ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND WATER QUALITY (ROTIFERA DIVERSITY) OF BHIMA RIVER AT KATTI SANGHAVI BRIDGE (KARNATAKA, INDIA)

The primary aim of present research investigation is concerned on the physico-chemical properties and Rotifera diversity of Bhima River water at Katti Sanghavi and also to find out its suitability for the proper utilization of village peoples residing nearby river. This investigative analysis study is undertaken to assess the quality of water by means of analysis of physico-chemical and Rotifera diversity. In aquatic ecosystem, the analysis of physico-chemical parameters plays a key role in determining the species richness, density, diversity and occurrence of different aquatic organisms. Due to extreme use of fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural land and entry of domestic wastes from cities into the river water body are responsible for deterioration of quality of water. Hence, it is utmost essential to analyze the water quality at frequent interval of time. Therefore, during the investigative research period of every month the water samples were collected from different predestined sampling stations of Bhima River at Katti Sanghavi Bridge during the period of March 2019 to February 2020. Total 12 physico-chemical parameters such as atmospheric temperature (26oC to 38oC), water temperature (23oC to 32oC), hydrogen ion-concentration (7.2 to 8.3), total dissolved solids (193 mg/L to 488 mg/L), dissolved oxygen (4.3 mg/L to 8.9 mg/L), free carbon dioxide (0.7 mg/L to 2.1 mg/L), biological oxygen demand (3.0 mg/L to 7.8 mg/L), total alkalinity (180 mg/L to 380 mg/L), total hardness (173 mg/L to 396 mg/L), calcium (79 mg/L to 171 mg/L), magnesium (40 mg/L to 80 mg/L) and chloride (58 mg/L to 128 mg/L) of water were investigated and found that all the values were within the permissible limit and further it is concluded that the Bhima river water at Katti Sanghavi Bridge is fit for utilization of domestic and other purposes. During the study period total 17 Rotifera species were recorded. The present study data results revealed that the Bhima River water from selected sites is within permissible limit and moderately eutrophicated.