Spirulina spp. occurrence and association with physico-environmental factors of water bodies available in Kohat, Pakistan

This study explores the impact of water quality on algal species, focusing on Spirulina spp. in Kohat, Pakistan. Spirulina spp. thrives in environments with a pH range of 9.5–10.5, elevated sodium carbonate salts, and temperatures between 30 to 35 °C. Physiochemical parameters were analyzed in water samples from various Kohat water bodies, revealing pH variations from 8.89 to 6.0, electrical conductivity ranging from 650 to 300 μS/cm, and dissolved oxygen fluctuating from 8.7 to 3.0 mg/L. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) showed values of 380–200 mg/L, while water temperature ranged from 35.4 to 29.0 °C. Seven algal species, including Spirogyra spp., Spirulina spp., and Chlorella spp., Oscillatoria spp., Fragilaria spp., Scenedesmus spp. and Diatoms spp. were identified. Spirulina spp. correlated significantly with temperature and pH, with alkaline pH > 8.5 deemed crucial for its occurrence. The study underscores optimal culturing conditions, emphasizing the critical role of pH, advocating for morphological identification due to Spirulina spp.'s morphological plasticity.