Authors : Umesh B. Kakde and Shashikant R. Sitre
Page Nos : 252-259
Description :
The water quality and impact of re-circulated hot water on the ecology of storage reservoir and its suitability for industrial use has been studied in the present investigation. The species diversity, density, dominance and distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton were studied from different locations with respect to water quality. The water quality parameters, which were monitored during the study period, include temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, alkalinity, turbidity and heavy metals like Copper, Zinc, Lead, Chromium, Nickel, Iron, and Silicon. From the basic biological data, various pollution indices like Palmers algal pollution index, and Shannon-Weiner index were calculated to quantify the water quality of the water bodies. Forty-seven different species of phytoplankton represented by four different groups were recorded. Members of Bacillariophyceae were dominant (Synedra, Nitzschia), followed by members of Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae. It is observed that Shannon Weaver Diversity Index value ranges from 3.31 to 3.63, while Palmer’s Pollution Index value ranges from 32- 36. The Diatoms were found in high concentration as compared to green algae and blue green algae. Twenty-one different zooplankton species represented by seven different groups were recorded. The enriched status of reservoir water was indicated by occurrence of Ostracoda group. The Shannon Weaver Diversity Index value for zooplanktons was recorded ranging between 2.57 to 3.42. The part of the wetland near the effluent disposal point of the thermal power plant was observed to be ecologically deteriorated because of increased temperature and concentration of heavy metals in the water due to leaching effects of fly- ash slurry. No algae, zooplankton and other biological components were recorded at the disposal point. However a gradual recovery of water quality was observed from disposal point to opposite point of the reservoir, from where water is taken for the reuse of thermal power plant for various purposes. The present study points out the enriched status of reservoir water with varied and diverse forms present.
Keywords: Wetland, Thermal Power Plant, Phytoplankton, Zooplanktons, Wastewater, Heavy Metals, Diversity
