Eco. Env. & Cons. 31 (1) : 2025; pp.

(9-18)
Copyright@ EM International
ISSN 0971–765X

Biomonitoring of urban lakes through microalgae

Asulabha K.S.1,4, Sincy V.1,4, Jaishanker R.4 and Ramachandra T.V.1,2,3*

1
Energy & Wetlands Research Group [CES TE15], Centre for Ecological Sciences,
2
Centre for Sustainable Technologies (astra)
3
Centre for infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP)
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
4
CV Raman Laboratory of Ecological Informatics, Indian Institute of Information Technology and
Management-Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, 69558, Kerala, India

(Received 11 August, 2024; Accepted 8 October, 2024)

ABSTRACT
Biomonitoring entails monitoring the quality of an ecosystem through representative biota, which responds
to environmental changes through alterations in morphological, physiological, biochemical, molecular,
and genetic traits. The sustained inflow of untreated wastewater due to point and non-point sources has
been putting significant strain on aquatic ecosystems, leading to a decline in aquatic biodiversity, the loss
of vital habitats for sensitive biota, and consequent erosion in ecosystem services. Microalgae constitute the
primary producers in aquatic ecosystems and serve as pollution indicators as they respond to changes in
water quality. This necessitates an understanding of microalgae dynamics in relation to environmental
factors for prudent management of aquatic resources. The study examines microalgal composition and
water quality in Sankey and Mathikere lakes, Bangalore, revealing pollution from untreated wastewater in
Mathikere Lake, which exhibits high physicochemical parameters. The microalgae composition in both
lakes varied in response to the water quality and across seasons. Multivariate analyses through non-
parametric canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) demonstrate linkages between microalgal composition
and water quality parameters in both lakes. Nutrient enrichment leading to eutrophic conditions with the
profuse growth of invasive exotic macrophytes has declined microalgal diversity, suggesting immediate
interventions to mitigate pollutants to improve the chemical integrity of waterbodies.

Key words:Lake, Microalgae, Water quality, Pollution, CCA

Introduction phycoremediation (wastewater treatment through

assimilation of inorganic pollutants, heavy metals,
Monitoring water quality is crucial for evaluating etc.), carbon sequestration, etc., apart from its use in
the impact of pollution sources and evolving strate- biofuel applications, biomass production, animal
gies for efficient resource management to safeguard feed, pigment manufacture, nutraceuticals, medici-
aquatic biodiversity (Ramachandra et al., 2024; Sincy nal goods, etc. (Ramachandra et al., 2021a).
et al., 2024 and Ramachandra et al., 2020). Microalgal taxa respond rapidly to changes in their
Microalgae, photosynthetic organisms are the pri- habitat quality and are ideal for ecological monitor-
mary producers, which play a significant role in ing of the health of the aquatic environment.
nutrient cycling and maintain the aquatic food web. Microalgae are ideal bioindicators due to their
Microalgae performs various services such as shorter cycling period, higher rate of reproduction,
ORCID: 0000-0001-5528-1565
*Corresponding author’s email: tvr@[Link]; asulabhas@[Link]
10 Eco. Env. & Cons. 31 (1) : 2025

and ability to respond quickly to changes in environ- spatial extent of 12 hectares, a 500-year-old peren-
mental variables through the manifestation of alter- nial water body in Bangalore, Karnataka, is a man-
ations in species compositions (Asulabhaet al., 2024 made lake located in the VrishabhavathiValley and
and Ramachandra et al., 2016). Microalgae-based supports a significant biotic community (Fig. 1).
biomonitoring has emerged as an inexpensive moni- Mathikere Lake (13° 2’8.14"N; 77°33’3.55"E) with
toring tool for aquatic ecosystems as it provides a spatial extent of 5.81 ha is located in JP Park,
early warning of water quality deterioration (Sims et Bangalore’s north-west (located in Hebbal-
al., 2013). Temporal microalgal composition assess- Nagavara Valley) and includes numerous
ment aids in understanding the life span or resi- plants,fish species, water birds, flowering plants,
dence period of contaminants by relating historical, shrubs, medicinal herbs, and sustains a significant
present, and future ecosystem status(Zaghloul et al., biotic community (Fig.1).
2020).
The chemical integrity of waterbodies alters due
to the sustained inflow of untreated wastewater
(Ramachandra et al., 2021band Ghaemi and
Noshadi, 2022) from both point sources (like indus-
trial or household wastewater) and non-point
sources (like erosion and agricultural run-off). Nu-
trient loads can significantly alter ecosystem struc-
ture (the food chain) and function by altering dis-
solved oxygen levels and carbon content (Miltner,
2010). Nutrient enrichment due to the sustained in-
flow of nutrients-rich wastewater leads to eutrophi-
cation, resulting in toxic algal blooms, a decline in Sankey Lake
biodiversity, and taste and odour issues that impair
recreational options and enhance health risks
(Downinget al., 2001). Multivariate analyses consid-
ering abiotic and biotic parameters through canoni-
cal correspondence analysis (CCA) help to under-
stand the relationship between microalgal commu-
nities and physicochemical parameters (Asulabha et
al., 2022; Jiang et al., 2014).
The composition of microalgal taxa in aquatic
ecosystems depends on abiotic and biotic aspects
such as physicochemical parameters (light, tempera-
ture, water currents, concentrations of ions, nutri- Mathikere Lake
ents, and organic matter) and grazing pressure.
Fig. 1. Sampling points in Sankey Lake and Mathikere
Therefore, the primary goals of the current study are Lake
to: (a) understand water quality across seasons; (b)
determine the density and diversity of microalgae; Water sample collection
and (c) understand microalgal community structure
responses to physicochemical parameters indicating Water samples were collected every month for
the chemical integrity of an ecosystem. physicochemical investigations for a period of 12
months (2018–2019). The physicochemical param-
eters analysed include onsite parameters such as
Materials and Methods
water temperature (WT), dissolved oxygen (DO),
total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity
Study area
(EC), and pH using a portable meter (Extech). Tur-
The study involves monitoring two urban lakes in bidity is measured through a handheld
Bangalore, namely Sankey and Mathikere lakes. The turbidometer (Hach). Water samples were collected
Sankey Lake (13° 0’34.48"N; 77°34’27.11"E) with a in sterile and clean polypropylene bottles and trans-
ASULABHA ET AL 11

ported to the aquatic laboratory (EWRG, CES de- (boxplot) to understand the variation of water qual-
partment, IISc) for analyses as per the standard pro- ity parameters across the studied urban lakes using
tocol (APHA, 2012) of chloride (Cl), nitrate (N), to- PAST3 software. A multivariate statistical analysis
tal hardness (TH), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), of the water quality data and microalgae was done
total alkalinity (TA), biochemical oxygen demand using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to
(BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and ortho- understand the linkages between microalgal compo-
phosphate (OP). These assessments were conducted sition and physical and chemical parameters in the
in triplicate. two lakes.
Microalgae sampling and identification
Results and Discussion
Microalgae were collected using a plankton net and
filtering 50 liters of water from a lake, which was Seasonal variation of microalgae composition
concentrated to 50 mL, fixed with 4% Lugol’s iodine
The microalgal diversity in urban lakes is influenced
solution, and transported to a laboratory for taxo-
by various factors such as seasonal cycles, bottom
nomic analysis. Samples were identified using stan-
light availability, precipitation, wind-induced mix-
dard keys (Desikachary, 1959; Prescott, 1970; and
ing, nutrients, and retention time(Calijuriet al., 2002).
AlgaeBase, 2021) and enumerated using an optical
The highest microalgae density (425.2 x104 individu-
microscope at 10 X and 40 X magnifications.
als/L) was recorded in Sankey Lake during the
CHN Analysis of microalgal biomas post-monsoon period. Chlorophyceae were domi-
nating in Sankey Lake (Fig. 2) during the summer
Microcystis biomass from Mathikere Lake was dried
(48%), monsoon (56%), and post-monsoon (55%),
and powdered to check the concentration of elemen-
while Cyanophyceae dominated over the winter
tal carbon and nitrogen. CHN analysis was per-
(52%). An earlier study (Dora et al., 2010) reported a
formed by the Leco TruSpec Micro CHN analyzer at
higher concentration of green algal species
the environmental chemistry laboratory at the CES
(Chlorophyceae) in less contaminated lakes.
department, IISc.
Biological monitoring is often considered more
Statistical analysis suitable for assessing aquatic ecosystem contamina-
tion than chemical water quality examination
Statistical analyses are done through a whisker plot

Fig. 2. Seasonal variation of microalgae composition in Sankey Lake

12 Eco. Env. & Cons. 31 (1) : 2025

(Thiebaut et al., 2006). Aquatic pollution is Microcystis cells are abundant in various water
characterised by the presence of various organisms bodies due to high nutrient loadings, increased pH,
such as Anabaena, Oscillatoria, Microcystis, and decreased carbon dioxide (CO2) conditions, light in-
Chroococcus. In Mathikere Lake (Fig. 3), teraction, tolerance of low oxygen concentrations,
Chlorophyceae were prominent during the mon- resistance to zooplankton grazing, low N:P ratio,
soon (47%), as well as during the post-monsoon superior competitiveness at high temperatures,
(46%). Cyanophyceae dominated the winter (52%) buoyancy regulation, and phosphorus sequestration
and summer (43%) seasons, mainly Microcystis. during the sedimentary phase. These factors contrib-
Cyanobacteria accumulation at the water surface in ute to their diverse distribution in various urban
stagnant waters with minimal wind mixing can re- lakes (Visser et al., 2005; and Dokulil et al., 2000).
sult in intense blooms (Huisman et al., 2018). During Harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose a serious threat
winter, Mathikere Lake had the highest microalgal to ecosystems and human health, causing surface
density (326 x104 individuals/L). scum formation, hypoxia risk, food web alteration,
and potential toxin production. Several
CHN analysis of Microcystis biomass in Mathikere
cyanobacterial species that create blooms have hol-
Lake
low protein structures called gas vesicles that are
In the present study, the elemental carbon and nitro- loaded with gas to give their cells buoyancy and al-
gen in Microcystis were found to be 5.11% and low them to float upward. Geosmin and 2-
0.28%, respectively. Microalgae are primarily com- methylisoborneol (MIB) are the primary agents re-
posed of C, N, and P, with molar ratios of
C106H181O45N16P (Amaro et al., 2023). Microcystis pro- Table 1. CHN analysis of Microcystis sp.
duces carbohydrates through photosynthetic pro-
Microcystis C (%) H(%) N (%)
cesses, which transform into proteins, polysaccha-
rides, and nucleic acids (mostly RNA) if not used for Algae 1 9.09 0.41 0.37
respiration. The carbon and nitrogen contents in- Algae 2 5.86 1.00 0.30
creased from 22 to 28% and 4 to 5%, respectively, Algae 3 0.93 0.21 0.21
Algae 4 4.56 0.03 0.26
while the specific growth rate increased from 0.4 to
Average Value 5.11 0.41 0.28
0.6 day-1(Li et al., 2014).

Fig. 3. Seasonal variation of microalgae composition in Mathikere Lake

ASULABHA ET AL 13

sponsible for taste and odour events associated with and Mathikere Lake varied from 96 to 140 mgl1 and
cyanobacteria(Ramachandra et al., 2015; and 170.67 to 204 mgl1, respectively. The nitrate and or-
Watson, 2003). Microcystis is a cyanobacterium with thophosphate concentrations in Sankey Lake varied
an annual life cycle consisting of four stages: over- from 0.14 to 0.61 mgl1 and 0.08 to 0.57 mgl1, respec-
wintering, reinvasion, pelagic growth, and sinking tively. The concentrations of nitrate and orthophos-
out. In eutrophic lakes, large amounts of Microcystis phate in Mathikere Lake were found to range from
may sink to the sediment layer during mid-summer 0.281–1.981 mgl1 and 0.217–1.880 mgl1, respectively.
and autumn, surviving on the lake’s bottom. The BOD is the measure of dissolved oxygen that mi-
accumulated biomass could serve as a seed bank, crobes in wastewater and water use to oxidize re-
initiating blooms after reinvasion in freshwater eco- duced compounds (Bhateria and Jain, 2016). High
systems (Cai et al., 2021).Mathikere Lake had a tem- COD levels, caused by human activities like agricul-
perature range of 22.8°C to 24.3°C, which favours ture activities, sewage flow, and industrial contami-
Microcystis growth. For Microcystis, the optimum nants, are a result of increased oxygen needed for
growth temperature can vary between 20°C and controlled chemical oxidation of lake water, which
30°C (Yang et al., 2020). negatively impacts water quality (Asulabha et al.,
2022). The COD and BOD levels in Sankey Lake
Physicochemical characteristics of lakes
were found to range between 12 and 40 mgl1 and
Pollution harms aquatic ecosystems and human 7.46 and 22.36 mgl 1, respectively. The COD and
health and imposes restrictions on water use for rec- BOD levels in Mathikere Lake were 44–84 mgl1 and
reational, commercial, aquaculture, animal or hu- 25.75–44.04 mgl1, respectively. Sankey Lake has a
man consumption, and industrial purposes lower concentration of all physicochemical param-
(Ramachandra et al., 2021; Sincy et al., 2024 and eters compared to Mathikere Lake.
Khan et al., 2016). Sankey Lake had a water tempera-
Impact of environmental factors on microalgae
ture ranging from 22.4°C to 24.1°C, while Mathikere
community structure
Lake had a temperature ranging from 22.8°C to
24.3°C (Fig. 4). pH at Sankey Lake ranged from 7.23 Multivariate analysis through CCA was used to de-
to 8.77, whereas in Mathikere Lake it ranged from termine the role of environmental factors on
7.25 to 8.81. The higher EC is attributed to anthropo- microalgal community structure in Sankey Lake,
genic activities like waste disposal and agricultural finding that the first two axes accounted for 99.1% of
runoff, as noted by Bhat et al. (2014). The total dis- the variance (Fig. 5). The first CCA axis showed
solved solids and electrical conductivity of Sankey positive correlations with Cyanophyceae, DO, and
Lake range from 188 to 324.11 mgl1and 352.67 to 545 chloride, while negatively correlated with water
µS/cm, respectively. Mathikere Lake’s total dis- temperature. The second axis showed correlations
solved solids and electrical conductivity ranged with Bacillariophyceae, pH, TDS, EC, turbidity, TA,
from 390.67 to 481.78 mgl1 and 693 to 817.33 µS/cm, TH, nitrate, OP, COD, and BOD. Chlorophyceae
respectively. The range of turbidity in Mathikere development at Sankey Lake has been correlated
Lake was 6.73 to 21.98 NTU, while in Sankey Lake it with magnesium. Magnesium ions are essential
was 4.03 to 16.43 NTU. Total hardness, calcium, and growth factors for green microalgae (chlorophyceae)
magnesium in Sankey Lake varied from 102 to 124 and a crucial component of chlorophyll (Ayed et al.,
mgl1, 17.64 to 32.06 mgl1, and 10.72 to 14.14 mgl1, 2015). Nutrients (TN and TP), DO, pH, and turbid-
respectively. Total hardness, calcium, and magne- ity were the key factors influencing all abundant
sium levels in Mathikere Lake were found to range and rare phytoplankton community compositions
from 188 to 295.33 mgl1, 38.48 to 59.59 mgl1, and and distributions (Zhang et al., 2020).
20.15 to 36.73 mgl1, respectively. The CCA of environmental factors with the
Sewage and municipal waste discharge can lead microalgae community structure in Mathikere Lake
to high chloride levels in urban lakes. However, ex- shows that the first two axes accounted for 99.3% of
cess chloride gives water a saline flavour the variance in the species-environment relationship
(Ramachandra et al., 2018). Chloride concentrations (Fig. 6). The first axis was positively correlated with
in Sankey Lake varied from 65.32 to 124.96 mgl 1, Cyanophyceae, pH, TDS, EC, turbidity, TH, cal-
whereas in Mathikere Lake they ranged from 130.64 cium, magnesium, nitrate, OP, COD, BOD, DO, and
to 186.97 mgl1. The total alkalinity of Sankey Lake chloride. Axis 2 was positively correlated with
14 Eco. Env. & Cons. 31 (1) : 2025

Fig. 4. Seasonal variation in water quality in Sankey Lake and Mathikere Lake
ASULABHA ET AL 15

Fig. 5. CCA analysis of Sankey Lake

Fig. 6. CCA analysis of Mathikere Lake

16 Eco. Env. & Cons. 31 (1) : 2025

Bacillariophyceae; it was negatively correlated with Acknowledgements

Euglenophyceae. Cyanobacterial genera like
Microcystis, Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, We thank the EIACP-ENVIS Division, The Ministry
Cylindrospermopsis, and Planktothrix form dense of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Gov-
blooms, producing potential anatoxins, ernment of India, and the Indian Institute of Science
microcystins, saxitoxins, and geosmin in every (IISc) for their sustained financial and infrastructure
bloom(Graham et al., 2010). support of ecological research.
Microcystis bloom events typically elevate sur-
End Section Statements
face water pH to over 9 due to the rapid consump-
tion of available inorganic carbon by the Data and Accessibility: Data used in the analyses are com-
cyanobacterium (Ji et al., 2020). The biomass of piled from the field. Data is anlysed and organized
cyanobacteria increased in proportion to total phos- in the form of table, which are presented in the
phorus, but there was no discernible correlation be- manuscript. Also, synthesized data are archived at
[Link] http://
tween cyanobacteria and total nitrogen (Yang et al.,
[Link]/
2016). Microcystis dominates in warmer months, Competing Interests: We have no competing interests ei-
accounting for over 99%. Water temperature and ther financial or non-financial
dissolved nitrogen are key factors in phytoplankton Funding: This research was supported the grant from the
seasonal successions (Cai and Kong, 2013). The com- ENVIS division, the Ministry of Environment, For-
munity distribution of Cyanophyta was primarily ests and Climate Change, Government of India.
influenced by total phosphorus and chemical oxy- Research Ethics: The publication is based on the original
gen demand (Zhu et al., 2021). Thus, cyanophyceae research and has not been submitted elsewhere for
are influenced by various factors such as pH, TDS, publication or web hosting.
Animal Ethics: The research does not involve either hu-
EC, turbidity, TH, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, OP,
mans, animals or tissues
COD, BOD, DO, and chloride in Mathikere Lake.
Permission to Carry Out Fieldwork: Our research is com-
missioned by the Ministry of Environment and
Conclusion Forests (EIACP-ENVIS Division), Government of
India and hence no further permission is required as
The distribution, abundance, and species composi- the field work was carried out in in the non-re-
tion of the microalgal population in both Sankey and stricted areas / protected areas.
Mathikere Lakes are influenced by the water quality
parameters, which highlights that microalgae are References
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