How pH, Temperature, and Dissolved Oxygen Shape Freshwater Ecosystems
Introduction:
An introduction to the topic “How pH, Temperature, and Dissolved Oxygen Shape Freshwater Ecosystems”, Water quality in lakes and wetlands is regulated by key physicochemical parameters like pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. These factors influence the solubility of nutrients, the metabolic activity of aquatic organisms, and the overall biodiversity in freshwater bodies.
Seasonal variations play a significant role in altering these parameters, thereby affecting the health of ecosystems and their capacity to support fish, plankton, and other life forms.
This excerpt provides a well-researched overview of how shifts in temperature and pH, along with fluctuating oxygen levels, determine the quality and productivity of aquatic ecosystems.
These insights are valuable for researchers and environmental managers working on conservation and water resource sustainability.
Table of Contents
Excerpt Section:
The air and water temperature both are directly related with each other.
The air temperature shows seasonal change to the water temperature of aquatic ecosystem. Temperature is an important limnological factor of freshwater ponds.
Kaul and Handoo (1980) observed that surface water temperature is closely related to the air temperature in the lake of Kashmir. Katre et al. (1988), Krishnan et al. (1990), and Hujare et al. (2005), reported seasonal temperature variation (20ºC to 31.3 ºC, 23.9 ºC to 34.9 ºC and 22 ºC to 39 ºC respectively from Chilika lake, Kolleru wetland and perennial tank from Kolhapur District (M.S.).
The changes in physicochemical characteristics of water bodies is related to yearly variation of temperature and rainfall (Ayoade et al., 2006, Oso and Fagbauro, 2008). Lashari et al. (2009), studied physicochemical parameters temperature, pH, and turbidity at Keenjhar Lake, Sindh Pakistan.
In Harsool Savangi Dam, Aurangabad, Shinde et al. (2011), reported that the highest temperature was in summer and lowest temperature in the winter.
Pandey et al. (2012), found that the temperature of the ecosystem governs the development of organisms and the quality of water.
A similar study was made by Javaid Ahmad and Ashok Pandit (2012) in Wular Lake, Kashmir Himalaya.
Hardikar and Acharya (2013) reported fluctuation in temperature from 28.5 ºC to 28.75 ºC in summer months and 21.75 ºC to 27.25 ºC in the cold season in the freshwater reservoir of Ahmedabad.
The variations in temperature are due to oxidation of organic matter and ionization of organic composition.
pH is an indication of the acidity and alkalinity of water.
It affects mineral solubility, chemical reactions, and the efficiency of water treatment procedures.
A pH level beyond the permitted range can harm water treatment systems and aquatic life. pH rises in the water body in the morning and falls in the evening in the fish culture pond. (Ojha et al., 2004).
Higher pH was correlated with strong photosynthetic activity in the Pindvani Pond of Central India (Harney et al., 2013).
According to drinking water quality standard IS10500:2012, pH range of 6.5 to 8.5 is the best for drinking water, in India.
Bobdey et al. (2014) observed the highest pH in the summer months by increasing carbonate and bicarbonate and minimum pH in cold season due to low turbidity and low water temperature in Bhiwapur Lake, Dist. Nagpur (M.S) India.
The best pH range for planktonic growth is between 5.0 and 8.5 (Dixit, 2015).
This pH range changes because plants and animals lose carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and gain it back when they breathe.
The loss or gain of liquid gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide causes the pH to change quickly.
Most of the pH of natural water is controlled by reactions involving the carbonate system (Uddin., 2016).
The Magadi Hill range Lake and reservoir have been found to have a pH range of 6.7 to 8.4, which is safe for aquatic life (Myniyellappa, 2018).
Fluctuating dissolved oxygen percentage increases with elevation of pH level in water bodies, DO and pH increase constantly from December and were observed high in January due to less rainfall (Iseri et al., 2022).
Dissolved oxygen levels are considered an important measurement of water characteristics and an index of water bodies able to support desirable aquatic life.
Dissolved oxygen in a water body depends upon water temperature, amount of dissolved salt, and pressure of gases.
In the Oinyi River in Nigeria, Meme et al., (2014) reported the DO level was between 6.02 and 7.01 mg/l. Pandit et al., (2022) express the co-relation between D.O. and B.O.D. in study at Suraj Kund and Rani Pond in India.
They found the lowest D.O. level and highest B.O.D in comparison to winter and monsoon season.
Natural water pond requires carbon dioxide to work properly. The majority of CO2 is produced by decomposition of organic matter and respiration of aquatic life.
The presence or absence of CO2 on the surface of a water body depends on the photosynthesis of minute aquatic plants.
Source Citation:
Researcher’s full name: Chaudhary Narendra Kumar
Title: Seasonal variations in hydrological parameters and status of fish diversity in Bichnaiyya Lake wetland of District Basti, UP, India
Guide(s): Srivastav Susmita
University: Siddharth University
Completed Date: 2024
Excerpt Page Number: Pages 10–13
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