International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ________________ ______ ____ _________ ISSN 2278 - 3202 Vol. 4 ( 1 1 ), 55 - 60 , November (201 5 ) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 55 Physicochemical Parameters and Zooplankton Diversity in Anicadu Chira, Kerala, India Dilla Jose and P. Senthilkumaar* School of Enzymology and Environmental Toxicology, P.G. and Research Department of Zoology, Sir Theagaraya College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in , www.isca.me Received 28 th March 201 5 , revised 13 th October 201 5 , accepted 4 th November 201 5 Abstract Ponds are natural water sources that are used by man for various purposes. Zooplankton community constitutes an important component in the faunal composition of the water body. They are sensitive indicators of pollution in comparison with phytoplankton. Th e present investigation was carried out in Anicadu Chira (pond) situated in Avoly Panchayat, Ernakulam, Kerala. The physico - chemical parameters and zooplankton diversity were studied for a period of one year from April 2014 to March 2015. Totally 28 specie s of zooplanktons comprising of five orders namely Rotifera (12 species), Cladocera (7 species), Copepod (6 species), Ostracoda (3 species) and Protoza (1 species) were identified in this perennial pond. Among the Rotifers, Branchions falcatus was found ab undant. Daphnia carinata was predominant among the Cladoceras. Among the Copepods the dominant species was Diaptamus and Cypris among Ostracoda. Among the Protozoa, only Vorticella was observed. The density of zooplankton population was maximum during summ er (100 units/ litre) and minimum (8.6 units/litre) during monsoon season due to different environmental conditions of the water bodies. The abundance in zooplankton population was noticed in the following order: Rotifera � Cladocer�a Copepo�da Ostrac�odaP rotozoa. Keywords : Anicadu chira, physicochemical parameters, zooplankton diversity . Introducti on Water is the most essential commodity for mankind and is a habitat for a large number of aquatic organisms ranging from microscopic planktons to large aquatic animals. It would be just if it is said study of water is the study of life. Globally, it has been calculated that more than 250 million people are being named with water borne disease every year, ending up with 10 million deaths without age limitation. Now a day due to unplanned urbanization, rapid industrialization and unjustified use of chemical fertilizers in the fields deteriorate water both quantitatively and qualitatively depleting the aquatic fauna 1 . Ponds are natural water sources either perennial or non - perennial which is used by man for various purposes. Zooplanktons are one of the most biotic components and are found to be diverse. They are delicate microscopic organisms and they make a beautifu l assemblage of minute floating animals. These organisms play a key role in the pelagic food web by controlling phytoplankton production and as a food source for larvae and juvenile fishes 2 . They influence the functional aspects of aquatic ecosystems such as food chains, food web, energy flow and various cycles involved 3,4 . The distribution of zooplankton community depends on numerous factors such as change of climatic conditions, physical and chemical parameters and vegetation cover 5 . Zooplanktons are bio - indicators and help in measuring water pollution status 6 . Present investigation had made an attempt to study the physicochemical parameters and on the distribution and abundance of the zooplankton of Anicadu Chira (perennial pond), Kerala. Material and M ethods Study area : Anicadu Chira, a perennial pond situated at Avoly Panchayat, Ernakulam district, Kerala located at 9 o 58 ’ 8.81’’N latitude and 76 o 36’ 33.86” E longitude was selected for the study. The entire field is about 1 ha ( f igure - 1). The plankton density and physico - chemical parameters were recorded during the period April 2014 to March 2015. Samples were collected from the surface water (0.5 m) during each month in the early hours between 7.00 am to 9.00 am. Concurrently water samples were taken f or measuring selected physico - chemical variables. For this purpose water samples were collected in a pre - cleaned polypropylene container. Water quality parameters like air, temperature, pH, DO, BOD, salinity were estimated by adopting the standard methods 7 - 10 . The plankton samples were collected by filtering 50 litres of water through standard plankton net (77 mesh bolting silk) and the samples were preserved in 5% of formaldehyde solution for proper identification in the laboratory. Research Journal of Biological Sciences _ _____________________ ______________ _______ ____ ____________ ISSN 2278 - 3202 Vol. 4 ( 1 1 ), 55 - 60 , November (201 5 ) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 56 Figure - 1 Study area of Anicadu Chira, Kerala The quantitative enumeration was carried out following Sedwick - Rafter counting cells method and identification of various taxa was done by using the taxonomic keys 11 . Several records portrayed here about zooplankton diversity, abundance, composition and seasonal variances of the different fresh water bodies were extracted 12 . Many researchers have studied the zooplanktons of fresh water bodies, both in India and in abroad 13 - 15 . Results and Disc ussion From the investigation, surface water appeared colourless, odorless and pH showed a range from monsoon (6.5), Postmonsoon (6.8), premonsoon (7.4) followed by summer (7.6) throughout the study period (t able - 1). The atmospheric temperature level was r ecorded from monsoon and post monsoon (28 0 C) to premonsoon and summer (29 0 C). The surface water temperature varies between 29 0 C to 29.63 0 C. In summer season highest temperature was noted and lowest of the monsoon season. High rainfall was observed during t he month of June and July. The arrivals of monsoon in June reduced the pH level in water. Temperature is one of the essential environmental factors. It influences the growth and distribution of flora and fauna. Here, the temperature reported was found sui table for the development of planktonic organism 16 . Table - 1 Seasonal fluctuation in physico - chemical parameters during April 2014 to March 2015 in Anicadu Chira Kerala Parameter Premonsoon 2014 Monsoon 2014 Post monsoon 2014 Summer 2015 Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Air Temp. ( 0 C) 29 29 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 29 29 Water Temp. ( 0 C) 29.7 29.6 29 29 29 29 29 29.1 29.3 29.3 29.6 30 pH 7.6 7.6 7.2 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 7.0 7.1 7.3 7.4 7.7 Salinity (ppt) 0.39 0.39 0.29 0.27 0.28 0.28 0.30 0.30 0.32 0.38 0.40 0.40 DO (mg/L) 3.8 3.9 5.5 7.5 7.5 7.4 6.5 6.5 6.3 3.6 3.6 3.4 BOD (mg/L) 4.3 4.2 4.0 2.6 2.7 2.8 3.0 3.0 3.0 4.4 4.4 4.8 Research Journal of Biological Sciences _ _____________________ ______________ _______ ____ ____________ ISSN 2278 - 3202 Vol. 4 ( 1 1 ), 55 - 60 , November (201 5 ) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 57 Salinity did not exhibit much variation and was under 0.5 ppt. To be more specific it was monsoon (0.28 ppt), Postmonsoon (0.31 ppt), premonsoon (0.35 ppt) followed by summer (0.39 ppt). Salinity influences the life of aquatic plants, animals and affects other aspects of water quality too. Heavy rainfall decreases salinity, but drought increases it. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is very important aquatic parameter whose measurement is vital in the context of the culture of any aquatic animal. DO varies from 3.53 mg/L to 7.45 mg/L. DO value was found high est in monsoon and lowest in summer, followed by premonsoon (4.4 mg/L) and post monsoon (6.43 mg/L). BOD was found to be maximum in summer (4.5 mg/L) and the minimum in monsoon (2.7 mg/L). In Kerala due to heavy rainfall and low temperature, a good amount of oxygen is found dissolved in water. BOD found maximum in summer because of high bacterial activity and input of organic load. Dissolved oxygen has an immense relationship with pH value this statement is borne out by the studies 17 . Seasonal abundance of zooplankton has been followed for a year and investigation results are represented in t able - 2. Zooplankton population density was maximum during summer (100 units/liter) and minimum (8.76 units/liter) during monsoon season. A sum of 2 8 genera of zooplankton was identified from the collections during the survey period. Of these 12 belong to rotifers, 7 to cladocera, 6 to copepod, 2 to ostracod and 1 to protozoa ( f igure - 2). The annual periodicity shows rotifer dominantly and constituted (44.86%), cladocera (25.70%), copepod (21.02%), ostracoda (7.00%) and protozoa (1.40%). The zooplankton assemblage in the pond consists primarily of rotifer followed by cladocerans, copepods, ostratracoda and protozoa. The population abundances of zooplank ton were noticed in the following order: Rotifera � Cladocera� Copepoda� Ostracoda�Protozoa ( t able - 3). Figure - 2 Monthly Species Variation of Zooplankton Density from April 20 14to March 2015, Anicadu Chira Kerala Research Journal of Biological Sciences _ _____________________ ______________ _______ ____ ____________ ISSN 2278 - 3202 Vol. 4 ( 1 1 ), 55 - 60 , November (201 5 ) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 58 Table - 2 Monthly and Seasonal Abundance of Zooplankton in Anicadu Chira, April 2014 to March 2015 Pre - Monsoon Monsoon Post - Monsoon Summer Genera Apr 14 May 14 June 14 July 14 Aug 14 Sep 14 Oct 14 Nov 14 Dec 14 Jan 15 Feb 15 Mar 15 Rotifera Brachionus calyciflorus + + - + + + + + - + + + B.quadrid entatus + + - + + + - + - + + + B.angularis + - - + - - + + - + + + B.falcatu s + + + + + + - + + + + + Horella brehmi - + + + - - - + + - - + Keratella tropica + + + + - - + + + + + + K.cochlea ris - - - + - - - - - + + + Monostyla quadridentatus + - - + + + + + + + + + Notholca sp. + + - + + + + + - + + + Lecane lunaris + + + + - - - - + + + + L.papuana + + + - - - - + + + + + Trichocera rattus + - - - - + + + + - - - Cladocera Bosmina longirostris + + + + - + + + + - - + Daphnia c arinata + - - + + + + + + + + + D.similes - + - + + - - - + - + + Diaphanos oma sp. + - + - - - - - + + + + Leydigia sp. - + + + + - - - + + + - Monia brachiata + - - + + + + + - + + + Moina dap hnia + + + + + - - - + + - + Copepoda Heleodiap tomus viduus + + + - + - + + + - + + Mesocyclops hyalinus + - + + - + - - + - - + Nauplius + + - + + + + + + + + + Research Journal of Biological Sciences _ _____________________ ______________ _______ ____ ____________ ISSN 2278 - 3202 Vol. 4 ( 1 1 ), 55 - 60 , November (201 5 ) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 59 Pre - Monsoon Monsoon Post - Monsoon Summer Genera Apr 14 May 14 June 14 July 14 Aug 14 Sep 14 Oct 14 Nov 14 Dec 14 Jan 15 Feb 15 Mar 15 Tropocyclops sp. + + + - - - - - + + + + Thermocyc lops sp. + + + - - - + + - + + + T.crassus + + + - - + - - - - - - Protozoa Vorticell a sp. + - - - - - - - - - + + Ostracoda Cypris sp . + + + + + - - - - + + + Stenocypris malcolmsoni + + + + - - - - - + + + Table - 3 Monthly Species Variation of Zooplankton Density from April 2014 to March 2015, Anicadu Chira, Kerala Genera Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Rotifera 10 8 5 10 6 6 6 10 5 9 10 11 Cladocera 5 4 4 6 5 3 3 3 6 5 5 6 Copepoda 6 5 5 2 2 3 3 3 4 3 4 5 Protoszoa 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Ostracoda 2 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 Conclusion The preliminary study in Anicadu Chira (pond) pasteurizes the water quality and the vital zooplanktons in food web which in turn increases the fish yield. 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