Assessment of water quality of Tapi river with reference to rotifera community

Abstract

The present work was aimed to study on water quality of Tapi river with reference to rotifera community. Various water quality parameters like, water temperature, pH, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate, nitrate, biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand were monitored during one year of study period (March-2015 to February-2016). Quantitative and qualitative analysis of rotifera community were also carried out. Correlation analysis was also performed to understand the relationship among the water quality parameters and rotifera abundance. The present study revealed that among all selected water quality parameters, phosphate and BOD values were found higher at downstream stretch of Tapi river. During present study, total 17 genera of rotifers were recorded and abundance of rotifers were found varied according to various abiotic and biotic factors of Tapi river ecosystem. Population of rotifers were recorded higher in months of monsoon and post-monsoon at downstream stretch of Tapi river indicating higher load of organic matter.