A Comprehensive Study of Assessing Water Quality and Phytoplankton Communities in the River Ravi (India)

Mahajan, Danish; Thakur, Kushal; Kumari, Hishani; Kumar, Rakesh

doi:10.2478/trser-2024-0009

Abstract

Due to anthropogenic activities, the water quality of freshwater bodies is rapidly decreasing. The aim of this study was to assess the water quality and phytoplankton diversity in the upper Ravi River basin between September 2022 and August 2023. Overall, the water quality was within the allowable limits, but in sampling zone 3, there was a deteriorating trend in certain physicochemical parameters, including turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and biological oxygen demand during monsoon months. Bacillariophyceae (11 genera) was the most dominant group followed by Chlorophyceae (8 genera). A total of 23 different genera of phytoplankton were observed. It can be concluded that human activities, such as mining in riverbeds, and the construction of dams and barrages, have a direct impact on water quality and phytoplankton diversity. These activities need to be monitored on a regular basis.

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A Comprehensive Study of Assessing Water Quality and Phytoplankton Communities in the River Ravi (India)

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