Current World Environment

Figure 1: Experimental Fish Farm near CSKHPKV, Palampur, district Kangra of Himachal Pradesh. Click here to view figure

Materials and Methods

At the monthly interval over a period of one year from April, 2014 to March, 2015, surface water samples of pond were collected in plastic bottles for the estimation of physico-chemical parameters and transported instantly to the laboratory to avoid unpredictable changes in different physico-chemical parameters. The samples were tested in the laboratory of Department of Biology & Environmental Sciences, College of Basic Sciences, CSKHPKV, Palampur to find out some physico-chemical parameters. And the selected parameters including temperature, Secchi disk transparency, pH, (EC) electrical conductivity, (TS) total solids, (TDS) total dissolved solids, (TSS) total suspended solids, (DO) dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, alkalinities, chlorides, nitrate-nitrogen, total phosphate-phosphorous, sodium and potassium. Physio-chemical analysis of water samples were done following standard methods.⁷

For qualitative and quantitative enumeration of cladocerans, the samples were collected with help of water sampler of 1 litre capacity at an interval of months over a period of one year from March, 2014 to April 2015. 500 ml. of water samples were filtered through nylo-bolt silk cloth plankton net of small mesh size (150 micron/mm²) for the enumeration. The filterd samples were fixed with 4% neutralized formalin, lugol’s solution and a few drops of glycerine. Samples were allowed to settle over night. After uniform stirring, 1ml. of final volume was counted in zooplanktons counting chamber under planktonic microscope. The number of cladocerans per litre was calculated by following the APHA, 2000 as under:

Cladocerans (org/ l) = C×V1×1000

V2×V3

Results and discussion

Air and Water temperature

In the present investigation maximum air temperature was (36°C) in the month of May, 2014 during summer season and minimum (8°C) during winter season in the month of January, 2015. The air temperature showed highly significant and positive relationship with water temperature (r = 0.972, p< 0.01), chlorides (r = 0.74, p< 0.01), total phosphate-phosphorus (r = 0.72, p< 0.01) and significant and negative relationship with Secchi transparency (r = -0.932, p< 0.01) dissolved oxygen (r = -0.635, p<0.05). The water temperature also showed highly significant and positive relationship with total phosphate-phosphorus (r = 0.71, p< 0.01) like that of air temperature but also showed highly significant and negative relationship with transparency (r = -0.90, p< 0.01), dissolved oxygen (r = -0.59, p<0.05). Similar results observed by Jayabhaye (2006), Salve and Hiware in 2008 during summers due to low water level, water temperature was high In
context of water temperature.^8,9

Transparency

Secchi transparency showed highly significant and positive relationship with DO (r = 0.70, p<0.01) and, highly significant and negative relationship with TPP (r = -0.84, p< 0.01). The significant and negative relationship of air and water temperature with transparency may be ascribed to the planktonic population and total suspended particles, as at high temperature there is more formation of planktons which reduces light intensity. Similar finding have been reported by Chauhan while working on the fresh water ecosystem of Rewalsar lake, Himachal Pradesh.¹⁰ In 2007,Kadam, et al; also reported similar observations and found higher values of transparency occurred in winter and low in rainy season due runoff, flood water as well as gradual settling of suspended particles to water bodies.¹¹

pH

The pH values varied from 7.0 – 8.2 showing basic nature of the pond water during the study period. In 1979, Boyd reported that pH fluctuates when phytoplankton utilizes carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and rises but it drops when respiration takes place at night.¹² The best pH is when it is ranging from 6.5 to 8.0. During summers Jakher and Rawat observed maximum pH and explained this by correlating temperature rise with increase in rate of photosynthesis which results in higher utilization of carbon dioxide in 2003.¹³ In 2013, Dhanalakshmi et al., found the excessive microbial decomposition that increased CO₂ production which in turn decreases the pH of water mainly during monsoon season.¹⁴

Conductivity

The electrical conductivity measures the water capacity  to carry out an electric current, and usually related to the concentration of ionized substances in water it was recorded minimum (167µmhos/cm) in the month of April, 2014 and maximum (198 µmhos/cm) in May, 2015 (Table 1). The conductivity showed significant and positive correlation (r =0.55, p<0.05) with air temperature and negative relationship with transparency (-0.56, p<0.05) shown in (Table2). There was a fluctuating trend in electrical conductivity due to fluctuation of dissolved solids and salinity. Higher values during the summer season can be credited to the liberation of ions from the decayed organic stuff and also due to more leaching of ions from the bottom sediments. Narayana et al;recorded the maximum conductivity during the summer season in Basavanbole tank at Sagar taluk of Shimoga district.¹⁵

Total Solids (TS)

The low levels of total solids indicate the good quality of water. In the present study the total solids valid from 72.2 to 102.1 mg/l. The maximum value of total solids was obtained in the month of August, 2014 and minimum in the month of December, 2014. It showed highly significant and positive relationship with nitrates-nitrogen (r = 0.77, p<0.01), total phosphate-phosphorus (0.81, p<0.01) and with total dissolved solids (r = 0.88, p<0.01). Such type of relationship indicated that total dissolved solids are regulated by the total solids in an aquatic environment.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

The values of TDS ranged from 67.2 to 47.2 mg/l where maximum value was found in July, 2014 and minima found in February, 2015. Same results are also founded by Jena et al;in 2013._¹⁶ It showed highly significant and positive correlation (r= 0.87, p<0.01) with total phosphate-phosphorus, nitrates-nitrogen (r = 0.85, p<0.01) and chlorides (r = 0.74, p<0.01). It showed significant and negative correlation (r = -0.58, p<0.05) with total alkalinity and positive relationship with number of cladocerans per litre (r = 0.82, p<0.01). Such an association of total dissolved solids and its higher values indicated deterioration of the water quality in pond ecosystem.

Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

TSS of the water are probably the most criterion of its quality. The values of total suspended solids ranged from 21.6 to 33.8 mg/l where maxima was in March, 2014 and minima in December, 2015 (Table 1). It showed negative correlation (r = -0.52, p<0.05) with potassium shown in Table 2.

Free carbon dioxide

It was varied from 22.7mg/l to 24.7mg/l. Maximum value was recorded in the month of August, 2014 and minimum in the month of April, 2014. Similar results were obtained by Rao and Govind.¹⁷ It showed significant and negative relationship (r= -0.53, p<0.05) with dissolved oxygen. It showed significant and positive relationship with nitrate-nitrogen(r = 0.50, p<0.05) and total phosphate-phosphorus (r = 0.50, p<0.05) (Table1). The high concentration of free carbon dioxide in August may be due to the rise in the temperature, which enhances the microbial activities and increases bio-chemical demand. In 1973, Ganapati also reported more carbon dioxide due to rise in temperature.Ganapati S. V. Ecological problems of man-made lakes of South India. Hydrobiologia. 1973;71:363-356.¹⁸

Dissolved oxygen (DO)

Dissolved oxygen (DO) values ranged from 2.9 (August,2014) to 4.0 mg/l (January, 2015) (Table 1). The lowest concentration of dissolved oxygen during rainy season and low in summer may be due to the low rate diffusion at increased temperature and higher biochemical oxygen demand at higher rate of decomposition. Similar findings have been reported by Welch in 1952 and Adkins in 1970.^19,20 There is a strong correlation between temperature and DO. The warmer water has less oxygen amount so in summer season the concentration level of DO is low because of increased oxygen demands by aquatic biota according to Gandhi in 2012.²¹ In Deoria Tal, Rawat and Sharma also found high values of dissolved oxygen during winters and low values during summer months.²²

Alkalinity

The maximum concentration of alkalinity was observed in December, 2014 during winter season and minimum was found in April, 2014 during summer season. The values of alkalinity varied from 116 mg/l to 127 mg/l. Same results were also in close conformity with the conclusion of Mishra et al., and Arya et al.,^23,24

Total phosphate-phosphorus (TPP)

TPP contents were highest during rainy season. In winter season it decreased and again increased in summer season. The minimum values of TPP was recorded during winter season in the month of January, 2015 (1480 µg/l), whereas its maximum values were obtained in the month of July, 2014 (3115µg/l) (Table 1) during rainy season. TPP showed highly significant and positive relationship with water temperature (r = 0.71, p<0.01), air temperature (r = 0.72, p< 0.01), significant and positive relationship with chloride (r= 0.54, p<0.05) and (0.50, p< 0.05) with free carbon dioxide. It showed highly significant and negative correlation (r = -0.84, p< 0.01) with dissolved oxygen and (r= -0.80, p<0.01) with transparency and (Table 2). Maximum values of TPP in rainy season may be ascribed to the inflows from the catchment area consisting of poultry, animal’s husbandry unit and agricultural fields.

Nitrate nitrogen

Nitrate-nitrogen showed significant variation during the course of research. The concentration of nitrate nitrogen varied between 512 µg/l to 995 µg/l (Table 1). Minimum values were recorded during summer season in the month of April, 2014 and maximum in the month of July, 2014 during rainy season. It showed significant and positive relationship with free carbon dioxide (r = 0.51, p< 0.05). Nitrates- nitrogen also showed highly significant and negative correlation with(r = -0.83, p<0.01) dissolved oxygen and with transparency (r = -0.76, p<0.01) respectively. Such an association indicated nutrient enrichment of pond ecosystem. High value of nitrate- nitrogen during rainy season may be ascribed to the inflows of waste from catchment area into the pond ecosystem. Same results have been recorded by Schindler in1974 for the maximum values of nitrate-nitrogen in rainy season.²⁵

Chlorides

The chloride ion had no definite pattern of variations throughout the course of present investigation. The chloride values varied from 28.8 mg/l to 39.0 mg/l shown in Table 1. It was recorded more than 28.8 mg/l throughout the study period.Thus, it can be said the pond ecosystem is at an advanced stage of eutrophication. This can be strengthened by the findings of (Hickel,1973)²⁶
 

Table 1: Monthly variations in Physico-chemical parameters and abundance of cladocerans in pond ecosystem during April 2014 to March 2015. Click here to view table

 

Table 2: Coefficient of correlation between physico-chemical parameters and correlation of these parameters with number of cladocerans. Click here to view table

**p<0.01; *p<0.05

They reported chloride contents (18.0 mg/l to 28.0 mg/l) as an integral part of eutrophication. In the present investigation the higher chloride content might be attributed to the pollutants of animal source probably entering into the pond ecosystem from poultry and animal husbandry units.

Sodium

Sodium ranged from 9.0 mg/l to 11.7mg/l. The maximum concentration was observed in the month of May, 2014 and minimum in the months of January and February, 2015 (Table 1). The low concentration of sodium can be explained on the basis of pooreractivities of microbes whereas the higher concentration of sodium might be due to high rate of mineralization in the sediments, and risingthe sodium amount into the nutrient pool thus making additional sodium to solubilise. However, the concentration of sodium was recorded always higher than that of potassium during the study period. It showed highly significant and positive relationship (r = 0.99, p<0.01) with potassium showing that it also determines the water quality (Table 2).

Potassium

Sodium and potassium are closely related to each other. The occurrence of potassium is less widespread in nature and in an aquatic environment. It is found always in lower concentration than sodium due to more chloride values. The potassium concentration varied from 6.1 mg/l to 8.4 mg/l where maxima was found in the month of April, 2014 and minima in the month of February, 2015. It showed highly significant and positive relationship (r = 0.99, p<0.01) with sodium (Table 2).

Seasonal variations in cladoceran species and their abundance in relation to physico-chemical regime

During the course of present investigation the cladocerans fauna was found to be composed of 7 species viz; Moinamucronata, Bosminalongirostris, Daphnia pulex, Daphnia magna, Sida crystalline, Simocephallusexpinosus, andDiaphanosomabrachyurum(Table 3). During summer season in the month of April and May, 2014 seven species in total were recorded. Among these species Daphnia pulex (26%) dominated and Moinamucronata (18%) co-dominated the population. Sidacrystallina (7%) and Diaphanosomabrachyurum (9%) (Figure 3) were recorded as species with the lowest population. However in rainy season 6 species were recorded and Daphnia pulex (23%) co-dominated along with Moinamucronata (21%) whereas Sidacrystallina (1%) and Diaphanosomabrachyurum (9%) (Figure 4) were least abundant during the month of July and August, 2014. In winter season 7 species were present. The Daphnia pulex (24%) dominated the cladocerans population and Moinamucronata(17%), Daphnia magna (15%) co-dominated the population whereas Sida crystalline (2%) and Diaphanosomabrachyurum(11%) (Figure 5)were lowest in abundance. The population dominance of Daphnia pulex, Moinamucronata, and Daphnia magnaand reduction in number of species and an enhancement in their population can be treated as an effect due to physico-chemical regime of the pond ecosystem. The ecology of cladocerans in the present investigation revealed that among the 7 species Daphnia pulex dominated the population followed by Daphnia magna and Moinamucronata. Such a pattern of dominance and co-dominance of these species indicated deterioration or nutrient enrichment of water quality in an aquatic ecosystem.These species were highly significant and positively correlated with total phosphate-phosphorus (r = 0.74, p<0.01), air temperature (r = 0.943, p<0.01), water temperature (r = 0.94, p<0.01), and significantly and positively correlated with nitrate- nitrogen (r = 0.74, p<0.01) (Table 2). Further these species were found highly significant and negatively correlated with transparency (r = -0.91, p<0.01), dissolved oxygen (r = -0.59, p<0.05) and positively correlated (r = 0.70, p<0.01) with chlorides. Similar findings have also been reported by (Chauhan, 1998) while working on Rewalsar and Renuka lakes of Himachal Pradesh. The negative relationship was obtained in between cladocerans species and transparency and dissolved oxygen. The negative relationship in the present investigation may be ascribed to the less species biodiversity of cladocerans and presence and abundance of pollution indicator species like Daphnia pulex, Daphnia magna, and Moinamucronata. Thus, physico-chemical regime of aquatic environment greatly influences the species biodiversity, abundance, and distribution.

 

Table 3: Presence and abundance of cladocerans species(org/ l) Cladocerans species Click here to view table

 

Figure 2: Average percentage abundance of cladocerans during the study period Click here to view figure

 

Figure 3: Cladocerans species and their dominance in summer season. Click here to view figure

 

Figure 4: Cladocerans species and their dominance in rainy season Click here to view figure

 

Figure 5: Cladocerans species and their dominance in winter season Click here to view figure

Conclusion

Higher concentrations of physico-chemical parameters like free CO₂, chlorides, nitrate-nitrogen, phosphate-phosphorus and low values of Secchi transparency, dissolved oxygen and the dominance of Daphnia pulexpresence and abundance of Moinamucronata and Daphnia magna during the investigation indicated the highly deteriorated water quality of pond ecosystem. Different anthropogenic activities like inflows of waste water to pond from the poultry and animal husbandry units, entry of agricultural run offs like pesticides from nearby agricultural fields seems to be the major cause of eutrophication. From the above study we concluded that a strict attention and general alertness is necessary so that proper conservation of this aquatic body can be done, which support a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna.

Acknowledgements 

Kalyani Supriya thankful to the Head, Department of Environmental Sciences and Biology, College of Basic Sciences, CSKHPKV Palampur (H. P.) for providing the necessary laboratory facilities for the research work. I am also thankful to Dr. Nageswer Singh for their help in work of laboratory, and to complete the present study

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