Water chemistry of high altitude lakes in the Khumbu and Imja Kola Valleys (Nepalese Himalayas) (original) (raw)
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A Brief Review on Limnological Status of High Altitude Lakes in Nepal
Journal of Wetlands Ecology, 2009,3:12-22 Abstract: The Hindu Kush - Himalaya (HKH), extending about 3,500 km from east to west in Asia from Myanmar in the east to Afghanistan in the west, form the water sources for many rivers that have spiritual, cultural and economic values. The biodiversity is unique and rich yet not adequately explored and studied. Some studies have been carried out in the Kashmir Himalaya in India followed by Everest Region in Nepal. Most of the studies have dealt with physico-chemical analysis of the water samples; however complete bathymetric and limnological studies have not been performed. The high altitude Himalayan lakes are remote and difficult to access. They are characterized by the presence of glacial silt, low Sechhi values, low conductivity and neutral pH. The most dominant cation and anion in high altitude lakes are Calcium (Ca) and Bicarbonate (HCO3) respectively with few exceptions. Water chemistry of the lakes is dependent on the geolithology o...
Water Quality of High-Altitude Lakes in the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, Nepal
Journal of Environmental Protection, 2013
The aim of this research was to analyze physical and chemical characteristics of high altitude lakes (Gokyo lake series, Imja lake, Pyramid lake) of the Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu region located above 4500 m altitude. The lake water was studied for three years (2008, 2009 and 2010) to compare the annual changes in the parameters. The findings created a database for present status of high land lakes of Nepal, which can be used for the management of lakes as well as to study the impact of tourism on water quality. The lake water quality in general still stands good in terms of standards for drinking water (WHO, Nepal standard) but degradation process has started. Total nitrogen in water samples was lower than the WHO standard but an increase in the nitrate nitrogen has been recorded. Similarly, total phosphorrous quality was also found increased.
Hydrochemistry of Lake Rara: A high mountain lake in western Nepal
Lakes and Reservoirs: Research and Management, 2018
High altitude ecosystems have important natural ecological functions but are under increasing impacts from human activities and climate change. A detailed analysis of the water chemistry of Lake Rara, a high mountain lake in western Nepal, was carried out in October 2015 and April 2016. A total of 31 water samples were collected. Major ions (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + , SO 4 2− , NO 3 − and Cl −) were analysed by ion chromatography. Si and PO 4 3− were analysed following the standard protocols. Conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured on-site. The lake is oligotrophic characterized by low PO 4 3− concentration
Headwater Flow Geochemistry of Mount Everest (Upper Dudh Koshi River, Nepal)
Frontiers in earth science, 2020
The aim of this work, conducted in the upper valley of the Khumbu on the southern part of Mount Everest, is to approach in parallel three topics: (i) the dynamics of the water geochemistry, major ions and trace elements; (ii) the stable water isotopes of precipitation and rivers; and (iii) the water uses by the inhabitants. As in most mountain environments, the Khumbu area is threatened by climate change, which impacts the cryosphere and consequently the people and the landscapes. Moreover, changes in water use are also related to new needs stemming from tourism, which strongly affect local livelihood. For the first two topics, new results are presented. They provide details on the global chemical quality of the river water and show how certain elements are seasonally influenced and how other elements allow us to distinguish the water origins within the study zone. Beside the use of stable isotopes to determine mainly the origin of the water flow in the rivers, the isotopic patterns confirm the double climatic influence of the westerly fluxes in the winter season and of the Asian monsoon in the summer season. Regarding water use, the study does not conclude on the potability of the water resource, because microbiologic and organic components have not been investigated; however it confirms that the chemical quality is good. In conclusion, we attempt to predict the future of the geochemistry patterns submitted to the double pressure of climate change and the surge in tourism.
Stream chemistry in the middle hills and high mountains of the Himalayas, Nepal
Journal of Hydrology, 1995
The major ion chemistry of samples from 216 headwater streams in the Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and Nuwakot regions of the middle and high mountains of the Nepal Himalayas is described. Samples were collected at low flow during February-March 1992, the dry season between the winter and summer monsoon periods. The resulting database provides a baseline against which to assess natural and anthropogenic influences on water chemistry in these environments.
Physico-Chemical Parameters of High-Altitude Rivers in the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, Nepal
Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 2013
The aim of this research was to analyse physical and chemical characteristics of high altitude rivers of the Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu region. The study was conducted for three years from 2008 to 2010 in the elevation 1900 m to 5300 m of the park. The study develops a database for monitoring high land rivers of Nepal. The river water quality in general still stands good in terms of standards for drinking water (WHO, Nepal standard) but degradation process has started. Certain changes in water quality parameters in water bodies on the major tourist treks have been recorded, mainly due to anthropogenic activities, particularly tourists and waste disposal. Total nitrogen in water samples is lower than the WHO standard but an increase in the nitrate nitrogen has been recorded comparison between 2008, 2009 and 2010 as well as when compared with earlier reports. Similarly total phosphorous value was also found increased annually as well as earlier reports. It is urgent need to check further degradation of river water quality. The outcomes of this research work would be a useful tool to manage the river water ecosystem in Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone.
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The Ramaroshan Lake Complex (RLC) in Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal, is a Himalayan lake cluster that holds significant ecological, economic, religious, and esthetic importance. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive characterization of the hydrochemical properties of water within the RLC and assess its suitability for irrigation purposes. A total of 38 water samples were collected from seven different lakes of the complex. The physicochemical parameters and major ions were then analyzed. The water samples from the RLC were alkaline, and based on total hardness, they ranged from soft to moderately hard categories. The presence of major ions included the following: Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ > Fe3+ > NH4 + and HCO3 − > Cl− > SO4 2− > NO3 − > PO4 3−. The alkaline earth metals (Ca2+ and Mg2+) dominated the alkali metals (Na+ and K+ ) and weak acids (HCO3 −) dominated the strong acids (Cl− and SO4 2−). The dominant hydrochemical facies of the lake water was a Ca-HCO3 type indicating a calcium carbonate type of lithology. Carbonate rock weathering was the most dominant process in influencing the hydrochemistry of the water. A high ratio of (Ca2++ Mg2+)/Tz+ and a lower ratio of (Na+ + K+ )/Tz+ revealed the dominance of Ca2+ and Mg2+ resulting from carbonate weathering, with little contribution from silicate weathering. Different irrigation indices revealed the suitability of the RLC water for irrigation. The insights derived from this study are pivotal in safeguarding water quality and bolstering sustainability efforts. The study also furnishes foundational data crucial to an array of stakeholders including researchers and policymakers and significantly contributes to advancing water management strategies and fostering ecosystem conservation in the Himalayan freshwater lakes, particularly in the face of the overarching challenge posed by global climate change.
Limnology, 2012
The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time the morphology, physical and chemical characteristics of three high-altitude lakes in the Gokyo Valley, Everest National Park, Nepal. The moraine-dammed glacial lakes were studied for three seasons to create baseline data. The second, third, and fourth lakes in the Gokyo Valley are deeper than previously assumed. The vertical profiles of temperature and dissolved oxygen indicated that the thermocline zone varied between 10 and 20 m below the surface during the post-monsoon season. Although most of the analyzed metal concentrations were below the level recommended by the WHO for safe drinking water, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels exceeded the limits in some of the samples. This has created great concern for human health. The probable route of these two pollutants is monsoon precipitation that carries industrial pollutants along its route. The sedimentation rates of Gokyo Lakes range from 0.069 to 0.089 cm per annum, which is within the limits of other high-altitude lakes. The present findings created a baseline database for some of the remote high-altitude lakes in Nepal that can be used for lake management and for assessing future changes in lake characteristics in the Himalayan region.