M. Golam Mortuza
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life and Earth Science, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
Title: The Effect of Sewage Discharge on the Fish Faunal Diversity of Wadi Hanifah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Biography
Biography: M. Golam Mortuza
Abstract
Effluent discharges from industries and municipal sewage from the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and adjacent areas are partially carried out through a stream channel known as Wadi Hanifah. At present the main sources of water are sewage effluent, agricultural runoff, pumped shallow ground water from the city of Riyadh and seasonal rainwater. Monthly samples were collected from three sampling area (Namar, Al-Azizia and Al-Hair) from Wadi Hanifah during September 2014 to August 2015. Results indicated that the industrial and municipal effluent impacted negatively on water quality and consequently the fish community structure. A total of 17 fish species were recorded throughout the year with the lowest number of 11 species recorded in the most impacted Al-Azizia area. Species richness indices were highest at the Namar dam (recreation park area) and lowest at Al-Azizia, the most affected area, where vehicle mechanical industries are established and petrochemicals are damping through sewerage channels. Tilapia is dominating species in Wadi Hanifah especially at recreation park area, where fish species are culturing, while carp’s species are found throughout the channel. Due to high petrochemical pollution, dead fishes are usually found at Al-Azizia site. Low dissolved oxygen, pH, secchi depth and high electrical conductivity, total phosphorous, and total nitrogen, heavy metals were strongly associated with the effluent impacted sites and greatly influenced the fish community structure. This study recommends the use of fish as valuable biological indicators in aquatic environmental pollution assessment.