Physico-Chemical Analysis of Planktons in Water Body of Baglihar Dam: Assessing the Water Quality and Biodiversity of Plankton in Baglihar Dam Reservoir

Abstract

Physicochemical characteristics and plankton diversity are important variables in decidingwhether water is appropriate for irrigation or drinking. An essential element of an aquatic ecosystem,zooplankton is crucial for the transfer of energy. A water body's physicochemical characteristics andnutritional status are crucial in determining how much plankton is produced. Plankton is a natural foodsource for many fish species, especially zooplankton. It also provides the essential quantity of proteinfor the fast growth of larval carps. The present study's physicochemical characteristics include air andwater temperature, pH, total alkalinity, and salinity, free carbon dioxide, total hardness, dissolvedoxygen, the chloride ion diversified plankton. The study describes the outcomes of fluctuations inphysico-chemical parameters, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and variety of benthic fauna on a monthlybasis. To encourage sustainable management and the best possible use of aquatic resources,appropriate limits for the pollution effect indicators must be established. In the Baglihar Dam reservoir,sixteen (16) different benthic species were found as a result of the current study. The benthic faunaconsisted of three phyla Mollusca, Arthropoda, and Annelida. As a result, this study provides pertinentinformation and advances knowledge of the water quality of the Baglihar Dam Reservoir