Macrozoobenthic community as biological indicators of pollution in Anchar lake of Kashmir

A detailed limnological study of the anchar lake in Kashmir was conducted during March2015 to June2015. Six study sites were selected for the collection of samples. The physico-chemical parameters of water and population density of three phyla viz, Arthropoda, Annelidaand Mollusca were determined. The ionic composition of water of the Ancharlake varied in close relationship with the catchment pattern of the concerned water body. The Ancharlakereceiving all sorts of allochthonus material from the catchment had the highest conductivity. The water of the Lake was well buffered with pH > 7. A total of 21 taxa of macrozoobenthos were recorded from the system. Arthropodawas most dominant group constituting 45.7%, followed by Annelida 35.9% and Mollusca which contributed 18.4% of total macrozoobenthos. The bottom sites were dominated by insects belonging to orders Ephemeroptera, Tricoptera and Diptera. Significant changes in macrozoobenthic communities were primarily due to changes in water quality. As elsewhere, macrozoobenthic communities proved to be good indicators of water quality and should be used as bioindicators in long-term monitoring of this Lake.