Research Article Open Access

Bheri-A Unique Example of Biological Complex System

Indranil Mukherjee1, Pranami Bhaumik1, Madhusmita Mishra2, Ashoke Ranjan Thakur2 and Shaon Ray Chaudhuri2
  • 1 West Bengal University of Technology, India
  • 2 West Bengal State University (Barasat, North 24 Parganas), India

Abstract

Problem statement: This study is a unique attempt to characterize Bheri (shallow flat bottom waste water fed fishery) as a complex biological system. Approach: The characterization was done both at the qualitative and the quantitative levels. The diverse microbial community and the associated emergent behaviors resulting in integrated resource recovery by the Bheris were analyzed under the lens of complexity to gain an understanding about the qualitative features. To carry out quantitative characterization, ideas of scaling and power law relationships were emphasized through statistical analysis of observed data. Results: On comparing the plankton diversity of the Bheris with rain water and waste water fed ponds located within Calcutta (India) as well as Dhaka (Bangladesh), the former indicated clear evidence of exhibiting power law behavior (which is a strong signature of complexity). The adequacy of observations was reflected in the saturation of the curves obtained on plotting the number of observations against the Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU). Conclusion: This study clearly reveals Bheri as a biological complex system both at qualitative and quantitative levels as compared to rain water as well as waste water fed ponds.

OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences
Volume 10 No. 1, 2010, 1-10

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ojbsci.2010.1.10

Submitted On: 25 December 2009 Published On: 30 June 2010

How to Cite: Mukherjee, I., Bhaumik, P., Mishra, M., Thakur, A. R. & Chaudhuri, S. R. (2010). Bheri-A Unique Example of Biological Complex System. OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences, 10(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3844/ojbsci.2010.1.10

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Keywords

  • Bheri
  • power law
  • biological complex system
  • Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU)
  • Integrated Resource Recovery (IRR)
  • bioremediation