Microalgal Biodiversity and Molecular Characterization in Cement Factory Effluent Zones and Adjacent Natural Water Bodies
Keywords:
Microalgal Biodiversity, Cement Industry Effluent, Freshwater Ecosystems, Molecular Characterization, 18S rRNA, rbcL Gene, Bioindicators, Water Quality, West Bengal, Industrial Pollution.Abstract
Microalgae are important components of freshwater ecosystems and serve as sensitive indicators of environmental changes. The present study investigates the biodiversity and molecular characterization of microalgal communities in cement factory effluent zones and adjacent natural water bodies associated with JSW Cement Ltd. – Salboni Grinding Unit, UltraTech Cement – Dankuni Cement Works, Ambuja Cements – Sankrail Unit, and The Ramco Cements Ltd. – Kolaghat Unit in West Bengal, India. Water and microalgal samples were collected from industrial discharge channels and nearby freshwater habitats. Physicochemical parameters were analyzed to assess environmental conditions influencing microalgal distribution. Morphological identification was complemented with molecular characterization using 18S rRNA and rbcL gene markers. The study revealed significant variations in species composition and diversity between effluent-affected and natural water bodies. Pollution-tolerant taxa were dominant in industrial zones, while greater biodiversity was observed in relatively undisturbed habitats. The findings highlight the usefulness of microalgae as bioindicators for monitoring the ecological impacts of cement industry effluents.
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