Chapter-3
Materials and Methods
3.1: Study area:-
Godavari river has its origin from a small cave on the top of the hill called Brahmagiri in Sahyadri ranges of Western Ghats at Trimbakeshwar just 29.6 kms. Upstreams of Nashik city, it flows east words passing through Nashik city, Eklahare village, Darna-sangavi that is the point of confluence of Darna and Godavari river, and then passing through Saikheda comes to Nandur- Madhmeshwar dam or pick- up wier. Just above the dam, river Banganga joins the Godawari, while river Kadwa and Godawari meets at Nandur- Madhmeshwar dam. Thus, passing through Niphad taluka of Nashik disdrict, it enters in Kopargaon taluka of Ahmednagar district. Later on it enters in Gangakhad talukas of Aurangabad district and then passing through district Nanded, near Sironcha it enters in Andhra Pradesh and ultimately empties in Bay of Bangal.
Ahmednagar is leading district in agricultural of Maharashtra.Majority of area is under the cultivation of sugarcane, wheat and cotton.Jalgaon and Aurangabad district are at the east of Nashik district and to the south lies Ahmednagar district.To its west is Thane district and part of Gujarat state.Dhule district and part of Gujarat lie to its north.
Godavari is the largest river flowing through Maharashtra.Out of 12 Jyotirlingas of God Shiva, one is Trimbakeshwar ,while Nashik is out of 4 places in India , where Sinhasta –kumba mela is being held on the bank of Godavari after 12 years time interval ,is supposed to be sacred river It is lifeline of Nashik, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad and Nanded districts.In Maharashtra Major dams like Gangapur at Nashik, Nandur-Madhmeshwar dam in Niphad and Jayakwadi project at Paithan are also constructed across the river .Besides these, so many small Kolhapur type weirs. (K.T.weirs) are constructed on the river Thus ,form all these reservoirs, the water is supplied mainly for potable purpose for cities and villages ,irrigation ,thermal power station and for industrialization.
~ 18 ~ Selection of Collection sampling station of Jayakwadi Dam catchment area
The sites will be selected on the basis of aquatic vegetation, depth of water, disturbance due to human activities.The following will be the different collection sites (Total Distance 60 KM.) a) Sampling station 1:- Pravarasangam (Kaygaon toka )Tal- Newasa and Gangapur.
Koyagon is located in Gangapur Taluka This station showed flowing water through out the year during summer and winter seasons this station showed 5 to 7 feet water depth, while during monsoon it remains flooded and reaches depth above 10 feet This is very scared spot for Hindus and so many temples are constructed near the river.Many people after having their sacred bath and wash in the river, visits the temple Shankar.As it the holy spot, many people relese the human ashes (Asthi) in the river water.Beside this, many religious ceremonies are commonly held in this station. This station affected by human activites like washing of clothes.utensils, cleaning of automobiles and cattle. During summer and winter seasons the water flow was reduced but during monsoon it was increased and sometimes fully flooded.This station was filled up by mud and showed the luxurious growth of Ipomoea carnea. During summer when small islands were developed in the dam, many large algae were flourished. Fishermen throughout the investigation period influenced this station. b) Sampling station 2:- Lies side at Dahigaon Tal- Shevagaon Dist- Ahmednagar. This is present in Dahigaon, 25 KM from Pravarasangam (Kaygaon toka).It is also holy spot where Astivisarjan is commonly done. Beside this, many religious ceremonies are commonly held in this station. Fishermen throughout the investigation period influenced this station.This station was filled up by mud and showed the luxurious growth of Ipomoea carnea. c) Sampling station 3:- Lies side at Dam water at right side of wall near origin of canal. Tal- Paithan, Dist- Aurangabad.
Jayakwadi dam right canal outlet located in Paithan it is 3 KM away from 27 spillway gates.It is 35 KM away from Dahigaon. d) Sampling station 4:- Near Dam water at left side of wall near origin of canal. Tal- Paithan, Dist- Aurangabad.
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Fig. Map Showing Maharashtra State in India
Fig. Map Showing Ahmednagar and Aurangabad District
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Godavari
Pravara
Mula
Map of Jayakwadi showing sampling stations
Fig. 1 – Sampling Station
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Fig. 2 – Sampling Station
Fig. 3 – Sampling Station
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Fig. 4 – Sampling Station
Fig. 5 – Sampling Station
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Collection of water sample:-
Collection of water sample from above mentioned sampling stations were carried out between the periods of 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.surface water samples from the depth of 4-5 inches were collected in two liter sized acid cleaned plastic container.All the necessary observation was made at sampling stations.Water samples were brought to laboratory for microscopic observation.
Sample for the study of phytoplankton were collected by using plankton net of bolting silk cloth 200 meshes / linear inch. For qualitative study sample were collected in separate bottle. All sample for the phytoplankton studies were preserved in 4% formaldehyde.
For the qualitative estimation and identification of phytoplankton unconcentrated net collection sample were used. Phytoplankton were identified by using relevant literatures like Deshikachary (1959), Sarode and Kamat (1984), Fritsch (1979), Gonzalves (1947 a, b), Prescott (1951, 1954,), Philipose (1967), Iyengar and Desikachary, (1981), Anand (1998), Suxena and Venkateswarlu (1966), Bourrelly (1972), Palmer (1969), Ramnathan (1964), etc.and enumerated.
Microphotography:-
Microphotography of some phytoplankton encountered during study period were taken simultaneously using research microscope “Olympus” with 10x, 40x,100x objectives. For microphotography Sony Digital camera 7.2 Mega pixels and Aver media ezycapture computer software were used. During prepration of photo-plates photes are slightly magnified to observe the more details.
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