Water Quality and Planktonic Communities in Al-Khadoud Spring, Al-Hassa,Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Problem statement: Al-Khadoud spring is one of the most important water resources in AlHassa Governorate, Saudi Arabia. However, much of its biotic information is still unknown. This study presented preliminary ecological information of this aquatic body. The aim of this research was to study the water characteristics and the planktonic organisms inhibiting Al-Khadoud spring and its irrigational channels for a period of 1 year. Approach: A regular visit was monitoring the spring over a period of 1 year (June 2007 to may 2008). Physico-chemical characteristics of spring water were determined. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of Plankton (Phytoplankton or zooplankton) were also investigated. Results: All the water quality variables measured showed considerable seasonal variation. The data of this study showed that there were marked seasonal differences in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the phytoplankton communities in Al-Khadoud spring and its irrigation canal. The changes in total algal counts throughout the investigation coincided closely with in Chlorophyceae abundance. Thirty six species were identified allover the period of the investigation. Out of these, 9 species belong to Chlorophyceae, 17 belong to Bacillariophyceae, 7 to Cyanophyceae and 3 to Euglenophyceae. Cyclotella meneghiniana Kützing, Nitzschia closterium Ehernberg, Fragilaria capucina Desmazieres, Surirella ovalis Breb, Actinastrum sp., Chlorella vulgaris Beyerinck, Scenedesmus quadriquda Breb, Oscillatoria sp. and Oscillatoria subbrevis Schmidle were observed in a high rank of occurrence. The phytoplankton crop showed a remarkable increase as compared with the previous records. The data showed that the zooplanktonic fauna identified in this aquatic body is a typical of the permanent freshwater and brackish water. Eleven species were recorded, 5 belonged to Cladoceran, 4 belonged to Rotifera and 2 belonged to Chironomid. Zooplankton species like Thermocyclops hyalinus, Mesocyclops sp., Moina micrura, Brachionus caudatus, B. falcatus and Filina longiseta were recorded at all sites investigated allover the study period. The scarcity of zooplankton species from Al-Khadoud spring and its irrigation canal could be due to the nature of these reservoirs as both receiving reuse-drainage and treated sewage water. Conclusion: These results indicated that after receiving water from the outlets either treated sewage water or of re-use drainage water, the spring water had an obvious increase in electrical conductivity, COD, total alkalinity, nitrates, phosphorus, chloride and potassium. These features indicated pollution with organic wastes, increased salinity and deteriorated oxygenated state. Based on this we can say that all these factors can be affected both soil and plants cultivated in the area of Al-Hassa.

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Tilapia Fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from Al-Khadoud Spring, Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia

“…The levels of heavy metals recorded in water in this study were generally low, when compared to WHO [15] and USEPA [16] recommended levels in water, except iron which was found to be higher than the recommended levels. The high level of Cu 2+ , Fe 2+ , Mn 2+ and Pb 2+ at station III could be attributed to discharge of either treated sewage water or re-use drainage water on the Al-Khadoud irrigation canal [7] .…”

“…Stocks of both freshwater and marine fish within Saudi Arabia are increasingly threatened by aquatic pollution, but no data are available on the extent pollution impacts. Our previous study at El-Khadoud spring showed that its water had an obvious increase in electrical conductivity, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), total alkalinity, nitrates, phosphorus, chloride and potassium [7] . These features indicated pollution with organic wastes, increased salinity and deteriorated oxygenated state.…”

Comparative analysis of rotifer community in two Rayahs of River Nile, Egypt

“…EC values are negatively correlated with DO in El-rayah El-Tawfeky. The highest value of electrical conductivity could be due to the high pollution levels in water, resulted from the high nutrient loads of wastewater (Kobbia et al, 1995;Fathi and Al-Kahtani, 2009). The lowest reading of EC during summer in Rosetta branch of River Nile may be attributed to the increase of water level during flood period and uptake of dissolved salts by phytoplankton (Saad et The presence of oxygen in water is an important factor for most aquatic plants and animals to survive (Stahl and Ramadan, 2008), and plays an important role in the occurrence and abundance of rotifer species, (Hoffman, 1977).…”

Community Composition of Zooplankton in El-Rayah El-Behery, Egypt.

“…Electrical conductivity (EC) was recorded the highest values during winter with average of 576.1 µgS/cm and the minimum values during spring (392.4 µgS/cm). The highest value of electrical conductivity could be due to the high pollution levels in water, resulted from the high nutrient loads of wastewater, Kobbia et al (1995) & (Fathi and Al-Kahtani, 2009). The lowest reading of EC during hot seasons in River Nile may be attributed to the increase of water level during flood period and uptake of dissolved salts by phytoplankton, Saad et al (2011) The presence of oxygen in water is an important factor for most aquatic plants and animals to survive and plays an important role in the occurrence and abundance of plankton (Stahl and Ramadan, 2008).The dissolved oxygen was recorded the highest average (7.9 mg/l) during spring and the minimum value (5.8 mg/I) during autumn.…”