BIODIVERSITY AND LIVE FOOD SPECTRUM IN CHANGING ENVIRONMENT OF RIVER GOMTI AT MAA CHANDRIKA DEVI TEMPLE SITE IN LUCKNOW
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Authors
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P. K. Varshney
National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR), Aquaculture Research &
Training Unit, Chinhat, Lucknow – 227 105
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R. K. Agrahari
Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Rohtak Centre, Lahli, Via Anwal, Rohtak– 124 411
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S. K. Singh
National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR), Aquaculture Research &
Training Unit, Chinhat, Lucknow – 227 105
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A. K. Yadav
National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR), Aquaculture Research &
Training Unit, Chinhat, Lucknow – 227 105
Abstract
An upstream location Maa Chandrika Devi along the course of river Gomti in Lucknow was identified for the environmental study. The water quality of the river was moderate with mean DO 6.15 mgl-1, mean nitrate (22.70 mgl-1), phosphate (2.40 mgl-1) and COD (48.72 mgl-1) were high. High concentration of nutrients as well as COD during pre-monsoon may be due to precipitation and constant influx of effluents during summer coupled with lesser dilution. Phytoplankton were represented by chlorophyceae, bacillariophyceae and xanthophyceae. Phytoplankton genera mainly contributed were Gonatozygon (10.89%), Closteridium (30%), Cladophora (34.94%) and Cosmerium (14.49%). Zooplankton groups reported were protozoa, ostracoda, rotifera, cladocera, copepoda, dipteral and oligochaeta. The dominant zooplankton genera were Brachionus (13.38%), Daphnia (5.55%), Moinodaphnia (6.94%0, Cyclops (22.22%), Mesocyclops (11.11%) and Diaptomus (8.33%) apart from worms (8.33%). Benthic fauna was represented by oligochaeta, chironomus, crustacean, dipteral, odonata, nematode, pelecypoda, gastropoda and leech. Chironomus predominated the fauna with a contribution of 54.09%. Other dominant groups were oligochaeta (20.16%), pelecypoda (16.57%) and dipteral (4.99%). In general, high population density of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos were encountered during pre-monsoon. Low population of zooplankton compared to phytoplankton and increasing number of rotifers next to copepods and cladocerans as well as presence of protozoans indicated substantial load of organic matter. The organic pollution indicator benthic species Branchiura, Tubifex, Chironomus, Cullicoid larvae (dipteral), Lamellidans, Corbicula, Lymnaea and leech also supported the polluted environment. Shannan Weiner index of less than 1 for diaptra, gastropoda and pelecypoda indicated the stressed environment. Low abundance of plankton population inspite of high nutrient budget of the ecosystem was a function of great infestation of water quality which indicates extreme state of population
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Keywords: Biodiversity, live food, River Gomti.
