Studies on the primary production in a river basin in eastern India

Measurement of the primary production has been estimated over a study area of approximately 25 km² of the North Koel River, in the Palamau District, in Bihar, India. A caustic chemical factory which is discharging effluent into the river is situated at Rehala, Palamau, on the bank of the North Koel. Huge amounts of mercury are released into the river. The physical and chemical characters of the caustic chemicals in the effluent have a significant influence on the primary production on the North Koel river. The gross production is compared with other fresh water habitats (riverine and other) in India. It is observed that the gross production value is the lowest (at 1.14 gc/m²/day) of any recorded riverine ecosystem in India.