SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN THE ZOOPLANKTON DIVERSITY OF BHIMA RIVER FLOWING THROUGH KHED TAHSIL

Abstract

The present paper deals with studies on the seasonal variation in the diversity. Zooplankton occurring in Bhima river flowing through Khed tahsil,District,Maharashtra.The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the river was analyzed for two consecutive years from Feb 2015to dec 2015.Samples collected at an interval of a month.10 sampling stations were selected Wada,Chas,Padali,Donde,ETP plant,Khadkeshvar,Retawadi, Sangamwadi on the basis of their topology, and various incoming water bodies join to main stream.The analysis of data showed marked difference in the water quality parameters at different sampling stations,which may be due to varying inputs discharged from different sites.In all total 20 species of zooplanktons belonging 4 classes viz.Rotifera,Cladocera,Copeopoda and Ostrocoda.The dominance of Rotifera was observed among all zooplankton groups in all seasons. Factors like water temperature, DO and alkalinity play animportant role in controlling the diversity. The study of seasonal variation of zooplankton analysis shows an average abundance of species in winter season,due to different environmental condition of water bodies.