The experiment was performed to evaluate effect of heavy metals on total phytoplankton load (TPL) using water of Turag River adjacent to Ashulia locating on the north-eastern side of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Total phytoplankton load comprises of Euglena sp., Borodinella sp., Pediastrum biradiatum, Pinnularia sp., Fragillaria sp., Fragillaria crotonensis, Gloeocapsa sp., Navicula sp., Cynedra sp., Crucigenia sp., Chlorella sp., Spirogyra sp., Phacus acuminatus, Phacus circulatus., Nitzschia sp. and Nitzschia clausii. Phytoplankton load showed the abundances Bascillariophyceae (43.75%) > Chlorophyceae (37.50%) > Euglenophyceae (18.75%). The average maximum growth rate (log transformed) of TPL in control culture was -0.25μg/l and treated cultures using 1ppm, 3ppm, 5ppm, 7ppm concentration of heavy metals (Zn and Cu) were 0.03 μg/l, 0.03 μg/l, -0.11 μg/l and -0.26 μg/l, respectively. In treated culture using 1ppm concentration of heavy metals (Zn and Cu) the growth rate of phytoplankton load increased significantly whereas the growth rate decreased at higher concentrations (3ppm, 5ppm and 7ppm) of heavy metals. The implication of this finding can be used to monitor health of riverine ecosystems and management of river pollution.

The changes in diatom assemblages along an urban-to-rural gradient were characterized to assess the ecological status of the Sai Gon River, Vietnam. Diatoms and physico-chemical variables were measured at 10 stations during dry and rainy season. One-way ANOVA showed that diatom metrics and physicochemical variables were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the upper course sites and both the middle- and the lower sites. However, no significant differences were observed between the middle course sites and the lower course sites. Achnanthidium minutissimum and A. exigua were potential indicators of low nutrient in the upper course sites; Melosira granulata and Navicula viridula were preferred moderately eutrophic water in the middle course sites; while Navicula cryptocephala and Nitzschia palea were tolerant to very heavy pollution and dominant in the lower course sites. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) results showed that concentration of TSS, TN, TP, BOD5 and COD were the most important factors in structuring benthic diatom communities in the Sai Gon River. The results of this study indicated that diatom community was sensitive to changes in urban condition and could be used as an indicator of urbanization.

Eutrophication of the urban water bodies is one the biggest challenge causing severe ecological and economic loss. Urban ponds are more prone to eutrophication due to their small size and polluted catchment areas. Biomonitoring using phytoplankton provides cost-effective estimation of the level of eutrophication. Ten urban ponds in different areas of the Mumbai city were chosen to investigate the phytoplankton community structure, and level of eutrophication. We assessed the 3 algal indices viz. Shannon-Wiener indices, Palmer and Nygard's (Myxophycean and diatom) indices. Linear relationship of these indices was tested against Carlson trophic state indices in order to assess the effectiveness of these indices to measure the degree of eutrophication in urban lakes. All ten lakes were found to be eutrophic, of which two were very low eutrophic (TSI – 53.74-53.95), four were low-mid eutrophic (TSI – 55.18 – 57.5), and four lakes were mid eutrophic (TSI 61.4 – 62.2). Shannon-Wiener indices (r= -0.73) and Myxophycean indices (r= 0.77) showed strong correlation with TSI whereas Diatom indices (r= -0.12) and Palmer’s Algal Pollution Indices (r= - 0.47) showed weak correlation with TSI. Thus study found that Shannon-Wiener indices and Myxophycean indices are reliable and cost effective means to assess the eutrophication of urban ponds in Mumbai.

The present study has been conducted to determine the surface water quality of urban area in Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh by determining some water quality parameters (Transparency, Temperature, pH, EC, Eh, DO, TSS, TDS, TS, BOD5, COD, TOC, Cl-, Br-, SO4-2, NO3-, NO2-, PO4-3, TP, HCO3- and Total alkalinity) as well as the status of phytoplankton’s community in the water from two lakes (Tiger Lake and AERE Lake) and one canal (Karnapara Canal). It has been shown that, with exception of BOD and COD, all water quality parameters of AERE Lake in the present study are within the acceptable limits, recommended by local and international standards. Among water quality parameters of Tiger Lake and Karnapara Canal, the concentration of transparency, temperature, EC, DO, TSS, TDS, BOD, COD, TOC, NO2-, and TP exceed the acceptable limits. Organic Pollution Index (OPI) demonstrate that the water bodies are severely polluted by organic matters. R mode Cluster Analysis (CA) suggests that common sources of water quality parameters are industrial, agricultural, and natural. The Principle Component Analysis/Factor Analysis (PCA/FA) identifies two dominant factors, responsible for data structure, explaining 100% of total variance in the data set. The PCA agrees with CA, suggesting that multiple anthropogenic and natural sources are responsible for the water quality parameters. The present study reflects the actual scenario of surface water quality of Savar urban area, thus helping the policy planers and makers of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to take proper management and abatement strategies for the management of sustainable water resource in Bangladesh.

The investigations of dynamics and composition of plankton, bottom fauna and fish community have been done at three localities (1-inflow, 2-the middle, 3-dam) at the Barje water reservoir (Serbia, Yugoslavia) during 1997. During winter period diatomea Asterionella formosa was dominant at all the localities. At the same time among zooplankton species Rotatoria group was dominant, with the emphasis of Polyalthra dolicoptera at the locality 2, while Keratella cochlearis was dominant at the localities 1 and 3. The present species are oligo- and betamezosaprobionts. Among the investigated bottom fauna species Oligochaeta and Chironomidae were present. The number of oligochaeta was between 1665-7878 ind./square m. By qualitative analyses the domination of Tubificidae family was present. It is known that the presence of this group of organisms and it's high number indicate the organic pollution of ecosystem. 30 individuals of the bighead, (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) with the average weight of 5.6 kg was captured by net.

The kinetics of phytoplankton is complicated function of phytoplankton present and their differing reactions to solar radiation, temperature and balance between nutrient availabilities and phytoplankton requirements. Computers program for water quality problems helps users interpret and predict water quality responses to natural phenomena. But model parameters and initial condition needs hydrodynamic and hydrologic measures in long time interval, with combination of laboratory studies. Lake Gracanka (Serbia, Yugoslavia) is good example for description of the processes kinetics of phytoplankton. But, simulation model can not be used to guide future monitoring efforts without needing measuring and developing network of measuring station.

The paper deals with the results of the phytoplankton investigations carried out in the 7 localities along the Yugoslav section of the Tisza river in the period of 13 Februar - 3 March 2000, after accidental pollution with the cyanide and heavy metals. Although certain decrease in the density of the phytoplankton and variation in the qualitative and quantitative composition were recorded, there are no significant differences in comparison with the data before accident. The short-term and possible long-term consequences were recognized, having in mind ability of algae to accumulate pollutants into their cells, and that algae are the first link on food chains. Since the content of pollutants increases with every next member in the chain, it is easy to assume cumulative effect of the all previous members.

During complex studies of phytoplankton, the role of particular phytoplankton groups was examined, as one of important indicators of eutrophic processes in the Bay of Boka Kotorska (Adriatic sea, Montenegro (Yugoslavia)). Throughout summer 1999, investigations have been performed at representative locations (Kotor, Tivat and Hercegnovi bays) at the depths of 0, 5, 10 and 20 m. Maximal values of microphytoplankton were found in Kotor Bay in July (2.1 x 10**6 cells/cubic dm). In Tivat Bay, maximal values of microphytoplankton were found in June, although they were ten times lower (2.4 x 10**5 cells/cubic dm). In the Bay of Hercegnovi, mean values were lower, while maximal quantity of microphytoplankton was found in August (2.6 x 10**3 cells/cubic dm). In the Boka Kotorska Bay, the maximal percentage of 95% of the group Bacillariophyceae was found in the most productive surface layers at the depths of 0 and 5 m. The impact of eutrophication was the most visible in the Kotor Bay. It decreased towards the open sea. Diatoms populations (Bacillariophyceae) were dominant in the Bay, while the participations of other groups is insignificant. Consequently, it means that Bacillariophyceae are the most adapted group to the eutrophic conditions of the Boka Kotorska Bay.

The analysis of the phytoplakton and phytoperiphyton communities in the Palic lake (Serbia, Yugoslavia), has been performed with aim the water quality evalution. The determining and following proportional presence of phytoplankton were in the fourth sector of lake during 1998, 1999, and 2000. During the period of investigation, the phytoplankton community was characterized by forms of Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Euglenophyta and Bacillariophyta. During the investigation it was perceived the change in proportional participation in the presence of the four alga group mentioned above. The most representative percent was the Chlorophyta group, with values from 44.4%, to 54.7%. The other phytoplakton group has less values of percentage in the values.

Studies of phytoplankton in the Montenegrin coastal sea (Adriatic Sea), Montenegro (Yugoslavia), have been done in August and September 1998. Simultaneously, investigations were carried out in the area of Boka Kotorska Bay (Kotor and Tivat Bays) and outside the Bay, i.e. in the zone exposed to the influence of the open sea (Petrovac and Budva). It was found that the density of microphytoplankton is higher during summer, than in the autumn. So in the summer-period, as a consequence of stronger eutrophication process, mean-value of microphytoplankton density was 10**5 cells/cubic dm, and in autumn 4 x 10**4 cells/cubic dm. On the contrary, mean-value of nanophytoplankton density was higher in the autumn (5.2 x 10**6 cells/cubic dm) than in summer (3.5 x 10**5 cells/cubic dm), being a consequence of a decreasing eutrophication during colder period of the year. Having in mind the direct influence of the open sea outside the Bay, it is intelligible that population density of both phytoplankton size-fractions is lower along the Montenegrin coast, than in the Boka Kotorska Bay (Montenegro, Yugoslavia).