Effect of Polluted and Non-Polluted Water on Zooplankton Diversity at Tropical Palustrine Habitat, Central Gujarat, India

Based on findings, studied ponds were categorized as Polluted (PP) & Non-Polluted (NP). Almost all the water quality parameters were found within prescribed limits at NP, whereas most of them were observed beyond the permissible limits at PP. At PP, Correlation Coefficient Matrix (r) revealed strong positive correlation between T & TA, pH & TS, DO & TH, TS & TSS, TSS & Ca, TDS & Mg, PA & CB, TA with Cl & SL, CB & Ca, BC & Nitrate, TH & Ca with Cr, Mg & Fe, Cl & SL, SL & Sulfate, Sulfate & Phosphate, Phosphate & Nitrate, and Nitrate & Cr with Fe.

While at NP, strong positive association was observed in following parameters (PA with pH & TSS, TA & TDS, CB with pH, TSS & PA, TH & TS, Ca & DO, Mg & TH, Sulfate & CB, Phosphate & Mg, Nitrate with Temperature, TA, BC, Cl, SL & Phosphate, Cr & Nitrate, and Fe with Ca & Sulfate. Overall, five classes of zooplankton were reported viz. Rhizopoda (RP), Zooflagellata (ZF), Rotifera (RF), Copepoda (CP), and Ciliophora (CF).

Of which, CP was observed only at PP, and CF at NP. 12 species was documented at PP (1: Abundant, 7: Common, 4: Rare), while only 9 species were reported (1: Abundant, 4: Common & Rare each) at NP. This may be due to blooming of pollution indicator species of zooplankton, exclusively represented by CP in waters of PP. At PP, Correlation Coefficient Matrix (r) revealed strong positive correlation between TS & RP, Cr & ZF, TSS & RF, and TH & CP.

Contrarily, FC did not exhibit any correlation with none of the zooplankton. Strikingly, CB & Phosphate favored RP & RF, Mg to ZF, and Fe to ZF & CP. At NP, DO showed strong positive correlation with CF, TS with RP & RF, and Cr with ZF.

Interestingly, pH & Cr showed null correlation with RF. Here also, FC did not exhibit any correlation with none of the zooplankton classes. As a part of conservation and management strategies, central water treatment plant should be installed at PP to eliminate the pollution indicator species of zooplankton to revive the affluent status of water body for enduring sustainability of a tropical palustrine aquatic ecosystem of Central Gujarat, India.