EVALUATION OF ORGANIC POLLUTION BY PALMER'S ALGAL INDEX OF SALT LAKE, BRAILA COUNTY

Adina Popescu, Aurelia Nica, Daniela Cristina Ibănescu

Abstract
   The present study was conducted to assess the organic pollution level of Sarat Lake in the city of Braila.
   A total of 14 species belonging to 12 genera of phytoplankton have been identified, among them 9 species belong to Bacillariophyceae, 2 species of Cholorophyceae and 3 species of Cyanophyceae.
   The Palmer, Algal Genus and Algal Species Pollution Index were employed to study the water quality of Sarat Lake in the city of Braila. Palmer's Algal Index showed that all four stations in Sarat Lake have little organic pollution. The total scores in S1 and S4 were 11 indicating moderate pollution, in S2 and S3 were 9 indicating lack of organic pollution. The genera with tolerance to pollution were Oscillatoria, Phormidium, Synedra and Navicula. Physical-chemical analysis data has supported Palmer's organic pollution index.
   Shannon Wiener index was recorded as a diversity index, it recorded the maximum value (3,311) in S4 and the minimum value (2,774) in S2. Thus, algae taxa can be considered a good bioindicator for assessing the health of lentic aquatic ecosystems.