Physico-chemical parameters of lentic water bodies from Mid- Himalayan region (H.P.), India

Abstract

The pond management requires an understanding of water quality as it is the first most important limiting factor in pond fish production. Keeping in view to exploit the village ponds for the aquaculture practices the present work has been undertaken in the mid hill region of Himachal Pradesh. The water quality parameters have been assessed fortnightly throughout the year. The parameters viz. water temperature, transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, alkalinity, total hardness, total dissolved solid, nitrate have been investigated and their seasonal variation is discussed. The correlation coefficient of the various physico-chemical parameters are computed and analyzed. The results of the present study revealed that pH, free CO2, dissolved oxygen and nitrate were found within the permissible limits as a result water bodies can be used to enhance the fish production through small scale aquaculture practices.