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INTRODUCTION
Water is general solvent in living beings. All chemical reactions occurs in solutions from
about 97 % of earth’s water is in oceans. 2 % in glaciers and polar ices, 0.009 % in lakes,
0.00009 % in rivers and the residue in ground water Subrahmanyam, N.S. and A.V.S.S.
Sambamurthy, (2004). As these we use 1 % of total water present in the earth of various
purposes so it is our duty to maintain the quality of water resources. It is said that if we can
provide pure drinking water the 98% disease can run away automatically from the country
Kudesia, V.P. (2003). The maximum production is obtained when physico-chemical
factors are at optimum level Sinha and Srivastav, (1991). Water quality is paramount factor
in ecosystem productivity.
Plankton community is a heterogeneous group of tiny (Phytoplankton) and animals
(zooplanktons) adapted to suspension in the sea and fresh water Battish S. K. (1992).
Phytoplankton is a predominant type of a plant found in most water bodies.
Temperature is an important factor that influences biological function & nitrogen excretion
rates are influenced differently.Mudkhede, L.M. (2002).
Lake water quality parameters undergo seasonal changes and values are generally higher
during summer season.Purushottam J. Puri, M.K.N. Yenkie. (2010).
The rotifers invariably constitute a dominant component of freshwater zooplankton and
contribute significantly to their dynamics and production (Sharma, 1991). These organisms
are regarded as valuable bioindicator to depict the trophic status of water quality (Pejler
1989) and Bhandarkar W.R., Bhandarkar S.V., Murkute V.B. (2008).
Quality of an aqutic ecosystem is dependent of the physical and chemical qualities of water
and also on biological diversity of the system. Cairns and Dickson (1971), Jindal, S.and
Gusain, D (2007) stated that the analysis of biological materials alongwith chemical
characteristics of water forms a valid method of quality assessment.
Rotifer fauna of both the lakes appeared rich and diverse dominating the lake throughout
the study period. Rotifers have a remarkable quality that they are able to survive for long
periods in dried or frozen condition and will resume normal behaviour when rehydrated or
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thawed. Patil, G. P., G. T. Kedar and S. M. Yeole (2008).
McCombie (1953) and Jindal, S.and Gusain, D (2007) stated that temperature may affect
the seasonal cycle of phytoplankton in temperate zone. Similarly, Huchinson (1957)
mentioned that temperature is important in controlling both the quality and quantity of
planktonic flora.
The high pH values promoted the growth of phytoplankton and resulted in blooms. Similar
observations were found by George (1961), Prescott and Vinyard (1965), Nazneen (1980)
and Nandan and Patel (1992). A direct relationship between pH and phytoplankton density
have been reported by Blum (1956), Laxminarayana(1965), Verma and Mohanty (1995)
andJindal, S. and Gusain, D.(2007).
Charjan A.P., R.A. Malu, K.M. Kulkarni (2008) and Arora (1966).Stated that rotifer
species have been identified as indicators of water pollution. Several species of Brachionus
are recorded from highly polluted fresh water lake, Hussainsager, Hydrabad by Malathi et
al. (1998.) Varma and Datta (1987) reported eutrophication of water bodies on the basis of
Brachionus species.
R.J. Chavan, R.J.Sawant and C.J.Hiware (2004) Stated that the permissible limits of
colour, odour, taste, turbidity and temperature are mostly narrative and the water from the
present water body is acceptable for the drinking purpose. The permissible limit of pH for
potable water ranges within 6.0 to 8.5. In the present study pH ranged between 8.1 to
8.5withinThus PH valves are within permissible limits T.D.S. values are also within
permissible limit of drinking water standards (500 to 1500 mg/lit) suggested by WHO
(1984) and ISI (1973).
Ingole, S.B.stated (2009) thatpH of natural water is an important environmental factor, the
fluctuation of which are linked with the chemical changes, species composition and life
processes. It is generally considered as an index for suitability of the environment.
Dhere R. M. and J. M. Gaikwad stated that dissolved oxygen is one of the most important
factor in any aquatic ecosystem. The DO levels in natrual waters depend on the physical,
chemical and biological activities in the water body. The main source of DO are from the
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atmosphere and the photosynthetic process of the auatic green plants which produces a
district rise in the amount of oxygen. The importance of dissolved oxygen in aquatic
ecosystem in bringing out various biochemical changes and its effect on metabolic
activites of organisms was discussed by many ecologists Roy (1955), Laxminarayanan
(1965), David and Roy (1966), Pahwa and Mehrotra (1966), Saxena et. al. (1966), Mishra
and Yadav (1978) have discussed seasonal averages and fluctuations in dissolved oxygen.
Narayana, J.E.T. and Puttaiah and D. Stated that Electrical conductivity of an aqueous
solution is a measure of the ability to carry out an electric current. Oxygen is one of several
dissolved gases important to aquatic life. It is a primary and comprehensive indicator of
water quality in surface water (Teferi Abegaz et al., 2005). Nitrate and phosphate are
essential nutrients and regulate plants growth.
According to Jhingran and Sugunan (1990), Rajashekhar, A.V. andA. Lingaiah (2007) the
water with 0.2 – 0.5ppm of nitrates is of high productive reservoirs, up to 0.2ppm nitrates
is of medium productive reservoirs and in low productive reservoirs, the nitrates are
negligible.
Mullar R. M., Rajashekhar M. and Vijaykumar K. stated thatConductivity is the capacity
of substance or solution to conduct electrical current, most of the salts in water are present
in the ionic forms, capable of conducting electric current.
The present investigation accounts for the monthly variation of physic-chemical properties
of water, phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity, density and distribution in different
season and their interrelation with each other.
About the study area
Ahmedabad district was named after its main centre, Ahmedabad city. According to Mirate-Ahmedi,Ahmed shah, laid the foundation stone of Ahemdabad on 27th February, 1411,
on the advice of his spiritual guide Saint Sheikh Ahmed Khattu of Sarkhej. The city was
founded on the eastern banks ofthe Sabarmati river, Its lanes are broader and better
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planned as compared to other cities Ahmedabad city the heart of Gujarat. There are more
than 150 voluntary organizations engaged in social service in the district. Ahmedabad is
the nervecenter of Gujarat. According to some historians, Ahmedabad city was founded by
king Ahmed shahin the year 1410. The Sidi Saiyed ‘Jali’ is famous all over the world for
its carving. The Sabarmati Ashram, Gujarat vidyapith and central jail remind us of the days
of the freedom struggle Institutes like Physical Research Laboratory, Space Application
Centre and ATIRA have conducted many experiments and are world famous. In addition,
there are other worth seeing places like Kankaria, shahRoza Karnamukteshwar Mahadev
Temple, temple of Goddess Bhadrakali Shaking Minarets, SarkhejRoza, the ‘Dera’ temple
of Hathisingh, Balvatika the ‘vaav’(well) of Dada Hari etc. Ahmedabad district is located
between Latitude 23.03 N from Longitude 72.57 E
For the study the selected water bodies of surrounding which are as follows:
Lakes of Rural Area Of Ahemdabad District
Sr.N.
WATERBODIES
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Guma Lake
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Manipur Lake
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GodhaviLake
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Shela Lake
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5