Abstract
Two alkaline saline inland lakes of Indian arid region were studied during 1984 and 1985, to assess functioning and interaction of various environmental and biological factors. Changes in physical and chemical variables, planktonic composition, chlorophyll content and phytoplankton primary productivity were examined.
Salinity in both lakes fluctuated from almost fresh water (1.80‰), to hypersaline (300‰) and acted as the main controlling factor for almost all the biotic parameters. Maximum total alkalinities were 2162 mg l−1 and 2090 mg l−1, respectively in Sambhar and Didwana lakes. Dissolved oxygen ranged from completely anoxic conditions to maxima of 11.68 and 7.29 mg 1−1, respectively in Sambhar and Didwana lakes. Nutrient enrichment in the lakes was low.
The phytoplankton species composition of Sambhar lake was reduced from an earlier reported 20 genera to only 11 (Nostoc, Microcystis, Spirulina, Aphanocapsa, Oscillatoria, Merismopedia, Nitzschia, Navicula, Synedra, Cosmarium and Closterium). Phytoplankton of Didwana was composed of only 9 genera including Anabaena and Nodularia. Sambhar lake, which once contained Artemia, is now totally devoid of them. On the other hand, Artemia was the most dominant zooplankter in Didwana lake at a salinity range of 15–288‰. Other zooplankters such as Moina, Cyclops and Brachionus flourished at lower salinity levels in Didwana lake. The seasonal quantitative and qualitative phyto- and zooplankton changes in relation to salinity are documented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alam, M., 1980. Limnological studies of Sambhar salt lake and its reservoir. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Jodhpur, Jodhpur, India. 158 pp.
American Public Health Association, American Water Work Association & Water Pollution Control Federation, 1975. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 14th ed. APHA, AWWA, WPCF, Wash. D.C., 769 pp.
Baid, I. C., 1958. On the occurrence of Artemia salina in Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan). Curr. Sci. 27: 58–59.
Baid, I. C., 1962. Ecological studies on crustacean and insect fauna of the Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan with special reference to Artemia salina L. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Rajasthan.
Baid, I. C., 1969. The arthropod fauna of Sambhar salt lake, Rajasthan, India. Oikos 19(2): 292–303.
Bayly, I. A. E., 1969. Symposium on salt and brackish inland waters. Introductory comments. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 17: 419–420.
Bhargava, S. C., G. R. Jakher, M. M. Saxena & R. K. Sinha, 1987a. Ecology of Artemia in Didwana salt lake (India) p. 127–133. In: Artemia Research and its Applications. Vol. 3. Ecology, Culturing, Use in aquaculture. P. Sorgeloos, D. A. Bengtson, W. Decleir & E. Jaspers (eds.). Universa Press, Wetteren, Belgium, 556 pp.
Bhargava, S. C., G. R. Jakher, M. M. Saxena & R. K. Sinha, 1987b. Rearing Artemia in a salt pan near Sambhar Lake (India). In: Artemia research and applications. vol. 3: 271–274. Ecology, culturing, use in aquaculture. P. Sorgeloos, D. A. Bengtson, W. Decleir & E. Jaspers (eds.). Universa Press. Wetteren, Belgium, 556 pp.
Cole, G. A., 1979. Text book of Limnology. 2nd ed. C.V. Mosby Company, Missouri, USA. 426 pp.
Comin, F. A., M. Alonso, P. López & M. Comelles, 1983. Limnology of Gallocanta Lake, Aragón, NE Spain. Hydrobiologia 105: 207–223.
Gessner, F., 1957. Van Golu zur limnologic des grossen soda sees in Ostanatolien (Turkei) Archiv. Hydrobiol. 53: 1–22.
Goldman, C. R. & A. J. Horne, 1983. Limnology. Tosho Printing Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. 464 pp.
Hammer, U. T., J. S. Shamess & R. C. Haynes, 1983. The distribution and abundance of algae in saline lakes of Saskatchewan, Canada. In: Saline lakes. Proc. 2nd Int. Symp. Athalassic (Inland) saline lakes. U. T. Hammer (ed.). Dev. Hydrobiologia 16. Junk. The Hague: 1–26.
Haynes, R. C. & U. T. Hammer, 1978. The saline lakes of Saskatchewan. IV. Primary production by phytoplankton in selected saline ecosystems. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 63: 337–351.
Post, F. J., 1975. Life in the Great Salt Lake. Utah Sci. 36: 43–47.
Rawson, D. S. & J. E. Moore, 1944. The saline lakes of Saskatchewan. Can. J. Res. 22: 141–201.
Strickland, J. D. H.& T. R. Parsons, 1972. A practical handbook of seawater analysis. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 167, 310 pp.
Tiwari, K. K., 1958. Diagnosis of a new species of the genus Branchinella Saycee (Crustaceae, Brachiopoda, Anostraca) from Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan. J. Bombay Natl. Hist. Soc. 55: 585–588.
Topping, M. S. & G. G. E. Scudder, 1977. Some physical and chemical features of saline lakes in Central British Columbia. Syesis 10: 145–166.
Vareschi, E., 1982. The ecology of lake Nakuru (Kenya). III. Abiotic factors and primary production. Oecologia (Berlin) 55: 81–101.
Vollenweider, R. A. (ed.)., 1969. Primary production in aquatic environments. I.B.P. Handbook, 12: 213 pp.
Walker, K. F., 1973. Studies on saline lakes ecosystem. Aust. J. mar. Freshwat. Res. 24: 21–27.
Williams, W. D., 1964. A contribution to lake typology in Victoria, Australia. Verb. int. Ver. Limnol. 15: 158–163.
Williams, W. D., 1978. Limnology of Victorian salt lakes, Australia. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 20: 1165–1174.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jakher, G.R., Bhargava, S.C. & Sinha, R.K. Comparative limnology of Sambhar and Didwana lakes (Rajasthan, NW India). Hydrobiologia 197, 245–256 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00026954
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00026954