Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Selected freshwater fish species for assessing the water quality of the lower catchment of the Kelani River, Sri Lanka

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Kelani River is the most polluted river in Sri Lanka and the lower catchment is more polluted than the upper catchment. In the present study, freshwater fish species of the lower catchment of the river were investigated for the use of assessing the water quality. Cast net sampling and identification recorded 34 freshwater fish species from the lower catchment, the majority represented by family Cyprinidae. Fish species richness, diversity indices, distribution, abundance and the regression analysis of fish species with water quality parameters revealed high sensitivity and tolerance of three fish species with certain water quality parameters. Dawkinsia singhala was tolerant to the fluctuations of the chemical parameters of the water, while Rasbora daniconius and Pethia reval were tolerant to the physical parameters. Positive correlations were evident between the ammonium and phosphate concentrations of the water and distribution and abundance of D. singhala, while R. daniconius and P. reval showed positive correlations with turbidity of water and pH value respectively. Furthermore, the study reveals that D. singhala is more suitable for predicting the water quality of urban and peri-urban locations of the river, while P. reval and R. daniconius are more suitable for assessing the water quality of rural locations. Thus, the present study reveals a strong possibility of using D. singhala, R. daniconius and P. reval, as biological indicators for assessing the variation of water quality of the lower catchment of the Kelani River. However, despite the fact that such a study has been conducted for the first time in Sri Lanka, it is restrained by certain limitations, and seasonal variations of water quality parameters with fish parameters, adaptations inherent to fish species and food availability in different locations combined with long-term monitoring of fish assemblages have not been considered. Future studies investigating these aspects will further enhance the value of the study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and material

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author (CDD).

References

  • Aazami, J., Esmaili-Sari, A., Abdoli, A., Sohrabi, H., & Van den Brink, P. J. (2015). Monitoring and assessment of water health quality in the Tajan River, Iran using physicochemical, fish and macroinvertebrates indices. Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering, 13(29). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40201-015-0186-y

  • Abeysinghe, N. M. DE. A., & Samarakoon, M. B. (2017). Analysis of variation of water quality in Kelani River, Sri Lanka. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2(6), 2770-2775. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijeab/2.6.1

  • Abhijna, U. G., & Kumar, A. B. (2017). Development and evaluation of fish index of biotic integrity (F-IBI) to assess biological integrity of a tropical lake Veli-Akkulam, South India. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 5(3), 153–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amarasinghe, U. S., Vijverberg, J., Weliange, W. S., & Vos, M. (2014). Food-web patterns and diversity in tropical fish communities. Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and Management, 19, 56–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/lre.12056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Public Health Association (APHA). (2012). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation, Washington D.C.

  • Amoatey, P., & Baawain, M. S. (2019). Effects of pollution on freshwater aquatic organisms. Water Environment Research, 91, 1272–1287. https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.1221

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Authman, M. M. N., Zaki, M. S., Khallaf, E. A., & Abbas, H. H. (2015). Use of fish as bio-indicator of the effects of heavy metals pollution. Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development, 6(4), 328. https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9546.1000328

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayllón, D., Almodóvar, A., Nicola, G. G., Parra, I., & Elvira, B. (2012). A new biological indicator to assess the ecological status of Mediterranean trout type streams. Ecological Indicators, 20, 295–303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.02.028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbour, M. T., Gerritsen, J., Snyder, B. D., & Stribling, J. B. (1999). Rapid bioassessment protocols for use in streams and wadeable rivers: Periphyton, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington D.C.

  • Central Environmental Authority. (1992). Environmental quality standards and designation of water use in Sri Lanka. Government of Sri Lanka, Ministry of Environment and Parliamentary Affairs.

  • Chandimala, J., & Zubair, L. (2007). Predictability of stream flow and rainfall based on ENSO for water resources management in Sri Lanka. Journal of Hydrology, 335, 303–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2006.11.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chovanec, A., Hofer, R., & Schiemer, F. (2003). Fish as bioindicators. In B. A. Markert, A. M. Breure, & H. G. Zechmeister (Eds.), Bioindicators and Biomonitors (pp. 639–676). Elsevier Science Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corsi, I., Mariottini, M., Sensini, C., Lancini, L., & Focardi, S. (2003). Fish as bioindicators of brackish ecosystem health: Integrating biomarker responses and target pollutant concentrations. Oceanologica Acta, 26, 129–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0399-1784(02)01237-9

  • Deraniyagala, P. E. P. (1952). A coloured atlas of some vertebrates from Ceylon (Vol. 1). Ceylon Natural Museum Publications, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Silva, M. M. G. T., Weerakoon, S. B., Herath, S., Ratnayake, U. R., & Mahanama, S. (2012). Flood inundation mapping along the lower reach of Kelani River Basin under the impact of climate change. Engineer, 45(2), 23–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • do Prado, M. R., de Carvalho, D. R., Alves, C. B. M., Moreira, M. Z., & Pompeu, P. S. (2020). Convergent responses of fish belonging to different feeding guilds to sewage pollution. Neotropical Ichthyology, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2019-0045

  • Duque, G., Gamboa-Garcia, D. E., Molina, A., & Cogua, P. (2020). Effect of water quality variation on fish assemblages in an anthropogenically impacted tropical estuary, Colombian Pacific. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27, 25740–25753. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08971-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Egertson, C. J., & Downing, J. A. (2004). Relationship of fish catch and composition to water quality in a suite of agriculturally eutrophic lakes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 61, 1784–1796. https://doi.org/10.1139/F04-109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fayas, C. M., Abeysingha, N. S., Nirmanee, K. G. S., Samaratunga, D., & Mallawatantri, A. (2019). Soil loss estimation using rusle model to prioritize erosion control in KELANI river basin in Sri Lanka. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 7, 130–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2019.01.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernando, C. H., & Weerawardhane, S. R. (2002). Sri Lankan freshwater fauna and fisheries. Kitchener, ON, Canada.

  • Gandhewar, S. S., Zade, S. B., Sitre, S., & Satyanarayan, S. (2012). Acute toxicity bioassay of copper on the freshwater fish Rasbora daniconius. Indian Journal of Environmental Protection, 32(2), 158–162.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gebrekiros, S. T. (2016). Factors affecting stream fish community composition and habitat suitability. Journal of Aquaculture &Marine Biology, 4(2), https://doi.org/10.15406/jamb.2016.04.00076

  • Goonatilake, S. de A., Perera, N., Silva, G. D., Weerakoon, D., & Mallawatantri, A. (2016). Natural resource profile of the Kelani River Basin, International Union for Conservation of Nature Sri Lanka Country Office and Central Environment Authority, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 38 p.

  • Harris, J. M., & Vinobaba, P. (2012). Impact of water quality on species composition and seasonal fluctuation of planktons of Batticaloe lagoon, Sri Lanka. Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7625.1000117

  • Ikhwanuddin, M. E. M., Amal, M. N. A., Shohaimi, S., Hasan, H. H., & Jamil, N. R. (2016). Environmental influences on fish assemblages of the upper Sungai Pelus, Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana, 45(10), 1487–1495.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ileperuma, O. A. (2000). Environmental pollution in Sri Lanka: A review. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 28(4), 301–325.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isangedighi, I. A., & David, G. S. (2019). Heavy metals contamination in fish: Effects on human health. Journal of Aquatic Science and Marine Biology, 2(4), 7–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson, P. C., Hansen, G. J. A., Bethke, B. J., & Cross, T. K. (2017). Disentangling the effects of a century of eutrophication and climate warming on freshwater lake fish assemblages. PLoS ONE, 12(8), e0182667. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182667

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jayaneththi, H. B., & Suranga, W. D. P. (2014). Preliminary study on Pethia reval, Meegaskumbura, Silva, Maduwage & Pethiyagoda (2008), and other related ichthyofauna of Attanagaluoya River Basin, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Naturalist, 11–14.

  • Katupotha, J., & Gamage, S. (2020). Understanding the river basin classification of Sri Lanka. WILDLANKA, 8(4), 175–197.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, M., Chaminda, G. G. T., & Honda, R. (2020). Seasonality impels the antibiotic resistance in Kelani River of the emerging economy of Sri Lanka. npj Clean Water, 3(12). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-020-0058-6

  • Kuruppuarachchi, H. D., & Pathiratne, A. (2020). Toxic hazards of industrial waste receiving canal system in the lower catchment of Kelani River Basin, Sri Lanka. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 48(1), 37–47. https://doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v48i1.9932

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J. C., Woodford, D. J., & Snow, G. C. (2019). Evaluating the effectiveness of freshwater fishes as bio-indicators for urban impacts in the Crocodile (West) catchment, South Africa. Water SA, 45(3), 477–486. https://doi.org/10.17159/wsa/2019.v45.i3.6745

  • Li, L., Zheng, B., & Liu, L. (2010). Biomonitoring and bioindicators used for river ecosystems: Definitions, approaches and trends. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 2, 1510–1524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2010.10.164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lokhande, M. V. (2017). Oxygen consumption and behavior surveillance in the freshwater fish Rasbora daniconius exposed to dimethoate. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 5(2), 712–716.

    Google Scholar 

  • López-López, E., & Sedeño-Dίaz, J. E. (2015). Biological indicators of water quality: The role of fish and macroinvertebrates as indicators of water quality. In R. H. Armon & O. Hänninen (Eds.), Environmental Indicators (pp. 643–661). Springer Science + Business Media.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Magurran, A. E. (1988). Ecological diversity and its measurement. Princeton University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mahagamage, M. G. Y. L., & Manage, P. M. (2018). Socio-economic background of the head and transitional regions of the Kelani River Basin, Sri Lanka. Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences, 20(3), 744–756.

    Google Scholar 

  • Margalef, R. (1958). Temporal succession and spatial heterogeneity in phytoplankton. In Buzzati-Traverso (Eds), Perspectives in marine biology (pp. 323–347). University of California Press, Berkeley.

  • Martin-Smith, K. M., & Laird, L. M. (1998). Depauperate freshwater fish communities in Sabah: The role of barriers to movement and habitat quality. Journal of Fish Biology, 53, 331–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohan, D. S., Arumugam, S., & Ramaiah, S. (2018). Diversification and microscopic structure of tissues in endemic and endangered species of Dawkinsia tambraparniei from the river Tamiraparani, Tamil Nadu, India. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(2), 6570–6583. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0896-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohate, P. B., & Jagtap, J. T. (2018). Toxicity and behavioural changes in freshwater fish Rasbora danicoinus exposed to tributyltin oxide. International Journal of Science and Research, 7(10), 968–972. https://doi.org/10.21275/ART20191784

  • Mondal, R., & Bhat, A. (2020). Temporal and environmental drivers of fish-community structure in tropical streams from two contrasting regions in India. PLoS ONE, 15(4), e0227354. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227354

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J. A., Lew, A. A., Cunningham, J. A., & Kachuba, M. (1997). Fish communities as indicators of environmental quality in the West River Watershed. Yale School of the Environment Bulletin Series, 100, 178–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munro, I. S. R. (1955). The marine and fresh water fishes of Ceylon. Halstead Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagar, K. C., & Sharma, M. S. (2016). Food and feeding habits of two hill stream fishes i.e. Rasbora daniconius and Noemachielus botia in selected streams of Southern Rajasthan, India. Research Journal of Animal, Veterinary and Fishery Sciences, 4(6), 7–14.

  • Naigaga, I., Kaiser, H., Muller, W. J., Ojok, L., Mbabazi, D., Magezi, G., & Muhumuza, E. (2011). Fish as bioindicators in aquatic environmental pollution assessment: A case study in Lake Victoria wetlands, Uganda. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 36, 918–928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2011.07.066

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Narangoda, S. R. C. N. K., Dangalle, C. D., & Amarathunga, A. A. D. (2020). Variation of physico chemical characteristics of upper catchment of Kelani river basin using multivariate analysis. Proceedings of the GARI Winter Multidisciplinary Symposium, 2020, 99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palacio-Nứñez, J., Verdứ, J. R., Galante, E., Jimѐnez-Garcίa, D., & Olmos-Oropeza, G. (2007). Birds and fish as bioindicators of tourist disturbance in springs in semi-arid regions in Mexico: A basis for management. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 30, 29–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pathan, T. S., Sonawane, D. L., & Khillare, Y. K. (2009). Toxicity and behavioural changes in freshwater fish Rasbora daniconius exposed to paper mill effluent. Botany Research International, 2(4), 263–266.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pathiratne, A., Chandrasekera, L. W. H. U., & Pathiratne, K. A. S. (2009). Use of biomarkers in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to assess the impacts of pollution in Bolgoda Lake, an urban water body in Sri Lanka. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 156(361). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0490-4

  • Perera, P. A. C. T., Sundarabarathy, T. V., Sivananthawerl, T., Kodithuwakku, S. P., & Edirisinghe, U. (2016). Arsenic and cadmium contamination in water, sediments and fish is a consequence of paddy cultivation: Evidence of river pollution in Sri Lanka. Achievements in the Life Sciences, 10, 144–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.als.2016.11.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pethiyagoda, R. (1991). Freshwater fishes of Sri Lanka. Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  • Pielou, E. C. (1996). The measurement of diversity in different type of biological collections. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 13, 131–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-5193(66)90013-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plessl, C., Otachi, E. O., Körner, W., Avenant-Oldewage, A., & Jirsa, F. (2017). Fish as bioindicators for trace element pollution from two contrasting lakes in the Eastern Rift Valley, Kenya: Spatial and temporal aspects. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24, 19767–19776. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9518-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pokharel, K. K., Basnet, K. B., Majupuria, C. C., & Baniya, C. B. (2018). Correlations between fish assemblage structure and environmental variables of the Seti Gandaki river basin, Nepal. Journal of Freshwater Ecology, 33(1), 31–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2017.1399170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Premarathna, K. I. R., & Pathiratne, A. (2018). Characterization of tissue specific cholinesterases in native fishes, Rasbora daniconius and Dawkinsia singhala: Their sensitivity to the heavy metal, copper. Proceedings of the 3rd International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, pp.7.

  • Ranmadugala, B. H. S., Wijeratne, E. M. S., & Pitawala, A. (2007). Modelling of saltwater intrusion in Kelani River Estuary. Proceedings of the 25th Anniversary Scientific Conference of NARA on Tropical Aquatic Research Towards Sustainable Development, Sri Lanka. pp. 55.

  • Ruvinda, K. M. S., & Pathiratne, A. (2020). Use of liver histological alterations and erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities of two native fish species in Kelani river, Sri Lanka as biomarkers for pollution impact assessments. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 48(1), 15–26. https://doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v48i1.9937

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sajen, S. H., Palanikani, R., Devi, K. S. S., Selvanayagi, S. V., Shakila, A. A. S. M., & Soranam, R. (2020). Food partitioning of five cyprinid fish species in the Chittar River, South Western Ghats, India. Iranian Journal of Ichthyology, 7(3), 265–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sangve, K. B. (2020). Behavioural study of freshwater fishes Rasbora daniconius and Puntius saphore exposed to sodium fluoride. International Research Journal of Science and Engineering, 8(2), 59–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spychalski, P., Poradowski, D., & Chrószcz, A. (2020). Histological and electrophoretic analysis of Carpathian barbell (Barbus carpathicus, Cyprinidae) skin and mucus in environmental context. Animals, 10, 645. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040645

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sumith, J. A., Munkittrick, K. R., & Athukorale, N. (2011). Fish assemblage structure of two contrasting stream catchments of the Mahaweli river basin in Sri Lanka: Hallmarks of human exploitation and implications for conservation. The Open Conservation Biology Journal, 5, 25–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Surasinghe, T., Kariyawasam, R., Sudasinghe, H., & Karunarathna, S. (2020). Challenges in biodiversity conservation in a highly modified tropical river basin in Sri Lanka. Water, 12(26). https://doi.org/10.3390/w12010026

  • Treeck, R. V., Wichelen, J. V., & Wolter, C. (2020). Fish species sensitivity classification for environmental impact assessment, conservation and restoration planning. Science of the Total Environment, 708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135173

  • Velu, V., & Uthandakalaipandian, R. (2017). Confinement of micronucleus on Dawkinsia tambraparniei by the paradoxical effect of the arsenic derivatives. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 10(8), 377–380. https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2017.v10i8.19074

  • Vijverberg, J., van der Land, M. A., Vreeke, A., Amarasinghe, B. P. B., & Kortmulder, K. (2019). Availability of animal food organisms and their utilization by cyprinids in Sri Lankan hill-stream pools. Sri Lanka Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 24(2), 53–63. https://doi.org/10.4038/sljas.v24i2.7567

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • West, D. W., Boubée, J. A. T., & Barrier, R. F. G. (1997). Responses to pH of nine fishes and one shrimp native to New Zealand freshwaters. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 31(4), 461–468. https://doi.org/10.1080/00288330.1997.9516779

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wijeyaratne, D., & Pathiratne, A. (2006). Acetylcholinesterase inhibition and gill lesions in Rasbora caverii, an indigenous fish inhabiting rice field associated waterbodies in Sri Lanka. Ecotoxicology, 15(7), 609–619. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-006-0101-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zahangir, M. M., Haque, F., Mostakim, G. M., & Islam, M. S. (2015). Secondary stress responses of zebrafish to different pH: Evaluation in a seasonal manner. Aquaculture Reports, 2, 91–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2015.08.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Environmental Studies Division, NARA, for providing research facilities and support in fieldwork.

Funding

The research was funded by the National Aquatic Resources Research & Development Agency, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Sri Lanka.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Environment Science, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Colombo 03, 00300, Sri Lanka

    Chandima N. K. Narangoda & Chandima D. Dangalle

  2. Environmental Studies Division, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, Crow Island, Colombo 15, 01500, Sri Lanka

    Chandima N. K. Narangoda & Deeptha Amarathunga

Authors
  1. Chandima N. K. Narangoda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chandima D. Dangalle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Deeptha Amarathunga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chandima D. Dangalle.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Narangoda, C.N.K., Dangalle, C.D. & Amarathunga, D. Selected freshwater fish species for assessing the water quality of the lower catchment of the Kelani River, Sri Lanka. Environ Monit Assess 194, 650 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10319-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10319-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation