Hydrochemical characterization of Rathong glacier and its proglacial stream Rathong Chhu during late winter season
Student name: Mr Brij Mohan Sharma
Guide: Dr Prateek Sharma
Year of completion: 2012
Host Organisation: Center for Himalayan Ecology, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Shresth Tayal
Abstract: Ice samples from four different high altitude areas of Rathong glacier and water
samples from the proglacial stream Rathong chhu were collected in the pre-summer
monsoon period. Samples were chemically analyzed to understand the chemical
composition, weathering and geochemical processes in ice and water at high altitude,
and to assess the variation of major cations (Li+
, Mg+2
, NH4
+
, K+
, Na+
, Ca+2) and
major anions (PO4
-3
, F
-
, NO2
-
, Cl-
, SO4
-2
,NO3
-
). Calcium, Sodium, Potassium and
Ammonium were the dominant major cations while dominant major anions were
Nitrate, Sulfate and Chloride. High correlation was found between Calcium and
Magnesium; the contribution of (Ca+2 + Mg+2) to the total cations and high value of
[(Ca+2 + Mg+2)/ (Na+ + K+
)] ratio suggests that the major sources of dissolved ions is
the carbonate weathering. Enrichment of samples with NO3
-
and NH4
+
suggests that
scavenging of HNO3 present in the air may be a major contributor for these two ions,
besides anthropogenic and agricultural activities from the nearby villages may
contribute a little. High average value of Na+
/Cland
K+
/Clratio
suggest that marine
aerosols are not the major source of ionic composition. R-mode factor analysis was
performed to understand the contribution of different factors (geochemical,
weathering and atmospheric) for accumulation of major cations and anions in the ice
and stream water. Factor 1 explains the chemical weathering while the Factor 2
explains the contribution from the atmospheric dust storms.
Keywords: Rathong Glacier; Proglacial stream; Major ions; Ion
chromatography; Factor analysis
