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Abstract

Algae play an important role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem.Thus algae diversity and its role in understanding the wetland ecosystem dynamics is very important. The present work deals with the study of Phytoplankton diversity in along the in coastal area of Alibaugfora period of one year (January  2014 to December 2014). The study shows the presence ofseveralphytoplankton belonging to families Bacillariophyaece, Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae.It was noticed that members of Bacillariophyceae were dominant in the area of study throughout the period of one year. The data obtained in the present work may help to provide baseline information to evaluate the phytoplankton community in the coastal area of Alibaug. Total 26 species of phytoplankton were observed during the study period, comprising of diatoms, green algae, and bluegreen algae. Phytoplankton such as Nitzschia sp., Rhizosollenia sp., Skeletonema sp.Thalassionema sp., Nevicula sp.and Grammatophora oceani were dominant.

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