Assessment of Physico-Chemical Parameters and Zooplankton Diversity in the Panjapur Lake, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, South India

The biological resources and water quality of freshwater lakes, particularly zooplankton communities, are significantly affected by anthropogenic activity. This study examined zooplankton biodiversity and hydrobiological features of the perennial Panjapur Lake in the Tiruchirappalli area of Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Eight distinct seasons (summer, pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon) were studied monthly for two years, from March 2022 to February 2024, to assess seasonal variations in physicochemical characteristics, species composition, and zooplankton biodiversity. The 41 zooplankton species identified were Rotifera, Cladocera, Copepoda, and Ostracoda. The study found a positive correlation between water quality control methods and zooplankton numbers. The results showed that Ostracoda had the lowest diversity and dispersion, whereas Rotifera was the most prevalent. During the two-year investigation, zooplankton populations were found to be at their lowest during the monsoon season and reached their highest levels in the summer. As a result, in addition to educational efforts in schools, colleges, universities, and the general public, campaigns should be initiated to increase awareness about zooplankton diversity, the indicators used in hydrobiological studies, and their ecological importance.