Physico-chemical and biological properties of water from the river Meghna, Bangladesh

Abstract

Meghna is one of the most famous rivers in Bangladesh and endures country’s important multi-species commercial fishery. The present study was conducted to assess the physico-chemical and biological parameters of Meghna Rivers water in three spots during the period of January, 2014 to December, 2014. Nineteen (ten were physical and nine were chemical) physico-chemical parameters of water viz Water depth, Water temperature, Air temperature, Water colour, Odour of water, Bottom type, Transparency, Conductivity, Turbidity, Total Dissolve Solids (TDS), Dissolve Oxygen (DO), Free carbon dioxide, pH, NH3, Total alkalinity, Total hardness, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) (B), Biological Oxygen Demand BOD (N) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), plankton community of both phytoplankton and Zooplankton were studied in aforesaid sampling spots of Meghna river. Maximum water depth was recorded from Meghna ghat area. Among these sampling spots highest transparency was recorded from Bhairab region. Dissolve oxygen concentration was found highest 7.5 mg/L in Chandpur. Free carbon dioxide was found maximum in Meghna ghat area 3.7 mg/L. Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae, Myxophyceae were the major groups of phytoplankton. Cladocera, Copepod, Rotifer and Sididae were the major groups of Zooplankton. Pleuroceridae, Lepidopteridae, Chironomidae, Lepidopteridae, Unionidae, Viviparidae and Sphaeridae etc were the major groups of benthos. Micro invertebrates such as Chironomus larvae (Red blood), Chironomus larvae (others), Nematoda, Oligochaeta, Polychaeta, Bristle worm, Coleopteran larvae, Dragon fly nymph, Stone fly nymph were also identified. At present from the findings of physicochemical and biological parameters of water indicate water quality of Meghna river are safe for aquatic lives, but the continuous sewage disposal may create problems in the future.