An investigation of the zoobenthos diversity, in relation to the particle structure of the benthos of the Nandoni Dam.

Abstract

The study investigated the structural difference of the benthic zone sediments of various sites in the recently constructed Nandoni Dam and their relation to zoobenthos diversity. Samples were collected with a bottom grab and sieved through a series of sieves in the laboratory. Sediment particle sizes were classified according the mesh sizes of the sieves on which they were trapped. Each sediment sample was microscopically investigated for zoobenthos and the organisms were identified. The results have shown that the composition of the benthic zones at the investigated sites is not the same with a clear distinction between deepwater and inflow sites with more fine material at the latter. This difference is reflected by the zoobenthos diversity with molluscans, annelids and macro-invertebrates dominant at the deepwater sites and annelids and macro-invertebrates at the inflow sites