Benthic diversity of River Gomti in relation to the prevailing environmental conditions in Lucknow

To evaluate the benthic diversity of River Gomti in relation to the prevailing environmental conditions, four stations, viz., Maa Chandrika Devi, Daliganj, Ambedkar Park and Aquaduct, were identified from upstream to downstream along the course of the river in Lucknow. Dissolved oxygen was low on many occasions at all the stations except Maa Chandrika Devi and chemical oxygen demand values were high. There was a gradual increase in mean nitrite and phosphate values from up to downstream. Benthic fauna was dominated by oligochaetes and chironomus larvae. Other groups reported were leeches, nematodes, sponges, crustaceans, pelycypodes, gastropods and fish fry. Population density was exceptionally high at Daliganj (20,135 m sub(-1) ) followed by Ambedkar Park (5,199 m sub(-1)) and Aquaduct (3,287 m sub(-1)), and low at Maa Chandrika Devi (264 m sub(-1)). Oligochaete genera common at all the four stations were Lumbricillus, Limnodrillus, Branchiura, Chaetogaster, Nais and Tubifex. Odonates were reported only from Maa Chandrika Devi while sponges were encountered at Daliganj and Aquaduct. On some occasions, fish fry were also found at Ambedkar Park and Aquaduct. Seasonally, maxima for population density were observed during pre-monsoon and minima during monsoon. The organic pollution indicator benthic species reported were tubificids, chironomids, culicoid larvae, Lamellidens sp., Corbicula sp., Lymnaea sp. and leech. Branchiurans, Tubifex sp. and Chironomus larvae were reported at all the stations. Filthy condition with foul smell throughout the length of the river coupled with poor water quality and appearance of indicator organisms at all the stations indicate that the river is under severe pollution stress due to anthropogenic discharges and it has reached an alarming stage

Heavy metals in certain commercially important finfish off Mahim in Mumbai coastal waters

The coastal water of the metropolitan city of Mumbai has deteriorated due to the indiscriminate discharge of untreated sewage and industrial waste in huge quantities. Mahim creek is one such locality surrounded by a large number of industrial units discharging heavy metals. The accumulation of the heavy metals Cu, Cd, Zn and Pb in finfishes (Coilia dussumeri, Lepturacanthus savala, Harpodon nehereus and Johnieops elongates) from this locality along with that in the sediment was studied. The rate of accumulation of Cu was high compared to Cd, Zn and Pb. A gradual increase in the bioaccumulation of heavy metals was noticed in fishes with increase in average body weight and length, perhaps due to biomagnification. A declining trend in concentration of heavy metals horizontally from inshore to offshore was observed in these fishes

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Not AvailableDaliganj site of river Gomti receives sewage and industrial wastes from the thickly populated locality of Lucknow. The water quality was poor with higher nitrate (22.70 mg l-1) and phosphate (2.40 mg l-1). Chlorophyll 'a', 'b' and 'c' were high with Chlorophyceae being the dominant phytoplankton group comprised chiefly Closteridium, Cladophora, Gonatozygon and Cosmarium while zooplankton contents were low. Cladocerans (Moinodaphnia, Ceriodaphnia) and copepodes (Cyclops) dominated the zooplankton fauna. The benthic fauna which serves food for most of the bottom feeding fishes was exceptionally rich. High population density of benthos was due to oligochaetes (Lumbriculus, Limnodrilus, Branchiura, Chaetogaster, Nais and Tubifex) and Chironomus larvae. Branchiura, Tubifex, Chironomus and Diptera (Culicoid larvae), the organic pollution indicators, dominated the fauna. Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H) of benthic organisms was less than 1 for oligochaetes, Diptera, Coleoptra and Gastropoda indicating stressed environment. Though the benthic density was high, it may not contribute to the food chain. Relatively low abundance of plankton population and biomass in spite of high nutrient budget of the system appears to be due to the high infestation of water quality by pollutants suggesting extreme state of deterioration of water quality with non-conducive ecological regime for fisheries development.Not Availabl

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Not AvailablePotassium deficient inland saline (10 g L−1 salinity) well water was supplemented with muriate of potash to achieve 50% (57 mg L−1) and 100% (114 mg L−1) of seawater potassium concentration and used for the production of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Total mortality was observed in non-supplemented water within 6 days compared to 88.0% survival in K+100% and 85.3% survival in K+50% up to 60 days. P. monodon were subsequently cultured for 110 days in two identical 0.25-ha ponds supplied with water of 10 g L−1 and supplemented with the potassium equivalent of 35% of seawater. Survival and production were 55.8% to 64.25% and 157.70 kg (630.8 kg ha−1) to 172.75 kg (691 kg ha−1), respectively.Not Availabl