Algae are very important to aquatic ecosystems. Algae play an important role in the aquatic food chain, also used as food or food additives in many countries. Many of the algal species are useful. But sometimes the algal growth in water supplies diminishes the quality of water by producing objectionable odour, taste and undesirable pH changes. Their rapid growth also suffocates other creatures living in the water due to depletion of oxygen and blocking of sunlight. The algal blooms which appear in slow flowing or standing water, are aesthetically unappealing. The cyanobacterial algal members producing cyanotoxins, contaminating water may cause serious illness in humans or animals. The present paper enumerates the algae reported from the water supplies belonging to the Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Chrysophyceae and Pyrrophyceae algal groups or classes. The problems created due to the growth of these algae in water reservoirs, water supplies and the possible solutions have also been presented.
Share this article