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This study aimed to estimate photosynthetic productivity of phytoplankton and water quality in
two floodplain lakes of north Bihar, India. Gross phytoplankton productivity ranged from 1.849 g
Cm-2day-1 to 4.994 g Cm-2day-1 at Tarawe chaur and 1.319 g Cm-2day-1 to 3.965 g Cm-2day-1 at
Gamharia chaur. The net primary productivity measured as 1.037 g Cm-2day-1 to 3.849 g Cm-2day-1
at Tarawe chaur and 1.003 g Cm-2day-1 to 2.621 g Cm-2day-1 at Gamharia chaur. Primary productivity
(GPP and NPP) of phytoplankton show a single annual peak. Respiration rates varied between
0.428 g Cm-2day-1 to 2.017 g Cm-2day-1 at Tarawe chaur and 0.489 g Cm-2day-1 to 1.475 g Cm-2day-1 at
Gamharia chaur. Seasonal variation in phytoplankton gross and the net productivity was almost
similar, highest in summer and lowest in winter. NPP/GPP ratio and respiration as percentage of
gross production were computed. Physico-chemical parameters of water were analysed
concurrently.
Keywords: Floodplain lakes, phytoplankton productivity, water quality, environmental factors, correlation
INTRODUCTION
Wetlands situated on flood plains of major river systems chemosynthetic bacteria etc.) may occur, but usually
are one of the most highly productive ecosystems on earth. contribute less to primary production (Robertson et al.,
Floodplain wetlands are frequently found at the interface 2001). More recently, the impact of solar radiation on the
between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Besides aquatic ecosystem and primary production has been
supporting a wide range of biological diversity and discussed and measured in temperate and tropical regions
important fisheries they offer spawning and nursery areas of the world (Rogers and Ralph, 2010). In India, a large
for many riverine fish. Biotic interactions and the number of studies have been made on the physical,
productivity of these wetlands are strongly influenced by chemical and biological characteristics of floodplain
the flood condition (Junk et al., 1989). Despite of the wetlands, but, estimation of primary productivity is ignored.
ecological importance, little information is available on However, in recent year, primary productivity of
productivity of floodplain wetlands. photosynthetic communities in wetlands have highlighted
by some workers (Sugunan et al., 2000; Datta, 2003; Palui
Primary productivity is the rate at which solar energy is and Jha, 2003; Baruah, 2003; Sarma et al., 2007; Banerjee
converted to organic compounds by the autotrophs or and Chattopadhyaya, 2008; Sharma, 2010; Dash et al.,
primary producers that is available to next trophic level 2011; Ziauddin et al., 2013), but, information from north
(Odum, 1971; Wetzel and Likens, 1979), thus forms base Bihar is lacking.
of food chain (Helbling and Villafane, 2009). Measuring
primary productivity of aquatic ecosystem is crucial for
understanding the trophic status in relation to maximizing *Corresponding author: Rani Kumari, Department of
fish production (Oglesby, 1977; McConnell et al., 1988). Zoology, B.D. College (Magadh University), Patna 800
Phytoplankton, periphyton and macrophytes are the most 001, India. E-mail: ranikumari2474@gmail.com Tel:
important primary producers in lakes ecosystems. Other +919470667254, +919431950370 Co-Authors:
primary producers (e.g. photosynthetic and 1arnksingh@gmail.com, 3prf.arunkumar@gmail.com
The Contribution of Phytoplankton to the Primary Production in Floodplain Lakes (Chaurs) of North Bihar, India
Singh et al. 045
North Bihar is endowed with a large number of floodplain the light and dark bottles relative to the initial oxygen, the
wetlands, called mans (ox-bow lakes), chaurs (tectonic rate of primary production can be calculated (Jhingran et
depressions/floodplain lakes) and dhars (old-channels), al., 1969) and expressed as g C m-2d-1. Oxygen values
covers area of 40,000 ha (Sugunan and Bhattacharjya, were converted to carbon values by multiplying with the
2000). Among the wetlands, floodplain lakes are critical, factor 0.375 (Sreenivasan, 1964). The physico-chemical
they are the sources of food, income and with a huge parameters were analysed following standard methods
fishery potential with more fish species. Keeping in view (APHA, 1989; Trivedy and Goel, 1986). Pearson’s
the need for maximizing fish production, the present study correlation analyses were made to assess relationships
was carried out to estimate the primary production of between primary productivity and water parameters.
phytoplankton and to provide information on water quality
in floodplain lakes of north Bihar, India.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
at Gamharia chaur probably due to addition of waste water productivity ranged from 2.7 g C m -2d-1 to 4.27 g C m-2d-1
from human habitation and cattle-shed. Nitrogen and and net productivity 2.05 g C m -2d-1 to 2.80 g C m-2d-1 in
phosphorus are regarded as primary productivity limiting beels of Assam (Sarma et al., 2007). Highest gross and
nutrients. In this study, nitrate-N and phosphate-P falls net primary productivity in beels of Assam was 0.847 mg
within productive range. The lakes receive nitrogen and C m-3h-1 and 0.798 mg C m-3h-1 (Hazarika, 2010). Gross
phosphorus either naturally from flooding or through runoff primary productivity of phytoplankton ranged from 2.88 g
from nutrient-rich agricultural fields agrees with the C m-2d-1 to 4.66 g C m-2d-1 and the net productivity 1.72 g
findings of some workers (Ganesan and Khan, 2008; C m-2d-1 to 2.94 g C m-2 d-1 in riverine wetlands of Assam
Sharma, 2010). Low BOD at Tarawe chaur (1.4 mgl-1 to (Sarma et al., 2013). The primary production rates as
2.9 mgl-1) show a good water quality while the high at obtained in the present study are comparatively high as
Gamharia chaur (2.1 mgl-1 to 6.1 mgl-1) reveal decline in reported from other wetland this indicates that a large
water quality might be due to release of organic waste- amount of organic production is available to next trophic
loaded water from village (Moundiotiya et al., 2004). level. High primary production at Tarawe chaur showed a
Overall water quality was similar in the lakes as they good trophic condition maybe due to better conversion rate
receive water from same sources. of solar energy into chemical energy.
means, temperature is not solely responsible for limiting differences in ecological condition, size and depth.
primary productivity agrees with the findings of some NPP/GPP ratio was low in monsoon might be due to the
workers (Banerjee and Chattopadhyaya, 2008; Dash et al., rainfall and floodwater dilutes phytoplankton density
2011). Gross and net production was highest at Tarawe (Singh and Singh, 1999). The NPP/GPP ratio reflects
chaur might be due to the greater phytoplankton density, productivity potential of water body because it remains low
though, the lowest at Gamharia chaur could be attributed in productive ecosystem (Ganf and Horne, 1975).
to discharge of waste water interrupt functioning of aquatic NPP/GPP ratio less than 0.5 reveal eutrophication
ecosystem. Furthermore, invasion of floating macrophytes (Bindloss et al., 1972). The results showed Gamharia
reduced light supply in water and suppressed chaur (0.57±0.04) progressing towards eutrophic
phytoplankton development which untimely leads to low condition.
production.
Respiration as percentage of GPP
Community respiration
Respiration as percentage of gross may be as a measure
Respiration rate did not show much difference between the of eutrophic nature (Ganff and Horne 1975). This percent
lakes ranged from 0.428 g C m-2d-1 to 2.017 g C m-2d-1 at was really determined in previous studies, however, in this
Tarawe chaur and 0.489 g C m-2d-1 to 1.475 g C m-2d-1 at study it ranged from 20.23% to 49.23% at Tarawe chaur
Gamharia chaur. Mean respiration rate was 1.065±0.329 and 22.11% to 49.53% at Gamharia chaur, with mean
g C m-2d-1 and 1.009±0.275 g C m-2d-1 (Table 2). value of 34.46±8.05% and 42.79±4.40% (Table 2). Some
Respiration rate exhibited seasonal variability, high in workers reported the respiration as percentage of gross
summer might be due to greater microbial metabolisms, 20% to 45% in tropical estuary (Qasim et al., 1969) and
while low during winter could be due to the low 5.55% to 31.94% in fresh water body (Ahmad and Singh,
temperature and poor sun’s light affects rate of 1987). Variation in respiration as percentage of gross was
photosynthetic efficiency (Ahmad and Singh, 1987). Some seen, highest in monsoon and lowest in winter. Respiration
workers reported high respiration rate in winter and higher than 40% of gross production is characteristic of
moderate during flood season in bor-beel and the high in eutrophication (Ganf, 1972). The data obtained indicate
monsoon and low during autumn in beels of Assam eutrophic conditions at Gamharia chaur.
(Hazarika, 2010). Primary production rate in this study
exceeds respiration, it showed that lakes have autotrophic
environments. High respiration at Tarawe chaur could be CONCLUSIONS
due to unpredictable nature of heterotrophic organisms.
Respiration showed significant (p>0.01) positive The study highlighted phytoplankton productivity status
correlation with water temperature (r=0.847) and BOD and water quality in floodplain lakes of north Bihar, India.
(r=0.614) and significant negative correlation with Results show that floodplain lakes were highly productive
carbonate (r=-0.592) at Tarawe chaur while, it showed ecosystems as sufficient organic material is synthesized
significant (p>0.01) positive correlation with water for rising and supporting aquatic life and boosting fishery
temperature (r=0.834), phosphate (r=0.645), BOD production. Phytoplankton productivity was affected by the
(r=0.591) and bicarbonate (r=0.694), and significant interactions of a number of factors, like light, photoperiod
negative correlation with pH (r=-0.572) and carbonate (r=- and temperature. Water quality variables were interrelated
0.720) at Gamharia chaur (Table 3). and have profound effects on primary productivity. Primary
productivity showed close links with seasonal flooding.
NPP/GPP ratio
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of Biodiversity. Central Inland Capture Fisheries Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted
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The Contribution of Phytoplankton to the Primary Production in Floodplain Lakes (Chaurs) of North Bihar, India
Int. J. Ecol. Devel. Res. 050
APPENDIX
The Contribution of Phytoplankton to the Primary Production in Floodplain Lakes (Chaurs) of North Bihar, India
Singh et al. 051
Table 1: Selected physico-chemical variables of floodplain lakes (Minimum/Maximum, mean and standard
deviation).
The Contribution of Phytoplankton to the Primary Production in Floodplain Lakes (Chaurs) of North Bihar, India
Int. J. Ecol. Devel. Res. 052
42.790 ± 4.40
GPP, NPP and CR values in g C/m 2/day
Table 3: Correlation co-efficient (r) values between primary productivity and water quality variables.
Parameters Tarawe chaur Gamharia chaur
GPP NPP CR GPP NPP CR
Water Temperature 0.674* 0.516* 0.847* 0.543* 0.324 0.834*
Transparency - 0.069 0.098 - 0.366 - 0.123 0.088 -0.536*
Sp. Conductivity. 0.010 0.163 - 0.322 - 0.048 0.160 - 0.480
pH - 0.292 - 0.144 - 0.519* - 0.144 0.075 -0.572*
Dissolved oxygen - 0.229 - 0.098 - 0.440 - 0.148 0.057 -0.541*
Free carbon dioxide - 0.341 - 0.185 - 0.700 - 0.425 - 0.428 - 0.126
Carbonate alkalinity - 0.630* - 0.638* - 0.592* - 0.511 - 0.342 -0.720*
Bicarbonate alkalinity 0.113 - 0.059 0.412 0.377 0.172 0.694*
Calcium 0.604* 0.655* 0.359 0.559* 0.552* 0.386
Magnesium 0.752* 0.797* 0.563* 0.566* 0.540* 0.432
Chloride 0.619* 0.682* 0.380 0.466 0.511 0.212
Nitrate-nitrogen 0.168 0.012 0.454 0.153 - 0.066 0.576*
Phosphate-phosphorus 0.212 0.059 0.459 0.290 0.081 0.645*
Biochemical oxygen demand 0.372 0.211 0.614* 0.192 - 0.023 0.591*
* = Significant at p >0.01
The Contribution of Phytoplankton to the Primary Production in Floodplain Lakes (Chaurs) of North Bihar, India