Diversity of zooplankton in municipal wastewater-contaminated urban pond ecosystems of the lower Gangetic plains

Abstract

The present limnological investigation was conducted to study zooplankton diversity in municipal wastewater-contaminatedponds in light of their contributions to the ecosystem. It is revealed by the present study that the physicochemical factors of the studysites are regulated by wastewater input and anthropogenic activities. A good number of zooplankton species thrived in these ponds(22 species of zooplankton, including 14 species of Rotifera, 3 species of Copepoda, 4 species of Cladocera, and a single species ofOstracoda), which suggests that the municipal wastewater, loaded with various nutrients, has influenced the zooplankton diversity andabundance. Site 3, a well-managed fishpond, showed the highest Shannon Wiener diversity index value (2.303). Site 5, contaminatedwith organic waste matter from adjacent cattle sheds, showed the highest zooplankton abundance (1609.63 ind. L1 ) and maximumdominance (0.472). Site-wise variations of diversity indices and statistical analyses support our findings. These ponds, although facedwith serious threats of extinction by unscientific and unplanned urbanization policies, could very well be recognized as natural effluenttreatment units within the municipal areas. Ponds of varied sizes in almost every municipal area of the lower Gangetic plains stabilizeraw untreated domestic wastewater and encourage fish yield and the local economy.