QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PLANKTONS FROM ASAN RIVER, DEHRADUN, UTTARAKHAND

In this research, qualitative and quantitative analysis was done on the distribution of plankton communities with the aim of evaluating the health of Asan River in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Some of the explored aspects included physicochemical properties of water, nutrient levels, phytoplankton species and heavy metals concentration by season. Work done identified a up surge and increase in contamination levels during summer and monsoon seasons. The values of DO appeared to be the lowest in summer (7. 71-9. 40 mg/L), while the BOD was the highest in summer (3. 43-4. 44 mg/L). The nutrient concentrations were high downstream reflecting the build-up anthropogenic effects. Diatoms were the most abundant phytoplankton in all the seasons especially in monsoon and post monsoon periods. There was a decline in the number and variety of insects in contaminated water and it was observed that the higher the accumulation of heavy metals the lesser the aquatic… 49. Heavy metal concentrations were inversely proportional with insects’ biomasses in all the recorded water types. The present paper underlines the changes in hydrological conditions of the river following the seasonal variations as well as the impact of anthropogenic influences; therefore, more integrated assessment and conservation plans are required. Suggested initiatives are optimization of long-term monitoring programs, interventions regarding point and non-point source of pollution, application of several groups of bioindicators, increasing public awareness and concerns, and elaboration of climate change-sensitive policies. The findings of this research give useful recommendations of the Asan River ecosystem and other systems of water in the region