6.1.4 Physico-chemical features of soil and water

6.1.4 Physico-chemical features of soil and water

Important physico-chemcial features of soil is, bottom very rich with organic carbon, available nitrogen and phosphorus. Bottom soil of these lakes is enriched by organic matter, inorganic minerals through deposits of decaying weeds, incurring of river water and surface run-off, therefore all the aforesaid parameter change from year to year.

Floodplains of Ganga system are more or less alkaline whereas the lakes of Brahmaputra basin are acidic to neutral in nature. Among the dissolved gases, the concentration of dissolved oxygen and free carbon dioxide always remains at optimum level. The total alkalinity and specific conductivity range of water is indicative of moderate to high production. The dissolved organic matter of water which determines the chemical oxygen demand (COD) is quite high. The high values may be attributed to constant loading of organic detritus and sedimentation due to death and decay of macrophytes. In contract to rich nutrient status of soil phase, the nutrient status of water has low nitrate and phosphate. It appears thus both the major nutrients are locked either in soil phase or macrophytes. Judging from ecological yardstick, it is evident that nutrient status of soil and of water of these lakes is extremely high. The shallow nature of the basin, presence of euphotic zone and rich nutrient status are attributed to fish production.

Last modified: Friday, 18 November 2011, 8:00 AM