Biodiversity Assessment and Molecular Characterization of Freshwater Microalgae from Industrial and Non-Industrial Habitats
Keywords:
Freshwater Microalgae, Biodiversity Assessment, Industrial Habitats, Non-Industrial Habitats, Molecular Characterization, 18S rRNA Gene, Aquatic Ecosystems, BioindicatorsAbstract
Freshwater microalgae are important components of aquatic ecosystems and serve as sensitive indicators of environmental changes. The present study was conducted to assess the biodiversity and molecular characteristics of freshwater microalgae inhabiting industrial and non-industrial aquatic environments. Water samples were collected from selected freshwater habitats, and microalgal species were identified using morphological and molecular approaches. A total of 31 species belonging to Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae, and Euglenophyceae were recorded. Non-industrial habitats exhibited higher species richness and diversity, whereas industrial habitats were dominated by pollution-tolerant cyanobacterial species. Molecular characterization through 18S rRNA gene analysis confirmed the identity of dominant taxa and revealed genetic similarities with reference strains. The study highlights the impact of industrial activities on freshwater microalgal communities and demonstrates the usefulness of molecular tools for accurate biodiversity assessment and environmental monitoring.
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