Inland heat waves (IHWs) and associated impacts on hydro-biology of aquatic ecosystems in lower Ganga basin, India.

Abstract

The present study assessed the occurrence and impact of heat waves on the ecology of two ecosystems namely Bhomra wetland and Ganga River stretch, India. The water samples collected from these ecosystems were analyzed for estimating the hydrological and biological variables during heat wave. The inland heat index (IHI) was derived from the climatic variables, relative humidity and temperature. The study indicated the predominant and periodic occurrence of inland heat waves (IHW) with indices ranging from 34.8 to 42.8°C and 35.9 to 43.5°C at the Bhomra and Ganga River stretch respectively during the summer months (March-June). The first two components of the principal component analysis of physico-chemical parameters and heat index explained 45.6% and 59% of the variation in the Bhomra and Ganga River stretch respectively. PCA showed a similar pattern in variation of IHWs and dissolved oxygen, nutrients, hardness and alkalinity, but a distinct pattern with conductivity and TDS in the wetland. IHW exhibited a similar pattern of variation with TDS, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH and hardness and distinct pattern with alkalinity, phosphate and nitrate in the river stretch. The first two components of PCA of IHI and plankton abundance explained 89% of the variation and IHI had a similar pattern of variation with the abundance of diatoms and a diverse pattern of variation with blue-green and green algae in the studied ecosystems which might affect the food availability of the associated fishes. The study suggests that IHW influences the water quality and primary producers and also summarizes the impact of IHW on ecosystem services and necessitates mitigation measures.