Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

SURVEY OF ROTIFERS TO EVALUATE THE WATER QUALITY OF THE RIVER GADHI AND ITS RESERVOIR

Minakshi N. Gurav and Madhuri K. Pejaver

Abstract

The rotifer diversity was studied for a period of 16 months for River Gadhi and its reservoir. The diversity and density was found to be abundant at downstream sites, especially at the sites which receive domestic sewage. The Deharang reservoir which was situated upstream was away from anthropogenic activities. This site showed very less density and diversity of rotifers. The Brachionus calyciflorus contributed more in the total density of rotifers towards downstream. Most of the species of Brachionus were confined to the downstream. The restriction of B. paracollurella and B. patulus at upstream may suggest their preference to the clean water. The correlation studies indicated the strong correlation between rotifers and nitrates and phosphates, however, the relation was found to be negative with silicates. Phytoplankton density and rotifers were also very strongly correlated. The study indicated that rotifers are the indicators of nutrient rich water which are the representative of domestic pollution.