UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

A study was conducted over two years on the freshwater ecosystem of Visapur Dam in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra. We examined various physico-chemical parameters at three different sites within the dam. Throughout the study period, the water quality parameters showed significant variations. The pH levels ranged from 6.97 to 8.27, while water temperature fluctuated considerably between 22.3°C and 33.0°C, likely due to seasonal changes. Turbidity levels remained relatively moderate, ranging from 11.4 to 16.2 NTU. Notable changes were observed in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and salinity, with TDS varying between 95.7 and 156.7 mg/L and salinity ranging from 67.5 to 111.2 mg/L. Other key water quality indicators also varied during the study. Total hardness ranged from 183.3 to 320 mg/L, and total alkalinity fluctuated between 102.7 and 187.7 mg/L. Dissolved oxygen levels, crucial for aquatic life, varied significantly from 4.6 to 6.4 mg/L. Chloride concentrations ranged from 21.1 to 32.8 mg/L. Such studies are important as freshwater zooplankton diversity, distribution and abundance are influenced by physicochemical conditions. Seasonal changes, anthropogenic activities, or natural processes may change water conditions affecting their presence. Thus, it becomes important to study the prevailing environmental conditions and understand how they affect the zooplankton in natural as well as artificial aquatic environments. This may help in generating favourable conditions for the survival and growth of organisms, such as zooplankton and fish, in such kind of aquatic habitats.