ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND ZOOPLANKTON COMMUNITY OF RIVER ALAKNANDA AT GARHWAL REGION UTTARAKHAND

Zooplanktons are aquatic organisms that are bioindicators of the functioning of any aquatic ecosystem. River Alaknanda is a perineal river and receives water throughout the year. Four sampling locations were taken for the evaluation of this river. This study was executed during 2018-2019, standard procedures were embraced from sample collection to water analysis during the monitoring of the river. Water samples were collected in polyethylene sample bottles and zooplankton species were collected by using a plankton net and preserved for further analysis. A total of 19 zooplankton species were noted belonging to four zooplankton phyla viz. Cladocera (6 species), Copepoda (3 species), Rotifera (6 species) and Protozoa (4 species). The observed result revealed that the maximum number of individuals were found at zone-B followed by zone-D, zone-A and, zone-C respectively. Although, Cladocera and Rotifera were reported highly diverse among the two phyla. Aquatic habitat parameters affected the zooplanktonic community in the river like pH, total dissolved solids, and dissolved oxygen as well as biotic factors (predators). Canonical correspondence analysis represented a strong relationship within the ecological habitat factors (pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and, chemical oxygen demand) and zooplankton species. Besides this, the lowest diversity was found at zone-C due to unstable water current by hydropower generation plant.