Vol. 23 No. 2 (2024): Mapana Journal of Sciences
Research Articles

Meiobenthic Diversity in Relation to Water Quality of Aamayizhanchan Canal of Thiruvananthapuram City, Kerala

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  • Sumesh S,
  • Kurian Mathew Abraham
Kurian Mathew Abraham
Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram 695 581, Kerala, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12723/mjs.69.7

Published 2024-07-04

Keywords

  • Urban canal,
  • Foraminifera,
  • Nematodes,
  • Benthos diversity,
  • Municipal sewage canal

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Abstract

Monitoring and assessment of meiobenthic fauna is essential to evaluate the health status of urban canals, especially those used as urban sewage discharge sites. An attempt was made to assess the diversity of meiobenthos of Aamayizhanchan Thodu, a freshwater first-order canal flowing through Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala state, from January to April 2021. A total of 7 meiobenthic groups were identified, of which nematodes and foraminifera were registered from all stations with more abundance towards downstream reach. Ostracodes, oligochaetes, polychaetes, kinorynchs, and turbellarians are represented in the diversity and abundance of meiobenthos found higher in stations with higher salinity and from silty to sandy zones. Statistical analysis showed a significant (P<0.05) difference between stations in meiobenthic diversity and abundance. Despite the heavy effluent and municipal waste discharge to the canal, the meiobenthic diversity showed a significant relationship with water quality and canal water flow.

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