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Effects of Water Quality on Phytoplankton Biomass in Balu River, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bhuiyan M. A. H.
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

M. R. Islam
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

S. A. M. S. Islam
Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Division, Institute of Food and Radiation Biology (IFRB), AERE, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Savar, Dhaka-1349, Bangladesh

A. Kowser
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

M. Mohid
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

S. A. Kakoly
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

M. Khondker
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The Balu River is a peripheral river of Dhaka Metropolis and like other rivers, its water quality is also highly vulnerable to pollution. In the present study, the effects of water quality parameters on the phytoplankton biomass have been studied for six climatic seasons of the year. The results obtained were compared with two other rivers of Dhaka Metropolis namely, Buriganga and Turag. Balu River showed water quality characters almost comparable with two other rivers. The phytoplankton biomass as chlorophyll a (chl- a) was found to be correlated directly with air and water temperature and alkalinity of the water. However, a weak positive correlation was obtained between chl-a and Secchi depth and free CO₂ concentration. Nitrate nitrogen showed a weak negative correlation with chl-a and phaeopigment and phytoplankton total density. The high fluctuation was observed in the concentration of DO (0.20 - 4.50 mg/l) and free CO₂ (0.06 - 2.90 mg/l) throughout the seasons. Soluble reactive phosphorus ranged from 30 - 1248 µg/l and chl-a ranged from 6.77 -32.60 µg/l. Phytoplankton density ranged 1178 - 7409×10³ ind./l over the study year. Watercolor ranged from light blue to dark black. The depth of visibility as Secchi depth varied from 15.24 - 81.28 cm whilst the water depth of the studied station Paschim Gaon of Balu River ranged from 4.57 - 7.92 m. Air and water temperature ranged from 25.4 - 36.5°C and 23.4 - 32.3°C, respectively.

Keywords: Phytoplankton; Balu River; Water quality; Biomass.

Location: Balu River originates from Paruli River and Sutia River in Gazipur District

Start Date: 00-00-2017

End Date: 00-00-2018

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: River

Objectives:

To study some selected water quality parameters at Paschim Gaon Station of Balu River.

Methodology:

The present investigation was carried out at a point situated in the main course of the Balu River. Balu River originates from Paruli River and Sutia River in Gazipur District and passes through a number of low-lying areas and Beel Belai of Dhaka and finally meets the River Sitalakhsya at Demra. So, actually, it is a small tributary of Sitalakhsya River and 44 km in length. Balu River has got also an indirect connection with the Turag River via Tongi Khal. During flooding season, the Balu River carries floodwater from Sitalakhsya and Turag (Chowdhury 2012). For collecting samples in the Balu River, one permanent perennial station named Paschim Gaon has been fixed. The station was visited in the years of 2017 and 2018; and at least once in each of the 6 climatic seasons of Bangladesh as stated in ‘Geography of Bangladesh’ (Rashid 1998). Detail information on methodologies applied for collecting samples of water and plankton, instruments used for carrying out in situ for laboratory measurements, quantification of plankton, etc. To preceed quantification of phytoplankton, at first qualitative analysis was done with the help of a Zeiss Phase Contrast Microscope with photographic attachment (Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 10, 07745 Jena, Germany, Model-Axio. LabA1). Phytoplankton taxa appeared in the samples collected from the river were identified with the help of national and international publications (Ahmed et al. 2008, Ling and Tyler 2000, Dillard 1989, Prescott 1982). The quantification was carried out at 400× under a Nikon Students Microscope, Japan. The total density of phytoplankton was then calculated to individuals per liter of the river water. The effect of various water quality parameters on the phytoplankton biomass as chl-a was determined by Pearson’s Cor elation Analysis.

Source of Information: J. biodivers. conserv. bioresour. manag. 6(1), 2020

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcbm.v6i1.51330

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Balu River is a drainage channel of running water ecosystem near Dhaka Metropolis, holding characteristic features of urban rivers. Its water quality is comparable with two other important rivers namely, Buriganga and Turag with few exceptions. It differs from the river Buriganga having a high TDS value and from Turag having improved transparency and phytoplankton density. The trend of annual fluctuation of DO for a contaminated urban section of rivers (i.e., from a lower value closer to anoxia to a moderate or high value) is quite evident in the case of Balu River (Table 4). Slight bluish to dark black watercolor, high values of TDS and electrical conductivity, alkalinity and SRP, and a relatively low chl- a suggests intensive industrial discharge and domestic and agricultural contamination of the river water.

Knowledge Management: Journal