Role of catchment area on water quality and production pattern in two different riverine Ecosystems

Abstract

A four months study was performed from August- November 2015 to analyze the effect of catchment area in two riverine systems, Baini and Barour located at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. The major portion of drainage area is covered by forest and agriculture land of Baini and Barour respectively. The mean values of water temperature, TDS, DO, free CO2, pH, alkalinity and hardness in river Baini were 28.66±0.93, 295.05±14.84, 6.85±0.69, 4.52±1.76, 7.41±0.23, 119.00±18.26 and 138.69±13.49 respectively. The mean values of water temperature, TDS, DO, free CO2, pH, alkalinity and hardness in river Barour were 28.13±0.92, 287.31±18.35, 6.31±0.52, 5.31±1.58, 7.28±0.21, 112.4±11.30 and 148.19±4.91 respectively. A total of 9 and 6 species of phytoplankton were recorded from Baini and Barour River whereas 3 and 1 species of zooplankton were recorded from Baini and Barour River respectively. Results indicated that river Baini was in better condition with much diversity of flora and fauna.