J. Env. Bio-Sci., 2016: Vol.

30 (1):39-46
(39) ISSN 0973-6913 (Print), ISSN 0976-3384 (On Line)

LIMNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF SUNDERDAM RESERVOIR OF

GODDA DISTRICT (SANTAL PARGANA) JHARKHAND
Amrita Priyadarshanee* and P. K. Verma
Life Science Research Laboratory, Dept. of Zoology,
Godda Collage, Godda-814133
[Corresponding Author E-mail*: amrita6614@gmail.com]

Received: 04-01-2016 Accepted: 12-05-2016

A detail study of limnological features of Sunderdam reservoir of Godda district under Santal Pargana of Jharkhand was investigated.
The reservoir is an earthen dam built across a seasonal river, forming a deep medium sized reservoir for irrigation and fisheries.
The reservoir showed thermal stratification in summer and isothermal conditions during monsoon. The medium of the water was
alkaline (pH 7.5-7.9) and Oxygen curve was clinograde (surface =7.6 ppm, bottom = 6.2ppm) during summer. The entire water
column was saturated with more than 50% of O2 (ranges 80 -100%) throughout the year suitable for fish habitat. Silicate, Phosphate
and Nitrate were higher in deeper zones of the reservoir. Primary productivity values indicate maximum (0.0650-0.0676 gC/m 3/
h)during winter and minimum (0.0594-0.0632 gC/m3/h) in summer. Bacillariophyceae and Cyanophyceae were the dominant groups
among the phytoplankton where as Rotifers and Copepods among zooplankton.Assessment of fish production was made on the
basis of number of major carp fingerlings released in reservoir. The annual fish production ranged from 0.052 to 0.062g/m 2.The
weight of the fish captured ranges from1.5 to 6.5 kg. The Catla sps. showed highest efficiency for maximum growth in reservoir.
On the basis of limnological investigation, certain suitable remedial measures recommended.

Sunderdam reservoir is an earthen dam located in Godda
district of Santal Pargana, Jharkhand,used for irrigation and
fishery purposes. It becomes essential to investigate seasonal
variations in properties of water to evaluate the productive
potentiality of this water body, as well as to suggest suitable
effective measures for proper management of the reservoir
fisheries.Many liminological studies were carried out on the
reservoir from different regions in India1-5.The execution of this
investigation was spread over a period of two years from Jan
2011 to Dec 2012.
Research Area: Sunderdam reservoir is located in Dhanabindi
village of Boarijor block about 34 km north east from Godda
district headquarter situated between 24o 25' - 25o 13' N latitude
and 87o 10' -87o 28' east longitude with an altitude of 400-
600km. It was constructed in 1976 across a seasonal river the
Sunder river.It receives rainwater from its vast catchment areas
of 58 sq km and commissioned in 1979 for irrigation and in
2007 for fisheries purposes.The reservoir area at full level is
8.44sqkm and maximum water depth is 25.0m and mean depth
12.5 m.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Three sampling spots (A, B and C) were selected and water
NAAS Rating (2016)-4.20
samples were collected once in a month on 5th day at around
9.00- 10 AM (Jan 2011- Dec 2012) Data of different spots were
polled together to get an average for each month of the year.
Sampling was made by water sampler (1.5 litres) at the surface
2m, 5m, 10m, 15m and 20m depth. Water temperature was
measured by a mercury thermometer (accuracy 0.1oC). pH
and turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids were measured
by electronic digital metre on the spot. Other parameters like
dissolved O2, free CO2, alkalinity, total hardness, chloride,
silicate, phosphate and nitrate were analysed in the laboratory
according to the prescribed methods6-7. Primary productivity
data was analysed by Light and Dark bottle method8. Plankton
sample were collected by plankton net (bolting silk no. 25,
mesh size 0.03-0.04mm). The qualitative and quantitative
analyse of concentrated plankton samples were analysed by
Lackey Drop micro transect counting method9.Assessment
of fish production was made on the basis of annual stocking
of major carp fingerlings and its commercial landings.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Thermal Gradient: The vertical gradient of water temperature
showed an inverse correlation with the increasing depth
(r=0.561 summer, r= 0.510 monsoon and r= 0.332 winter).
 LIMNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF SUNDERDAM RESERVOIR (40)

List of dominant species of the Phytoplankton

List of dominant Species of Zooplankton

Length and corresponding weight of fishes captured

Table-1.Seasonal Variations in Vertical distribution of Certain Physico- Chemical Properties

of water (2011-2012)

All parameters are in ppm except pH

The variations in water temperature profile formed a distinct
thermal structure of the reservoir. During summer sampling, a
slight variation of water temperature was recorded from surface
(31.0oC) to 2m depth which represents the epilimnion zone.
The temperature dropped from 30.0oC to 25.0oC in 10m which
represented the thermocline zone water column. Below 10 m,
the hypolimnion zone had somewhat uniform temperature profile
(24.5 - 24.0oC) about 7.0oC temperature difference existed from
surface to 20m depth of the reservoir. During monsoon and
winter months the vertical gradient of water temperature ranged
between 30.0-28.0oC and 20.0 -19.0oC (1.0-1.5oC differences)
respectively and indicated an isothermal conditions during
winter and monsoon (Fig.-1).Heavy rainfall during monsoon
months with strong wind velocity might be responsible for the
(41) PRIYADARSHANEE AND VERMA

Figure-2. Seasonal variations in vertical distribution of

Figure-1 . Water temperature vertical profile indicating certain physico-chemical properties of water -
thermal stratification during summer season. Water temp., pH, DO2 , FCO2.

Figure-3 . Seasonal variations in vertical distribution of certain physico-chemical properties of water -

HCO3, Cl , SiO2 , PO4 and NO3.
 LIMNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF SUNDERDAM RESERVOIR (42)

Figure-4. Seasonal variations in Primary productivity of the reservoir.

Figure-5. Monthly variations in number of phytoplankton and zoo plankton.

(43) PRIYADARSHANEE AND VERMA
Figure-6. Monthly variations in frequency of phytoplankton and zoo plankton.
circulation in epilimnion probably disturbed thermal stratification
and causing an isothermal condition of reservoir water
characterized by complete circulation of water column.
pH Value: The pH of surface water was in alkaline range 7.5-
7.9. Depth wise water analysis showed that pH gradually
decreased from surface to 20m depth. (7.8-7.4) with a
remarkable decline value for a difference of 0.40 units.In
monsoonand the winter samplings, a small gradient of pH value
was noted between (7.6-7.4) and (7.5-7.4) respectively.The
stratification of pH(7.8-7.4) was significant during summer
months showing a relation with water temperature.
Dissolved Oxygen: The water remained saturated throughout
the year and ranged between 80-100%. The vertical profile of
dissolved oxygen fluctuationwas quite prominent (7.6-
6.2ppm)during summer with 1.4ppm differences from surface
to 20m depth showing clinograde distribution10 which is a
characteristic of a productive reservoir11. During monsoon (7.0-
7.4ppm) and water (7.8-8.2 ppm) dissolved oxygen profile
showed a narrow range of variations from surface to 20m depth
(Fig.-2).
Free CO2 : Free CO2 of surface water was recorded in the
range of 2.0-3.5 ppm. Minimum value was recorded during
winter months while maximum in summer months.It slightly
increased with depth having maximum value in 10m to 20m
depth which ranged between 2.0-3.0ppm (summer), 3.0-4.0ppm
(monsoon) and 2.0-2.5 ppm (winter) in the entire water column
of the reservoir. Depth profile data of free CO 2 indicated its
accumulation in the hypolimnionzone which is probably a better
index of productive water. The organic matter in bottom on
decomposition releases CO2 which and is responsible for lower
pH value in 10-20m depth. Lower value of free CO2 in epilimnion
was probably due to its proper utilization during photosynthesis
activities.
Alkalinity: Bicarbonate alkalinity in surface water ranged
between 50.6-57.0 ppm. It was maximum in summer months
and minimum in monsoon months. Its value in different depth
of water ranged between 51.0-55.0ppm (summer), 53.0-54.0
ppm (monsoon) and 50.0-50.5ppm (winter) and showing a
 LIMNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF SUNDERDAM RESERVOIR
prominent vertical gradient particularly during summer
sampling.Vertical gradient of bicarbonate alkalinity during
summer indicated a descending trend due to gradual
accumulation of CO2 in the bottom layers.
Nutrient Status: Variation in chloride value in water ranged
between 20.0-32.0ppm. Its content was recorded between 23.0-
25.0ppm, 30.0-31.0ppm and 19.0-20.0ppm during summer,
monsoon and winter periods respectively. Depth profile of
silicate in water showed a regular trend of variation in all seasons
as 20.0-26.0ppm, 25.0-29.0ppm and 16.0-20.ppm during
summer, monsoon and winter periods respectively.Silicate
content was higher in a depth of 15m and 20m.Phosphate
showed a very distinctvertical gradient and ranged from 0.45-
0.56ppm, 0.30-0.45ppm and 0.30-0.45 ppm during summer,
monsoon and winter periods respectively with greater value in
15m to 20m of depth.Nitrate value ranged between 2.5 to 5.0
ppm which generally increased with depth and was maximum
in a depth of 15.0m and 20.0m (Fig.-3).
Depth profile indicated higher value of silicate in hypolimnion
zone probably due to resolution of the slowly settling silicious
shell of dead and decaying diatoms and rhizopods. Lower value
in epilimnion might be associated to the growth and
development of silica containing phytoplankton. Phosphate
value also increased with depth probably due to decomposition
of submerged sediments, indicating its importance in the
determination of biological productivity in water. Nitrate
concentration also exhibited an ascending trend in depth profile
observations, probably due to decomposition of nitrogenous
organic matter and its conversion into nitrate in hypolimnion
zone of the reservoir. This explain the presence of higher nitrate
and lower O2 in this zone. Temperature profile also influences
the content of nitrate.
Primary Productivity: Gross primary productivity and net
primary productivity of surface water ranged between 0.0650-
0.0676 gC/m³/h and 0.0523.0.0545gC/m³/h in winter, 0.0594-
0.0632 gC/ m³/h and 0.0460-0.0471 gC/ m³/h in summer and
0.0400-0.0404 gC/ m³/h and 0.0315-0.0316 gC/ m³/h in
monsoon respectively. The respiration expressed on
percentage of gross production during 12 months regular
observations was recorded in range of 17.2 to 43.4. The net
versus gross production ratio varied from 0.56 to 0.83.Highest
light intensity was recorded during summer in the range of
(44)
32,500-35,500 lux (Fig.-4). Maximum gross production during
winter months may be correlated to higher phytoplankton
density with average light intensity of 21,000 - 23,000 lux.
Higher efficiency of carbon fixation in summer was probably
due to high light intensity and water temperature. Net
production value appeared to be significant following the
fluctuation of gross production. It indicated that the reservoir
ecosystem produced more organic matter than its consumption
during the period of investigation. Maximum value of community
respiration during summer months was probably due to
increase in the decomposition rate influenced by the warming
up of water.High rate of primary production suggest that the
fish production can be enhanced to a greater extent if
scientifically managed.
Plankton: Seasonal fluctuation of phytoplankton showed its
0 u/l) during winter and minimum 1080-1800 u/l) during
monsoon months.Phytoplankton community included three
major groups namely Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and
Bacillariophyceae. Phytoplankton density during winter season
was dominated by Bacillariophyceae (79.1 to 87.3%) followed
by Cyanophyceae and Chlorophyceae (Fig.-5).
The relationships between phytoplankton diversity and
environmental factors have great importance. Present study
showed Bacillariophyceae dominating on others with 7 to 9
species having maximum percentage during winter months at
lower temperature profile of the reservoir water. The distribution
of diatoms is apparently concerned with silicate and dissolved
O2 .Higher concentration of dissolved O2 during winter months
made the habitat suitable for the growth of diatoms. Low
concentration of silicate during high density of
Bacillariophyceae showed its proper utilization by diatoms. A
substantial decline in phytoplankton density during monsoon
might be due to influx of rain water, high turbidity and rising
water temperature. Cyanophyceae dominated during summer
month due to high water temperature.
Zooplankton community in surface water of the reservoir
comprised of Rhizopoda, Rotifera, Copepoda and
Cladocera.Seasonal value of Zooplankton community exhibited
its maximum potential (1804-2588 u/l)in 2011 and 1981-2633
u/l in 2012 during winter while minimum value (720-889 u/l in
2011 and 761-970 u/l in 2012) in summer months.
(45) PRIYADARSHANEE AND VERMA
Maximum density of zooplankton was recorded during winter
months that followed the abundance of phytoplankton density.It
had been emphasized that the abundance of zooplankton was
chiefly dependent upon the abundance of phytoplankton in
water bodies12-13.
Fish Production: The fisheries department had stocked
fingerlings of major carp specially Catla,Labeo and Mrigala
since 2004.An estimated number of 35,81,500 fingerling were
released in the reservoir till 2010, out of which fingerlings of
Catla 14,32,600, Labeo 10,74,450 and Cirrhinus 10,74,450
were released in the ratio of 40: 30: 30. The length of released
fingerlings of these fishes were 30mm-100mm, 38-110mm and
76-104mm for Catla, Labeo and Cirrhinus, respectively.The
fishing of Sunder dam reservoir was initiated in year 2006 in
an organized way through co-operative societies. The major
commercial catches of the reservoir consisted of Catla catla,
Labeo rohita, and Cirrhinus mrigala. The predators were
comparatively very few and represented by Wallagoattu and
Channa species. The annual catch was in the range of 1380
(6900 kg) to 1620(8100kg) for Catla, 1020(4080 kg) to
1355(5420 kg) for Labeo and 700(2100 kg) to 907(2780 kg) for
Cirrhinus during year 2006-07 to 2009-2010. The size of the
captured specimens of these fishes have been recorded as
Reservoir water had rich potential for the development of fishery
resources that depends upon regular stocking of the reservoir
with fingerlings of growing fishes. Considering the rate of regular
stocking with carps fingerlings during the period for consecutive
year 2005-06. The annual fish production for four years 2006-
07 to 2009-10 was in the range of 0.052 - 0.062 g/m² .The
catch fetched a price at the rate of Rs.85 to 150 kg. According
to fish production data, the growth efficiency of Catla catla
seems to be quite profitable. The fishes captured were in an
average weight of 1.5 to 6.5 kg indicating suitable limnological
conditions of the reservoir. The clearance of submerged
obstructions in the light penetration zone during summer may
facilitate easy fishing with maximum yield and also improvement
reservoir fisheries. Fish production of the reservoir can be
increased by enhancing stocking rate with additional sps. of
commercial important fishes in order to utilize the natural food
resources which remain unutlized by the existing sps. of the
reservoir.
Recommendations : On the basis of limnological investigation
of Sunderdam reservoir the following remedial measures may
be considered:-
1. Gradual siltation through influx of rain water from catchment
areas is a major threat to the reservoir ecosystem. It may
decrease the reservoir area and deteriorate the natural
environment and productivity of the reservoir.
2. A large part of the reservoir, remains unexploited due to
submerged obstructions like the trunks, rocks etc. It should
be cleared and removed particularly during summer season
when water level declines.
3. In order to have proper management and best possible use
of the reservoir, regular stocking rate of carp fingerling may be
increased
4. Effective stocking operations are possible only when the
fingerlings are reared near the reservoir site by establishing a
fish farm. Long distance transportation of the same increases
the chance of mortality as well as an uneconomic venture.
5. To develop commercial fishery in a reservoir an organization
of fisherman co-operative societies is imperative.They must
be trained through fisheries department for the operation of
gillnet, drag net fishing and cage culture .
6. Co-operative societies must be provided with adequate tools
like nets, boat and transportation facilities as required for
fishing.
7. Rules and regulations under Indian Fisheries Act should be
effectively enforced with emphasis on limits of mesh size, size
of captured fishes and protection from pollution load.
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