49 genera from algae and cyanobacteria, with complete dominance of cyanobacteria. Species richness was calculated according to Margalef (d), the maximum was about 5.8 in May, a low value showing the lack of biodiversity in Qatina Lake, while combined index of biodiversity according to  the Shannon – Wiener Index (H ') was H'= 2.6. and applied Pielou's evenness index (J ') for Species evenness, the recorded value was J' = 0.2, dominance according to  the Simpson index (D) the value was D = 0.1, and according to the Menhinick's diversity index DM = 0.8. According to McNaughton's dominance index (I), I = 42.5, this value represents the dominance of cyanobacteria in the lake and thus degradation its water quality. Applying the Hurlbert’s probability of interspecific encounters (PIE), PIE = 6.8. Applying the pollution index of species according to the Palmer species pollution index, it was found that the value of P = 17 means that the water is medium organic contamination. The trophic state of the lake was determined by the Carlson’s Trophic State index (TSI), which showed that the lake was eutrophic. Physical and chemical analyzes such as water temperature (T), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Dissolved oxygen (DO), and phosphate ions (PO₄³⁻) Nitrate (N-NO₃) and SO4^-2, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Silica SiO₂ and Total phosphate (TP), and chlorophyll concentration (chla).