Seasonal variation of the physicochemical quality of water of selected habitats of Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India

Jignasha Vankar; Ketan Tatu; R.D. Kamboj

Abstract

AbstractKhijadiya Bird Sanctuary is a well-known wetland in Jamnagar district of Gujarat, India, recognised for its rich avifaunal and aquatic biodiversity. The sanctuary is one of its kind exhibiting a mosaic of unique habitats with fresh water on one side and salt pans on other side. As the wetland type and morphology are highly variable documentation of such wetlands are essential. There have been only a few studies on seasonal variations in the water quality, loading of nutrients by different activities and in-depth studies on determination of the quality of this wetland. This study is a preliminary investigation of water quality of this wetland. The water samples were collected from five different habitats (Open water, Muddy habitat, Marshy area, Saltpans and Mangroves) on seasonal basis. Water quality parameters like temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium and magnesium hardness, chloride, nitrate, and phosphate were investigated during the study period. Standard methods were followed for the collection, sampling and analysis for 15 physicochemical parameters. The investigation reveals fairly high average concentration of phosphate (1.04 mg/L) and nitrate (42.90 mg/L) resulting in conditions favourable for eutrophication. Keywords: Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, physico-chemical parameters, seasonal variations, water quality, wetlandCite this ArticleJignasha Vankar, Ketan Tatu, R.D.Kamboj. Seasonal variation of the physicochemical quality of water of selected habitats of Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Life Sciences. 2020; 10(1): 43–55p.