Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Certain Physico-Chemical Factor of Sediment Soil and Benthic Fauna in a Pond of Godda District Santal Pargana (Jharkhand)

Abstract

Sediment soils provide substrate for benthic fauna as well as deliver nutrient, minerals and detoxify chemical pollutant to the aquatic ecosystem. Available nitrogen and Phosphorus in the sediment soil stimulate algal growth and enrich Cyanobacteria. Higher organic carbon promotes water retention capacity, soil structure and its fertility. Surface run off through agriculture and rain fall generally carry soil particle, fertilizer and pesticide etc that enter the pond and settle as sediment. Settling of sediment in the pond further improves the water quality. Nowadays, anthropogenic activities like bathing, washing of clothes, Utensil, immersion of idols, cattle dumping and disposable of domestic wastes are adversely affecting the pond ecosystem.  Fish productivity mostly depends upon sediment soil properties. With this background lentic aquatic bodies are always at risk so its proper management and regular quality assessment are encountered in Rajkachari Pond situated in North-East area of Godda district in Santal Pargana of Jharkhand. The Plan of work includes both survey and laboratory analysis of sediment soil samples. Physico-chemical properties of sediment soil include (Conductivity, Specific gravity, pH, Organic Carbon, Total Alkalinity, Phosphorus, Potassium and Nitrate). Sediment soil analysis was carried out periodically on a monthly basis for twenty four months from January 2018 to December 2019. The investigation revealed remarkable variation in physico-chemical properties of sediment soil like (Organic Carbon, pH, Total Alkalinity, Phosphorus,  Potassium and Nitrate) in the pond probably due to human induced allochthonous input of organic and inorganic matter mainly due to idol immersion, cattle dumping, washing of clothes, and regular influx of domestic waste, leading towards eutrophication process.