Controls on the major-ion chemistry of the Dokriani glacier meltwaters, Ganga basin, Garhwal Himalaya, India

Abstract

Abstract A detailed study of the major-ion chemistry of the Dokriani glacier meltwaters, feeding the Bhagirathi river, Ganga basin, Garhwal Himalaya, India, has been carried out to assess the role of active glaciers in the higher chemical-denudation rate (CDR) in this area. The CDR of the Dokriani glacier catchment is 321.6 t km-2 a-1, higher than in other glacierized catchments of the world, indicating intense chemical erosion in the glacierized catchments of the Himalaya. The dominance of Ca2+, HCO3 - and SO4 2- in meltwaters throughout the 6 month (May–October) ablation period suggests that the chemical weathering is dominated by coupled reactions involving sulphide oxidation and carbonate dissolution. Good positive correlation between SO4 2- and suspended-sediment concentration during July and August (r 2 = 0.72 and 0.67, respectively) suggests that the southwest monsoonal rainfall enhances the weathering of supraglacial moraine and contributes significant amounts of sulphate to the high meltwater discharges. The sulphate flux, as a proportion of combined (SO4 2- + HCO3 -) flux, also increased from 45% at 2 m3 s-1 to 63% at 10 m3 s-1.