Limnological studies of Mangesh lake, Kalghatgi taluk, Dharwad district, Karnataka

Nehakousar B. , Shreyas B. , Vanaja G. Patgar , K. Kotresha

Taxonomy and Floristic Laboratory, Department of UG, PG and Research Botany, Karnatak University, Karnatak Science College, Dharwad-580001, India

Corresponding Author Email: vanajapatgar3373@gmail.com

DOI : https://doi.org/10.51470/ABP.2026.05.01.11

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INTRODUCTION:

Limnology is the branch of ecosystem, it deals with physical, chemistry, biology and geologyof water systems like, lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, and ground waters [15]. Limnological Study on Rajasthan water bodies, as the result of physicochemical parameters Electric conductance, DO and Hardness were higher these are effect on water quality[17]. Limonological studies on Kolaramma Lake, Kolar, Karnataka by the result of physico-chemical parameters concluded that water quality is not good for drinking and domestic purpose because of abundance growth of algal bloom [16]. Limnological study with physico-chemical (Temperature, pH, Rainfall, DO, BOD, EC, Alkanity and Hardness) analysis on Malaprabha River, M. K. Hubli, Karnataka reports water is good quality, suitable for drinking and agricultural purpose [21]. Worked on the Chlorophyceae  in the lake of Navalgund, Dharwada, reported as Temperature, PH, Turbidity, Alkalinity, Total hardness, DO, BOD, Nitrates, Phosphate and COD were affect on the diversity of Chlorophyceae  [1]. Limnological study on two water bodies in Uttara Kannada, Kali and Aghanashini River,reports drinking water quality standard based on the 25 physico-chemical factors and two years study of phytoplankton reveales that there were 226 taxa belonging to 40 genera. Among that Bacillariophyceae was the dominant with 116 taxa. Among these rivers Kali river(74) is the less phytoplankton diversity than Aghanashini(191) river [8].The algal diversity of freshwater in the Brahmaputra valley, revealed that 194 taxa belonging to seven group Charophyta, Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, Euglenozoa, Ochrophyta, Cyanobacteria and Mioza and Desmidiaceae was the dominant belongs to 49 species among them Coasmarium is dominant with 23 species [4]. Studies on Hirehonnalli lake dharwad reports 60 phytoplanktons, which is highest record in summer season and 96 taxa of angiosperms were recorded. Along with water analysis concluded that to water is good for drinking and agricultural purpose [18]. The comparative account of vascular plant diversity in two lakes of Haliyal taluk, Uttara Kannadareportstotally 100 plant species in which lower plants and higher plants were differentiated. More species diversity is in Antrolli lake than Guttigere lake. Antrolli lake records 82 species out of 100 species and Guttigere lake records 48 species out of 100 species [7]. Phytoplanktons diversity of two lakes in Uttara Kannada reports diversity of phytoplanktons are high in summer and lower in rainy season. Guttigere lakeand Antrolli lake records 9 species and 52 species respectively, among that only one species is common for both the lakes. A total of 60 species belonging to 32 families, Phacaceae is dominant family. More number of species recorded in Chlorophyta group and less in Dinoflagellate and Zygonematophyceae.The physicochemical parameters result shows the water is fit for drinking [6].  

            A good quality of water is essential for good quality of life and crucial for human survival, it leads to preventing diseases. Therefore, physicochemical parameters (Temperature, EC, TSS, TDS, Turbidity, pH, Alkalinity, Hardness, Cl, Nitrate, Sulfate, DO, COD and BOD) standards helps to understand the water quality. And also biological parameters such as phyplanktons also effect on the water quality. The study’s results revealed that the pond water in Bihar is slightly contaminated, highlighting the need for water quality monitoring and management to ensure public health and safety [20]. Algal work on the three effluent drains of Guwahati Oil Refinery, Assam reports 22 taxa of class Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Euglenineae and Cyanophyceae. Along with qualitative analysis of water, Temperature, EC, Turbidity, BOD, Potassium, Phosphate and Nitrate were done. Overall the water quality parameter along with algal population indicated highly organically polluted status of the pond and need management interventions [9].

MATERIAL METHODS:

Study Area:The Mangesh lake (Fig. 01) is perennial freshwater body located in Dharwad District of Karnataka State. The lake is utilized as a source for drinking, cattle and Clothes washing by local people, for fishery by fishermen communities and agricultural purpose.Mangeshlake is situated about 35 km from Dharwad,15°10’47.1″N 74°57’01.7″E. The lake surrounded by farms for agricultural purpose, constructed canals for watering to farm. This lake mainly used for fisheries. And some anthropogenic activities like cloth washing, buffalo and vehicle washing are found in this lake. 

Collection of Samples: Samples were collected in monthly with variant times for different parameters respectively, for the phytoplanktons were collected at morning hours (8-10 am), water sample was also collected at morning hours (10-11 am) and angiosperms were collected intwo to three times in a month.

Identification of phytoplankton: An Introduction to Phytoplanktons: Diversity and Ecology [19].Training Manual on Phytoptankton Identification Taxonomy [14] Phytoplankton identification and water quality monitoring along the fish-cage belt at Magat dam reservoir, Philippines [12]. Freshwater Algae Identification and Use as Bio indicators [11)].

Physio-chemical Parameters: 

Physico-chemical Parameters were conducted minor tests for monthly and some major tests for two seasons with the following standard methods: Chemical Oxygen Demand [10]; Total Alkinity Test [3]; Dissolved Oxygen test (Winkler method); Electrochemical Conductivity: This has been conducted in Shilpa Biologicals Pvt. Ltd.; Chloride Test (Mohr’s test); Determination of Total Hardness by Volumetric EDTA Method [13]; Determination of Calcium by Volumetric Method [13]; Determination of Magnesium by Calculation Method [13]; Determination of Chlorophyll content in a given sample by UV spectrophotometric method [2].

RESULTS:

Limnological studies of Mangesh lake was started from January, 2024 to July, 2024. In this period three forms of work were done i.e., water analysis (Physicochemical parameters), phytoplankton diversity and angiosperm diversity.

Physicochemical parameters were conducted monthly once.That result follow as, Temperature recorded high in summer season of April month– 30⁰C and low in January month of winter season– 25⁰C. pH was little much variation with all months among that little high in May month of summer season records 8.6. TDS was recorded in decreasing order from month January to July, higher in winter season 827 ppm and lower in rainy season 439 ppm. Total alkalinity is depends upon the Carbonate and Hydrocarbonates, variation with different month, high amount of alkalinity recorded in January, April and July month – 40 mg/ml and lowest amount of alkalinity recorded in March month – 25 mg/ml. Dissolve Oxygen is variation with different season, high amount recorded in summer season of April month – 6 mg/ml and lower amount recordedin rainy season – 1.6 mg/ml. Result of chloride analysis shows variation with different month the values in-between 10 – 18 mg/ml, the highest amount recorded in April month – 17.75 mg/ml. Chemical Oxygen Demand was variation with different season, highest amount recorded in summer season – 20 mg/ml, lowest in winter season – 10 mg/ml due to the seasonal variation (Table- 1).

Some major tests were conducted once in a different season i.e., Total hardness, Hardness, Calcium hardness, Magnesium hardness and Chlorophyll content of phytoplankton’s. Total hardness is depends upon the Calcium and Magnesium amount present in the water, high amount of Hardness recorded in summer season – 224 mg/ml and low amount  recorded in rainy season – 192 mg/ml. As it is Calcium hardness was recorded high in summer season – 210.1 mg/ml and lower in rainy season – 171.13 mg/ml. and the Magnesium hardness was recorded high in winter season – 6.31 mg/ml and lower in summer season – 3.41 mg/ml. Among that amount of Calcium is more than Magnesium in the all season of Total hardness analysis.The Chlorophyll content of phytoplankton’s was conductedin two seasons (Summer and Winter) because of availability. The amount of Total Chlorophyll content high in summer season – 38.74 mg/ml. The amount of separated Chlorophyll ‘a’ content was high in summer season – 32.71 mg/ml and low in rainy season – 30.82 mg/ml and the Chlorophyll ‘b’ (Summer season – 5.97 mg/ml and Rainy season – 4.28 mg/ml) is always less than Chlorophyll ‘a’ (Table 2).

Soil and some parameters of water analysis was conducted at ICAR Science Centre, Dharwad, that reports, red color soil with 7.57 pH and has good nutrition content. The overall result concluded that good fertility of soil for plant growth in form and water is good for agriculture and drinking purpose (Table 3).

In this lake 57 taxa of phytoplanktons were recorded during the January to July month. The summer season is suitable for growing phytoplanktons due to high sunlight and also highest diversity of phytoplanktons were recorded (Table 4& Fig. 2-5). Total 57 taxa belongin to 7 classes, Bacillariophyta – 20, Chlorophyceae – 13, Cyanophyceae – 12, Euglenophyceae – 6, Zygnematophyceae – 3, Coscinodiscophyceae – 2 and Trebouxiophyceae – 1 respectively recorded. Among them Bacillariophyta records more number of species, because of high amount of DO, TDS, Phospate leads to increase of diversity of Bacillariophyceae (Table 5).

The survey of Mangesh lake was conducted in two to three times in a month from January to July 2024 with three different seasons, angiosperm survey reports 83 species belonging to 34 families. And 43 are Native to India other than are alien species (Table 6 & Fig. 6-11).

Among them herbs were recorded in highest number – 39, shrubs – 26, climbers – 12 and trees – 6 respectively (Table 7). Top 8 families are Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Convolvulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Nictaginaceae, Acanthaceae and Boraginaceae among that Fabaceae were recorded 23 species (Table 8).

Mangesh lake water is used for agricultural purposes. As the pond is ephemeral soil is used for various purposes. Washing clothes, cattle’s and vehicles is also regularly done in this pond. There is no protection fencing around it. Fishing is done during February to June when the water becomes less. Fishes include Katla, Kannadi, Miragal, Rahoo, Gaskarp, Murgod, Chillapilli.

CONCLUSION:

The water is fit for agricultural needs and also good for drinking.  Soil from the lake is dig out for various uses during the summer season. Washing clothes, washing buffelos and vehicles is also regularly done in this lake. There is does not have fencing around it but walking around the lake by people near villages. Fishing is done during February to June when water becomes less. Fishes include Katla, Kannadi, Miragal, Rahoo, Gaskarp, Murgod, Chillapilli. Soil of lake (Red) is good for plants to grow. Further the work need to be continued and investigated for useful purposes. This work is helpful for Agriculture department, farmers, students and the forest department for their future investigations and need to conserve the lakes.

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