Water quality and conservation management of Ramsagar reservoir, Datia, Madhya Pradesh.

The aim of this study is to assess physico-chemical characteristics, trophic status, pollution studies and macrophytic community of Ramsagar reservoir from April 2003 to March 2005. The range of various parameters of reservoir water (water temperature 15.92-31.87 oC, water depth 2.90-8.25 m, transparency 66.59-116.00 cm, electrical conductivity 108-246.30 µS cm-1, turbidity 2.17-16.72 NTU, total dissolved solids 166.37-239.00 mg l-1, pH 7.41-8.95, dissolved oxygen 6.78-11.59 mg l-1, free carbon dioxide nil-6.32 mg l-1, total alkalinity 64.25-146.25 mg l-1, total hardness 34.00-75.25 mg l-1, chlorides 13.13-22.36 mg l-1, calcium 11.21-33.81 mg l-1, sulphates 1.50-8.87 mg l-1, nitrates 0.011-0.033 mg l-1, nitrites 0.004-0.029 mg l-1, phosphates 0.013-0.054 mg l-1, silicates 0.65-8.42 mg l-1, ammonia nil-0.84 mg l-1, biochemical oxygen demand 0.93-4.68 mg l-1, chemical oxygen demand 3.60-17.40 mg l-1, magnesium 1.17-5.60 mg l-1, sodium 16.75-34.30 mg l-1 and potassium 1.97-4.86 mg l-1) exhibit monthly as well as seasonal fluctuations. The nutrients including silicates, sulphates, phosphates, nitrates and potassium are in sufficient quantities for the growth of aquatic plants and animals in the reservoir. In all 13 species of macrophytes were recorded from the reservoir. Macrophytic diversity was higher at the points where nallahas join the reservoir and in the areas where agricultural practices are performed. This was due to allocthonous nutrients brought in to the reservoir from the surrounding catchments area. The above study indicated that the Ramsagar reservoir is under the category of mesotrophic water body slightly inclined towards eutrophication. Therefore, the conservation and management of this water body are very much required.

Water quality and pollution status of Chambal river in National Chambal Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh.

The physico-chemical characteristics of Chambal river water in National Chambal sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh) have been studied. The stretch of Chambal river contained in the National Chambal sanctuary (located at 25 degrees 23'-26 degrees 52'N, 76 degrees 28'-79 degrees 15'E) is extending up to 600 km downstream from Kota (Rajasthan) to the confluence of the Chambal with Yamuna river (Etawah). The river flow in Madhya Pradesh spans up to approximately 400 km. Three sampling stations viz., Station A--near Palighat, district Sheopurkalan, Station B--near Rajghat, district Morena and Station C--near Baraighat, district Bhind were established for the collection of water samples during April, 2003 to March, 2004. The water quality parameters namely transparency (12.12-110 cm), colour (transparent-very turbid), turbidity (1-178 TNU), electrical conductivity (145.60-884 microS cm(-1)), total dissolved solids (260-500 mgl(-1)), pH (7.60-9.33), dissolved oxygen (4.86-14.59 mgl(-1)), free carbon dioxide (0-16.5 mgl(-1)), total alkalinity (70-290 mgl(-1)), total hardness (42-140 mgl(-1)), chloride (15.62-80.94 mgl(-1)), nitrate (0.008-0.025 mgl(-1)), nitrite (0.002-0.022 mgl(-1)), sulphate (3.50-45 mgl(-1)), phosphate (0.004-0.050 mgl(-1)), silicate (2.80-13.80 mgl(-1)), biochemical oxygen demand (0.60-5.67 mgl(-1)), chemical oxygen demand (2.40-26.80 mgl(-1)), ammonia (nil-0.56 mgl(-1)), sodium (14.30-54.40 mgl(-1)) and potassium (2.10 mgl(-1)-6.30 mgl(-1)) reflects on the pristine nature of the river in National Chambal sanctuary. On the basis of various parameters studied, Chambal river in this stretch can be placed under the category of oligosaprobic. The water quality analysis, indicated that the riverwater in the sanctuary area is pollution free and can serve as a good habitat for many aquatic animals including endangered species.

Limnology of Kharland (saline) ponds of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra in relation to prawn culture potential.

The coastal saline soils, Kharlands, have great potential for their use in aquaculture. This study has been taken up to understand the limnology of the ponds in Kharland area for assessing their prawn culture potential. This study was carried out during September, 1999 to August, 2001. Each Kharland pond has an area of 0.045 hectare. During the study, depth of pond water was 47.7 to 120.0 cm, temperature varied from 25.7 to 34.5 degrees C; transparency from nil to 65.0 cm; specific conductivity from 1.78 to 94.5 microS.cm(-1); total dissolved solids from 0.89 to 27.55 ppt; pH 5.42 to 8.25; dissolved oxygen 1.6 to 8 mg.l(-1); free carbon dioxide 10.00 to 44.00 mg.l(-1); total alkalinity 5.00 to 142.00 mg.l(-1); salinity 0.45 to 39.55 ppt; total hardness 245.00 to 5945.00; calcium 56.05 to 1827.6; magnesium 110.74 to 4507.75 mg.l(-1); dissolved organic matter 1.45 to 9.68 mg.l(-1); ammonia 1.00-8.00 microg.l(-1); nitrite nil to 20.00 micro l(-1) and nitrate 7.5 to 17.5 microg.l(-1). These Kharland ponds are unique in physio-chemical characteristics during their seasonal cycle. From July to October, these ponds have nearly freshwater while from November to May pond water becomes saline. Thus, there is a great possibility of taking up monoculture of both the freshwater and brackish water prawns as well as polyculture of prawns and fishes in the Kharland ponds.

A rapid activation of immature testis of Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) by a single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin.

The testis of Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) consists of type A and early type B spermatogonia together with inactive Leydig and Sertoli cells. A single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin induced marked changes in the morphology of the testis and in the scrum androgen levels within a period of 72 h. Morphological changes include spermatogonial proliferation, activation of Leydig and Sertoli cells, organization of seminiferous lobules and formation of lobular lumen in the testis. Leydig cells were enlarged, exhibiting characteristics of steroid-producing cells. Sertoli cells become elongated, show signs of high cellular activity and remain in close contact with spermatogonia. The lobular organization was achieved much earlier than the progression of spermatogenesis to late type Β spermatogonia. Even 6 h after hCG injection, a significant increase in plasma levels of 11-ketotestosterone was observed, followed by a further time dependent increase. Plasma testosterone levels were also increased after injection, but the increase was much less than that of 11-ketotestosterone.