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Major ion composition and seasonal variation in the Lesser Himalayan lake: case of Begnas Lake of the Pokhara Valley, Nepal

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Abstract

The Begnas Lake in the Pokhara Valley is one of the threatened habitats in Nepal. The major ion chemistry explains the status of most of the inorganic nutrients and their possible sources. However, the earlier studies mostly cover limnological investigations, and phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity. Thus, the present study has been conducted to investigate the geochemical processes and to examine the seasonal variation of chemical composition within Begnas Lake. The results showed that SO 2-4 , PO 3-4 , and NO -3 increased compared with the previous values. The domination of Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO -3 explains the influence of carbonate weathering on the major ion concentration. In general, pH and dissolved oxygen decreased with the depth of water-column, while electric conductivity, total dissolved solids, HCO -3 , Cl-, H4SiO4, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, and Fe increased. Among the cations, the predominance of Ca2+ and Mg2+ as characterized by high (>0.6) (Ca2+ + Mg2+)/(Tz+) and (>0.8) (Ca2+ + Mg2+)/(Na+ + K+) equivalent ratios, also suggests prevalence of carbonate weathering. The low value of (Na+ + K+)/Tz+ ratio shows deficiency of Na+ and K+, suggesting low contribution of cations via aluminosilicate weathering. The C-ratio suggests a proton source derived both from oxidation of sulfide and dissolution and dissociation of atmospheric CO2 during different seasons. Though the major hydro-chemical parameters are within permissible limit, the increase in trophic state of the lake suggests that inherent biogeochemical processes make the limiting nutrients available, rendering eutrophic effect. Therefore, further comprehensive studies incorporating sediment–water interaction ought to be carried out to explain the ongoing phenomena and curb the eutrophication process in the lake.

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Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, for its support to this study. One of the authors (Udhab Raj Khadka) expresses his sincere gratitude to the Amrit Campus, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, and University Grants Commission-Nepal for granting leave and providing partial support, respectively. The authors are also thankful to Fisheries Research Station, Pokhara, Nepal, for its assistance during the sampling. The authors are thankful to the reviewers for thorough review and valuable suggestions for the improvement of the manuscript.

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  1. Hydrogeochemistry Laboratory, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India

    Udhab Raj Khadka & AL. Ramanathan

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  1. Udhab Raj Khadka
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  2. AL. Ramanathan
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Correspondence to AL. Ramanathan.

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Khadka, U.R., Ramanathan, A. Major ion composition and seasonal variation in the Lesser Himalayan lake: case of Begnas Lake of the Pokhara Valley, Nepal. Arab J Geosci 6, 4191–4206 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-012-0677-4

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