Seasonal Variations in the Limnochemical Characteristics of An Ox-bow Lake of Eastern Himalayan River of Assam, India

Abstract

The present study was carried out to assess the physicochemical properties of Kalpani beel an ox-bow lake formed by the River Manas, a tributary originated in Bhutan of Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity hotspot. The study was conducted at four selected sites namely i.e. Monakocha (Station-1), Goraimari (Station-2), Bishpani (Station-3) and Bedlangkhaiti (Station-4). Twelve parameters were monitored for a period of one year to assess the standard of water quality of this fish diversity rich lake. Seasonal variation of the parameters across the four sites has been observed. It was observed that air temperature ranged between 19.00°C – 37.00°C, water temperature between 17.00°C – 35.00°C. pH ranged between 7.8– 11.00°C, Free Co2 between 8.00–40.00 mg/l, Total hardness between 80.00 – 212.00 mg/I, total alkalinity between 123.00–262.00 mg/I, phosphate between 0.00 – 1.50 mg/l, Chloride between 9.00 –21.00 mg/l, Nitrate between 0.00–10.00 mg/l, Nitrite between 0.00 – 2.00 mg/l, Ammonia between 0.00–0.50 mg/l and iron between 0.00–0.30 mg/l. Mean values of the physico – chemical parameters like PH, TH and TA studied were found higher than the world health organization (WHO) guideline and Bureau of Indian standards (BIS). The result revealed that the water quality of the beel is degraded during winter session. In the monsoon it comes to normal due to flood of the river Manas. There is need for implementation of conservation measures and generating awareness among the agricultural workers and fisherman as the lake provides livelihood to the fisherman and form an integral part of the social, economic and cultural life of the nearby population.

Keywords: Eastern Himalayan river, Limnochemical Characteristics, ox-bow lake, seasonal variation

Cite this Article
Jabin Chandra Ray, Jatin Sarmah. Seasonal Variations in the Limnochemical Characteristics of an Ox-bow Lake of Eastern Himalayan River of Assam, India. Research & Reviews: Journal of Ecology. 2017; 6(3): 11–18p.