Research article : Zoology
Wesleyan Journal of Research, Vol 2(1)
Some Traditionally Known Microscopic Organisms Used For Bioindication of
Habitat
D. Datta*, S. Chakraborty and G. Goswami
RKMVC College, Rahara, Kolkata- 700 118.
Dept of Environmental Science [DOE], Vidyasagar University, Midnapore721102.
Abstract:
Functioning of organisms is dependent on suitable niches. This property leads to choice of specific habitats, including different quality
of water and soil. Some of the organisms having streamlined habitat specificity, therefore, become Bioindicators. While working with
Bagjola canal, four such organisms are reported, namely Oscillatoria, Spirogyra, springtails and Paramoecium. These indicate presence of
high organic matter, some essential metals and minerals in the water and soil of Bagjola canal. Such organisms are, however, traditionally
known microscopic organisms.
Key Words: Habitat Specificity, Traditionally Known Organisms, Bagjola canal.
Introduction
For growth, reproduction, self-defense and other
physical activities, every organism prefers a particular
suitable habitat. It means, organisms have streamlined
habitat specificity for their life activities. In such habitats,
all environmental cues like physical, chemical factors of
soil and water, such as pH, light, oxygen and carbon-dioxide, essential metals and minerals etc. are available in
quantities suitable to promote their growth. This is true
since age old days, if not, since beginning of life. This is
our traditional concept. Simply, the explanations have
changed with the advancements of learning and/or
discoveries.
Many organisms prefer to grow in a rather clean habitat
(e.g. Spirogyra), where as many others want to grow in a
eutrophic habitat (e.g. Oscillatoria) (Chakraborty et al.,
2008). After prolonged observation, such habitat
preferences have been classified (Liebmann, 1962). Thus,
their appearance, activity and frequency indicate natural
condition, water quality, presence or absence of definite
minerals, metals and other factors. Such indicator organisms
are called Bio-indicators. Presence of such organisms helps
us to comprehend quality of the environment before getting
into any other technical assessment. This fact was focused
by respected Prof. H R Singh in the plenary of a National
Symposium on “Advances in Limnology ...” (Oct 23-25,
1989) at H N B Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal
(Singh, 1993). Lotic zooplanktons are used for
biomonitoring studies, as reported from studies on Damodar
River (Venkataraman and Nandi, 1997).
The canals take a vital part for transporting daily liquid
wastes - domestic and/or industrial. Kolkata having more
than eleven million inhabitants discharges an average of
1490 millions of municipal sewage everyday through more
than 14000 km of drains and canals (Saha et al., 2000).
Among canals present in Kolkata the most important canal
of the northern part of Kolkata city is Bagjola canal, which
takes the load of drainage water of five municipalities, viz.
– South Dum Dum, Panihati, Baranagar, Kamarhati and
North Dum Dum, covering an area of about 164 sq km. The
upper Bagjola canal has a length of about 38 km from its
origin (B T Road) to the river Vidyadhari at Kultigang.
Now it is suffering from proper treatment and failed to
discharge wastewater from local area.
Stagnant wastewater creates many diseases, bad-odour
as well as major impact on local environment. This
wastewater coming untreated from different backgrounds
(industries, homes, landfills, office, municipalities etc.),
passing through the canals, can create toxic organic
compounds in the local atmosphere. Garbages, including
Puja residues, dumped on the canal water adds to the
problem. Occurrence of some organisms can indicate about
the gross situation.
Material and Methods
The present study area is located under the ward no.
13 of South Dum Dum Municipality. In this region, a
wooden - bridge is situated for transportation between two
sides of the canal. An army camp is present at the east
region of the canal and many khatals (unhealthy diary) are
present on the other side, West region. .
Test of organisms:
Presence of different flora and fauna in the canal water
and adjacent soil were also studied under the compound
microscope without using any stain and recorded their name.
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Identification is done with the help of “Zoological Survey
of India”. Photographs are also taken.
For laboratory analysis of physical and chemical parameters of wastewater and adjacent soil, samples were collected in the month of April 2008, from two different littoral zones at three different times of the day. Parameters
recorded on the spot by proper techniques may be enlisted
as follows:
1. Colour of the water
2. Odour of the water
3. Total height of the canal
4. Temperature and climatic condition on the collection
day
5. Breadth of the canal
6. Height of the water level and sediments within canal
7. Temperature at different zones
8. Turbidity of the water
For laboratory analysis of some parameters (DO, BOD,
pH, Ca-hardness, oil and grease, residual free chlorine, sulphite, arsenic, lead, iron, nitrogen in form of nitrite and
ammonia, inorganic phosphate) samples were collected in
BOD bottles and in some glass containers.
For BOD and DO measurement, samples were fixed
with manganous sulphate (MnSO4) and potassium iodide
(KI) fixative. Samples were then taken to laboratory and
analysis started on the same day, by using standard methods
as outlined in APHA (American Public Health Association),
2005 and IS (Bureau of Indian Standards), 1999. Samples
were also further analyzed from a recognized laboratory.
Observations :
Observations under compound microscope show presence of different kinds of organisms. Among them, some
are known and some are unknown. The known specimens
are Oscillatoria, Spirogyra, springtails and Paramoecium,
spore etc. Oil drop’s and suspended debris are also found
here.
Results of the physico- chemical Parameters of the water
sample, from where the above-mentioned organisms were
collected, are shown below:
smell.
6. Total height of the canal: 7.315 meter from level
of the road.
7. Breadth of the canal: 24.384 meter between two
sides of the canal.
8. Height of the water level: within the canal 142.24
cm.
9. Height of the sediments: within canal was about
92 cm.
10. Turbidityof the water: 18 cm (Average).
(B) Chemical Parameters
11. pH of the water: pH of the water slightly differ
with respect to time and water flow. From data
recorded, it had been concluded that average pH
range of canal water is 6.85. Upper surface water
pH is 6.76 (Approx.) and lower surface water pH is
6.93 (Approx.). It indicates water is slightly acidic
in nature.
12. Dissolved Oxygen(DO) : DO in the canal water
was totally nil.
13. Biological Oxygen Demand (B O D): In case of
BOD at 27°C for 3-days, with respect to time and
different littoral zone of water, it also varied. BOD
of upper surface water is 132 mg/L and that of lower
surface water is 240 mg/L.
14. Hardness of water (CaCO 3) : Hardness is an
essential parameter for water quality judgment. It
is measured from the lower part of the water of
Bagjola canal. The measured hardness is due to
calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is 343.95 mg/L.
15. Results of metallic. non-metallic compounds:
Residual free chlorine:
<0.10 mg/lit
Sulphite (S03):
9 mg/lit
Arsenic:
<0.005 mg/lit
Lead as Pb:
0.09 mg/lit
Iron as Fe:
2.65 mg/lit
Nitrate nitrogen:
3.5 ppm
Ammonia nitrogen:
54 ppm
Inorganic phosphate:
5.34 ppm
(A) Physical parameters
1. Normal sunny summer day.
2. Day Temperature: 26 to 32°C.
3. Temperature of two littoral zones at 3 different
times: 22 - 30° C.
4. Colour of canal water: Dark Blackish, a clear indication of degraded water.
5. Odour of the water: The canal water possess a bad
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Photo Palate
Discussion
Presence of different organisms, spore and suspended
particulate matter under compound microscopic
observation indicates, water is degraded. Some organisms
play a role of bioindicator, and indicate the presence of
organic substances, essential nutrients, metals due to their
choice of habitat and growth. For instance, Oscillatoria
indicates high organic sewage pollutants, absence of
oxygen, septic noxious odour, floating sludge (Hoeck et
al., 1998; Chakraborty, 2008). Spirogyra indicates pH
range in between 5 to 8, presence of magnesium (Mg),
sulphur (S), huge amount of hydrogen-ion concentration,
presence of calcium carbonate (Mukherjee, 1996).
Paramoecium indicates presence of high organic load, fall
of DO, turbid and dark water; prefer temperature range 24 28°C (Odum, 1971). Springtail is a soil-arthropod under
the class insecta, order collembola, considered to be
fungivore (Dev Roy et al., 2007). They need heavy organic
matter in soil and moist condition. Some essential elements
which are necessary for its growth are carbon, oxygen,
nitrogen, hydrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium,
calcium, magnesium, iron (Stephen, 1997).
The level and mode of variations of turbidity,
suspended solids and colour were found to be largely
dependent on the amount of organic and inorganic matter
in suspension and the calmness of the water body (Jhingran,
1982). The colour of the canal water is blackish-dark which
may be due to presence of huge organic substances,
decomposition by microbial activity; otherwise it may be
due to presence of iron (Fe) and sulphide (S-), which may
from ferrous sulphide, blackish-dark in colour.
Turbidity of the water is 18 cm (Approx), which differ
from time to time depending on organic, inorganic and
suspended particles. The canal water creates a bad odour
due to presence of H2S (Hydrogen sulphide). Deposition
of high level of sediments, that is, siltinq, damage the
canal as stored water cannot release through the canal
quickly.
The average pH range of the upper surface of canal
water is 6.7 and lower surface water is 6.9. So, the water is
slightly acidic in nature. It may be due to presence of high
organic matter. Due to low depth of canal, pH is not much
varied.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) in the canal water is nil. So,
this water is unable to give shelter to aerobic aquatic life.
Because of absence of DO, Biological Oxygen Demand (B
O D) will be increasing. Average BOD of the upper surface
of canal water is about 132 mg/L and average BOD of the
lower surface of the canal water is about 240 mg/L.
This high range of BOD indicates high rate of organic
decomposition by microorganisms.
The average canal water hardness (CaCO3) is 343.95
mg/L. Hardness of water indicates water quality. Choice
for habitat by aquatic organisms some time depends on it.
Oil and grease present at 8.86 mg/L in the canal water,
which reduces light transmission through surface water and
hence photosynthesis by aquatic plants, DO in water and
causes damage to water birds, coastal plants and animals
(De, 2007). It also reduces evaporation, dissolution,
emulsification etc.
In the Bagjola canal water, Fe or Iron value is found
present at 2.65 mg/L. The possible sources of this Fe may
be due to acid mine drainage system.
In the canal water the range of lead is 0.09 mg / Lit.
The normal range of lead in domestic water is less than
0.05 mg / L. (De, 2007). It may be toxic, if present in minute
concentration (Cunninghum and Cunninghum, 2007).
In Bagjola canal water contains less than 0.005 mg / L
of Arsenic. It commonly occurs in the form of insecticide,
fungicide and herbicides. Arsenic is introduced into water
through the dissolution of minerals and ores from industrial
effluents and from atmospheric disposition, concentration
in groundwater (Park, 1997).
Sulphite (S03) concentration in this water is 9mg/Lit.
It may be present there in many forms like salt of sulphite
and bisulphate (HS0 3). Source of sulphite is sodium
amalgam, which reduces sulphite to Dithionite; formative
give thiosulphates.
Residual free chlorine (CL) value in canal water is
0.10 mg / L. NaCl, KCl, MgCl2 etc. are the usual sources.
Nitrate and phosphate values (N03-N 3.5 ppm, NH4-N 54
ppm and Pi 5.34 ppm) are suitable for growth of
photosynthetic algae (Nandan, 1996) and some lotic
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zooplankton (Venkataraman and Nandi, 1997).
It is evident that the four traditionally known
microscopic organisms indicate the degraded quality of
the canal water and adjacent soil, but still suitable for
agricultural purpose.
of the Principal, Swami Shukadevananda for necessary
laboratory facilities including computational works. The
last two authors (SC & GG) are indebted to Dept. of
Environmental Science (DOE), Vidyasagar University,
Midnapore, for necessary permission to continue the
curricular project work.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements are due to the Department of
Zoology, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary
College, Rahara, Kolkata, along with the kind permission
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