About Picocystis Salinarum:
- It is a globally widespread picoplanktonic green algae of saline lakes.
- It is one of the smallest green algae.
- It is found in hypersaline soda lake Sambhar, Rajasthan, to survive extreme environments. Though the algae had been widely found in saline-soda lakes around the world, it was spotted for the first time in India only in the Sambhar Lake.
- The unique organism apparently enhances photosynthesis and ATP synthesis along with chaperone proteins as key response to high salinity-alkalinity.
- Enhanced photosynthetic activity exhibited by P. salinarum in highly saline-alkaline condition is noteworthy as photosynthesis is suppressed under hyperosmotic conditions in most photosynthetic organisms.
Key facts about Sambhar Lake
- It is India's largest saline wetland located in Rajasthan.
- It is a ephemeral salt lake,
- It is also a designated Ramsar Site (recognized wetland of international importance).
- It represents the depression of the Aravalli Range.
- This inland lake receives water from five rivers, namely Samaod, Khari, Mantha, Khandela, Medtha, and Roopangarh.
