Full Length Research Paper

Seasonal variations in water quality and major threats to Ramsagar reservoir, India

R. K. Garg¹*, R. J. Rao², D. Uchchariya², G. Shukla¹ and D. N. Saksena²

¹Council of Science and Technology, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal-462003 (M.P.), India.

²School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior-474011 (M.P.), India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: gargrajk@rediffmail.com.

Accepted 29 October, 2009

Abstract

Ramsagar reservoir, a small inland reservoir located in Datia district, Madhya Pradesh is constructed over Nichroli nallah, in the basin of Sindh River. The physico-chemical characteristics, trophic status and pollution studies of Ramsagar reservoir have been studied from April, 2003 to March, 2005. The nutrients including silicates (0.65 - 8.42 mgl-1), sulphates (1.50 - 8.87 mgl-1), phosphates (0.013 - 0.054 mgl-1), nitrates (0.011 - 0.033 mgl-1) and potassium (1.97 - 4.86 mgl-1) are in sufficient quantities for the growth of aquatic animals in the reservoir. The above study indicated that the Ramsagar reservoir is under the category of mesotrophic water body slightly inclined towards eutrophication. Therefore, the conservation and management of this water body is very much required.

Key words: Water quality, trophic status, threats of reservoir degradation.