INFLUENCE OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS ON ARTEMIA POPULATION IN SOLAR SALTPANS OF KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT, TAMILNADU, INDIA

Artemia commonly known as brine shrimp are unique inhabitants of hypersaline environments. The objective of the study is to evaluate physicochemical parameters and the population of Artemia in two selected hypersaline ecosystems of Kanyakumari district. To better understand the growth of Artemia, different physicochemical parameters including temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen and depth of water were examined from May 2018 to April 2019. The influence of physicochemical parameters on Artemia population in different seasons of saltpan ecosystem of reservoir, condenser and crystallizer pond at both stations was studied. Highest temperature was recorded (31.72oC) in crystallizer pond and pH (8.7) in condenser pond during post monsoon seasons at both stations. Highest salinity was reported (157.175ppt) from crystallizer ponds during pre monsoon at both study sites. In case of DO (5.317) and water depth (71.73) was reported maximum in reservoir pond at both stations during monsoon seasons. The different stages of Artemia populations were recorded during post monsoon season on both saltpans. Highest Artemia population (14.1) was reported from reservoir pond at both stations during post monsoon season. Parameter such as temperatures, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen and depth of water extensively influenced the abundance of Artemia population in crystallizer pond of both study station. Artemia population was significant (p > 0.05) in post monsoon seasons and sampling units at station 2. The various stages of Artemia population were non-significant (p > 0.05) in seasons and sampling site at both study area. The abundance of Artemia population was high at station 2 from reservoir pond during post monsoon season.