Hydrogeochemistry of Meltwater of the Chaturangi Glacier, Garhwal Himalaya, India

Abstract

A hydrochemical analysis of meltwater draining from Chaturangi glacier was conducted to determine the dissolved ions chemistry and to evaluate the geochemical processes controlling major ions chemistry of the study area. Ca 2? , Mg 2? and SO 4 2-are the dominant ions in the glacier meltwater. The ratio of (Ca ? Mg) versus TZ ? varied from 0.79 to 0.86 with an average value of 0.82 ± 0.02 indicating larger contribution of Ca and Mg to the total cations. (Ca ? Mg)/(Na ? K) ratio is also high, varying from 3.77 to 6.33 with an average value of 4.77 ± 0.79. This shows the dominancy of carbonate weathering in the study area. The scatter diagram between (Ca ? Mg) versus SO 4 2-shows a linear trend throughout the range of data, indicating the dissolution of sulphate minerals as one of the possible source of SO 4 2-in the Chaturangi glacier meltwater. The C-ratio of meltwater of the study area shows that sulphide oxidation is the major proton producing mechanism. Correlation matrix and principal component analysis (factor analysis) were applied for identification of various processes controlling solute acquisition in the Chaturangi glacier meltwater.

Carbonate and silicate weathering in glacial environments and its relation to atmospheric CO2 cycling in the Himalaya

“…Also, evaporite dissolution is small in glacierised basin in the Himalaya comparing to CD and sulphide oxidation (e.g. Sharma and others, 2013; Singh and others, 2015a, b).…”

“…The Satopanth and Bhagirathi glaciers were sampled during the middle of the summer ablation period from 17 to 23 August 1989, and towards the end of the ablation period from 11 to 19 October 1991 (Chauhan and Hasnain, 1993). Sampling of meltwater at the Bara Shigri glacier was carried out during the ablation period of July and September 2012 and from August to September 2013 (Singh and others, 2015a; b). The Chaturangi glacier meltwater was sampled during August and September 2008 (Singh and others, 2015b).…”

“…Sampling of meltwater at the Bara Shigri glacier was carried out during the ablation period of July and September 2012 and from August to September 2013 (Singh and others, 2015a; b). The Chaturangi glacier meltwater was sampled during August and September 2008 (Singh and others, 2015b). Gangotri glacier meltwater samples were collected during pre-monsoon (May–June), monsoon (July–August) and post-monsoon (15–30 September) periods during 2008 (Singh and others, 2014).…”

“…Sampling of meltwater at the Bara Shigri glacier was carried out during the ablation period of July and September 2012 and from August to September 2013 (Singh and others, 2015a; b).…”

“…The Chaturangi glacier meltwater was sampled during August and September 2008 (Singh and others, 2015b).…”