Article-15
Eco. Env. & Cons. 19 (3) : 2013; pp. (717-724) Copyright@ EM International ISSN 0971–765X
Population dynamics and species diversity of plankton in relation to hydrobiological characteristics of river Sutlej, Punjab, India C. Sharma1, R. Jindal1, Uday Bhan Singh2, A.S. Ahluwalia2 and R.K. Thakur1 1
Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh160 014, India Laboratory of Algal Biology and Diversity, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India 2
(Received : 29 December, 2012; accepted 7 March 2013)
ABSTRACT The present ecological study on the river Sutlej at Ropar Headworks (30°32’ N; 76°78’ E) deals with the seasonal variations in abundance and population dynamics of phyto- and zooplankton in relation to hydrobiological conditions, and assessment of water quality of the river. Phytoplankton were composed of members of Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae, and the Zooplanktons were Protozoa, Rotifera and Crustacea. In all 43 species of planktons were recorded. Bacillariophyceae among phytoplankton, and Rotifera among zooplankton showed highest abundance and diversity. The values were maximum during summer and post monsoon, and minimum during winter and monsoon. The values of Berger-Parker Dominance Index, Margalef Richness Index, Simpson and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices were calculated. The physico-chemical parameters like pH, DO, BOD, nitrate, phosphate, TDS, total alkalinity and total hardness were within the permissible limits of various regulatory agencies.
Key words : Hydrobiology, River sutlej, Species diversity, Ecology, Plankton.
Introduction Composition and population dynamics of plankton may be used as a reliable tool for biomonitoring studies to assess the water quality of aquatic bodies. Relatively little attention has been paid on the biomonitoring of North Indian rivers (Jindal and Singh, 2006; Jindal et al., 2010; Jindal and Sharma, 2011b). Keeping this in view present investigations have been under taken to assess the water quality and biodiversity of the river.
Materials and Methods Water samples for the present investigation were
collected from river Sutlej at Ropar Headworks (30°32’ N; 76°78’ E). Physico-chemical parameters of the water were analyzed according to the standard methods (APHA, 2005). For plankton study, the water samples were collected with the help of a conical plankton net made up of bolting silk No. 25 (0.3 mm mesh) and fitted with a wide mouthed bottle. 100 litres of river water was filtered through the net. Plankton were preserved in 4% formaldehyde solution. The literature consulted for the identification of plankton and insect larvae were: Ward and Whipple (1959), Kudo (1986) and Pennak (1989). Counting of plankton was done with the help of ‘Sedgwick-Rafter counting cell (Wetzel and Likens, 1991) and biodiversity indices were calculated
Corresponding author’s : e-mail:
[email protected];
[email protected] Dr. C. Sharma, Department of Zoology, Panjab University Chandigarh 160 014
17.35 56.00 12.35 250 7.62 9.23 6.95 1.03 107.05 112.40 236.1 25.42 1.64 0.53 21.05 46.00 18.2 270 7.32 9.02 10.3 1.65 101.3 106.20 230.05 24.3 2.05 0.7 23.52 77.00 22.03 280 7.05 8.88 12.02 2 94.1 96.05 243.2 22.2 2.25 0.82 25.22 88.00 20.42 265 7 8.33 14.35 2.32 106.2 108.33 238.4 24.05 2.6 0.66 26.7 52.00 16.25 316 7.1 8.00 10.25 2.5 130.05 118.00 290.5 31.6 2.22 0.62 24.62 41.00 15.2 268 7.3 8.5 8.2 2.33 127 123.50 281 29.08 2.12 0.6 20.24 37.00 13.7 244 7.25 8.83 9.35 1.72 110.02 113.08 263.05 28.07 2.04 0.55 15.52 76.00 12.62 230 7.52 8.2 6.85 1.34 118.05 108.50 205.06 27.22 1.82 0.4 12.2 62.00 13.05 210 7.55 9.02 6.8 1.03 111.4 106.00 185 26.8 1.5 0.43
Sep. Aug. Jul. Jun. May Apr. Mar. Feb. Jan. 11
13.32 32.00 10.02 232 7.82 10.02 3.21 0.64 116.05 110.05 218.2 25.2 1.05 0.32 Water temp. (°C) Water current(cm sec –1) Turbidity (NTU) Conductivity (µs/cm) pH Dissolved oxygen (mg L–1) Carbon dioxide (mg L–1) BOD (mg L–1) Total alkalinity (mg L–1) Total hardness (mg L–1) T.D.S. (mg L–1) Chloride (mg L–1) Phosphate (mg L–1) Nitrates (mgL-1)
Dec. Nov. 10 Parameters/ Months
Table 1. Physico-chemical characteristics of water at Ropar Headworks (Nov.2010-Oct. 2011).
Physico-chemical properties of the River: Monthly fluctuations in the physico-chemical characteristics of the river water have been given Table 1. The value of temperature during the present investigation ranged from 10.45-26.70C (18.45 ± 5.86) with maximum values in June and minimum in January. The pH values were in the range of 7.00-7.82 (7.40 ± 0.27) throughout the year. The DO was more than 8 mg L1 (8.00-10.02) throughout the year indicating the healthy nature of river water. The values (mg L-1) of total alkalinity 127.00 (111.29 ± 10.20), total hardness 126.50 (109.18 ± 7.15), chloride 31.60 (26.39 ± 2.49) and BOD 2.50 (1.50 ± 0.67) were maximum in summer, whereas the values of turbidity in NTU 22.03 (14.65 ± 3.87), water current 88.00 cm Sec -1 (55.00 ± 18.02), free CO2 14.35 mg L-1 (8.49 ± 2.95), phosphate 2.60 mg L-1 (1.80 ± 0.52) and nitrate 0.82 mg L-1 (0.53 ± 0.16) were maximum in monsoon. On the basis of the classification of water for various uses given by CPCB, the water at the Ropar Headworks can be categorized as ‘A-B’ and is safe for drinking after disinfection (Jindal and Sharma, 2011a). Biological analysis: Monthly fluctuations in phytoplankton, zooplankton and correlation coefficient among hydrobiological factors of river Sutlej have been presented in Table 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Population dynamics of Plankton: Phytoplanktons or microalgae (in narrow sense) are phototrophic microorganisms with simple nutritional requirements, and comprising the major primary producers on this planet, be they eukaryotes (for instance, green algae) or prokaryotes (cyanobacteria) (Singh and Ahluwalia, 2013, Thakur et al., 2013). Total 43 species of plankton were observed. Phytoplankton were composed of members of Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae. Monthly average value (units L–1) with range of phytoplankton was 955.50±119.31 (293-1711). Phytoplankton constituted dominant component of the total plankton and showed bimodal pattern of fluctuations with one maxima in winter (NovemberDecember) and the other in summer (May). The maximum value of phytoplankton in winter was due to relatively less values of temperature and tur-
Oct.
Results and Discussion
10.45 57.00 10.8 194 7.63 9.84 6.2 0.72 106.3 106.07 161.07 26.5 1.6 0.34
Average
(Berger-Parker Dominance Index, 1970; Margalef Richness Index, 1958; Simpson, 1949; ShannonWiener, 1949).
18.45 ± 5.86 55.00 ± 18.02 14.65 ± 3.87 247.91 ± 34.12 7.40 ± 0.27 8.95 ± 0.66 8.49 ± 2.95 1.50 ± 0.67 111.29 ± 10.20 109.18 ± 7.15 229.51 ± 38.05 26.39 ± 2.49 1.80 ± 0.52 0.53 ± 0.16
Eco. Env. & Cons. 19 (3) : 2013
11.3 36.00 11.16 216 7.7 9.7 7.5 0.8 108.00 102.00 202.55 26.35 0.82 0.4
718
SHARMA ET AL bidity; moderate values of nutrients; and higher values of dissolved oxygen. Their abundance in summer was because of higher values of temperature, hardness and nutrients; moderate values of water current, turbidity and alkaline pH (Saravanakumar et al., 2008). Minimum number of plankton during monsoon season (July-August) could be attributed to cloudy weather, high values of turbidity, fast current of water and dilution in the concentration of some salts. Bacillariophyceae constituted the major portion (65.18%) of phytoplankton and its monthly average (units L –1) with range was 622.75±405.41 (122-1379) and total 11 species were observed. Among them, the dominant were Navicula sp. (790, Nov., FI-1.00), Cymbella sp. (409, Dec., FI-0.58), Fragilaria sp. (381, Jan., FI-0.66) and Pinnularia sp. (362, May, FI-0.66). Gyrosigma sp. was frequent but was not found in abundance. Diatoma sp., Cocconeis sp. and Amphora sp. and Meridion sp. were rare in occurrence. Optimum temperature for the growth of diatoms was 9-14°C in river Alaknanda and 12-21°C in river Nayar (Nautiyal, 1984). During present investigation, the diatoms were found in abundance between 11.30-13.32°C (Chopra et al., 1990; Jindal and Singh, 2006). However, certain species showed abundance at higher temperature (26.7°C). Chlorophyceae constituted the subdominant component (17.03-30.32%) of phytoplankton. It was comprised of the members of Chlorococcales, Zygnematales and Volvocales. Monthly average value (units L –1) of Chlorophyceae was 289.75 ± 119.31(148-529). Abundance of Chlorophyceae was recorded during early summer (March-April) and the period of their abundance could be associated with moderate value of turbidity, pH, DO, nitrate and phosphate. Species belonging to Chlorococcales showed abundance in early summer (March-April), Volvocales flourished during monsoon (July-September), and Zygenmatales showed abundance during winter. In all 13 species of Chlorophyceae were observed. Dominant forms were Closterium sp. (118, Jan., FI-0.75), Cosmarium sp. (81, Feb., FI-0.50), Coelastrum sp. (88, Apr., FI-0.41) and Scenedesmus sp. (224, Mar., FI-1.00). Species like Pandorina sp., Selenastrum sp., Spirogyra sp., Tetraedron sp., Ulothrix sp. and Zygnema sp. were found relatively in less numbers. Rai (1978) recorded the dominance of chlorophytes at higher temperature. However, during present investigation these showed abundance during early summer (March-April) at moderate temperature. As reported by Ghavzan et al. (2006),
719 during present investigation also green algal flora like Spirogyra sp and Zygnema sp showed abundance at Ropar Headworks which was less polluted. Cyanophyceae constituted a minor (3.99%) component of phytoplankton. Monthly average value (units L–1) with range of Cyanophyceae was 38.16±29.31 (4104) and was represented by 4 species viz., Anabaena sp., Merismopedia sp., Oscillatoria sp. and Phormidium sp. Except Oscillatoria sp., none of these was dominant. Kumar et al. (1995) has reported the predominance of Oscillatoria sp. during all seasons. The abundance of Cyanophyceae have been recorded during summer (Pandey et al., 1995; Jindal and Singh, 2006). Their abundance was associated with higher values of temperature, free carbon dioxide, hardness, BOD and richness of nitrate and phosphate. Euglenophyceae like Cyanophyceae showed abundance during the late summer (May-June). Monthly average values of (units L–1) with range of Euglenophyceae was 4.83±4.61(0-16) and represented by 2 species that is Lepocinclis sp, and Phacus sp. less abundance of these indicated relatively less pollution load. Contrary to the present findings, Pandey et al. (1995) associated the abundance of euglenoids with higher dissolved oxygen. Unpolluted Site is characterized by abundance of green algal flora followed by Cyanophyceae and flagellates, as it was supported by earlier workers (More and Nandan, 2000; Nandan and Aher, 2005; Tas and Gonulal, 2007). Zooplankton comprised a minor portion (10.1312.14%) of total plankton. These were comprised of protozoans, rotifers, cladocerns, copepods and ostrocods. Monthly average value (units L–1) with range of zooplankton was 118.5±71.20 (33-271). Zooplankton like phytoplankton also showed a bimodal pattern of fluctuations. One maxima of these have been recorded during summer (May/June) and the other in winter (November/December). Minimum number of zooplankton was recorded during monsoon season (July-August). Summer maximum, dominated by Rotifera and Crustacea was associated with relatively less values of water current, moderate values of turbidity, and higher values of temperature, conductivity, hardness and alkalinity. Winter maximum of the total zooplankton, dominated by Rotifera, Protozoa and Copepoda was due to relatively less values of temperature, BOD and turbidity; moderate values of water current; and higher values of dissolved oxygen and pH. The zooplankton were recorded in minimum num-
720
Eco. Env. & Cons. 19 (3) : 2013
Table 2. Monthly fluctuations in phytoplankton at Ropar Headworks (Nov.2010-Oct. 2011). Phytoplankton (Number/L)
Nov. 10
Dec.
Jan. 11
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Seasonality
Bacillariophyceae Anemoeneis sp. Amphora sp. Caloneis sp. Cocconus sp. Cymbella affinis Diatoma sp. Fragilaria sp. Gyrosigma acuminatum Meridion sp. Navicula sp. Pinnularia viridis
321 198 70 790 -
409 340 93 200 -
281 8 381 118 133 -
25 247 82 261 64 198 28
6 11 72 37 60 96 32 230 78
14 2 32 51 32 64 160 140 103
23 61 171 242 362
8 80 192 156
36 90 105
40 32 50
14 3 22 8 40 8
8 9 51 33 26 38 48 -
S PM S, PM S, PM W W, S W S W P S, PM
Total Percentage Composition
1379 80.5
1042 73.1
921 74.6
905 65.2
622 53.6
598 61.3
859 71.1
436 62.7
231 44.1
122 41.6
145 36.3
213 46.7
81 41 11 71 63 43 -
91 72 21 161 8 -
8 118 36 38 93 -
36 73 68 81 31 136 39 -
88 51 51 68 22 224 12 13 -
53 26 88 93 41 36 -
32 218 28 -
108 43 -
36 92 41 21 36
21 11 61 9 33 13
9 26 16 38 11 57 22
33 51 48 16 33 28 -
310 18.1
353 24.7
293 23.7
464 33.4
529 45.6
337 34.4
278 23.0
151 21.7
226 43.1
148 50.5
179 44.8
209 45.8
Cyanophyceae Anaebaena sp. Merismopodia elegans Oscillatoria subbrevis Phormidium sp.
12 7
6 3 21
14 4 2
3 14
4
8 18 -
24 38 -
34 70 -
13 48 -
22 -
12 58 -
2 21 -
Total Percentage composition
19 1.1
30 2.10
20 1.62
17 1.22
4 0.34
26 2.60
62 5.1
104 14.9
61 11.6
22 7.5
70 17.5
23 5.0
Euglenophyceae Lepocincilis sp. Phacus longicauda Total Percentage composition Total Phytoplankton
3 3 0.17 1711
1425
1234
1386
4 4 0.34 1159
16 16 1.6 977
8 8 0.6 1207
2 2 4 0.5 695
6 6 1.14 524
1 1 0.3 293
5 5 1.2 349
11 11 2.4 456
Chlorophyceae Characium sp. Cladophora sp. Closterium sp. Coelastrum sp. Cosmarium sp. Pandorina sp. Pediastrum simplex Scenedesmus bijugatus Selenastrum sp. Spirogyra sp. Tetraedron minimum Ulothrix sp. Zygnema sp. Total Percentage Composition
S M W, PM S W M W P S M S W M
S, PM W M W
M S
- = Absent, W = Winter, S = Summer, M = Monsoon, PM = Post Monsoon, P = Perennial
ber during monsoon season (July-August). The minimum values of zooplankton during these months were because of less value of pH, dissolved oxygen, hardness and total alkalinity; and high value of water current, BOD and turbidity. The gen-
eral bimodal pattern of seasonal fluctuations of total zooplankton observed during present studies, confirmed the observations of other Indian works (Ray et al.,1966; Sharma et al.,1999 and Gurumayum et al., 2002). Kar et al. (1987) reported the correspondence
SHARMA ET AL
721
of maximum and minimum number of zooplankton with that of phytoplankton. But during present investigation, zooplankton peaks either coincided or followed the peaks of phytoplankton. Monthly average value (units L–1) with range of Protozoa was 31.00±13.51 (14-62) and total 9 species were recorded. Protozoa showed maximum during February-April. This was due to moderate value of temperature, water current, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, pH, nitrate and BOD. Among these, dominant species were Coleps sp. (26, Feb., FI-0.75), Colpidium sp. (17, Apr., FI-0.58), Difflugia sp. (12, Jun., FI-0.50), Peridinium sp. (23, Feb., FI-0.50) and Vorticella sp. (18, Jun., FI-0.83). Actinophrys sp., Centropyxis sp., Ceratium sp., Mallomonas sp. were rare in occurrence.
Protozoa showed an inverse correlation with water current and turbidity. On the contrary, Holden and Green (1960) reported the abundance of protozoans during monsoon, which as explained by them, was due to rising river flushing out the rhizopods from swampy areas with much aquatic vegetation. Pennak (1978) has suggested that optimum range of temperature for protozoans was about 16-25°C. However, during present findings, higher number of these were recorded when the temperature of water was within the range of 12.20-21.50°C. Rotifera constituted the dominant component (45.30-61.39%) of zooplankton. These were observed throughout the year. Monthly average value (units L–1) with range of Rotifera was 72.75±55.60 (7-187)
Table 3. Monthly fluctuations in zooplankton at Ropar Headworks (Nov.2010-Oct. 2011). Zooplankton (Number L-1) Protozoa Actinophrys sp. Ceratiim sp. Centropyxis sp. Coleps sp. Colpidium sp. Difflugia sp. Mallomonas sp. Peridinium sp. Vorticella sp. Total Percentage Composition Rotifera Branchionus quadridentata Keratella procurva Monostyla sp. Mytilima sp. Nothalca sp. Polyarthra sp. Trichocerca sp. Total Percentage Composition Crustacea Bosmina sp. Cyclops leuckarti Daphnia sp. Nauplii sp. Mesocyclops leuckarti Total Percentage composition Insecta Gerris sp. Ranatra sp. Total Zooplanktons
Nov. 10
Dec.
Jan. 11
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Seasonality
5 2 2 2 3 3 17 36.95
4 7 8 6 25 31.64
11 11 11 33 24.08
26 13 23 62 22.87
5 4 9 18 11.61
7 17 1 13 38 26.02
3 9 6 11 29 14.28
2 4 12 9 18 45 30.20
4 9 1 7 5 9 35 59.32
5 6 2 3 4 2 22 66.66
9 2 5 3 2 4 9 34 49.37
2 1 2 5 4 14 18.66
M M M W S M M W P
5 8 9 22 46.80
2 11 31 44 55.69
16 28 3 35 5 87 63.50
40 68 9 52 18 187 69.00
36 31 11 26 22 126 81.29
28 29 4 3 21 9 94 64.38
77 41 18 136 66.99
29 48 77 51.67
2 9 6 17 28.81
3 4 7 21.21
1 10 2 11 4 28 40.57
3 7 10 1 21 6 48 64.00
W, S W, S S, M S W, S PM S, PM
3 4 7 14.89
2 8 10 12.65
4 6 1 6 17 12.40
2 12 3 5 22 8.11
7 4 11 7.09
4 2 8 14 9.58
6 18 4 2 8 38 18.71
8 9 6 2 2 27 18.12
2 1 4 7 11.86
4 4 12.12
4 3 7 10.14
6 1 6 13 17.33
W, S S, M S, M W, S S, M
46
79
137
271
+ + 155
+ + 146
203
149
59
+ + 33
+ + 69
+ 75
S, PM S, PM
- = Absent, W = Winter, S = Summer, M = Monsoon, PM = Post Monsoon P = Perennial
722
Eco. Env. & Cons. 19 (3) : 2013
and total 7 species of rotifers were observed. Data on the seasonal fluctuations in rotifers revealed that the rise and fall of rotifer population followed similar pattern as that of total zooplankton. Rotifers showed two periods of abundance, i.e. one maximum during summer (May-June) and the other during winter (November-December) so same hydrobiological characteristics were responsible for their abundance as that for total zooplankton. Dominant species encountered were Brachionus calyciflorus (77, May, FI0.91), Keratella tropica (68, Feb., FI-0.83), Notholca sp. (52, Feb., FI-0.66) and Trichocera sp. (22, Mar., FI0.50). Other species recorded were Monostyla sp., Mytilina sp. and Polyarthra sp. Presence of Keratella tropica, Notholca sp. and Trichocera sp. indicated relatively less pollution. Krishnamoorthy and Visweswara (1966) did not report any periodicity in the distribution of rotifers. During present investigation, however, a bimodal pattern of fluctuations has been observed (Jindal and Vasisht, 1981; Gurumayum et al., 2002). Chandra et al. (1978) reported the maximum number of rotifers during summer months. However, during present investigation, they showed abundance in winter and early summer in addition to summer. This was because of abundance of particular species flourishing at relatively less temperature. Various works (Davis, 1995; Kumar, 1997; Mukhopadhysay et al., 2000; Jindal and Singh, 2006) reported that rotifers outnumbered all other groups of zooplankton in river Jamuna and Beas respectively. Present findings are in concur-
rence with the findings of above workers. Crustaceans were represented by members of Cladocera, Copepoda and Ostracoda. Monthly average value (units L–1) with range of Crustacea was 14.75±9.92 (4-38) and total 5 species of crustaceans were recorded. The cladocerans showed maximum in summer months (April to June), and were found in relatively less numbers during monsoon and winter. Copepods were recorded throughout the year with abundance during winter and summer. This is in conformity with the findings of Seenayya (1973). On the contrary, Ray et al. (1966) and Kobayashi et al. (1998) reported the abundance of copepods only during summer months. Nauplii were found in almost all the collections, and at certain times, these even dominated the adult population of copepods. Among 5 species of crustaceans, Bosmina sp. (8, Jun., FI-0.58) and Cyclops sp. (18, May, FI-0.75) were dominant. Other species observed were Daphnia sp. and Mesocyclops sp. As observed by Pandey et al. (1994), a direct correlation of cladocerans with alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate and chloride was noticed. Contrary to the findings of Pandey et al. (L.C.), direct correlation of cladocerans with dissolved oxygen could not be established. During present investigation, an inverse correlationship between crustaceans and water current was observed. This is in confirmation with the findings of Ray et al. (1966). During present investigations, insect and their larvae were found to be dominant during summer and monsoon seasons (March-Aug.). Gerris sp. and Ranatra sp.
0.07 0.05 0.13 0.01 -0.28 -0.26 0.22 0.23 0.16 0.10 -0.01 0.37 0.21 0.07
zoa
-0.24 -0.05 -0.38 -0.33 0.17 -0.25 -0.33 -0.05 0.50 0.39 -0.14 0.59 -0.07 -0.37
tacea
-0.04 -0.37 -0.34 -0.28 0.05 0.19 -0.04 -0.05 0.05 0.45 0.28 0.29 0.02 -0.13
Crus
0.73 -0.08 0.46 0.77 -0.58 -0.50 0.52 0.72 0.40 0.48 0.66 0.41 0.51 0.52
Proto
Rotif
era
hyce enop
ophy
ceae
e ycea roph -0.63 0.00 -0.59 -0.70 0.51 0.06 -0.52 -0.48 0.21 -0.04 -0.53 0.19 -0.45 -0.69
Eugl
-0.65 -0.56 -0.77 -0.62 0.71 0.55 -0.78 -0.58 0.39 0.14 -0.38 0.29 -0.75 -0.83
Cyan
Water temp. (°C) Water current(cm/sec) Turbidity (NTU) Conductivity (µs/cm) pH Dissolved oxygen (mg L–1) Carbon dioxide (mg L–1) BOD (mg L–1) Total alkalinity (mg L–1) Total hardness (mg L–1) T.D.S. (mg L–1) Chloride (mg L–1) Phosphate (mg L–1) Nitrates (mgL-1)
Chlo
Bac
illa
rio
ph
yce
ae
Parameters/ Months
ae
Table 4. Correlation coefficient among hydrobiological parameters.
0.22 -0.26 -0.17 0.16 -0.07 -0.34 -0.14 0.33 0.76 0.77 0.36 0.79 0.13 -0.06
SHARMA ET AL
723
Table 5. Monthly fluctuations in plankton diversity indices. Indices/Months Phytoplankton Simpson index Shannon-Wiener index Berger-Parker index Margalef index Zooplankton Simpson index Shannon-Wiener index Berger-Parker index Margalef index
Nov. 10 Dec.
Jan. 11
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
0.269 2.499 0.461 1.612
0.182 2.764 0.287 1.515
0.184 2.798 0.308 1.686
0.113 3.458 0.188 2.073
0.109 3.581 0.198 2.551
0.091 3.711 0.163 2.469
0.187 2.740 0.299 1.409
0.179 2.691 0.276 1.375
0.129 3.134 0.200 1.597
0.127 3.115 0.208 1.761
0.098 3.593 0.166 2.562
0.079 3.747 0.111 2.450
0.098 3.262 0.195 2.612
0.201 2.673 0.392 1.831
0.140 3.100 0.255 2.236
0.145 3.054 0.250 1.964
0.149 2.929 0.232 1.785
0.123 3.215 0.198 2.408
0.205 2.795 0.379 2.070
0.170 2.940 0.322 2.198
0.098 3.300 0.152 2.698
0.096 3.086 0.181 2.288
0.089 3.508 0.159 3.070
0.123 3.295 0.280 3.011
were observed in this stretch of the river having slight pollution. To study the species diversity various indices viz. Berger-Parker Dominance Index, Margalef Richness Index, Simpson and Shannon-Wiener diversity index have been calculated (Table 5). It has been noticed that in general, maximum species of plankton have been recorded during post monsoon and summer, and minimum during winter. High species diversity during post monsoon could be attributed to factors like high values of temperature, light, pH, and richness of nutrients. As suggested by Kumar and Dutta (1991), the major causative factors for decrease in species in winter were low value of temperature and light, and decrease in the monsoon was because of higher turbidity and low value of pH and DO.
Conclusion It could be concluded from the present findings that river Sutlej which is one of the productive riverine systems of Punjab is less polluted at Ropar Headworks and the values of species diversity indices indicate rich biodiversity. The water in this stretch of the river can be categorized as ‘AB’(CPCB).
Acknowledgement The authors are thankful to the Chairperson, Department of Zoology and Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh for providing necessary research facilities, University Grants Commission, New Delhi for SAP DRS-II grants and to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi (U. B. Singh) for providing financial assistance in the form of Junior Research Fellowship and Senior Research Fellow-
ship.
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