Assessment of water-quality and plankton abundance in presence of macrophytes in some ponds of Kolkata, West Bengal, India

This work illustrates primarily the importance of ponds and the role of macrophtyes present in them. This study was initiated to get an idea about the present status of some ponds in the city of Kolkata. The water quality of these ponds, with differing plant communities was analyzed and an effort was also made to examine the plankton communities present within it. To assess the water qualities, various parameters of the pond-water were analyzed both in the field as well as in the laboratory. On one hand, a relationship was derived between the macrophyte community and the plankton abundance and its diversity. While, on the other hand, the water quality and the macrophyte presence was also related. Lastly, a recommendation was also made whether the pond-waters can be used for drinking purposes, with or without conventional treatments.