| Abstract: | The magnitudes of sediment oxygen consumption in the rural undrainable fish ponds of Orissa, India, were quantified and partitioned into bacterial, animal and chemical uptakes. It was in the low range, comprising a maximum of 30 % of the total community respiration. Chemical uptake was generally predominant, followed by bacterial respiration and low macroinvertebrate respiration. Evidence has been produced to the limiting effects of oxygen levels, mechanical disturbances and bioturbation on uptake rates in these ponds. The sediment layers are shown to act as energy traps, and measures are suggested for improved sediment -water interaction and enhanced nutrient recycling. |
