Research Article

The Status of Water Quality in Various Fish and Shrimp Farms of Sindh Province, Pakistan: Abundance of Planktonic Biomass in Relation to Physicochemical Properties of Pond Water

Rahat Rukhsana1, Shahnaz Rashid2, Asma Fatima2, Owais Iqbal Khan3, Syed Babar Hussain Shah4, Mumtaz Ali4 and Ghulam Abbas2*

1Directorate General of Marine and Coastal Fisheries Development Karachi, Government of Sindh, Pakistan; 2Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Pakistan; 3Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Karachi, Pakistan; 4College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.

Received | May 01, 2021; Accepted | May 25, 2021; Published | June 30,2021

*Correspondence | Ghulam Abbas, Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan; Email: ghulamabbas@uok.edu.pk

Citation | Rukhsana, R., S. Rashid, A. Fatima, O.I. Khan, S.B.H. Shah, M. Ali and G. Abbas. 2021. The status of water quality in various fish and shrimp farms of Sindh Province, Pakistan: Abundance of planktonic biomass in relation to physicochemical properties of pond water. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 37(3): 847-857.

DOI | https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.sja/2021/37.3.847.857

Keywords | Water quality, Aqua farming, Production, Primary productivity, Sindh Pakistan

Introduction

Water quality assessment in aquaculture ponds is crucial to identify the variation and optimal range of limnological parameters like pH, temperature, alkalinity, total hardness, potassium, nitrate, phosphate, sulphate, and dissolved oxygen (DO) of water which is necessary for the enhancement of primary productivity of ponds water (Durge et al., 2018; Bronmark and Hansson, 2005). Water quality is the key factor for fish health, growth and high production as well (Ramanathan and Amsath, 2018; Kumar et al., 2017; Kiran, 2010; Sikoki and Veen, 2004). It is reported that pond water quality can be worsened by providing extreme feed and fertilizers, which is liable for low DO concentrations, as well as high NH3, NO2 and phosphorus concentration (Bauer et al., 2017; Tamizhazhagan and Pugazhendy, 2016; Herbeck et al., 2013; Naylor et al., 1998). Whereas, too much nutrients are gathered and responsible to cause polluted and anoxic condition by phytoplankton blooms in aquaculture ponds (Boyd, 2015; Wu et al., 2014; Munni et al., 2013; Jackson et al., 2004; Alonsorodrígues and Osuna, 2003; Burford and Williams, 2001; Desai, 1995). There are a number of key factors which determine water quality in which some are the basic constituent of water like pH, salinity, alkalinity and hardness, whereas, some constituents of water are produced by the result of metabolic break down of organic substances like ammonia, nitrate and nitrite (Kumar et al., 2017; Vijayalakshmi et al., 2013; Sahu et al., 2012; Rao et al., 2010; Sikoki and Veen, 2004; Wurts and Durbow. 1992). Furthermore, William and Robert (1992) described that most variables of water quality are not continuous and vary day-to-day such as pH values, while pond water alkalinity and hardness values are relatively constant nonetheless can alter over time. Water quality parameters interact with each other and influence primary productivity of the ponds. If the conditions are particularly unfavorable, and harmful substances such as ammonia and nitrite may be present in lethal concentrations, resulting pH and DO concentration may fluctuate dangerously.

Therefore, it is necessary to maintain water quality and to manage the aquatic environment of fish and shrimp farms at optimum level. It is worthy to note that the range of water quality parameters varies from species to species and even between different development stages of the same species. This study aims to assess water quality of fish and shrimp farms located in different regions of Sindh for favorable physicochemical parameters which are responsible for good growth of primary production.

Materials and Methods

In this study, 10 fish farms were selected from different regions of Sindh province such as Gulshan- e-maymar, Thatta, Garho, Ghotki, Tando Ghulam Ali, Talhar Badin, Sujawal, Mirpur Khas, Ehsanabad Karachi and Dhabiji Mirpur Sakro for the evaluation of water quality and production. Water samples (n= 3) were collected from each farm in pre washed polyethylene bottles (100 liter each) and brought into the laboratory of Seed Production Unit Hawksbay during the period from March, 2015 to June, 2016. These water samples were analyzed on the same day for temperature °C with the help of digital thermometer, pH (Bench top PH meter PHSJ-2F), salinity (%) by Atago hand refractometer, DO (mg l-1) by portable test kit (Merck KGaA, 64271, Germany), ammonia (mg l-1) by Indophenol derivative photometric method NOVA 400, nitrate (mg l-1) (2, 6-dimethylphenol photometric method by NOVA 400), nitrite (mg l-1) by Griess‘s reaction, a photometric method by NOVA 400, alkalinity (mg l-1) by methyl orange titration method and total hardness (mg l-1) by EDTA titration method. The chlorophyll-a concentration was determined by using the acetone extraction technique (Rai and Rajashekhar, 2014). Pond water sample (50 liters) was filtered through plankton net of 20 µm pore size and preserved in 4% formaldehyde for the analysis of phytoplankton. Subsequently, the phytoplankton were counted under microscope (Rai and Rajashekhar, 2014). Deionized water was used throughout the study period. All the chemicals and reagents of analytical grade were supplied by Merck. Data was statistically analyzed through principal component analysis (PCA), simple correlation and regression by using SPSS 21 software.

Results and Discussion

Water quality profile of fish and shrimp farms located in various districts of Sindh is given in Table 1. The pH values of all fish farms ranged from 6.5-8.6 which is found to be the optimal range for most of the species. An ideal pH is considered to be 6.5-9.0 for most fresh water species (Boyd, 1990; Delince, 1992). The optimal pH range for fish is considered to be from 6.5 to 8.5 especially for brown and rainbow trout (Table 2). It is noted that water pH is considered as a sign between the acidity or alkalinity level and is one of the most important factor regarding survival and growth of fish and shrimp species in aquaculture as well (Kumar et al., 2017; Delince, 1992). A desirable pH range for pond water should be 7 to 8 (WHO, 2009; Boyd, 1979; Michael, 1969). Fish may become stressed and die if

 

Table 1: Water quality profile of fish and shrimp farms located in various districts of Sindh, Pakistan.

No

Fish/ Shrimp Farm

Location

pH

DO (mg l-1)

Temp. (˚C)

Sal-inity (%)

Amm-onia (mg l-1)

Nitr-ite (mg l-1)

Nitr-ate (mg l-1)

Alka-linity (mg l-1)

Hard-ness (mg l-1)

Chlor-ophyll- a (mg l-1)

Phyto density (x 105cells 1-1)

1

Shamimul Hassan Farm

Gulshane Maymar

8.1± 0.14

5.5± 0.24

31± 0.16

0.0± 0.0

0.0± 0.0

0.0± 0.0

20± 2.09

156± 2.63

1000± 2.65

1.44± 0.23

2.31± 0.15

2

Memon Fish Farm

Garho

8.6± 0.17

5.6± 0.41

33.2± 0.15

1.4± 0.27

0.0± 0.0

0.0± 0.0

30± 2.25

258± 2.09

230± 3.84

5.81± 0.19

28± 3.84

3

Fish Farm Green Co.

Ghotki

6.8± 0.22

5.9± 1.2

32.2± 0.20

3± 0.16

0.0± 0.0

0.01± 0.00

35± 1.78

324± 2.13

700± 4.80

2.13± 0.11

2.45± 0.13

4

Mir Babu Fish Farm

Tando Ghulam Ali

6.8± 0.23

6.2± 0.6

31.1± 0.3

0.0± 0.0

0.05± 0.02

0.01± 0.00

35± 4.63

192± 2.52

180± 4.36

6.18± 0.51

8.94± 1.36

5

Ghulam Ali Nizamani Farm

Talhar Badin

7.8± 0.22

3.8± 1.4

34.1± 0.17

10± 0.36

0.02± 0.00

0.0± 0.0

30± 3.60

367± 2.48

975± 4.73

1.68± 0.42

2.31± 0.15

6

Abro Fish Farm

Mirpur Bhatoro Sujawal

7.5± 0.23

4.7± 0.21

32.8± 0.22

0.0± 0.0

0.01± 0.00

0.01± 0.0

14± 1.89

450± 1.47

190± 2.42

5.89± 0.36

9.68± 1.22

7

Khipro Fish Farm

Mirpur Khas

8.3± 0.17

6.1± 0.19

31.7± 0.4

0.0± 0.0

0.02± 0.01

0.0± 0.0

12± 1.41

145± 2.31

79± 2.22

6.53± 0.34

10.47± 1.20

8

Tehsar Farm

Ehsan Abad

7.3± 0.21

6.4± 0.32

28.3± 1.4

05± 0.09

0.01± 0.00

0.0± 0.0

15± 1.78

162± 2.75

340± 3.03

6.29± 1.15

11.10± 1.43

9

Baba Hyder Fish Farm

Thatta

6.5± 0.3

4.2± 0.16

33.9± 0.25

05± 0.4

0.0± 0.0

0.01± 0.00

20± 1.78

210± 1.60

156± 2.44

7.48± 1.20

12.31± 2.00

10

Arjeena Salt Work

Dhabiji

6.7± 0.21

5.9± 1.22

29.4± 0.5

06± 1.72

0.01± 0.00

0.0± 0.0

24± 1.78

240± 3.31

190± 1.67

7.53± 0.39

13.17± 1.55

Value of each parameter is the mean of 72 samples (±SD) collected from each farm during 12 months.

 

Table 2: Suitability of water quality parameters for fish and shrimp farming.

No.	Parameters	Minimum	Maximum	Suitability
1	pH	6.5±0.3	8.6±0.17	Optimum pH of 7.4, and range (7-9) is appropriate for all fresh and marine water culture (Kumar et al., 2017; Munni et al., 2013; Boyd, 1990; Michael, 1969).
2	Salinity (%)	0.0±0.0	10±0.36 %	0-0.5 favorable for brown and rainbow trout (Lawson, 1995). 0-3.0 for channel catfish (Boyd, 1990) 0-10 for Tilapia aurora, T. nilotica (Stickney, 1986), Red tilapia, Grass carp
3	Ammonia (mg l-1)	0.0±0.0	0.05±0.02	Admissible limit for most fresh water fish and brackish water shrimp e.g P. monodon (Lawson, 1995). <0.01 for marine culture (Huguenin and Colt, 1989)
4	Nitrite (mg l-1)	0.0±0.0	0.01±0.00	Safe level for most fresh water fish e.g Rainbow trout, Milk fish (Swann,1993) and brackish water shrimp e.g P. monodon (Boyd, 1990)
5	Nitrate (mg l-1)	12±1.41	35±4.63	Permissible for aquaculture 20-100 (WHO, 2009; Pillay, 1992) <20 for Rainbow trout and <80 Carp (Suobodova et al., 1993)
6	Alkalinity (mg l-1)	145±2.31	450±1.47	Sufficient for most aquaculture purposes 20- 400 mg/l (WHO, 2009; Meade,1989; Munni et al., 2013)>20 for Catfish and >80 for Hybrid striped bass (Lawson, 1995)
7	Total hardness (mg l-1)	79±2.22	1000±2.65	20-300 mg/l optimum level for most aquaculture activities (Kumar et al., 2017; Vijayalakshmi et al., 2013; Bhatnagar and Devi 2013; Munni et al., 2013; Rao et al., 2010; WHO, 2009; Bhatnagar et al., 2004; Lawson, 1995; Wurts and Robert, 1992; Boyd, 1990). >300 mg/l considered as lethal (Bhatnagar et al., 2004). >20 for Channel catfish and Rainbow trout. 300-500 for Silver carp.
8	Dissolved oxygen (mg l-1)	3.8±1.4	6.4±0.32	3.70-8.38 mg/l optimum level for aquaculture ponds (Solis, 1998; Emerson and Abell, 2001; Thirupathaiah et al., 2012; Munni et al., 2013; Akter et al., 2015; Hossain et al., 2007; WHO, 2009; Shoaib et al., 2017; Kumar et al., 2017; Abbasi et al., 2016; Ali et al., 2007; Michael, 1969).
9	Temperature (˚C)	28.3±1.4	34.1±0.17	20–32 ˚C optimum water temperature level for fish in ponds (Jonassen, 1999; WHO, 2009; Munni et al., 2013; Kumar et al., 2017)
10	Chlorophyll a (mg l-1)	1.4±0.23	7.5±0.12	Chlorophyll-a (6.5-14.5 mg/m3); Rai and Rajashekar (2014); Sahu et al. (2012).
11	Phytoplankton density (x105cells 1-1)	2.3±0.15	13.17±1.55	Phytoplankton density (2.5-14.0 x105cells 1-1); Sahu et al. (2012); Rai and Rajashekar (2014).

 

pH drops below 5 or rises above 10 (William and Robert6, 1992). Whereas, pH values above 10.8 and below 5 may be rapidly fatal for most species especially for carp (Lawson, 1995).

The total amount of oxygen in a solution is known as dissolved oxygen (DO). This vital parameter reflects the biological processes like growth, physiology, survival and behavior of aquatic organisms (Tara et al., 2011). Emerson and Abell (2001) reported optimal DO level as >4mg l-1 which is suitable for fish in ponds. Some other researchers, for instance, Kumar et al. (2017); Solis (1998); Thirupathaiah et al. (2012) suggested an ideal DO range from 6.5 to 7.9 mg l-1 in fresh water fish ponds. In addition, similar range of DO was reported by Hossain et al. (2007) and Akter et al. (2015) as 3.7 to 5.0 mg l-1 in their fresh water fish ponds as compared to our results (3.8 to 6.4 mgl-1) as shown in Table 1. Furthermore, the appropriate range of DO for fish production was recommended as 0.08- 6.18 mgl-1by Shoaib et al. (2017), 7.5- 8.38 mgl-1 by Ali et al. (2007), 6.5-7.9 mgl-1 by Kumar et al. (2017) and 3.96-6.31 mgl-1 by Abbasi et al. (2016) and also stated that salinity and temperature could directly affect the dissolved oxygen level in the water.

Temperature is an essential biological factor for maintaining metabolic activities in the organisms. As we know that, fish is a cold blooded vertebrate and their body temperature is dependent on the environment and also fluctuated with water temperature, that may affect fish metabolism and physiological performance. The optimum temperature of pond water has been reported between 20˚C to 30˚C for fish survival (Jonassen et al., 1999). However, Kumar et al. (2017) found 27.8˚C to 31.90˚C in their fresh water fish ponds and our results (28.3±1.4˚C to 34.1±0.17˚C) are within this range (Tables 1 and 2). According to Ntenegwe et al. (2008), Desai (1995), Prameena and Sheeja (2016), the temperature of water be influenced by the seasonal changes, geographical location and sampling period.

Salinity is a dynamic factor that directly affects the growth and density of culture organisms and help to maintain osmoregulations in the body (Shibu, 1991). It is reported that, fresh and brackish water fish species generally expressed low tolerance against higher salinity (Kumar et al., 2017), while it can be different from species to species. Although, salinity values recorded in our study varies from 0 % to 10 % (Tables 1 and 2), which is a desirable range for many fresh water fish species especially Tilapia aurora and Tilapia nilotica (Stickney, 1986). Salinity range from 0 % to 0.5 % is found to be favorable for most fresh water fish (Lawson, 1995). Boyd (1990) suggested an optimal salinity range for channel catfish (0.5% to 3.0 %). A level less than 20 % is considered favorable for rainbow trout. Whereas such salinity limits do not favour marine culture activity mentioned by Huang et al. (2020) and Khan et al. (2018).

Generally, ammonia toxicity depends upon pH of water. At higher PH, a smaller amount of total ammonia nitrogen causes toxic effects on water quality of fish and shrimp ponds (Boyd, 1990). The observed value of ammonia in this study ranged from 0-0.05 mg l-1 (Tables 1 and 2). A tolerance range of ammonia for fresh water fish is reported as 0-0.05 mg l-1 (Lawson, 1995). It is noted that, the utmost level of ammonia was found in Mir Babu fish farm as compared to others which may be lethal for aquaculture species. Whereas, Huguenin and Colt (1989) suggested that ammonia concentrations should be less than 0.01 mg l-1for marine aquaculture activities. Nitrite is formed as an intermediary product during the conversion of ammonia contents to nitrates. In our study, nitrite concentration was found between 0-0.01 mg l-1 (Tables 1 and 2) which is reported to be safe for most fresh water species e.g. rainbow trout, milk fish (Swann, 1993) and for brackish water shrimp e.g. Penaeus monodon (Boyd, 1990). Nitrate is the culmination product of the nitrification process and is the smallest toxic of the major inorganic nitrogenous compounds in water (Kumar et al., 2017; Sajitha and Vijayamma, 2016). In the present study, nitrates ranged from 12 mg l-1 to 35 mg l-1 (Tables 1 and 2). These results are comparable to some extent of 45 mg l-1 as mentioned by Bhatnagar and Devi (2013) and WHO (2009). Syobodova et al. (1993) reported a maximum admissible limit of nitrate i.e., 20 mg l-1 for rainbow trout and 80 mg l-1 for carps. Whereas a permissible limit of nitrate for aquaculture is reported to be less than 100 mg l-1 (Pillay, 1992).

Alkalinity describes the buffering capacity of water solution (Elayaraj et al., 2016). Sufficient level of alkalinity for most aquaculture purposes is reported between 25 mg l-1 to 100 mg l-1 (Bhatnagar and Devi, 2013), while 20 mg l-1 to 400 mg l-1was reported by Meade (1989). Lawson (1995) recommended alkalinity level for cat fish which is greater than 20 mg l-1and for hybrid striped bass it must be greater than 80 mg l-1. In this study, the measured value of alkalinity was observed as 145-450 mg l-1 (Tables 1 and 2), which is greater than recommended range and higher in Fish Farm Green Co., Ghulam Ali Nizamani Fish Farm and Abro Fish Farm. Kumar et al. (2017), while studying pond water quality in Thanjavur District in Tamilnadu, documented alkalinity values from 68 mg l-1 to 95 mg l-1.

Dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, describe the total hardness (mg l-1) of water. It is reported that calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) both are vital for bone and scale formation of fish (Kumar et al., 2017; Stevens, 2007). In the present investigation, total hardness (TDS) level was 79-1000 mg l-1 (Tables 1 and 2), whereas an optimum range has been reported as 20-300 mg l-1 for channel catfish and rainbow trout (Lawson 1995; Boyd, 1990). A favorable range of TDS for Silver carp is considered as 300-500 mg l-1. The total hardness ranging from 25 to 150 mg l-1 was found to be suitable for healthy fish culture as described by Singh et al. (2010) and William and Robert (1992). However, our results showed high concentration of TDS in Shamimul Hassan farm, Fish Farm Green Co., and Ghulam Ali Nizamani Fish Farm. Furthermore, Bhatnagar et al. (2004) mentioned that less than 20 mg l-1 value of TDS may cause stress and poor growth in cultured fish species, while the fatal value is higher than 300 mg l-1 (William and Robert, 1992). Chlorophyll-a is known as the most significant index of phytoplankton biomass. In the present study, concentration of chlorophyll-a ranged from 1.4 mg l-1 to 7.5 mg l-1 showing high variation among ponds water. The minimum chlorophyll-a (1.4-2.1 mg l-1) was found in the ponds water of Shamimul Hassan Farm, Fish Farm Green Co., and Ghulam Ali Nizamani Fish Farm. But, the remaining farms showed maximum values (5.8-7.5 mg l-1). Similar trend for the minimum (2.3 ×105 cells 1-1) and maximum (13.2 ×105 cells 1-1) concentration of phytoplankton cell density was found in all ponds water. These results are advocated by a strong correlation (P>0.05) between chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton cell density (Figure 1).

Evidence to support this is available as salinity strongly correlated with chlorophyll-a (Table 3). This shows that salinity concentration in ponds water played significant role in producing phytoplankton biomass abundantly (Rai and Rajashekhar, 2014). It has also been observed direct correlation (P˂0.01) of pH with salinity, ammonia, nitrate, alkalinity and total hardness of the ponds water while, DO significantly correlated (P˂0.05) with nitrate, alkalinity and temperature (Table 3). Although, a positive correlation was found among physicochemical parameters of ponds water in all farms (Table 4).

The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the water quality variables established two principal components (Figure 2). Eigenvalues of the first component (PC-1) and second component (PC-2) represented 99.97 % of the total variability in water quality of fish and shrimp ponds at different farms (Figure 3). PC-1 accounted for 92.57 % of the total variance which was due to the positive loadings of dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton density, and negative loading of hardness, alkalinity, temperature, salinity and pH. PC-2 contributed 7.40 % of the total variability which was found to be positively loaded by salinity, temperature, alkalinity, hardness, nitrite and nitrate, and negatively loaded by pH, ammonia, DO, chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton density.

 

Table 3: Simple correlation coefficient of physicochemical parameters of various fish and shrimp farms in Sindh.

	pH	Salinity	Ammonia	Nitrite	Nitrate	Alkali-nity	Hard-ness	DO	Temp.	Chl-a
Salinity	0.887**
Ammonia	-0.721**	-0.289
Nitrite	-0.175	-0.123	-0.350
Nitrate	-0.761**	-0.277	0.339	-0.357
Alkalinity	0.689**	0.756**	0.588**	0.393	0.455
Hardness	0.846**	0.745**	-0.246	0.363	-0.321	0.222
DO	0.168	0.285	-0.227	0.268	0.45*	0.576*	0.355
Temperature	0.154	0.273	-0.332	0.286	0.49*	0.587*	0.355	0.581*
Chlorophyll-a	0.161	0.652**	-0.342	0.386	0.59*	0.587*	0.365	0.581*	0.593*
Phytoplankton density	0.177	0.673**	-0.312	0.486*	0.79*	0.448*	0.322	0.671**	0.542*	0.561**

Significance level at *(P < 0.05); ** (P < 0.01); DO represents dissolved oxygen.

 

Table 4: Regression coefficients of physicochemical parameters of various fish and shrimp farms in Sindh.

	Regression coefficients		Standard deviation (SD)	Student’s t-ratio	R2
	intercept	slope
pH	26.87	0.16	0.076	-0.93	3.45
DO	18.85	0.12	0.042	1.95*	44.36
Temperature	20.84	0.13	0.036	1.96*	49.28
Salinity	16.48	2.97	0.059	3.55**	84.31
Ammonia	13.25	0.77	0.025	-0.47	2.07
Nitrite	19.47	0.13	0.087	1.48*	48.29
Nitrate	21.76	0.32	0.081	-0.36	2.66
Alkalinity	9.98	2.84	0.056	3.86**	81.51
Hardness	23.53	0.74	0.008	-0.21	2.49
Chlorophyll-a	20.94	0.63	0.050	0.42**	63.11
Phytoplankton density	21.16	0.71	0.066	0.46**	73.54

Significance level at *(P < 0.05); ** (P < 0.01).

 

 

 

 

 

Similar results are found during the research of Rai and Rajashekhar (2014). In the present study, it is evidently noted that water quality was directly associated with the productivity of ponds regarding annual production of fish and shrimp as shown in Figure 4.

Planktonic biomass (phytoplankton, filamentous algae and zooplankton) were recorded from fish and shrimp ponds. Their variety and density are shown in Table 5.

Significant growth rate of planktonic biomass was found in all ponds ranging from 6549-9389 number of individuals in 50 liters water sample, except three farms viz., Shamimul Hassan Farm, Fish Farm Green Co. and Ghulam Ali Nizamani Farm. Majority of the species Anabaena, Merismopedia, Oscillatoria, Chroococcus limneticus, Brachionus quadridentatus, Chroococcus tenax, Coelosphaerium kuetzingianum Brachionus falcatus, Chroococcus minor, Brachionus calyciflorus, Keratella tropica, Filinea Brachionus, Brachionus quadridentatus,. Bosmina longristrous, Bosmina coregoni, Ceripodaphnia reticuleta, Keratella tropica, and Cosmarium granatum, Lecane luna Cosmarium formosulum, Daphnia lumholtzi, Cosmarium leave, Westella, and Brachionus falcatus, Lecane luna and Filinea longiseta. Bosmina longristrous, Bosmina coregoni, Ceripodaphnia reticuleta and Daphnia lumholtzi were present in the ponds of Khipro Fish Farm, Tehsar Farm, Baba Hyder Fish Farm and Arjeena Salt Work throughout the year. Significantly higher population of Microcystis happened in these ponds, which might have been due to the accumulation of organic manure (Mahar et al., 2010). According to them, Microcystis species are more common in organic rich environment as compared to other plankton species.

 

Table 5: Planktonic biomass (phytoplankton and zooplankton) recorded in fish and shrimp farms of Sindh, Pakistan.

	Sampling sites (fish and shrimp farms)
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Oscillatoria	++	+++	+	+++	++	++	+++	++	+++	+++
Anabaena	++	+++	++	+++	+	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++
Spirulina	+	++	++	++	+	+++	+++	++	++	++
Coelosphaerium kuetzingianum	++	++	++	+++	++	+++	++	+++	+++	+++
Chroococcus limneticus	+	+	++	+++	+	+	+++	++	+++	+++
Chroococcus tenax	++	+++	+	+	+++	++	+++	+++	+++	++
Merismopedia	+++	++	++	+++	+	+++	+++	+++	++	+++
Chroococcus minor	+	++	+	++	+	++	+++	++	++	+++
Cosmarium formosulum	++	++	++	++	++	+	+++	+++	+++	+++
Microcystis	+	++	+	+++	+	+++	++	++	+++	+++
Westella	++	+++	+	+++	++	+++	+++	+++	++	+++
Lyngbya	++	+++	++	+	++	++	+++	+++	+++	++
Spirogyra	++	++	++	+++	++	++	+	+++	+++	+++
Cosmarium granatum	++	+++	++	+++	+	+++	+++	++	+++	++
Cylindrospermum	+	+	++	++	+	+++	+++	+++	++	+++
Cosmarium leave	++	++	++	++	++	+	+++	+++	+++	+++
Calothrix	++	+++	++	+++	++	+++	-	+++	+++	++
Cosmarium,	++	+++	+	+++	++	+++	+++	+++	++	+++
Rhizoclonium	+	+++	+	-	+	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++
Stigeoclonium tenu	+	++	+	+++	+	+++	++	+++	+++	++
Brachionus quadridentatus	++	++	++	+	++	++	+++	+++	++	+++
Enteromorpha	++	++	++	+++	++	+++	++	+++	+++	++
Charra	++	++	++	++	++	+++	++	++	+++	+++
Cyclops sp.	+	+	++	++	+	++	+++	+++	+++	+++
Brachionus falcatus	++	++	++	+	++	+++	+++	+++	++	+++
Lecane luna	++	+++	+	+++	++	+++	++	+++	+++	+++
Brachionus calyciflorus,	+++	++	+	+++	++	++	+++	+++	+++	+++
Keratella tropica	++	++	++	++	++	+	++	++	+++	+++
Ceripodaphnia reticuleta	+	+++	+	++	+	+++	+++	+++	++	++
Filinea longiseta	+	+	++	+++	+	+++	+	+++	+++	+++
Thermocyclops hylinus	++	++	++	++	++	++	+++	+++	+++	+++
Bosmina coregoni	++	++	+++	+++	+	+++	++	+++	++	++
Bosmina longristrous	++	++	++	+	++	+++	+++	+++	+++	+++
Mesocyclops sp	+	++	+	+++	+	+++	+++	++	++	+++
Microcyclops varicans	+	++	+	+++	++	+++	++	+++	+++	++
Daphnia lumholtzi	+	++	++	+++	+	+++	+++	+++	++	+++
Keratella tropica	++	++	++	+++	++	++	+++	+++	+++	+++

+: Common; ++: Abundant; +++: Most abundant;-: absent; 1: Shamimul Hassan Farm; 2: Memon Fish Farm; 3: Fish farm Green Co.; 4. Mir Babu Fish Farm; 5: Ghulam Ali Nizamani Farm; 6: Abro Fish Farm; 7: Khipro Fish Farm; 8: Tehsar Farm; 9: Baba Hyder Fish Farm; 10: Arjeena Salt Work.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The results revealed that water quality of all studied fish and shrimp farms is suitable for farming and culturing purposes except Shamimul Hassan Farm, Fish Farm Green Co. and Ghulam Ali Nizamani Farm due to high level of total hardness, whereas alkalinity was exceeded in all farm than recommended range but higher in Fish Farm Green Co., Ghulam Ali Nizamani Farm, and Abro fish farm. However, Mir Babu fish farm showed a higher level of ammonia which may be lethal for both fresh water and marine culture activities and all the parameters were directly affected on the productivity of ponds. Present study also delivers the base line data for farm management and the optimum physicochemical range help to maintain water quality during culture of fish and shrimp species.

Acknowledgements

Authors wish to thank Dr. Ali Muhammad Mastoi, Director General, Marine and Coastal Fisheries Development Karachi, Livestock and Fisheries Department, Government of Sindh for providing facilities.

Novelty Statement

Findings of this research will be fruitful in the advancement of commercial fish and shrimp farms in Sindh province through the ponds water quality improvements. Such type of improved quality will increase planktonic biomass in ponds.

Author’s Contribution

Rahat Rukhsana collected water samples from various farms, analysed them in lab, designed the experiments and supervised this research, Shehnaz Rashid searched relevant literature and helped in manuscript preparation. Asma Fatima searched literature, manuscript reviewed, primary productivity analysed and composed the document with data acquisition. Owais Iqbal Khan helped in experimental studies, literature reviewed and manuscript preparation including editing, Syed Babar Hussain Shah and Mumtaz Ali conducted statistical analysis of the data and reviewed first version of the manuscript. Ghulam Abbas designed this research, idea conceived, data statistically analyzed, edited the text of this manuscript and submitted its final version for publication.

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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