A researcher collects sample from river
Impact of Pollution on Mula-Mutha River Aquatic Life
A study by the Agharkar Research Institute has found that while monsoon conditions can alter the flow and chemistry of the Mula-Mutha River, they do not mitigate the adverse effects of pollution on its aquatic ecosystems. Urban sewage and other human activities exert a more substantial influence on the river’s health as it traverses Pune.
Researchers observed significant variations in the types of microscopic algae, specifically diatoms, across different stretches of the river rather than between seasonal changes. Pollution-tolerant diatom species were predominantly found in the midstream and downstream areas, indicating a shift in the ecological balance.
The study, which examined 17 locations along the Mula-Mutha River basin during pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon periods in 2022 and 2023, identified 170 different diatom species. These findings underscore the importance of water quality as a critical factor in river health, alongside the necessity of maintaining adequate river flows. The authors concluded that long-term nutrient loading and pollution can overshadow the natural seasonal dynamics typical of monsoon-fed tropical rivers.
Diatom Community Shifts Along Western Ghats River Basin
Research in the Western Ghats river basin reveals distinct ecological changes from forested upstream areas to urbanized and industrialized midstream regions, culminating in agricultural zones downstream. While the number and diversity of species remained stable overall, significant shifts in species types were observed along the river’s course.
In the oxygen-rich upstream sections, researchers identified several sensitive diatom species. The study pinpointed dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity as key factors influencing diatom communities. In contrast, substances like sulphate, magnesium, and fluoride were found to have no significant individual impact.
This transition illustrates a movement from oxygen-dominated conditions in upstream areas to conditions influenced by ions and pollution downstream.