Two Decadal Changes in the Major Ions Chemistry of Melt Water Draining from Dokriani Glacier, Central Himalaya, India
Authors
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Environmental Hydrology Division, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee – 247 667
Shipika Sundriyal -
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Bidholi, Dehradun – 248 001
Uday Bhan
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Centre for GeoTechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli - 627 012
S. Selvakumar
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Environmental Hydrology Division, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee – 247 667
Rajesh Singh
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Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun – 248 001
D. P. Dobhal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-021-1682-6Keywords:
No Keywords.Abstract
Present study aims to understand the hydrochemical changes in proglacial meltwater stream emerging from the termini of Dokriani Glacier, central Himalaya, India. The major ion concentration of melt water between the years 1994-2015 has been reassessed to infer the glacial/subglacial weathering induced ionic release from Dokriani glacier system. The results from meltwater data collected during post-monsoon period (October 2015) shows that Ca2+ is more dominant cation followed by Mg2+, K+ , Na+ and SO4 2– is most dominant anion followed by HCO3 – and Cl– . Scatter plot between Ca2+ + Mg2+ vs total cations shows the overall dominance of carbonate weathering whereas Na++K+ vs total anions shows high positive relation suggesting domination of both carbonate and silicate weathering. By comparison, the ionic concentration for the year 2015 suggests a significant increase since 1994; however, the discharge weighted concentrations could provide more detailed estimates. An increasing trend in major cations viz. calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) while the bicarbonate (HCO3 - ), sulphate (SO4 2-) and nitrogen (NO3 - ) has been observed as major anion. Further, the source of Cl- , NH4 + , and NO3 - in the meltwater stream is mainly derived from the atmospheric precipitation, anthropogenic, and weathering process. The process of carbonate weathering and dissolution of rock is ascertained as the one which regulates the melt water chemistry.
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