A report on diversity of cladocera in sewage fed tank of Bhadravathi taluk, Karnataka

Abstract

The Cladocera are a zooplankton and play an important role in aquatic food chain. In the present study water quality status of sewage fed tank near Bhadravathi town of Shimoga district was assessed by Cladoceran analysis during January to December 2008. In this study, 06 species of cladocerans were recorded, belonging to six families viz. the, Daphniidae, Moinidae, Bosminidae, Macrothricidae, Sididae and Chydoridae. It was observed that rich nutrients coupled with the presence of aquatic weeds favored abundance of cladocerans. In this study, as per water quality recommended by WHO and BIS standards, the tank water is not suitable for human consumption and most of the water quality parameters exceeded the permissible limit prescribed by WHO and Central pollution control Board standards. The present findings revealed that the surface quality of the water body is productive and eutrophic.