Ravi Rahul Singha* & Prasanjit Mukherjeeb
aUniversity Department of Zoology, Y.B.N University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
bDepartment of Botany, K.O.College, Gumla, Ranchi University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
Received : 06th February, 2025 ; Revised : 06th March, 2025
DOI:-https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16787970
Abstract– This study investigates the seasonal variation and ecological significance of plankton communities in relation to physicochemical parameters in Latratu Dam, a freshwater reservoir in Lapung, Jharkhand. To evaluate the composition, quantity, and diversity of phytoplankton and zooplankton, systematic sampling was carried out at six stations during a 12-month period (April 2023-March 2024). To ascertain their impact on plankton distribution, important environmental factors such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrate, phosphate, and turbidity were examined. In all, 25 zooplankton species (containing Rotifera, Cladocera, and Copepoda) and 39 phytoplankton species (representing Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, and Cyanophyceae) were identified. While zooplankton displayed the greatest diversity in the winter, phytoplankton abundance increased during the post-monsoon season. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed that nitrate and phosphate levels had a significant impact on phytoplankton distribution, while zooplankton diversity had a negative correlation with turbidity and a positive correlation with dissolved oxygen. The study emphasizes how important plankton are as bioindicators and how they serve as a trophic connection between higher aquatic species, especially fish, and nutrient dynamics. These results strengthen the need for nitrogen control techniques to maintain biodiversity in Latratu Dam and offer a deeper ecological understanding of how freshwater ecosystems work.
Keywords: Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Trophic interaction, Water quality, Latratu Dam, Seasonal variation
Be First to Comment