Bioindicators in Aquatic Environment and their Significance

By : Manickavasagam S , Sudhan C , Bharathi , Aanand S

Page No: 73-79

Abstract
Bioindicators are organisms or biological processes which indicate altered environmental conditions and can be used to identify and/or quantify the impact of pollutants on the environment. The assessment on the status of bioindicators would indirectly provide an estimate of the natural state or the level/degree of contamination that is present in that particular ecosystem. The bioindicators in an aquatic ecosystem include algae, macrophyte, zooplankton, bivalve mollusks, seabirds and fish that can be used to assess the contaminants in aquatic system. A biological system provides an indication regarding the health of its surroundings such as plankton responding rapidly to changes taking place in the surrounding environment. The variations in the populations of animals may indicate harmful changes caused due to pollution into the ecosystem. The development of industry and agriculture promotes the rapid increase in pollution. Bioindicators can be used as an index of measures or a model that characterizes an ecosystem health.

Authors :
Manickavasagam S.: Senior Research Fellow, Aquatic Environment and Health Management Division, ICAR- CIFE, Mumbai- 400061, India.

Sudhan C : Ph.D. Scholar, Fisheries Resources, Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai- 400061, India.

Bharathi : PG Scholar, Department of Aquaculture, Dr. M.G.R. Fisheries College and Research Institute, Ponneri, Thiruvallur,Tamil Nadu, India.

Aanand S : Assistant Professor and Head, Erode Bhavanisagar Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture – Bhavanisagar, Erode, Tamil Nadu, India.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/JAT.2019.34.1-2.6