Unveiling Diatom Diversity in MAHANADI River: A Metagenomic Approach for Downstream Case Investigation through Next-Generation Sequencing

Diatoms, a key component of freshwater ecosystems, play a crucial role in aquatic food webs and ecosystem functioning. However, their diversity and distribution in Indian rivers remain understudied. This study aims to investigate diatom diversity in Mahanadi River, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, using a metagenomic approach. We employed Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to analyze diatom communities in water samples collected from different sites along the river. This approach allows for the simultaneous identification of multiple diatom species and their relative abundance, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of diatom diversity in the Mahanadi River. The study's outcomes will contribute to a better understanding of diatom ecology and their role in freshwater ecosystems, while also providing valuable insights for downstream case investigations, such as water quality monitoring and aquatic ecosystem management.