A detailed study of diatoms a Bacillariophyta community from Rewalsar and Prashar lakes of Himachal Pradesh, their bio-monitoring characteristics and forensic significance

Abstract

Diatoms are ubiquitous, unicellular, siliceous walled, aquatic, autotrophic in nature and a part ofBacillariophyceae class of algae. Diatoms are ecologically very much helpful. They act as a very good Biomonitoring agents. Their sensitive character towards the environmental factors makes them a monitor.Diatoms shows their affect towards temperature, chloride content, Ammonia and Biochemical oxygendemand quantity. The species are studied from water samples of Rewalsar and Prashar lakes of HimachalPradesh. Diatoms are utilized by forensic investigators in solving the drowning cases occurred due toaccidental or by suicidal modes. So these diatoms are very significant even with forensic angle.