Spatial and Temporal Variation of Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus in Major River Systems of Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh
Author Correspondence author
International Journal of Marine Science, 2013, Vol. 3, No. 16 doi: 10.5376/ijms.2013.03.0016
Received: 11 Mar., 2013 Accepted: 09 Apr., 2013 Published: 12 Apr., 2013
Rahaman at al, 2013, Spatial and Temporal Variation of Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus in Major River Systems of Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh, International Journal of Marine Science, Vol.3, No.16 128-134 (doi: 10.5376/ijms.2013.03.0016)
Mangrove provides a unique ecological environment for diverse communities and Sundarbans is a rapidly changing ecosystem due to various anthropogenic activities. In order to assess the spatial and temporal variation of total Nitrogen and total Phosphorus concentration in Major River Systems of Sundarbans, a study was carried out from September, 2010 to February, 2011. Fourteen sampling location from major river systems were chosen. During post monsoon and winter seasons the range of total Phosphorus (0.326-0.409 mg/L and 0.091-0.371 mg/L respectively) and total nitrogen (2.52-3.50 mg/L and 3.43-5.25 mg/L respectively) were observed in Rupsha - Passur river system. On the other hand the range of total Phosphorus (0.475-0.144 mg/L and 0.060-0.113 mg/L respectively) and total nitrogen (2.31-3.61 mg/L and 3.22- 5.95 mg/L respectively) were found in Arpangashia - Malancha river system during post monsoon and winter seasons. The nutrients of water of Baleswar- Bhola river system during rainy and dry seasons were found in the range of total Phosphorus (0.106-0.364 mg/L and 0.053-0.075 mg/L respectively) and total nitrogen (2.59-3.57 mg/L and 2.87-5.60 mg/L respectively). Total Nitrogen and total phosphorus levels were relatively higher than the EPA standards for surface water during the two seasons. The Dynamic nutrients level observed in the study area may have severe consequences on the in-dwelling aquatic flora and fauna.
The greatest volume of wastes discharged to coastal waters is sewage, which is primarily organic in nature and subject to bacterial decay. Sewage pollution is manifested in the low dissolved oxygen levels and in high nutrient levels in these waters, which can lead to an imbalance of plant and animal communities through the food web (Johnston, 1976). Research on coastal water circulation and nutrient dynamics in tropical and subtropical regions has received considerable attention in the recent past because of the importance of hydro- and nutrient dynamic processes in determining the short and long-term sustainability of coastal ecological systems. Though its huge importance as a forest for its plants, animals and mangrove fishery but there is very limited information regarding the major nutrient dynamics specially nitrogen and phosphorus in this vital water body. So, the present study has been undertaken to know the variation of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in some selected major River systems. The data generated from this study will guide the scenario of major nutrients and will serve as baseline for further research.
Figure 1 Map of study area with the location of sampling points |
1.2 Sampling stations and sampling period
The water samples were collected from several sampling points of three major River systems of sunderbans which are given in Table 1. The sampling period was divided into two seasons, Post monsoon and winter. Post monsoon includes September to November and winter includes December to February. In post monsoon the sampling time of Passur River was done at September, 2010. This was repeated at November, 2010 in winter. Sampling period of Arpangashia River was October, 2010 in post monsoon and December, 2011 at winter. The sampling period of Baleswar and Bhola River was during December month and February month respectively.
Table 1 Sampling stations and time |
1.3 Sample collection
|
Figure 3 Spatial and temporal variation of total Nitrogen in Rupsha-Passur River system in the winter and post monsoon season |
In Arpangashia-Malancha River system, the mean value of TN was 2.78±0.38 mg/L in post monsoon and the mean value of TN was 4.22±1.05 mg/L in winter season (Figure 4). The maximum concentration of TN, 5.95±0.28 mg/L was observed at surface water of Poshurtola River in winter and the minimum concentration, 2.52±0.23 mg/L was observed at surface water of Arpangashia in post monsoon. In Baleswar-Bhola River system, the mean value of TN was 3.02±0.428 mg/L in post monsoon and the mean value of TN was 3.87±1.20 mg/L in winter season (Figure 5). The maximum concentration of TN was found, 5.60±0.32 mg/L at surface water of Sarankhola in winter and the minimum concentration, 2.59±0.20 mg/L was observed at surface water of Supoti River in post monsoon.
Figure 4 Spatial and temporal variation of total Nitrogen (TN) in Arpangashia-Malancha River system in winter and post monsoon |
Figure 5 Spatial and temporal variation of total Nitrogen (TN) in Baleswa-Bhola River system in the winter and post monsoon |
In Baleswar-Bhola River system, the mean value of TN was 3.02±0.428 mg/L in post monsoon and the mean value of TN was 3.87±1.20 mg/L in winter season (Figure 5). The maximum concentration of TN was found, 5.60±0.32 mg/L at surface water of Sarankhola in winter and the minimum concentration, 2.59±0.20 mg/L was observed at surface water of Supoti River in post monsoon.
During post monsoon season, TN concentration varied between 2.52 mg/L and 3.50 mg/L in Rupsha-Passur River. In Arpangashia and Malancha River system it was varied from 2.31 mg/L to 3.61 mg/L and in Baleswar and Bhola River it was varied between 2.80 mg/L and 3.57 mg/L respectively (Figure 6).
Figure 6 Comparison of Total Nitrogen (TN) concentrations in three River systems during post monsoon |
Figure 7 Comparison of Total Nitrogen (TN) concentration in three River systems during winter |
Figure 8 Spatial and temporal variation of total Phosphorus (TP) in Rupsha- Passur River system in the post monsoon and winter |
Figure 9 Spatial and temporal variation of total Phosphorus (TP) in Arpangashia-Malancha River system in post monsoon and winter |
Figure 10 Spatial and temporal variation of total Phosphorus (TP) in Baleswar-Bhola River system in the post monsoon and winter |
During post monsoon season, TP concentration varied from 0.326 mg/L to 0.409 mg/L in Passur River. In Arpangashiaand and Malancha River it varied from 0.075 mg/L to 0.144 mg/L and in Baleswar and Bhola River it varied between 0.106 mg/L and 0.364 mg/L (Figure 11).
Figure 11 Comparison of total phosphorus (TP) concentration in three River systems during post monsoon |
During winter season, TP concentration varied between 0.091 mg/L to 0.371 mg/L in Passur River. In Arpangashia and Malancha River it varied from 0.060 mg/L to 0.113 mg/L and in Baleswar and Bhola River it varied between 0.053 mg/L and 0.144 mg/L (Figure 12).
Figure 12 Comparison of total phosphorus (TP) concentration in three River systems during winter |
In the mangrove River water Nitrogen and Phosphorus concentration vary considerably. Figure 5 represents that the minimum values (2.31 mg/L) of TN was observed at surface water of Arpangashia River in Post monsoon season. On the other hand the maximum concentration (5.95 mg/L) occurred at surface water of Poshurtola of Malancha River in winter season (Figure 5). Higher concentration of total Nitrogen was found in winter because of less dilution due to reduction of runoff and currents. Seasonal change in the concentration of total Phosphorus varied from the minimum values (0.060 mg/L) was observed at surface water of Kolagachi River Point in winter season to the maximum level (0.409 mg/L) occurred at surface water of Poshurtola of Malancha River in post monsoon (Figure 9).
Table 2 The contradictory findings of this study and other studies |
According to Murdoch et al (2001) high Levels of both Phosphorus and Nitrogen can lead to eutrophication, which increases algae growth and ultimately reduces dissolved oxygen levels in the water. In fact, the variations in the chemical composition of natural waters might play an important role in regulating the abundance, composition, the geographical and temporal distribution on phytoplankton (Reynolds, 1984). Excess amount of total phosphorus and total nitrogen, that are discharged into the coastal areas have been shown to cause eutrophication and this would lead to various changes in the algal community structures (Jorgensen and Richardson, 1996). The present study summarizes the spatial and seasonal fluctuations in two major chemical parameters in the water of the Sundarbans mangrove Rivers as exploratory statistical data output which showed that the chemical properties of the mangrove Rivers were significantly affected by freshwater input during monsoon. A significant change in Nitrogen and Phosphorus, were noticed during the present study. The deterioration of water quality and rise in the nutrients level observed in this study is alarming and periodic monitoring and preventative measures are required to save the aquatic system from eutrophication.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1009717603427
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