International Journal on Agricultural Sciences 7 (2) : 164-166, July-December 2016 Research Paper

ISSN No.: 0976-450X

Hydrobiological Studies of Muntjibpur Pond of Allahabad (U.P.)

ASHOK KUMAR VERMA

Department of Zoology,
Govt. P.G. College, Saidabad Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

Received: 30 August 2016; Revision: 11 October 2016 Accepted: 25 October 2016

ABSTRACT
The purpose of present study is to understand the hydrobiological properties of Muntjibpur pond. The
study was conducted during all the three seasons over a period of one year from Jan 2014 to Dec 2014.
Various hydrobiological parameters viz, temperature, pH, transparency, DO and BOD are analyzed with the
help of hydrobiological kits and standard chemical methods. Seasonally analysed samples indicated that the
water quality of the said pond is although having some pollution but is more or less suitable for aquaculture
and agricultural purposes.
Key words: Hydrobiological parameters, Muntjibpur pond, Fish biodiversity, Agricultural purpose.

INTRODUCTION study of fish biodiversity and physico-chemical factors

Limnology is the study of the physical, chemical,
geological and biological aspects of all naturally
occurring fresh water while hydrobiology is the study
of life in water. Freshwater habitats such as lakes,
ponds, dams, reservoirs are known as lentic (still) while
running water such as rivers, mountain streams are
known as lotic (flowing). The term 'pond' refers to a
relatively shallow body of water usually smaller than a
lake, contained in an earthen basin retaining sewage or
organic wastes.
In India, a number of ponds, lakes and reservoirs
are naturally found but they are not being utilized
properly due to lack of insufficient study of their
hydrobiology. The study of different water parameters
is very important for understanding the metabolic
events in the aquatic ecosystem. One of the most
important features of ponds is the presence of standing
water, which naturally provides habitat for wetland
plants and animals. A large number of invertebrates
feed on the decaying plants and these invertebrates in
turn provide food for wetland species including fishes.
Prakash et al (2015a and 2015b) and Verma et al
(2016a, 2016b, 2016c, 2016d and 2016e) conducted the
in a fresh water body. The said pond has rich fish
diversity too.
Present study is undertaken in all the three seasons of
year 2014 to analyze the hydrobiological properties of
Muntjibpur pond.
STUDY AREA
Muntjibpur pond is a natural pond, located on north
side of village Muntjibpur. This pond (Photo 1) is
surrounded by agricultural fields and covers more than
5000 square meters. It is located in Pratappur block of
Phoolpur tahsil of Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh.
This village is surrounded by Miraipur in east, Fatuhan
in west, Saidpur in north and Fulahan in south. The
month of March marks the start of summers and it lasts
till June. Monsoon generally starts in the month of July
and lasts till September. December to February is the
winter season in and around this village.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Water samples were collected monthly i.e. 12 times in a
year from the pond in all the three seasons viz. summer,

Corresponding author: akv.apexz@gmail.com

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International Journal on Agricultural Sciences 7 (2)
monsoon and winter during the year 2014.The
collection time was late morning. The pond water was
collected in a flask and brought to laboratory for further
examination. Hydrobiological parameters were carried
out in accordance with Golterman et al, (1978) and
Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Waste
Water described by American Public Health
Association (APHA, 2005). Hydrobiological
Table showing hydrobiological parameters in Muntjibpur pond in the year 2014.
Parameters Summer season
Temp (oC) 33.5
pH 8.1
Transparency (cm) 34.7
DO (mg/l) 7.5
BOD (mg/l) 7.2
similar results have also been reported by Anita et al
(2005), Narayana et al (2008), Jawale (2009) and
Prakash et al (2015a).
The pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of an
aqueous solution. Its different values at different areas in
all the three seasons of the year were significant. The
variation in pH is due to the presence or absence of free
carbon dioxide, carbonate and planktonic density. The
maximum pH was recorded in winter season while
minimum in monsoon season.
Transparency describes how easily light can pass through
a substance. In ponds, lakes this means how deep
sunlight penetrates through the water. Plants and algae
need sunlight to grow, so they are only able to grow in
165
ASHOK KUMAR VERMA 165
parameters were analyzed by using portable water
quality analyzer. Hydrobiological kits were tested by
using some chemical methods of water analysis.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The results of the hydrobiological properties of
Muntjibpur pond in all the three seasons during the year
2014 are presented in table given:
Water temperature is an important parameter because it
not only influences the physical and chemical
characteristics of water but also the biota in a water
body by affecting activities such as behavior,
respiration and metabolism. The maximum
temperature was recorded during summer and
minimum value was recorded during winter. In the
present investigation, lower temperature recorded in
winter may be due to high water level, less solar
radiation, low atmospheric temperature and the higher
temperature in summer because of low water level,
high solar radiation and clear atmosphere. Almost
Monsoon season Winter season
26.3 15.6
7.9 8.2
19.3 28.4
8.1 10.4
8.5 6.2
areas of lakes where the sun light penetrates. Water
transparency depends on the amount of particles in the
water. The more particles mean the less water
transparency. The water transparency is measured with a
Secchi disk. The transparency of water body is affected
by several factors like planktonic growth, rainfall, sun's
position in the sky, angle of incidence of rays, cloudiness,
visibility and turbidity due to suspended inert particulate
matter. In the present investigation, the maximum value
was recorded in summer and minimum value was
recorded in monsoon. Low value of transparency in
monsoon may be due to influx of rain water from
catchments area, clouding, less penetration of light and
high turbidity due to suspended inert particulates matter.
However, high value of transparency in summer may be
166 Hydrobiological Studies of Muntjibpur...
due to clear atmosphere and high light penetration. This
investigation is also close conformity with finding of
Kumar et al (2015) and Prakash et al (2015a).
The oxygen supply in water comes mainly from
photosynthetic activity of plants but also by atmospheric
diffusion. The dissolved oxygen (DO) is one of the most
important and limiting parameter of water quality
assessment, which maintains aquatic life. It regulates the
metabolic process of aquatic organisms. The maximum
dissolved oxygen was recorded in winter and minimum
dissolved oxygen was recorded in the summer season.
The highest dissolved oxygen in winter may be due to
low temperature and minimum dissolved oxygen in
summer may be due to high metabolic rate of organisms.
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is the amount of
dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological
organisms to break down organic material present in a
given water sample at certain temperature over a specific
time period. The study showed that BOD ranged from 6.2
mg/l to 8.5 mg/l i.e., minimum in winter and maximum in
monsoon. During monsoon, higher BOD values
attributed to the enhanced biological activity at higher
temperature.
CONCLUSION
The present study shows hydrobiological characteristics
in the water of Muntjibpur pond. The summer, monsoon
and winter season show different seasonal fluctuation in
various hydrobiological parameters. The water present in
the said pond is useful for irrigation as well as fish culture.
Seasonally analysed samples indicated that the water
quality of the said pond is although having some
pollution but is suitable for agricultural purposes also, as
it is rich in organic humus, planktons and nutrients.
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