Biomonitoring as a tool in assessing the water quality of Ghodha Pachad Dam (district Bhopal, M.P.) during summer season

Abstract

Macrozoobenthos comprise an important group of aqua fauna by way of their contribution to ecosystem stability, besides acting as potential bio indicators of trophic status. Numerous plants and animals that have benthic aquatic and terrestrial components-which are essential for life-find habitat in rivers. The Ghodha Pachad Dam, which is found in the Bhopal district\'s Huzur tehsil, was the subject of the current study. Rainwater is the primary source of water for this dam. In this investigation, two sampling locations were used. To determine the Ghodha Pachad Dam\'s level of contamination, samples were taken and examined. The study\'s objective was to evaluate the water quality using Macrozoobenthos. Utilizing the BMWP and ASPT Scoring Index as well as physicochemical characteristics recommended by APHA, the water quality was evaluated. A total of 21 species of macrozoobenthos were observed in Ghodha Pachad Dam belonging to three phyla viz., phylum Arthropoda, phylum Mollusca and phylum Annelida BMWP and ASPT scores, combined with biological and physico-chemical characteristics of the water, can be used to correlate the level of contamination at the dam.