Phytoplankton Diversity, Water Quality, and Emerging Human Health Concerns in the Bhitarkanika Mangrove Ecosystem, Odisha, India: A Comprehensive Review

https://doi.org/10.66715/jsccr/2026.v3.i4.xyz Review Paper | 2026 | Volume-3 | Issue-4 | Page 14-36

¹Reshma Rani Dash, ²Sujita Sethi

¹PhD Scholar, Department of Biotechnology, Sambalpur University, Odisha

²PhD Scholar, Department of Sociology, Sambalpur University, Odisha

Corresponding Author: reshmaranii.dash@gmail.com

Abstract

Phytoplankton are fundamental components of aquatic ecosystems, contributing significantly to primary productivity, nutrient cycling, oxygen generation, and food-web sustainability. In estuarine and mangrove ecosystems, phytoplankton communities are highly sensitive to variations in environmental conditions and therefore serve as valuable indicators of water quality and ecosystem health. The Bhitarkanika Mangrove Ecosystem, located along the northeastern coast of Odisha, India, represents one of the country's most important coastal wetlands and supports a diverse assemblage of phytoplankton influenced by seasonal freshwater influx, tidal exchange, salinity fluctuations, and nutrient dynamics. This review synthesizes existing knowledge on phytoplankton diversity, seasonal distribution patterns, environmental drivers, and their relationship with water quality in the Bhitarkanika region. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of phytoplankton as bioindicators of ecological integrity and environmental change. The review also explores emerging human health concerns associated with deteriorating water quality, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms (HABs), microbial contamination, and climate-driven ecological disturbances. Recent advances in environmental DNA (eDNA), metagenomics, and high-throughput sequencing have improved biodiversity assessment and environmental monitoring capabilities, enabling early detection of ecological stress and potential public-health risks. By integrating ecological, environmental, and health perspectives, this review highlights current research gaps and underscores the need for long-term multidisciplinary monitoring programs to support conservation, sustainable fisheries management, water-resource protection, and public health security in the Bhitarkanika mangrove ecosystem.

Keywords: Phytoplankton diversity, water quality, bioindicators, harmful algal blooms, public health, Bhitarkanika mangroves, estuarine ecology, environmental monitoring, eDNA, metagenomics.