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Assessment of Physicochemical Parameters and Plankton Diversity in River Ravi, Pakistan
Asim Bilal, Tanveer ul Amin
Abstract:
Significant freshwater systems like rivers are useful in supporting agriculture, biodiversity, and the livelihood of human beings. The growing anthropogenic pressures, however, disrupt their ecological integrity. The current research studied planktonic biodiversity and water quality of the river Ravi in June-August 2024 at three sampling points, namely, Siphon, Shahdara, and Motorway Bridge (Babu Sabu Interchange). Analysis of the pH, conductivity, turbidity, total hardness, and total alkalinity of the water samples was done through the standardized protocol of APHA and AOAC. The population of the zooplankton and phytoplankton was determined using the compound microscope and Sedgwick-Rafter counting chambers. At the Shahdara, the highest turbidity (28 ± 3 NTU) and the lowest alkalinity (115 ± 5 mg/L CaCO3) were detected, which indicates the untreated domestic and industrial effluents. Brachionus sp. (Rotifera) that was prevailing in the samples is a member of the zooplankton and a bioindicator of organic pollution. Eutrophic situations are revealed by the Phytoplankton diversity, which includes Euglena, Holopedium, Cosmarium, and Pediastrum species. The results of the current research suggest that the degree of contamination of the River Ravi is moderate, and it is necessary to conduct frequent monitoring and efficient wastewater management actions to preserve and maintain aquatic biodiversity.
Keywords:
Plankton diversity, phytoplankton, river Ravi, water quality, zooplanktons, pollution
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