Research Article ECOLOGY and DIVERSITY of ALKALIPHILIC CYANOBACTERIA from SODA LAKE LONAR, INDIA

Available Online at http://www.recentscientific.com International Journal of CODEN: IJRSFP (USA) Recent Scientific

International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Research Vol. 11, Issue, 07 (A), pp. 39131-39137, July, 2020 ISSN: 0976-3031 DOI: 10.24327/IJRSR Research Article

ECOLOGY AND DIVERSITY OF ALKALIPHILIC CYANOBACTERIA FROM SODA LAKE LONAR, INDIA

Devendra Deshmukh1* and Pravin Puranik2

1Department of Microbiology, NKSPT’s, Arts, Science and Commerce College, Badnapur 2Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2020.1107.5447

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article History: Soda lakes have always attracted the scientific community with the microorganism existing in the Alkaline habitat specifically the cyanobacteria. In the present study based on morphological Received 06th April, 2020 difference 7 species belonging to 4 genera and 2 orders were observed which were isolated from Received in revised form 14th alkaline saline Lake Lonar situated in the Buldhana District of Maharashtra, India. All the May, 2020 cyanobacteria reported were non- heterocystous. A relatively lower diversity of the cyanobacterial Accepted 23rd June, 2020 population was observed in alkaline lake. A significant correlations obtained between ‘total Published online 28th July, 2020 chlorophyll’ and ‘chlorophyll a’ and cyanobacterial density, but some non significant correlations

were also observed with some of different physicochemical parameters. Regression analysis for Key Words: significant correlations between environmental parameters of habitats and ‘chlorophyll a’ as well as Lonar Lake, Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyll bacterial count were observed and analyzed. Significant correlation (p<0.05) was obtained between ‘a’, Population density chlorophyll a content, cyanobacterial density, and the physicochemical parameters in the year 2009 as compared to year 2007 and 2008. The fluctuation of the population density during the 3 years of investigation showed a decrease from 2007-2009. The highest population density was noticed in all the three years after the month of May, i.e. the monsoon and post monsoon period and decrease in the density in the month of October.

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INTRODUCTION Pudukkottai District Tamil Nadu have been isolated (Thajuddin and Subramanian, 1994, Thajuddin et al., 2002). Thermal Phototrophic microorganisms exhibit a remarkable capability waters have also been reported with different cyanobacteria for adaptation and acclimation that allows them to inhabit with a temperature range of 65°C to 68°C (Setchell, 1903). niches representing temporally varying biological extremes of Cyanobacteria like Mastigocoleus laminosus, Phormidium light, salinity, pH and water potential (Gorbushina and tenue and Synechococcus elongates var. amphigranulatus Krumbein, 1999). In aquatic environments, phytoplankton growing at 69°C have been investigated by Lemmermann undergo large increases in cellular pigment concentrations and (1970). A Phormidium sp. tolerating low temperatures from in photosystem size, number, or both in response to diminished extensive ice layers in the Antarctic lakes has been reported irradiance (Falkowski and Owens, 1980; Perry et al., 1981; (Thajuddin and Subramanian, 2005). Sukenik et al., 1987; Sosik et al., 1989). Photoautotrophs can respond to salinity increases by adjusting their internal solute The most common cyanobacterial taxa found in hypersaline concentration via synthesis of organic osmolytes (Kauss, 1978; environments include Aphanothece halophytica and a variety of Dickson and Kirst, 1986; Keller et al., 1999). Enhanced H+ and Lyngbya, Microcoleus, Phormidium, Spirulina and OH- ion concentrations, which occur at pH extremes, can Synechococcus like species. Conspicuously absent are the directly affect cytoplasmic pH and cellular processes heterocystous-forming taxa. Cyanobacteria exist in variety of (Krulwich, 1995). terrestrial environment.

The cyanobacteria are a diverse group of microorganisms that Soda lakes are a speciﬁc type of salt lake with high to are found in an array of habitats, which vary from aquatic to extremely high carbonate alkalinity, a pH from 9 to 11, and a terrestrial, ultraoligotrophic to hypereutrophic. They are also moderate to extremely high salinity. They are spread all over found in habitats that are considered to be extreme. More than the world, but located, as most inland salt lakes, in arid and 100 species of cyanobacteria from the coastal regions of the semi-arid areas where the evaporative climate favors accumulation of salts in local depressions. The major ions in

*Corresponding author: Devendra Deshmukh Department of Microbiology, NKSPT’s, Arts, Science and Commerce College, Badnapur International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 11, Issue, 07 (A), pp. 39131-39137, July, 2020

Soda Lake brines are sodium, carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride The level of methanol was marked on the tube. After vigorous and sulfate, whereas calcium is virtually absent and magnesium shaking, the tube was placed in a water bath at 60°C for 30 only present at very low concentrations. In contrast to other min. After incubation the tube was allowed to cool at room alkaline environments, such as low-salt alkaline (‘‘cement’’) temperature. The evaporated solvent volume was build up by springs, soda lakes maintain a stable alkaline pH due to the 96% methanol. The tube was centrifuged at 3000-5000 rpm. high buffering capacity of the soluble carbonates. These double The concentrations of total chlorophyll was determined from extreme conditions (i.e. high pH and high salinity) make soda absorbance readings (650 and 665 nm) using the equation lakes a unique ecosystem (Foti et al., 2008). described by APHA (1995).

Soda lakes are highly alkaline aquatic environments. Often Estimation of chlorophyll a impermanent in nature, their terrestrial equivalents, soda Chlorophyll a in the water samples was extracted within deserts, represent their desiccated remains. Although Soda several hours after the sampling. Aliquot (10 ml) of water lakes have a worldwide distribution, they are mainly confined sample was mixed with 10 ml of 90% acetone. After shaking, to (sub) tropical latitudes in continental interiors or rain- this was left for 24 h in the dark at room temperature. Shaking shadow zones. Owing to their hostile nature they are often was repeated several times before the determination. The remote from the main centers of human activity and perhaps for concentrations of chlorophyll a were determined from this reason they have been little studied (Jones et al., 1994). absorbance readings (665, 645, 630 nm) using the equation Soda lakes often exhibit blooms of phototrophs such as described by APHA (1995). Cyanospira: Anabaenopsis sp., Chlorococcum sp. and Analysis of physicochemical parameters Pleurocapsa sp. East African lakes contain Spirulina platensis and other lakes harbor Spirulina maxima. The photosynthetic Water samples were collected every month for the three years; yield of Spirulina surpasses that of others in the terrestrial 2007, 2008 and 2009 from the alkaline Lake Lonar. The environment. Significant blooms of red pigmented samples were analyzed as per the standard procedure (APHA, Ectothiorhodospira mobilis and E. vacuolata have been found 1995). Water pH was measured using a glass electrode together with cyanobacteria in soda lakes (Satyanarayana et al., (Systronics, Digital pH meter, India). The electrical 2005). conductivity (EC) was determined by measuring the electrical conductance of the water sample with a conductivity meter In this research article we report the evaluation of the alkaline (Equip-Tronics, India). Salinity (ppt) was calculated using Lake Lonar for cyanobacterial diversity and ecology. It was online conversion of electrical conductivity to salinity at also attempted to find out possible correlation between various sampling temperature physico-chemical and biological parameters and cyanobacterial (http://www.fivecreeks.org/monitor/sal.html). Hardness, population density as well as diversity. phosphates, sulphates, nitrates, and chloride content determined MATERIALS AND METHODS as per APHA (1995).

Sample collection Statistical analyses

Water samples were collected from Lonar Lake every month All sampling were performed in triplicate. Karl Pearson for the three years (2007, 2008 and 2009) The water samples correlation coefficients were determined between chlorophyll a were collected in sterile plastic bottles and carried to the as well as total chlorophyll and physicochemical parameters of laboratory. Immediately upon reaching, samples were analyzed samples (salinity, hardness, phosphates, sulphates, nitrates, and in laboratory as per the standard procedure (APHA, 1995). Chloride). Minitab 13.31 perpetual software version with basic statistics was used for statistical analyses.

Identification of cyanobacteria RESULTS Water samples were used for microscopic observations using Physicochemical properties and microbial population of lake light microscopy (Olympus, GB-Model, India). Cyanobacteria water were identified to genus level as described by Rippka et al. (1979). Water samples were collected in glass bottles and The mean values with standard deviation of various preserved at 4C till further analysis. physicochemical parameters analyzed during the three years (2007-2009) are given in Table 1. It was found that lake water Cyanobacterial count pH was more alkaline in the year 2007 than 2008 and 2009. The water sample was mixed thoroughly and 1 ml was placed The highest pH i.e. 10.24 and conductivity of 17.51 was on the hemocytometer slide. Cyanobacterial count of sample recorded in 2007. The concentration of phosphates, sulphates was determined using hemocytometer and was expressed as and nitrates was lowered in 2009 than 2007. The cyanobacterial cell/ml. Cyanobacterial density, species richness and Shannon counts were found to be decreased in the order of 2007 > 2008 Weaver indices were also calculated (Shannon and Weaver, > 2009. 1963). Cyanobacterial diversity of Lonar Lake Estimation of total chlorophyll The classification of cyanobacateria is largely based on Total chlorophyll in the water samples was extracted with in morphological or visible differences such as trichome width, several hours after the sampling. Aliquot (10 ml) of water presence or nature of sheath, number of trichomes per sheath sample was centrifuged. The pelleted biomass was recovered and color. and washed twice. It was mixed with 10 ml of 96% methanol. 39132 | P a g e Devendra Deshmukh and Pravin Puranik., Ecology and Diversity of Alkaliphilic Cyanobacteria from Soda Lake Lonar, India

Table 1 Physicochemical and cyanobacterial diversity analysis of sample

Parameter Cyanobacterial Shannon Year Cond. Hardness Salinity PO 2ˉ SO4 2ˉ NO3- Total Chl Chl a pH 4 Cl-(mg/l) Density weaver (mmhos) (mg/l) (ppt) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (cells/ml) index Mean 10.24 17.51 99.66 9.88 3.73 20 19.06 553.48 9.96 4.13 39.58 1.15 2007 SD 0.06 1.4 11.45 0.86 1.22 1.1 1.16 131.34 0.83 0.78 12.98 0.12 Mean 10.17 17.07 92.44 9.62 3.66 19.29 18.17 448.31 8.78 4.28 31.33 1.06 2008 SD 0.08 1.12 7.51 0.69 0.9 0.77 0.81 125.97 0.86 0.67 9.6 0.11 Mean 9.86 16.55 92.11 9.29 3.31 18.6 17.57 344.15 7.55 3.77 23.08 0.95 2009 SD 0.34 0.67 5 0.41 0.76 0.7 0.78 131.31 0.82 0.4 7.75 0.14

Chl, Chlorophyll; SD, Standard Deviation

Table 2 The monthly distribution of cyanobacteria species survived during 2007 by hemocytometric measurements

Year 2007 Cyanobacteria JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Spirulina platensis 19 22 14 12 12 13 23 22 20 15 18 17 Synechocystis aquatilis 7 8 5 2 2 9 19 18 15 10 7 6 Oscillatoria minimus 5 6 7 6 5 2 4 6 4 2 3 1 Oscillatoria amphibian 1 5 5 4 . 2 5 5 3 2 2 1 Phormidium laminosum 2 3 3 2 2 2 4 2 2 1 2 2 Phormidium tenue 2 2 2 1 1 2 5 4 3 1 1 3 Phormidium fragile 1 2 2 . . 2 4 3 2 1 1 2 Density 37 48 38 27 22 32 64 60 49 32 34 32 Species richness 7 7 7 6 5 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 Shannon weaver index 1.09 1.23 1.35 1.12 0.91 1.22 1.28 1.24 1.17 1.03 1.08 1.09

Table 3 The monthly distribution of cyanobacteria species survived during 2008 by hemocytometric measurements

Year 2008 Cyanobacteria JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Spirulina platensis 17 15 12 10 10 16 22 20 20 18 19 20 Synechocystis aquatilis 5 4 3 2 2 4 13 9 8 8 9 11 Oscillatoria minimus 3 2 3 3 1 1 4 2 2 1 2 3 Oscillatoria amphibian 1 3 3 2 . 1 4 1 1 2 1 2 Phormidium laminosum 3 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 Phormidium tenue 3 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 1 . 1 1 Phormidium fragile 1 1 . 1 . 1 3 1 2 1 1 2 Density 33 28 24 20 15 27 51 37 35 31 34 41 Species richness 7 7 6 7 5 7 7 5 7 6 7 7 Shannon weaver index 1.15 1.13 1.11 1.19 0.81 1.08 1.2 1.01 0.97 0.93 1.12 1.07

Table 4 The monthly distribution of cyanobacteria species survived during 2009 by hemocytometric measurements

Year 2009 Cyanobacteria JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Spirulina platensis 17 13 10 9 8 9 16 15 15 9 10 14 Synechocystis aquatilis 7 5 3 2 1 4 11 9 6 6 7 6 Oscillatoria minimus 3 3 2 1 1 2 3 1 1 2 1 2 Oscillatoria amphibian 2 1 1 1 . 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 Phormidium laminosum 2 1 . . . . . 1 . . . 1 Phormidium tenue 1 2 1 1 1 . . . . . 1 1 Phormidium fragile 1 1 . 1 . 1 3 2 2 1 1 2 Density 33 26 17 15 11 17 37 29 25 19 21 27 Species richness 7 7 5 6 4 5 5 6 5 5 6 7 Shannon weaver index 1.09 1.15 1.13 0.89 0.65 0.92 1 0.89 0.8 0.91 0.94 1.08

Table 5 Results of Karl Pearson correlation coefficient between ‘Chlorophyll a’ of Lonar Lake and environmental factors analyzed during three years

Variable I

Cond. Variable II Year pH Hardness PO 2- SO 2- NO - Cl- Salinity (mmhos) 4 4 3 r -0.254 -0.08 -0.208 -0.034 -0.182 -0.157 -0.266 -0.087 2007 p 0.425 0.804 0.517 0.916 0.57 0.626 0.404 0.788 S/NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS r -0.357 -0.287 -0.316 0.087 -0.211 -0.237 -0.469 -0.287 Chl a 2008 p 0.254 0.366 0.317 0.788 0.511 0.458 0.124 0.365 (mg/l) S/NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS r -0.473 -0.652 -0.609 -0.225 -0.467 -0.398 -0.522 -0.686 2009 p 0.12 0.022 0.036 0.482 0.125 0.201 0.081 0.014 S/NS NS S S NS NS NS NS S

Chl, Chlorophyll; r, Correlation coefficient; p, p<0.05; NS, Not significant; S, Significant

39133 | P a g e International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 11, Issue, 07 (A), pp. 39131-39137, July, 2020

Table 6 Results of Karl Pearson correlation coefficient between ‘total chlorophyll’ of Lonar Lake and environmental factors

analyzed during three years

Variable I

Cond. 2- 2- - - Variable II Year pH Hardness PO4 SO4 NO3 Cl Salinity Chl a (mmhos) r 0.059 0.327 0.173 0.345 0.198 0.253 0.122 0.317 0.839 2007 p 0.855 0.3 0.59 0.272 0.536 0.428 0.705 0.316 0.001 S/NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS S r -0.078 -0.016 -0.228 0.125 -0.031 -0.09 -0.184 -0.013 0.836 Total Chl 2008 p 0.81 0.96 0.477 0.698 0.924 0.78 0.568 0.968 0.001 (mg/l) S/NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS S r -0.425 -0.73 -0.703 -0.101 -0.383 -0.269 -0.381 -0.752 0.817 2009 p 0.168 0.007 0.011 0.756 0.22 0.399 0.221 0.005 0.001 S/NS NS S S NS NS NS NS S S

Chl, Chlorophyll; r, Correlation coefficient; p, p<0.05; NS, Not significant; S, Significant

Table 7 Results of Karl Pearson correlation coefficient between cyanobacterial density of Lonar Lake and environmental factors analyzed during three years

Variable I

Cond. Variable II Year pH Hardness PO 2- SO 2- NO - Cl- Salinity Chl a (mmhos) 4 4 3 r -0.268 -0.09 -0.11 - 0.076 -0.155 -0.154 -0.245 -0.092 0.889 2007 p 0.399 0.781 0.734 0.815 0.631 0.633 0.442 0.777 0 S/NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS S Cyanobacteria r -0.541 -0.548 -0.425 - 0.067 -0.383 -0.337 -0.644 -0.547 0.86 l density 2008 p 0.069 0.065 0.168 0.836 0.219 0.284 0.024 0.066 0 (cells/ml) S/NS NS NS NS NS NS NS S NS S r -0.439 -0.558 -0.726 - 0.32 -0.47 -0.459 -0.518 -0.588 0.79 2009 p 0.154 0.059 0.008 0.311 0.123 0.134 0.084 0.044 0.002 S/NS NS NS S NS NS NS NS S S

Chl, Chlorophyll; r, Correlation coefficient; p, p<0.05; NS, Not significant; S, Significant

Table 8 Regression analysis for correlations between 3. Pleurocapsales: More or less distinctly filamentous attached environmental and microbial parameters arrangement very uniform, chroococcaceous structure, often

Variable- forming parenchymatous thalli with prostrate and erect Year Variable-I Regression Equation II filaments, without differentiation in to trichome and filament, Chl a Total Chl Total Chl = 5.81 + 1.00 Chl a 2007 no hormogones no heterocyst, endospores in sporangia. Chl a Density Density = 14.7(Chl a) - 21.6 4. Nostocales: Filamentous, with trichomes and hormogones Chl a Total Chl Total Chl = 4.16 + 1.08 Chl a 2008 Chl a Density Density = 12.3 (Chl a) - 21.4 present, often with heterocysts, akinetes, exospores or Chlorides Density Density = 53.4 - 0.049 (Chlorides) endospores, pseudo-hormogonia present. Without true Chl a = 10.3 - 0.39 Conductance branching, unbranched or with false branching Conductance) Chl a 5. Stigonematales: Filamentous, with trichomes and Hardness Chl a = 8.82 - 0.048 (Hardness) Salinity Chl a = 9.90 - 0.66 (Salinity) hormogones present, often with heterocysts, akinetes, Chl a Total Chl = 1.27 + 1.66 (Chl a) exospores or endospores, pseudo-hormogonia present. With Total Chl = 22.4 - 0.90 2009 Conductance true branching or dichotomous branching and often with Total Chl (Conductance) heterotrichous condition i.e. with a differentiation of prostate Hardness Total Chl = 18.2 - 0.12 (Hardness) Salinity Total Chl = 21.3 - 1.47 (Salinity) and erect position

Chl a Density = 15.2 (Chl a) - 34.4 Occurrence of cyanobacterial forms were recorded after Hardness Density Density = 127 - 1.12 (Hardness) Salinity Density = 124 - 10.9 (Salinity) sampling using microscopic observations. The identification of cyanobacteria was based on morphological forms observed Chl, chlorophyll (g/ml or g); Density, Cyanobacterial density (cells/ml) under microscope, which were compared with literature As per the cyanophyta (Desikachary, 1959) cyanobacteria are description. The description of cyanobacterial genera and classified in to five orders as follows: species are as per Desikachary (1959) and Rippka et al. (1979).

1. Chroococcales: Unicellular or colonial, sometimes forming Occurrence of cyanobacteria a pseudo filamentous colony, never with a “trichome Microscopic observations related to density of cyanobacteria organization” no differentiation into base and apex, endospores observed from 2007 to 2009 are listed in Table 2., 3 and 4. The not formed in sporangia and no exospores. samples showed the presence of cyanobacteria belonging to 2. Chamaeosiphonales: Unicellular, attached, typically two orders viz. Chroococales and Nostocales, which constitute differentiated in to base and apex, reproduction by endospores four genera having seven different species. Overall 7 species or exospores. belonging to 4 genera from these 2 orders could be observed in the study.

39134 | P a g e Devendra Deshmukh and Pravin Puranik., Ecology and Diversity of Alkaliphilic Cyanobacteria from Soda Lake Lonar, India

Occurrence of genera Spirulina, Synechocystis, Phormidium surrounding minerals that reflect the geology of the area. In and Oscillatoria were seen in almost all samples taken from situations where the concentration of Mg2+ and Ca2+ exceed that 2– 2007-2009.The species richness was low in the month of May of CO3 , carbonate is removed from solution and the genesis 2– and was high during the post monsoon seasons. All the of alkalinity is prevented. If the CO3 concentration exceeds cyanobacteria observed were non-heterocystous in occurrence. that of Mg2+ and Ca2+, alkalinity develops as evaporative concentration progresses, as a consequence of a shift in the Cyanobacterial ecological in Lonar Lake - 2- - CO2/HCO3 /CO3 /OH equilibrium. Highly saline and alkaline Table 2., 3 and 4 gives the ecological distribution of environments such as those observed in Lake Magadi in Rift cyanobacteria in the Lonar Lake ecosystem surveyed during Valley, Owens Lake in California, the Wadi Natrum Lake in 2007-2009. In 36 samples taken in three years showed presence Egypt, several saline soda lakes, and soils in Tibet, Pakistan, of 7 species belonging to 2 genera. Highest cyanobacterial India and Russia harbor different populations of prokaryotes diversity based on Shannon weaver index was observed in the (Satyanarayana et al., 2005). month of March 2007 (1.35) while the lowest was observed The soda lake environments are extremely productive because during the month of May 2009. The overall Shannon Weaver of high ambient temperatures, high light intensities, and index was found to be decreased in the order of 2007 > 2008 > effectively unlimited supplies of CO via the HCO –/CO 2–/CO 2009. 2 3 3 2 equilibrium. Statistical analysis of environmental factors The rate of primary production is in excess of 10 g/cm/day, Statistical analysis based on the Karl Pearson correlation have been recorded (the mean primary productivity of streams coefficient between chlorophyll a (Chl a) and chemical and lakes of the world is about 0.6 g/cm2/day), making these environmental variable for three years are presented in Table 5. the most productive aquatic environments anywhere in the Almost all parameters in all the three years showed negative world (Grant, 2004). correlation with Chl a. There was no significant (p<0.05) In the moderately saline lakes, cyanobacteria (usually difference between ‘Chl a’ and most of the parameters in Arthrospira platensis, formerly known as Spirulina platensis) almost all three years. Three significant variable conductance, are the key primary producers, although a range of other types, hardness and salinity (p<0.05) were found in the year 2009. A particularly Cyanospira spp., Synechocystis sp. Synechococcus positive correlation was obtained between ‘Chl a’ and sp., Phormidium sp., etc have been described (Grant, 2004). phosphates in the year 2008. In Table 6 data on statistical Identification has almost always been on the basis of analysis based on Karl Pearson correlation coefficient between morphology, although Arthrospira platensis has been isolated total chlorophylls (Total Chl) and chemical environmental from Lake Magadi. A variety of other types have been variable are presented. reported, based on microscopic observation, notably unicellular There was no significant (p<0.05) difference between ‘total types which may be Chroococcus spp., which may contribute Chl’ content and most of the parameters in all the three years major blooms in some of the less saline soda lakes. The with the exception of ‘Chl a’ (2007 and 2008) and cyanobacteria are especially recognized among the conductance, hardness, salinity, Chl a (2009). A very good photosynthetic prokaryotes for their ability to grow in a wide positive correlation was obtained between ‘total Chl’ and ‘Chl range of conditions. Traditionally, cyanobacterial taxonomy is a’ in all the three years. Negative correlations were obtained based upon morphological and physiological observations between total Chl and pH, conductance, hardness, sulphates, (Narayan et al., 2006). Taxonomy on the basis of nitrates, chlorides (2008 and 2009), phosphates (2009). morphological characters has been debated vigorously and revised many times (Turner, 1997). The Table 7 showed the statistical analysis based on Karl Pearson correlation coefficient between cyanobacterial density The present study was an attempt to address the diversity of (cyano density) and chemical environmental variable. There cyanobacteria in the alkaline saline Lake Lonar situated in the was no significant (p<0.05) difference between cyanobacterial Buldhana District of Maharashtra, India. The identification of density and most of the parameters in all three years with the cyanobacteria was based on microscopic morphological exception of Chl a (2007), Chlorides, Chl a (2008) and observations. In this study all the 7 species of alkaliphilic hardness, salinity, Chl a (2009). A very good positive cyanobacteria that were isolated from Lonar Lake were non- correlation was obtained between cyanobacterial density and heterocystous. The observed diversity of these non- Chl a in all the three years. Negative correlation was obtained heterocystous cyanobacteria in the alkaline Lake Lonar was all the remaining chemical parameters. encouraging as these organisms could be the primary producers in such habitats. DISCUSSION A relatively lower diversity was observed in alkaline lake. Soda lakes exist throughout the geological record. One of the Low-diversity environments give Shannon-Weaver indices (H’) largest fossil soda lakes is the Green River formation in ≤ 2.5 (Margalef, 1972; May, 1975). A significant correlations Wyoming and Utah, which is between 36 and 55 million years obtained between ‘total chlorophyll’ and ‘chlorophyll a’ and old (Grant, 2004). Fossil soda lakes of even greater age are cyanobacterial density but some non significant correlations implied from geological formations such as the 2.3 billion- were also observed with some of different physicochemical year-old Ventersdorf formation in South Africa (Grant, 2004). parameters (Table 5,6,7) could be due to number of other In surface and near-surface zones, weathering and biological parameters such as seasonal variations, light intensity, water activity produces CO2 charged surface water and thus a availability, etc. Regression analysis for significant correlations bicarbonate/carbonate solution is produced that leaches 39135 | P a g e International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 11, Issue, 07 (A), pp. 39131-39137, July, 2020 between environmental parameters of habitats and chlorophyll pigmentation, and Fv/Fm of desert cyanobacterial soil a as well as bacterial count has yielded equations (Table 8). crusts. Microb Ecol 43, 13-25. Desikachary T.V. (1959) Cyanophyta. Indian council of Chlorophyll a has been reported to be commonly used as a Agricultural research, New Delhi. surrogate measure of water cyanobacterial biomass. Change in Dickson D.M.J. and Kirst G.O. (1986) The role of chlorophyll a content and the cyanobacterial density could be dimethylsulphoniopropionate, glycine betaine and attributed to seasonality and UV radiation dosage at the water homarine in the osmoacclimation of Platymonas surface (Bowker et al., 2002). According to Tsujimura et al. subcordiformis. Planta 167, 536-543. (2000) non-significant correlations between chlorophyll a Falkowski P.G. and Owens T.G. (1980) Light-shade content and microbial activity could be due to overestimation adaptation: two strategies in marine phytoplankton. of chlorophyll a caused by inclusion of litter from vascular Plant Physiol 66, 592-595. plants. Foti M.J., Yu D., Sorokin, Zacharova E.E., Pimenov N.V., Significant correlation (p<0.05) was obtained between Kuenen J.G. and Muyzer G. (2008) Bacterial diversity chlorophyll a content, cyanobacterial density, and the and activity along a salinity gradient in soda lakes of physicochemical parameters in the year 2009 as compared to the Kulunda Steppe (Altai, Russia). Extremophiles year 2007 and 2008 (Table 8). The fluctuation of the population 12, 133-145. density during the 3 years of investigation showed a decrease Gorbushina A.A. and Krumbein W.E. (1999) Poikilotrophic from 2007-2009. The highest population density was noticed in response of microorganisms to shifting alkalinity, all the three years after the month of May, i.e. the monsoon and salinity, temperature, and water potential. In post monsoon period. It was also observed that there is Microbiology and Biogeochemistry of Hypersaline decrease in the density in the month of October, this is Environments, Oren A. (Ed.), CRC Press. pp. 75-88. probably because the semi aired climate in the Buldhana Grant W.D. (2004) Half a life time in soda lakes. In district experience heat in the month of October. Halophilic Microorganisms. Ventosa A. (Ed.). Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 17-32. A slight increase in the population density was recorded after Jones B.E., Grant W.D., Collins N.C. and Mwatha W.E. the month of October, till the month of March. A similar (1994) Alkaliphiles: Diversity and identification. In population dynamic with seasons was observed in all the three Bacterial Diversity and Systematics, Priest F.G. (Ed.), years. In the year 2007 the mean cyanobacterial density was Plenum Press, New York, pp. 195-230. 39.58, in 2008 it was 31.33 and in 2009 it was 23.08. Kauss H. (1978) Osmoregulation in algae. Prog Phytochem According to Table 1., it was seen that the decrease in all the 5, 1-27.Keller M.D., Matrai P.A. and Kiene R.P. (1999) physicochemical parameters has reduced the cyanobacterial Production of glycine betaine and population density. The mixing of fresh water and development dimethylsulfoniopropionate in marine phytoplankton: I. of percolation tanks near the lake may be a reason for the Batch cultures. Mar Biol 135, 237-248. decrease in the cyanobacterial density in the Lake. Though Krulwich T. A. (1995) Alkaliphiles: ‘Basic’ molecular there is decrease in the population density, cyanobacteria like problems of pH tolerance and bioenergetics. Mol Spirulina platensis dominated the lake. Microbiol15, 403-410. CONCLUSIONS Lemmermann E. (1970) Kryptogemenflora der Mark Brandenburg. Leipzig 3, 1-256. The unique alkaline saline Lake Lonar evaluated for Margalef R. (1972) Homage to Evelyn Hutchinson, or why is cyanobacterial diversity and physicochemical properties. there an upper limit to diversity. Trans Connect Acad Ecophysiology of the cyanoabcteria living in this system was Arts Sci 44, 211-235. revealed. Based on morphological difference 7 species May R.M. (1975) Patterns of species abundance and diversity belonging to 4 genera and 2 orders could be observed in the In Ecology and Evolution of Communities, Cody M.L. study. The cyanobacterial diversity analysis done in the and Diamond J.M. (Eds.), Harvard University Press, pp. present study has open new avenues for the study. All the 81-120. isolated cyanobacteria were non-heterocystous in nature. Good Narayan K.P., Shalini, Tiwari S., Pabbi S. and Dolly W.D. correlation was obtained between conductance, hardness, (2006) Biodiversity analysis of selected cyanobacteria. salinity and ‘total Chl’ in the year 2009. Thus, the Curr Sci 91, 947-951. cyanobacteria in the Lonar Lake have now started adjusting Perry M.J., Talbot M.C. and Alberte R.S. (1981) with the decrease in the environmental conditions. But the Photoadaptation in marine phytoplankton: Response of decrease in the population number of these cyanobacteria in the the photosynthetic unit. Mar Biol 62, 91-101. lake is an alarming situation. In some coming years the unique Rippka R., Deruelles J., Waterbury J.B., Herdman M. and alkaline saline lake will be a lake similar to any other fresh Stanier R.Y. (1979) Generic assignments, strain histories water lake. and properties of pure cultures of cyanobacteria. J Gen

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How to cite this article:

Devendra Deshmukh and Pravin Puranik.2020, Ecology and Diversity of Alkaliphilic Cyanobacteria from Soda Lake Lonar, India. Int J Recent Sci Res. 11(07), pp. 39131-39137. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2020.1107.5447

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