Affiliations: Department of Zoology, S.N. College, Rajkanika,
Kendrapara, Odisha, India | Department of Zoology, Kendrapara Autonomous College,
Kendrapara, Odisha | Department of Botany, S.N. College, Rajkanika
Kendrapara, Odisha
Abstract: Zooplankton forms an important component of fish fries and helps to
transfer energy from primary to secondary and tertiary levels in a food chain.
Realizing the paucity of patent literature on the zooplankton population of
sewage-fed river Mahanadi, studies were undertaken to assess the seasonal
dynamics of zooplankton populations and nutrient status of water for a period
of one year covering three seasons. Zooplankton population and water analysis
was performed using standard procedure. Maximum population density was observed
in the winter season followed by summer and lastly rainy. Higher zooplankton
populations were encountered in Sikharpur (site IV). They corresponded to the
fluctuation of prevailing conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, better
organic load and chemical oxygen demand content of the said habitat. A total of
14 species belonging to six different groups were recorded during the study
period. Lower concentration of zooplankton at Sikharpur site indicates polluted
zone of the river. Our findings highlighted the deterioration of water quality
in the river due to industrialization and human activities. Proper biological
and chemical treatment of domestic sewage and industrial effluents before
discharge to river system is suggested.
Keywords: Abundance, Mahanadi river, Taladanda canal, zooplankton
