PLANKTON BIODIVERSITY AND LIMNOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN FRESHWATER PONDS

Abstract

Our goal was to determine the limnological differences and biodiversity of plankton in two separate lentic ponds in connection to aquaculture. From December 2020 to February 2021, water samples and plankton samples were collected and analysed.The obtained samples contained six distinct species of phytoplankton, including Oscillatoria sp., Spirulina sp., Anabaena sp., Chlorella sp., Volvox sp., Spirogyra sp., and eight different species of zooplankton, including Cyclops vernalis, Oithona rigida, Eucyclops serrulatus, Oithona rigida, Eucyclops serrulatus, Oithona similis, Oithona nana, Daphnia duplux, Brachionus bruben, Branchionus sp,were observed in the collected samples.The BOD values in the six samples ranged from 6.85 to 7.40 mg/L. This suggests that there is a significant amount of organic contamination. In December 2020, all limnological parameters were average, which is necessary for plankton growth and fish survival. In January and February 2021, the limnological parameters increased somewhat, and the level of plankton in both ponds increased.As a result, these two freshwater ponds might be suitable for aquaculture.