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Plankton diversity and water quality assessment of three freshwater lakes of Mandi (Himachal Pradesh, India) with special reference to planktonic indicators

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Abstract

The present study deals with the limnobiotic status of three selected lakes of Himachal Pradesh using physicochemical and biological parameters (especially phytoplankton and zooplankton) over a period of 2 years. One hundred forty-eight species belonging to nine groups of phytoplankton and 79 species belonging to five groups of zooplankton were identified from the lakes. Trophic level and the pollution status of the lakes were assessed upon the basis of Shannon diversity index (H′), species richness index (S), and physicochemical parameters. Plankton population size was correlated with biotic and abiotic parameters (pH, alkalinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, transparency, phosphate, chloride, and nitrate). The present investigation revealed that the distribution of plankton species depended upon the physicochemical parameters of the environment. Based on water quality standards given by the Central Pollution Control Board, the water quality was between “A–B” at Prashar wetland, “C–D” at Kuntbhyog Lake, and “D–E” at Rewalsar Lake. The results from the present study indicated that the potential of planktons as bioindicators of trophic status is very high.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Prof. Neelma R. Kumar, Chairperson, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, for providing laboratory facilities; University Grants Commission, New Delhi, for SAP-DRS-II grants; and to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi (U. B. Singh), for providing financial assistance in the form of Junior Research Fellowship and Senior Research Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    R. K. Thakur & R. Jindal

  2. Laboratory of Algal Biology and Diversity, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Uday Bhan Singh & A. S. Ahluwalia

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  1. R. K. Thakur
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  2. R. Jindal
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Correspondence to R. K. Thakur.

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Thakur, R.K., Jindal, R., Singh, U.B. et al. Plankton diversity and water quality assessment of three freshwater lakes of Mandi (Himachal Pradesh, India) with special reference to planktonic indicators. Environ Monit Assess 185, 8355–8373 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3178-3

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