International Research Journal of Vol. 3(10), 62-67, October (201 International Science Congress Association Phytoplankton Primary Production in the river Jharahi at Mairwa Shahi Rudra Pratap 1 Department of Bota 2 Department of Botany, Dr.R.M.L.S.College, B.R.A.Bihar University Available online at: Received 31st July Abstract Phytoplankton Primary production in the river Jharahi at Mairwa was studied in 2008 and 2009. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) of the river water at the different sites ranged from 0.044 mgC/l/hr to 0.422 mgC and 0.037 mgC/l/hr to 0.394 mgC/l/hr in the second year. Net Primary Productivity 0.314 mgC/l/hr in the first year and 0.021 mgC/l/hr to 0.297 mgC value of the river ranged from 0.469 to 0.799 in the first year and 0.427 to 0.754 in the second year Respiration (CR) ranged from 0.023 mgC/l/hr to 0.108 mgC/l/hr in the first year and 0. the second year of observation. CR as percent of GPP ranged from 20.109 to 53.125 in the first year and from 24.619 to 57.292 in the second year. Keyword: Primary productivity, Jharahi, GPP, NPP, CR. Introduction Determination of primary production is a good measure of new organic matter created in the water body . As the phytoplankton constitute a major segment of the primary producers, the phytoplankton primary production in the fresh water ecosystems acquire immense importa nce. The river Jharahi (figure- 1) is an important river of North Bihar, India. In the Map showing course of the river Jharahi a Journal of Environment Sc iences________________________________ (201 4) Int. Res. International Science Congress Association Primary Production in the river Jharahi at Mairwa Rudra Pratap and Hamidi Md. Khatibullah Department of Bota ny, Z.A.Islamia Cellege, Siwan, Bihar, INDIA Department of Botany, Dr.R.M.L.S.College, B.R.A.Bihar University , Muzaffarpur , U.P., INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me 2014, revised 1st September 2014, accepted 9th October 2014 Phytoplankton Primary production in the river Jharahi at Mairwa was studied in 2008 and 2009. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) of the river water at the different sites ranged from 0.044 mgC/l/hr to 0.422 mgC and 0.037 mgC/l/hr to 0.394 mgC/l/hr in the second year. Net Primary Productivity (NPP) ranged from 0.021 mgC/l/hr to 0.314 mgC/l/hr in the first year and 0.021 mgC/l/hr to 0.297 mgC /l/hr in the second year of observation. The NPP/GPP value of the river ranged from 0.469 to 0.799 in the first year and 0.427 to 0.754 in the second year Respiration (CR) ranged from 0.023 mgC/l/hr to 0.108 mgC/l/hr in the first year and 0. 026 mgC/l/hr to 0.097 mgC/l/hr in the second year of observation. CR as percent of GPP ranged from 20.109 to 53.125 in the first year and from 24.619 to Primary productivity, Jharahi, GPP, NPP, CR. Determination of primary production is a good measure of new . As the phytoplankton constitute a major segment of the primary producers, studies on the phytoplankton primary production in the fresh water nce. The river Jharahi 1) is an important river of North Bihar, India. In the present study, gross primary productivity (GPP), net primary product ivity (NPP) and community respiration (CR) of the river Jharahi were determined at Mairwa on seasonal basis. The ratio of net and gross primary productivity (NPP/GPP) and community respiration as percent of gross primary productivity were also computed. Figure-1 Map showing course of the river Jharahi a nd the experimental site Mairwa iences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. 62 Primary Production in the river Jharahi at Mairwa , India , U.P., INDIA Phytoplankton Primary production in the river Jharahi at Mairwa was studied in 2008 and 2009. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) of the river water at the different sites ranged from 0.044 mgC/l/hr to 0.422 mgC /l/hr in the first year (NPP) ranged from 0.021 mgC/l/hr to /l/hr in the second year of observation. The NPP/GPP value of the river ranged from 0.469 to 0.799 in the first year and 0.427 to 0.754 in the second year and Community 026 mgC/l/hr to 0.097 mgC/l/hr in the second year of observation. CR as percent of GPP ranged from 20.109 to 53.125 in the first year and from 24.619 to present study, gross primary productivity (GPP), net primary ivity (NPP) and community respiration (CR) of the river determined at Mairwa on seasonal basis. The ratio of net and gross primary productivity (NPP/GPP) and community respiration as percent of gross primary productivity nd the experimental site Mairwa International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(10), 62-67, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 63 Material and Methods This work was a seasonal study carried out for a period two years, 2008 and 2009, designated as the first and the second year of observation respectively. Three different points viz., Site-A, Site-B and Site-C were selected as the sampling sites. Site-B is the middle point receiving domestic effluents from the town through a canal. Site-A is 500 meters upstream from Site-B and Site-C is 500 meters downstream from Site-B. As the present study was seasonal, the samples were collected in the month of May for summer season, in the month of August for rainy season, and in the month of December for the winter season from the three sampling sites. Primary production was determined by the oxygen method. Results and DiscussionThe observations made on the primary production of the river Jharahi at Mairwa have been summarized in the tables 1 to 5 and figures 2 to 6. Table-1 GPP (mgC/l/hr) of the river Jharahi at Mairwa Year Season Site A Site B Site C 2008 Summers 0.184 0.422 0.214 Rains 0.044 0.054 0.048 Winters 0.112 0.195 0.128 2009 Summers 0.196 0.394 0.215 Rains 0.047 0.048 0.050 Winters 0.096 0.226 0.113 Figure-2a GPP of the river Jharahi at Mairwa Figure-2b Yearly and Seasonal averages of GPP of the river Jharahi at Mairwa Table- 2 NPP (mgC/l/hr) of the river Jharahi at Mairwa Year Season Site A Site B Site C 2008 Summers 0.147 0.314 0.133 Rains 0.021 0.028 0.023 Winters 0.053 0.128 0.060 2009 Summers 0.138 0.297 0.152 Rains 0.021 0.021 0.024 Winters 0.041 0.135 0.054 Figure-3a NPP of the river Jharahi at Mairwa Figure-3b Yearly and Seasonal averages of NPP of the river Jharahi at Mairwa International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(10), 62-67, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 64 Table-3 NPP/GPP of the river Jharahi at MairwaYear Season Site A Site B Site C 2008 Summers 0.799 0.744 0.621 Rains 0.477 0.519 0.479 Winters 0.473 0.656 0.469 2009 Summers 0.704 0.754 0.707 Rains 0.447 0.438 0.480 Winters 0.427 0.597 0.478 Figure-4a NPP/GPP of the river Jharahi at Mairwa Figure-4b Yearly and Seasonal averages of NPP/GPP of the river Jharahi at Mairwa Table-4 CR (mgC/l/hr) of the river Jharahi at Mairwa Year Season Site A Site B Site C 2008 Summers 0.037 0.108 0.081 Rains 0.023 0.026 0.025 Winters 0.059 0.067 0.068 2009 Summers 0.058 0.097 0.063 Rains 0.026 0.027 0.026 Winters 0.055 0.091 0.059 Figure-5a CR of the river Jharahi at MairwaFigure-5b Yearly and Seasonal averages of CR of the river Jharahi at Mairwa Table-5 CR as percent of GPP of the river Jharahi at MairwaYear Season Site A Site B Site C 2008 Summers 20.109 25.592 37.850 Rains 52.273 48.148 52.083 Winters 52.679 34.359 53.125 2009 Summers 29.592 24.619 29.302 Rains 55.319 56.250 52.000 Winters 57.292 40.265 52.212 Figure-6a CR as percent of GPP of the river Jharahi at Mairwa International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(10), 62-67, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 65 Figure-6b Yearly and Seasonal averages of CR as percent of GPP of the river Jharahi at MairwaGPP of the river water at the different sites ranged from 0.044 mgC/l/hr to 0.422 mgC/l/hr in the first year and 0.037 mgC/l/hr to 0.394 mgC/l/hr in the second year. The range of GPP during the summers was 0.184 mgC/l/hr to 0.422 mgC/l/hr, during the rains 0.037 to 0.054 mgC/l/hr, and during the winters 0.096 mgC/l/hr to 0.226 mgC/l/hr. The maximum values of GPP in the first year (0.422 mgC/l/hr) and also in the second year (0.394 mgC/l/hr) were observed at Site B during the summers, whereas the minimum GPP in the first year (0.044 mgC/l/hr) as well as in the second year (0.037 mgC/l/hr) was observed at Site A during the rains. The yearly average of GPP showed little fluctuation being 0.156 mgC/l/hr in the first year and 0.153 mgC/l/hr in the second year. The seasonal average was maximum during the summers (0.271 mgC/l/hr), followed by the winters (0.145 mgC/l/hr) and minimum during the rains (0.049 mgC/l/hr). NPP ranged from 0.021 mgC/l/hr to 0.314 mgC/l/hr in the first year and 0.021 mgC/l/hr to 0.297 mgC/l/hr in the second year of observation. The range of NPP during the summers was 0.133 mgC/l/hr to 0.314 mgC/l/hr, during the rains 0.021 mgC/l/hr to 0.028 mgC/l/hr, and during the winters 0.041 mgC/l/hr to 0.128 mgC/l/hr. The maximum values of NPP in the first year (0.314 mgC/l/hr) and also in the second year (0.297 mgC/l/hr) were observed at Site B during the summers. The minimum NPP value (0.021 mgC/l/hr) was same in both the years of observation being recorded at Site A in the first year and at Site A and Site B in the second year during the rains. The yearly average of NPP showed little fluctuation being 0.101 mgC/l/hr in the first year and 0.098 mgC/l/hr in the second year. The seasonal average was maximum during the summers (0.197 mgC/l/hr), followed by the winters (0.079 mgC/l/hr) and minimum during the rains (0.023 mgC/l/hr). The NPP/GPP value of the river at the different sites ranged from 0.469 to 0.799 in the first year and 0.427 to 0.754 in the second year. The range of NPP/GPP during the summers was 0.621 to 0.799, during the rains 0.438 to 0.519, and during the winters 0.427 to 0.656. The maximum value of NPP/GPP in the first year (0.799) was observed at Site A and in the second year (0.754) at Site B during the summers, whereas the minimum NPP/GPP value in the first year (0.473) as well as in the second year (0.427) was observed at Site A during the winters. The yearly average of NPP/GPP showed little fluctuation, being 0.582 in the first year and 0.559 in the second year. The seasonal average was maximum during the summers (0.722), followed by the winters (0.517) and minimum during the rains (0.473). CR ranged from 0.023 mgC/l/hr to 0.108 mgC/l/hr in the first year and 0.026 mgC/l/hr to 0.097 mgC/l/hr in the second year. The range of CR during the summers was 0.037 mgC/l/hr to 0.108 mgC/l/hr, during the rains 0.023 mgC/l/hr to 0.027 mgC/l/hr, and during the winters 0.055 mgC/l/hr to 0.091 mgC/l/hr. The maximum values of CR in the first year (0.108 mgC/l/hr) and also in the second year (0.097 mgC/l/hr) were observed at Site B during the summers. The minimum value of CR in the first year (0.023 mgC/l/hr) was observed at Site A, whereas in the second year (0.026 mgC/l/hr) was observed at Site A and Site C during the rains. The yearly average of CR was almost identical, being 0.055 mgC/l/hr in the first year and 0.056 mgC/l/hr in the second year. The seasonal average was maximum during the summers (0.074 mgC/l/hr), followed by the winters (0.067 mgC/l/hr), and minimum during the rains (0.026 mgC/l/hr). The value of community respiration as percent of GPP was also computed. This value ranged from 20.109 to 53.125 in the first year and from 24.619 to 57.292 in the second year. The values ranged from 20.109 to 37.850 during the summers, from 48.148 to 56.250 during the rains, and from 34.359 to 57.292 during the winters. The highest value in the first year (53.125) was observed at Site C during the winters and the lowest (20.109) at Site A during the summers. The highest in the second year (57.292) was observed at Site A during the winters and the lowest value (24.619) at Site B during the summers. The yearly average was 41.802 in the first year and 44.095 in the second year. Seasonal average was highest for the rains (52.679), followed by the winters (48.322), and minimum during the summers (27.844). The phytoplankton primary production in the river water exhibited appreciable seasonal variation. Maxima of seasonal mean of the GPP, NPP and CR were observed during the summers and the minima during the rains. Bilgrami et al3,4 and Singh have also reported maximum production during the summers in the river Ganges. However, Saha and Panditreported maximum production in the river Ganges in February and March and lowest in September and November. Bilgrami et al reported lowest production during the rains. Patra reported lowest production in the month of September in the river Mahanadi. Descy et al also reported an increase of production during the summer months from mid-June to mid-August and low production in September and October. They also found significant production during the month of November. The aforesaid variations regarding the month of maxima of productivity may be attributed to the variations in the multiple physico-chemical as well as biological factors9-12; climatic as well as seasonal variations13,14; and specific dominance of the International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(10), 62-67, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 66 variable group of algae15. The widespread assumption that winter productivity is insignificant is not always true. Ghosh et al16 and Kumari et al17 reported that GPP values were higher in winter season compared with summer production ranges. As per the explanation of Reid and Wood18, cold inhibits respiration and provides the optimum condition for photosynthesis. This observation is of considerable importance in applied aquatic ecology. It was observed that the maximum and minimum of the seasonal mean of primary production usually coincided with those of the phytoplankton density. Such association of the seasonal variation of the phytoplankton primary production and its density has also been observed by Bilgrami et al and Descy et al The NPP/GPP value in the river water ranged from 0.591 to 0.869 during the observation period. Bilgrami et al found the NPP/GPP value ranging from 0.27 to 0.87, Siddiqui et al19 from 0.36 to 0.5, Bilgrami et al from 0.571 ti 0.875, and Saha and Pandit from 0.4 to 0.79 in the river Ganges. Ketchum et al20have pointed out that in a healthy population the NPP/GPP ratio tends to approach unity. The magnitude of annual fluctuation in the primary productivity is supposed to be direct reflection of seasonal impact. In the present study the maximum gross productivity was recorded almost ten times greater than the minimum. Vijayaraghawanhas reported the ratio of minimum: maximum as 1:10 in Othakadai pond, 4 times in Teppakulum tank and 5 times in Yanamalai pond of South India. Nasar21 recorded the aforesaid ratio as only three times in Bharwa as well as T.N.B. College pond, and as 4 times in Bhatta pond at Bhagalpur. Nasar and Nasar12 observed the maximum productivity in a sewage fed pond about 6 times greater than the minimum. Dutta and Choudhary22 noted the ratio of the two extremes of production in a sewage-fed impoundment as 1:8. Singh23in a fresh water lake at Muzaffarpur, Bihar, has recorded the maximum production to be 5 times greater than the minimum. Studies on phytoplankton primary production are crucial for aquaculture activities24. ConclusionNPP/GPP ratio tends to approach unity in a healthy aquatic ecosystem. The range of this ratio in the river Jharahi at Mairwa indicates the presence of a healthy phytoplankton population. 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