Comparative Analysis of Physico-chemical Parameters of The

Pond Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal, Kathmandu, Nepal

Candidate Supervisor
Sujata Thapa Magar Mr. Sujindra Man Rajkarnikar
Patan Multiple Campus Lecturer
TU Registration No. :5-2-22-542-2018 Patan Multiple Campus

July 11, 2023

1
Table of Contents

Introduction
Objectives
Materials and methods
Result and Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendation
Acknowledgements
References

2
Introduction

 Water on the Earth

71% of Earth is covered in water
97.5% unsuitable for daily use
Frozen water( glaciers/ice caps)
Surface water (lakes, ponds, rivers,
wetlands etc.)

Source: Sara Salvador Cob (2014)

3
 Nepal
• Immense number of freshwater resources
• River (6000) –Mahakali, karnali, Gandaki
and Koshi
• Lakes (5000 ha) (Rara, Tilicho, Begnas,
Phewa etc.)
• Reservoir ( 1500 ha)
• Village Ponds (325,000 ha)
• PONDS
• Village ponds- villagers use them for
domestic work
• Homestead ponds- for aquaculture and
cattle
• Historical Ponds- religious values nowadays
also used for recreational purposes
 Kathmandu Valley – 100 lakes and Ponds
(Sharma, 1992)
 16 traditional ponds in Kathmandu
 Bhaktapur – 42 Ponds
 Lalitpur- 25 Pokharies
4
Rationale
WHY PONDS?
• Assets of an ecosystem
• Helps to protect biodiversity
• Significant freshwater resource
• Historical/ temple ponds carry our history and culture
• Enhance Aquaculture
• But the number of ponds is declining
• Human encroachment
• Remain Unmanaged
• Turning into grounds

5
Objectives

General Objective
The main objective is to compare the Physico-chemical Parameters of
Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal.

Specific Objectives
1) To compare physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, transparency, DO,
free CO2, total alkalinity, chloride, and calcium) of sites viz. site A:
Siddhapokari and site B: Pimbahal Pond.
2) To enlist the fish species found in the pond
3) To know impact of Pond’s Parameters on Pond’s fish

6
MATERIALS AND METHODS
STUDY AREA • Siddhapokhari/ta Pukhu/Indra Daha
• 2700 sq km area, 3 m deep, 73 m broad,
171 m long
• Located at Dudhpati (entrance of the
Bhaktapur city)

Significance of Siddhapokhari
• Historical pond one of oldest
• Religious site
• Recreational purpose

Source: Google Earth

Site A: Siddhapokhari

7
 • Pimbahal Pokhari/ Jag Maru Pukhu
• Patan, Lalitpur
• 3800 sq meter and 1 meter deep

Significance of Pimbahal Pond

• one of the oldest Pond in Lalitpur city
• Cultural and religious attachment
• Attraction to tourists

Source: Google Earth

Site B: Pimbahal Pond

8
Laboratory tools Chemicals used

1. BOD Bottle/Winkler bottle 1. Winkler’s A solution/ MnSO4 Solution

2. Burette 2. Winkler’s B Solution/ Alkaline Iodine Solution
3. Measuring cylinder 3. Sodium Thiosulphate (Na2S2O2·5H2O) ( 0.025N)
4. Glass rods 4. Magnesium Sulphate (MnSO4)
5. Conical flasks 5. Potassium iodide
6. Pipette 6. Starch solution
7. Weighing balance 7. Sodium hydroxide
8. Measuring tape 8. Phenolphthalein
9. Secchi’s disk 9. Methyl orange
10.pH Meter 10. EDTA solution
11.Standard mercury thermometer 11. Mureoxide indicator

9
Physical Parameters

Colour Depth Temperature Transparency

Rope and Secchi’s

Mercury
Naked eye Measuring disk
Thermometer
tape

10
Chemical Parameters

1. pH 2. Dissolved Oxygen
It was measured using a portable O2 (mg/l) = vol of used titrant ×N of titrant ×8 × 1000
digital pH meter V2 (V1-V)
V
Where, V2 = volume of sample in BOD bottle(300ml)
V1 = volume of sample titrated (100ml)
V= volume of MnSO4+ KI added (4ml)
Titrant= sodium thiosulphate(0.025 N)

3. Free CO2
CO2 (mg/l)= vol of titrant × N of titrant × 44x1000
vol of sample titrated
Titrant= NaOH (0.05N)
Vol of sample= 100ml
11
4. Alkalinity 5. Dissolved Calcium
PA = A × N of HCL × 1000 ×50 Sample titrated= 50ml
vol of samples taken • 2ml 1N NaOH
TA= B ×N of HCl × 1000 × 50 • 100 mg of mureoxide (pink)
vol of sample titrated • EDTA (0.01 N)
A= ml of HCl used only for Phenolphthalein • Endpoint- purple
B= ml of HCl used for phenolphthalein and Ca (mg/l)= ml of titrant EDTA used × 400.8
methyl orange ml of sample titrated
Vol of sample titrated= 100ml
6. Chloride
• vol of sample= 100ml
• Few drops of potassium chromate (yellow)
• Endpoint- brick-red colour
• 0.02 N AgNO3
Cl (mg/l) = vol of titrant consumed × N of AgNO3 ×35.5 ×1000
vol of sample titrated
12
• To get information about the fish found in the Pond, secondary
sources(interviews with tax officers, boat service providers and local people)
were used

• To know the impact of Pond’s parameters on the fish, secondary data like books,
articles, journals etc. were used.

13
Result and Discussions
• Parameters analyzed from 13th April 2023 to 20th of June 2023
• Conducted fortnightly
• Total six observations
Physical parameters
1. Nature of the Day
 10th of May was more Cloudy due to the rainy season
2. Colour of the water
 Greenish colour might be due to phytoplankton, algal growth

14
 Temperature

30
• Affects chemical reactions, growth,
25
reproduction, feeding
• Siddhapokhari 15- 23˚C
20 • Pimbahal 21-25˚C
Due to weather condition
Temp (˚C)

15

SIDDHAPOKHARI
Favourable for warm water fish culture
10 PIMBAHAL
(FAO, 2006)
Affects can be seen in dissolved oxygen
5

0
1 3 -Ap r 2 7 -Ap r 1 0 -M a y 2 3 -M a y 6 -J u n 2 0 -J u n

Date

Figure 1: Water temperature variation in Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal Pond

15
Transparency
30
Transparency
25 • Siddhapokhari 9-15 cm
• Pimbahal 8.1- 25 cm
20 • From 27 April gradual decrease in
TRANSPARENCY (cm)

transparency was observed

15
SIDDHAPOKHARI
• Possible cause might be due to rain
10 PIMBAHAL
• Or due to algal manifestation
• Similar reasons for an increase in
5 turbidity were seen by Chakrabaty, et al.
(1959) and Joshi (1993)
0
13- Apr 27- Apr 10- M a y 23- M a y 6- J un 20- Jun • Negative impacts on fish growth
DATE • High turbidity causes less oxygen
Figure 2: Transparency variation in Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal Pond
production by aquatic plants

16
pH
8.4
pH
8.2

8
• Siddhapokhari 7.13- 8.03
7.8
• Pimbahal 7.27-8.2
7.6 • Alkaline water
7.4 • Similar values on Shukla (2007), Vaidya
pH

(2016), Rajkarnikar (1998)

SIDDHAPOKHARI
7.2
PIMBAHAL
7

6.8 • pH range of 6.6-8.5 is suitable for fish

6.6 (FAO, 2006)
6.4
13- Apr 27- Apr 10- M a y 23- M a y 6- Jun 20- Jun
• Loyd (1992) explained pH 4.0 or lower and
Date 11 or higher are fatal for most of the fishes

Figure 3: pH variation in Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal Pond

17
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved Oxygen
12

10
• Siddhapokhari 6.7 – 10.54mg/l
• Pimbahal 5.88 -10.14 mg/l
8
• 5-11 mg/l is favourable for fish
• Shukla (2007), Vaidya (2016)
• DO is affected by temperature
DO (mg/l)

6
SIDDHAPOKHARI
• Oxygen is less soluble in high
temperature
PIMBAHAL
4

• Temperature increases fish metabolism

2
• Decomposition process becomes faster
0
1 3 -Ap r 2 7 -Ap r 1 0 -M a y 2 3 -M a y 6 -J u n 2 0 -J u n
DATE

Figure 4: DO variation in Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal Pond

18
Free CO2
25
Free CO2
• Siddhapokhari Absence
20
• Pimbahal 2.2-19.8 mg/l
• CO2 absence means the presence of
Carbonate alkalinity
15
FREE CO2 (mg/l)

SIDDHAPOKHARI
• CO2 gradually increases with
10
PIMBAHAL temperature increment
• Similar pattern in Vaidya(2016),
5
Shukla (2007)
• Decaying and respiratory process
0
1 3 -Ap r 2 7 -Ap r 1 0 -M a y 2 3 -M a y 6 -J u n 2 0 -J u n higher
DatE
• Inverse relation to DO
Figure 5: Carbon dioxide variation in Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal Pond

19
Phenolphthalein Alkalinity
45
PA (Carbonate Alkalinity)
40
• Siddhapokhari max. 40 mg/l
35 • Pimbahal absence
30 • Rajkarnikar (1998) also showed the
absence of carbonate alkalinity in
PA (mg/l)

25

20
Pimbahal
15
SIDDHAPOKHARI
• Reason for the absence of PA might be
due to the presence of free CO2
PIMBAHAL

10

0
13-Aprl 27-Aprl 10-May 23-May 6-Jun 20-Jun

DATE

Figure 6: Variation in PA in Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal Pond

20
Total Alkalinity
TA
250

• Sum of carbonate, bicarbonate and

200
hydroxide
• Siddhapokhari 190 mg/l at 23˚C
150
• Pimbahal 200 mg/l at 25˚C
TA (mg/l)

SIDDHAPOKHARI
• Higher temp higher TA
100
PIMBAHAL • Similar pattern in Simpi (2011)
• TA value ranged from 50-200 mg/l is
50 good for fish (Moyle, 1946)

0
13-Apr 27-Apr 10-May 23-May 6 - Ju n 2 0 - Ju n

DATE

Figure 7: Variation in TA of Siddhapokari and Pimbahal Pond

21
Dissolved Calcium
50
Dissolved Calcium
45
Calcium helps in fish growth
40 • Siddhapokhari 15.23 -27.25 mg/l
35 • Pimbahal 32.06-47.29 mg/l
30
• Similar values in Shukla (2007),
Vaidya (2016) and Rajkarnikar (1998)
Ca (mg/l)

25

SIDDHAPOKHARI
20

PIMBAHAL
15

10

0
13-Apr 27-Apr 10-May 23-May 6 - Ju n 2 0 - Ju n

DATE

Figure 8: Variation in dissolved calcium in Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal Pond

22
Chlorine
45
Chloride
40
A high value of Chlorine indicates pollution
35
in Water
30 • Siddhapokhari 21.1 mg/l(mean value)
25
• Pimbahal 32.9 mg/l(mean value)
CL(mg/l)

20

• Chattopadhay (1998) described 1-100 mg/l

SIDDHAPOKHARI

15 PIMBAHAL
of chlorine as favourable for aquatic
10
organisms
5 • Less than 0.02 ppm stresses fish (Joseph,
0
13-Apr 27-Apr 10-May 23-May 6 - Ju n 2 0 - Ju n
1993)
DATE

Figure 9: Variation in Chlorine in Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal Pond

23
  DATE
PARAMETERS   13-Apr 27-Apr 10-May 23-May 6-Jun 20-Jun max min mean
LOCATION

TEMPERATURE SIDDHAPOKHARI 15 18 20 21.5 23 23 23 15 20.1

(˚C)
  PIMBAHAL 21 23 24 25 24 25 25 21 23.7

SIDDHAPOKHARI 9 10.5 14 10.75 10.55 9.8 14 9 10.8

TRANSPARENCY
 (cm)
PIMBAHAL 15.4 25 9.6 8.9 8.5 8.1 25 8.1 12.6

SIDDHAPOKHARI 7.13 7.18 7.29 7.45 7.48 8.03 8.03 7.13 7.4
pH 
 
PIMBAHAL 7.27 7.42 7.53 7.59 8.2 8.06 8.2 7.27 7.7

DO SIDDHAPOKHARI 10.54 9.72 8.91 8.31 7.095 6.7 10.54 6.7 8.5

 (mg/l) PIMBAHAL 10.14 9.32 8.71 7.9 6.48 5.88 10.14 5.88 8.1

FREE CO2 SIDDHAPOKHARI - - - - - - - - -

(mg/l)  PIMBAHAL 2.2 4.4 8.8 13.2 19.8 15.4 19.8 2.2 10.6

PA SIDDHAPOKHARI 15 25 15 30 30 40 40 15 25.8

(mg/l) PIMBAHAL - - - - - - - - -

TA SIDDHAPOKHARI 85 90 105 140 145 190 190 85 125.8

 (mg/l) PIMBAHAL 105 120 170 180 200 190 200 105 160.8

CL SIDDHAPOKHARI 22.72 24.14 24.14 18.46 19.86 17.04 24.14 17.04 21.1
(mg/l)
  PIMBAHAL 28.4 26.98 34.08 32.66 39.76 35.5 39.76 26.98 32.9

SIDDHAPOKHARI 27.25 25.65 19.23 18.42 15.23 17.63 27.25 15.23 20.6
CA HARDNESS 24
 (mg/l) PIMBAHAL 47.29 44.89 32.86 32.064 33.67 34.46 47.29 32.064 37.5
 Fishes found in Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal Pond
S.N SIDDHAPOKHARI S.N PIMBAHAL

Genus
Family Genus Species Common Family Species Common
name name
1.
Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio Common Carp Common Carp
1. Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio

2.
Xenocyprididae Ctenopharygodon idella Grass Carp
2. Xenocyprididae Ctenopharygodon idella Grass Carp

3.
Snakeheaded
Channa stewartii Channidae Snakeheaded
3. Channa stewartii
Channidae fish fish

4.
Heteropneustus fossilis Singhe
4. Heteropneustidae Heteropneustus fossilis Singhe
Heteropneustidae

5. Cyprinidae
5. Labeo rohita Rohu
Mastacembelidae Metacembelus sp. Bam
6. Ailiidae Clupisoma garua Jalkapoor
6.
Xenocyprididae Hypothalamichthys molitrix Silver carp
7. Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio Koi Carp

25
Conclusion
• All the Physico-chemical parameters were measured
• Maximum DO was 10.54 mg/l and 10.14 mg/l in Siddhapokhari and Pimbahal
at temperature 15˚C and 21˚C respectively.
• DO was found to be decreasing with the increment of temperature.
• Free carbon dioxide was absent in Siddhapokhari with the presence of
Phenolphthalein alkalinity.
• Some of the common fishes were Common carp, grass carp, Channa etc.
• Measured Physico-chemical parameters did not exceed the standard level of the
WHO
• All the parameters were found in favor of the fish farming

26
 Recommendations

Based on the study, below are some suggestions for the improvement of the Pond:
1. Physico-chemical parameters should be checked regularly to know the status of the pond to
enhance the fish culture.
2. Removal of weeds and wastes on the surface of the pond should be conducted.
3. Awareness to local people of Bhaktapur and Lalitpur needs to be done to conserve the
Pond.
4. Cleanliness around the Pond should be maintained.
5. Proper study of soil must be done.
 

27
Acknowledgements
Supervisor
• Mr. Sujindra Man Rajkarnikar
Head of Department
• Prof. Dr. Arvind K. Keshari
Lecturers
• Mrs. Urmila Dyola
• Mrs. Babita Thakur
• Mrs. Reena Byanju
Laboratory assistants
• Mr. Bikrant Subedi
• Mrs. Shushma Jodhi
My family and friends

28
 REFERENCES
Boyd, C. E. (2015), “pH, Carbon Dioxide, and Alkalinity. In: Water Quality. Springer, Cham.”
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17446-4_8

DOAD 1992 National Fisheries Development Plan,1992/93. Fisheries Development Division (FDD). Department
of Agriculture Development (DOAD), HMGN, Kathmandu, Nepal.

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) (2006). State of World Aquaculture. 2006. FAO
Fisheries Technical paper 500. Rome: FAO Fisheries Department.

Ellis M. M. (1937), Detection and measurement of Stream Pollution, US Government Printing Office, United States

Ezeanya, N. C., Chukwuma, G. O., Nwaigwe, K. N., & Egwuonwu, C. C. (2015), “Standard water quality
requirements and management strategies for fish Farming (A case study of Otamiri River),” International
Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology., 4(3), 1-5.

  29
Pandey, S. K. (2006), Study on Some Physico-Chemical parameters In Relation to Primary Productivity of Kirtipur
Village Pond (Doctoral dissertation). Central Department of Zoology, Institute of Science and Technology,
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Rajkarnikar, S. M. (1998), A Study on Abiotic and Biotic Components of the Pond “Jagmaru Pukhu”. Central
Department of Zoology, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Shukla, S. (2007), Study of Physico-Chemical Parameters, Fish and Fisheries of Siddhapokhari, Bhaktapur (Msc.
Thesis). Central Department of Zoology, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University,
Kathmandu, Nepal.

Vaidya, S. R. (2016), Assessment of Water Quality and their Correlation on Abundance of Zooplankton in some
Fresh water bodies of Kathmandu Valley, Bagbazar, Kathmandu, Creative Link Pvt. Ltd.

 Lloyd, R. (1992), Pollution and freshwater fish, Fishing News Books Ltd, Oxford, UK.

30
Photoplates

Pimbahal Pond Siddhapokhari

Field Work 31
Feeding bhuja to fish
Fish found in Pimbahal

Fish found in Pimbahal 32

THANK
YOU
33