Seasonal limnological variation and macro benthic diversity of river Yamuna at Kalsi Dehradun of Uttarakhand

River Yamuna is a glacier fed river in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand (India). The seasonal variation of River Yamuna at Kalsi was studied for a period of one year. In the present study various physico-chemical parameters i.e., Temperature, transparency, Velocity, turbidity, conductivity, TS, TDS, TSS, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, Chloride, Free CO2, DO, BOD, COD, phosphate, Nitrate, sodium and potassium were analyzed for various seasons; Summer, Monsoon, Winter from the period of August 2010 to July 2011 in surface water of river Yamuna including Macro benthic diversity. The present study revealed that the Physico-chemical parameters showed a great seasonal variation and Turbidity and Total Solids were found to be highest in Monsoon period which had a strong impact on other physico-chemical factors of river. 27 genera belonging to seven orders of Macro vertebrates were found which include Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Plecoptera, Odonata and Trichoptera indicating good quality of water in River Yamuna at Kalsi. Many genera were seasonally and monthly absent at different times in the river; however the overall diversity was found to be maximum in winter and summer. Correlation between the hydrological attributes showed good relationship and Transparency, dissolved oxygen and pH were found to be most important variables in shaping benthic faunal assemblage.

Author(s): Fouzia Ishaq and Amir Khan*

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