International Journal of Advanced Biotechnology and Research ISSN 0976-2612, Vol 1, Issue 2, Dec-2010, pp 91-95 http://www.bipublication.com WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF VADGAON TANK OF KOLHAPUR (MAHARASHTRA), WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ZOOPLANKTON S. A. Manjare, S. A. Vhanalakar, D. V. Muley Department of Zoology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur (M.S.) INDIA ABSTRACT: Study on hydrobiological status of Vadgaon tank water was made to assess the potability of water from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2009. Some physico-chemical parameters were considered such as temperature, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, carbandioxide, hardness, alkalinity, phosphate and nitrate. Among the zooplankton population four group of Rotifera, Cladocera, Copepod and Ostracods were studied. Key words: Perennial tank; physico-chemical parameters; monthly variation, zooplankton INTRODUCTION: The interrelationship between the physicochemical parameters and plankton production of tank water and its relation with fluctuation of zooloplankton are of great importance and basically essential in fish culture. Fishes are dependent on physicochemical parameters. Any change of these parameters may affect the growth, development and maturity of fish [1]. Different causal influences, which determine the quality of water, show a characteristic change from season to season [2-5]. Zooplankton constitutes important food item of many fishes. The larvae of carps feed mostly on zooplankton [6]. Zooplankton also plays a important role in the food chain as they are second in tropic level as primary consumers and also as contributers to next tropic level [7]. Sunkand and Patil [8], Islam [9] has worked on the physicochemical condition and seasonal variation of zooplankton. The present study was made on water quality and occurrence of some zooplankton with respect to physicochemical parameters in Vadgaon tank of Kolhapur district (Maharashtra) MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on Vadgaon tank situated 15 km away from Kolhapur city which lies between 16 0 46’ 26.56” N latitude and 74 0 18’ 21.54”E longitude, from January 2009 to December 2009. The area of the tank is 120 ha. Rainfall is the water source of water for tank. The water of the tank is clear and few aquatic plants are present. Water samples were collected monthly in the morning at 8 am to 10 am from surface layer of the tank. Water temperature was recorded by a centigrade thermometer and pH was recorded by pocket digital pH meter. Turbidity was recorded by Nephloturbidity meter, Dissolved oxygen was determined by the Winkler’s method, Free carbandioxide was determined by titrimetric method, Hardness was estimated by EDTA titrimetric method, Alkalinity was estimated by titrimetric method Phosphate was estimated by ammonium molybdate method and Nitrate was estimated by Brucine method. Results were expressed in mg/l. [10-12]. The numerical estimation of zooplankton was made by Sedgewick Rafter cell and expressed in number per liter. All data were statistically analyzed (standard deviation).