Sharma & Sharma /IJLS/ 11(2) 2022 ; 19-22

Vol. 11. No.2. 2022.

©Copyright by CRDEEP Journals. All Rights Reserved. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.20961.38241

Contents available at:

http://www.crdeepjournal.org
Full Length Research Paper
International Journal of Life Sciences (ISSN: 2277-193x) CIF: 5.411; SJIF: 6.431
A Peer Reviewed Journal

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of Regulated Flow on Benthic Macroinvertebrates of the River
Narmada at Mandleshwar, India
1
D.K.Sharma and 2*Shailendra Sharma
1-
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University of Social Science, Dr. Ambedkar Nagar Mhow, Indore, India.
2-
P.G. Department of Zoology, Adarsh Institute of Management & Science Damnod (M.P.) India

ARTICLE INFORMATION ABSTRACT

Corresponding Author: Regulation in the catchment’s area of the River Narmada at Maheshwar Dam in Khargon
Shailendra Sharma district Mandleshwar increase during monsoon (700 to 2500 cubic feet per second,) and from
100 to 150 c cubic feet per second during lean period. Most pronounced effect of the regulation
Article history: was seen on the macrobenthic insect fauna belonging to Trichopera, Placoptera, Ephimeroptera
Received: 27-05-2022 and Chironomidaee. The bigger animal species picked up by hand, whereas the smaller forms
Revised: 01-06-2022 were isolated by sugar floatation method and studied them under low power (x50) microscope.
Accepted: 10-06-2022 They were preserved by narcotizing them by Methanol and Chloral hydrate and late 70%
Published: 14-06-2022 Alcohol. The benthic organisms were identified with the help of APHA (2005), Willium & Doris
(1966), Pennak (1989), Tonapi (1980), Needham & Needham (1969), etc. The dominant forms
Key words: are Hydropscyche sp, Parapscyche sp, Psychomyia sp, Polycentropus, Ephimerilla sp, Baetis,
Regulated Flow, Benthic Lanthus sp, Chironomous pleumosus and Helius sp. Large particulate feeders (shredders) were
Macro invertebrates, reduced whereas the collectors were increased during this period. The predominant
Narmada river, oligochaetes were Limnodrilus gracilis, L. profundicola, Tubifex tubifex and Dero forcata. . The
diversity, molluscans species were Thiara scabra, Vivipara bengalensis, Limnaea acuminate and Pisidium
dubium. During lean period stone flies were not recorded. Most of the insect species were also
reduced or absent. The oligochaetes , however,were present during lean period. The molluscan
species such as Pisidium dubium, Thiara scabre and Vivipara bengalensis were present. The
occurrence of species dominance is correlated to availability of food and reproductive habits of
the macro invertebrates. The aim of the present study is to study the Effect of Regulated Flow
on Benthic Macroinvertebrates of the River Narmada at Mandleshwar which are declining at an
alarming rate.
Introduction
The rivers and streams have the most diversified benthic macroinvertebrate fauna due to their greatly diversified substrate
type and permanence of life, giving better chance of continuity and evolutionary changes (Hynes 1979). The information on
these taxa in tropical rivers is absent (Belsare 1982). . Benzie (1984) studied the stream benthos of a tropical river of Sri
Lanka. Recently Goswami et al (2002) attempted to make qualitative analysis of benthos of the river Subernrekah
(Jharkhand, India), but this study is not related to the regulated flow on these animals. Belsare (2004) mentioned the
importance of benthic invertebrates in river corridors. In temperate river system also such studies are few as compared to
reservoirs (Lillehamer and Saltveit 1983). In this paper we present the general effects on the macrobenthic invertebrate
communities of Narmada river at Maheshwar Dam the site locality at Madleshwar (dist Khargon , M..P.). This study has been
done to find out the diversity of benthic macro-invertebrates and their relationship with different parameters of water because
the physical, chemical and biological parameters are support the water body assessment. This study has been done to find out
the Effect of Regulated Flow on Benthic Macroinvertebrates of the River Narmada at Mandleshwar

International Journal of Life Sciences 19

 Sharma & Sharma /IJLS/ 11(2) 2022 ; 19-22
Materials and methods
Study area
The Narmada, also called Rewa is a river in central India and the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent. It is the third
largest river that completely flows within India after Ganges and Godavari. It forms the traditional boundary between North
India and South India and flows westwards over a length of 1,312 km before draining through the Gulf of Cambey
(Khambat) into the Arabian Sea, 30 km west of Bharuch city of Gujarat (NVDA). It is one of only three major rivers in
peninsular India that runs from east to west (largest west flowing river) along with the Tapti River and the Mahi River. It is
the only river in India that flows in a rift valley flowing west between the Satpura and Vindhya ranges although the Tapti
River and Mahi River also flow through rift valleys but between different ranges. The Narmada basin, hemmed between
Vindya and Satpuda ranges, extends over an area of 98,796 km2 and lies between east longitudes 72 degrees 32' to 81
degrees 45' and north latitudes 21 degrees 20' to 23 degrees 45' lying on the northern extremity of the Deccan Plateau.

Sampling method
The animals were collected from the bottom substrata with the help of hand-net sampler (25 cm X 25 cm) by placing it
perpendicular to the substratum for 4 to 5 minutes. After disturbing the substratum, the animals were collected and were kept
in white enamel tray. They were sorted out and preserved in 4% formalin in plastic bucket. Further sieving and washing were
done in the laboratory. After sorting out them group wise they were preserved in 70% alcohol in plastic vials. Their
identification up to group level was done with the help of key prepared by Belsare (2006) and to the species level with the
help of published account in books by Pennak (1953), Hynes (1970), Okland (1964) and Brinkhurst & Jamieson (1971)

Results and Discussion

The macroinvertebrate fauna of the study area is represented by chironomids (Chironomous plumosus, Cryptochironomous
sp, Psilotanypus sp, Tipula sp , Helius sp, Caradocladius sp, ), Coleoptera ( Gyrinus sp, Dineustos sp, Berosus sp), Odonata
(Lanthus sp, Dramagomphus sp, Agrion sp , Hetaerina sp), Trichoptera (Hydropsyche sp, Parapsyche sp, Arctopsyche sp,
Rhyacophila sp, Polycentropus sp & Chimarra sp), Placoptera ( Pteromarcella sp, Peltoperia sp), Ephimeroptera
(Ephimerilla sp, Baetis sp, Caenis sp, Ephoron sp ) , Mollusca; Gastropoda ( Thiara tuberculata, Thiara scabra, Vivipara
bengalensis, Limnaea acuminate, Diagoniostoma pulchella), Pelecypoda ( Corbicula striatella, C. regularis, Pisidium
dubium, Anodonta dominate) ; Oligochaeta (Limnodrilus gracilis, L. profundicula, Branchyura soverbyi, Tubifex tubifex,
Dero forcata Dero digitata,Areolosoma hemprichi, A. variagatum and Haplotaxis sp).

Table1: H’ Shannon-Index of Narmada River.

S.no. Month Narmada river (h’)

1. August 0.274
2. September 1.070
3. October 1.082
4. November 1.085
5. December 1.089
6. January 1.080
7. February 1.055
8. March 1.028
9. April 1.065
10. May 1.083
11. June 1.065
12. July 0.454
The value of Shannon and Weaver Index during the study period was found within the range between 0.274 in the month of
August to 1.089 in the month of November. This indicates that river Narmada has heavily polluted or moderately polluted
water quality except during monsoon season in which water gets polluted due to heavy floods.

During lean period most of the insect species were found absent. The only group observed during this period is Placoptera.
The oligochaetes were confined to pools only, whereas the mollusks, especially gastropod species were dominant. During
monsoon they reappear and the insects dominate macroinvertebrate fauna. It is evident from the present study that insects and
mollusks are the most dominant group of the narmada river. The overwintering occurs in trichopteran insects and they are
found during lean period also.Although it is difficult to generalize , but characteristic features of the soft substrata of pool
during lean period when water is diverted by the underground tunnel of the river, is represented by taxa of Tubificidae,
chironomids and burrowing may flies. The gastropod species are more predominant in rocky and stony area of streams.
During monsoon the insect species dominate the taxa of macroinvertebrates. The most pronounced effect of regulation of
river water was seen in the Trichoptera, Placoptera and chironomid taxa. Similar situation is reported in Sulalslagen river of
West Norway (Lillehammer & Saltweit 1983).

International Journal of Life Sciences 20

 Sharma & Sharma /IJLS/ 11(2) 2022 ; 19-22
Conclusion
We studied Effect of Regulated Flow on Benthic Macroinvertebrates of the River Narmada at Mandleshwar. 26 species of
Benthic macro-invertebrates were identified 10 species of Annelides, 09 species of Molluscans and 07 species of Arthropods
have been found. Among them we observed the percentage of Benthic Macroinvertebrates found low.This indicates that river
Narmada has heavily polluted or moderately polluted water quality during monsoon season in which water gets polluted due
to heavy floods.

References
Adeogun A.O. and Fafioye O.O. (2011): Impact of effluents on water quality and Benthic macro-invertebrate Fauna of Awba
Stream and Reservoir. J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. Vol. 15(1) 105-113.
Barber-James H. M., Gattolliat J., Sartori M. and Hubbard M. D. (2008): Global diversity of mayflies (Ephemeroptera,
Insecta) in freshwater. Hydrobiologia,595: 339– 350.
Barber-James H. M. and Lugoortiz C. R. (2003): Ephemeroptera. In I. J. de Moor, J. A. Day, & F. C. de Moor (Eds.), Guides
to the freshwater invertebrates of Southern Africa South Africa: Water Resource Commission Pretoria. 7(1): 16– 159.
Belsare D.K.1982. Ecology of surface water in tropics. J.Sci. Ind. Res. 41:327-342 .
Belsare, D.K. 2004. Stream habitat and flood control. Lecture delivered at Disaster management Institute. Feb 24, 2004, pp 1-
10
Belsare, D.K. 2006. Introduction to Biodiversity. APH Corp. Publ. New Delhi pp 245.
Benzie, J.A.H. 1884. The colonization mechanism of stream benthos in a tropical river (Menik Ganga , Sri Lanka )
Hydrobiologia. 111: 171-179
B.N.Pandey, R.K.Choudhary & B.K.Singh (eds) Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Ecology. Vol
I:247-258
Goswami, N.D., L.B Singh, A. Goswami & P.N.Pande. 2002. Qualitative analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates of
Subarnrekah river at Ranchi (Jharkhand State).
Hynes 1970, H.B.N. 1970 . The Ecology of Running Waters. Toronto University Press pp155.
Datta M. J. and Datta J. S. (1995): Fundamentals of freshwater biology. Narendra Publishing House. Delhi (India). 1- 222.
Dudgeon D. (1999): Tropical Asian streams- zoobenthos, Ecology and Conservation. Hongkong University Press.Hongkong.
828.
Godfrey P.J. (1978): Diversity as a measure of benthic macroinvertebrate community response to water pollution.
Hydrobiologia 57: 111-122.
Hart A.I. (1994): The Ecology of the communities of benthic macro fauna in the mangrove swamp of Port Harcourt area of
the Niger Delta. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, 262.
Hart A.I. and Zabbey N. (2005): Physico-chemistry and Benthic Fauna of Woji Creek in the Lower Niger Delta, Nigeria.
Environment and Ecology 23(2): 361-368.
Johnson M.G. and Brinkhurst R.O. (1971): Association and species diversity in benthic macroinvertebrates of Bay of Quinte
and Lake Ontario, J. Fish. Res. Canada., 28: 1683-1697.
Lillehamer, A. and S.J.Saltveit 1983. The effect of the regulation on the aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna of the river
Suldalslagen, Western Norway. In Lillehamer, A & S.J Solveit (eds) Regulated Rivers, University Press, Oslo. Pp 201-210.
Mackey D.W., Sulsby P.G. and Poodie T. (1973): The biological assessment of pollution in stream, association of the river
authorities. Year Book and Directory, London, pp: 189-197.
Miserendino M. L. and Pizzolon L. A. (2001): Abundance and altitudinal distribution of Ephemeroptera in an Andean-
Patagonean River system (Argentina).In E. Dominguez (Ed.), Trends in research in Ephemeroptera &Plecoptera
TheNetherlands: Kluwer Academic. pp: 135– 142.
Okland, J. 1964. The eutrophic lake, Borrenwenn (Norway) an ecological study on the shore and bottom fauna with special
reference to gastropods, including hydrographic survey. Folia. Limnol. Scandinevia. 13: 1-337.
Osborne J.A., Martin P.W. and Yousuf A.Y. (1976): Benthic fauna species diversity in six central Florida Lake in summer.
Hydrobiologia, 48: 125-129.
Oyenekan J.A. (1975): A survey of the Lagos benthos with particular reference to molluscs. M.Sc. Thesis, University of
Lagos, 137.
Pennak, R.W. 1953. Freshwater Invertebrates of the United States. Ronald Co. New York 769 pp
Ranson J.D. and Dorris T.C. (1972): Analysis of benthic community structure in a reservoir by use of diversity indices. Am.
Midl. Nat., 87: 434-447.
Sharma S., Dubey S. and Chaurasia R. (2013): Benthic Macro-invertebrate abundance and its Correlations with physic-
chemical parameters from Kunda River, Khargone (M.P.), India. International Journal of Advanced Research Vol. 1(2) 8-13.
Sharma S., Dubey S., Chaurasia R. and Dave V. (2013): Macro-invertebrates community diversity in relation to water quality
status of Kunda river (M.P.) India; Discovery, 3(9) 40-46.
Singh K.P., Malik A., Mohan D. and Sinha S. (2004): Multivariate statistical techniques for the evaluation of spatial and
temporal variations in water quality of Gomti River (India)- A case study. Water Research, 38 3980–3992.

International Journal of Life Sciences 21

 Sharma & Sharma /IJLS/ 11(2) 2022 ; 19-22
Soldan T. and Landa V. (1999): A key to the central European species of the genus Rhithrogena(Ephemeroptera:
Heptageniidae). Klapalekiana,35: 25-37.
Umeozor O.C. (1995): Benthic fauna of New Calabar River, Nigeria. Trop. Freshwater Biol., 4: 41-51.
Vega M., Pardo R., Barrado E. and Deban L. (1998): Assessment of seasonal and polluting effects on the Quality of river
water by exploratory data analysis. Water Research, 32 3581–3592.
Williams A.B. (1999): Ecological studies of macrobenthic fauna of the lighthouse creek and Oworonsoki areas of Lagos
Lagoon, M.Sc. Thesis, University of Lagos, pp: 87.
Wilhm J.L. and Dorris T.C. (1966): Species diversity of benthic macro-invertebrates in a stream receiving domestic and oil
refinery effluents. Am. Midl. Nat., 76: 427-449.

International Journal of Life Sciences 22