Abstract
The chemistry of major cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+, and K+) and anions (HCO3 −, SO4 2−, and Cl−) in the water of Lake Pumayum Co and its inflow river was studied, revealing the obvious ionic difference among various inflow rivers and the lake. The chemical type of the lake water was Mg2+-Ca2+-HCO3 −-SO4 2+, but the major ions of the main inflow rivers were Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3 −. In the lake inlet of Jiaqu River, the main inflow river, there was significant variance of water chemistry within the depth less than 2 m. However, it was almost homogeneous at other area of the lake. Therefore, with the evidence of distribution of water chemistry and oxygen isotope of lake water, a conclusion can be outlined that Jiaqu River had a distinct effect on the hydrochemistry of the water on the submerged delta, whereas this is not the case for other rivers. The Gibbs plot revealed that the dominant mechanism responsible for controlling chemical compositions of the lake water was rocks weathering in the drainage area. Ion ratios and ternary plots further explored the main processes controlling the water chemistry of the catchment, i.e., carbonate weathering, pyrite weathering, and silicate weathering. The different hydrochemistry characteristics between river water and lake water may result from the CaCO3 precipitation. The findings will benefit the explanation of the environmental significance of carbonate in paleolimnological studies in the lake.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
AL-Mikhlafi, Das B K, Kaur P, 2003. Water chemistry of Mansar Lake (India): An indication of source area weathering and seasonal variability. Environmental Geology, 44(6): 645–653.
Berner E K, Berner R A, 1987. The Global Water Cycle. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 397.
Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources of Tibet Autonomous Region, 1993. Regional Geology of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 142. (in Chinese)
Chen Jing’an, Wang Guojiang, Huang Ronggui, 2000. Recent climatic changes and the chemical records in Chenghai Lake. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology, 20(1): 39–43. (in Chinese)
Gibbs R J, 1970. Mechanism controlling world water chemistry. Science, 170: 1088–1090.
Gu Zhaoyan, Liu Jiaqi, Yuan Baoyin et al., 1994. Lacustrine authigenic deposition expressive of environment and the sediment record from Siling Co, Xizang (Tibet), China. Quaternary Sciences, (2): 162–174. (in Chinese)
Guan Zhihua, Chen Chuanyou, Qu Yuxiong et al., 1984. The Rivers and Lakes of Tibet. Beijing: Science Press, 141. (in Chinese)
Handra B K, 1972. Geochemistry of the Ganga River Water. Indian Geohydrology, (2): 71–78.
Hem John D, 1985. Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of natural water. Alexandria, VA: Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, US Water-Supply Paper, 2254.
Ju Jianting, Zhu Liping, Wang Junbo et al., 2009. Water and sediment chemistry of Lake Pumayum Co, South Tibet, China: Implications for interpreting sediment carbonate. Journal of Paleolimnology, doi: 10.1007/s10933-009-9343-6
Li Bingyuan, Wang Fubao, Zhang Qingsong et al., 1983. Quaternary Geology in Tibet. Beijing: Science Press, 15. (in Chinese)
Li Xueli, 1988. Hydrogeochemistry. Beijing: Atomic Energy Publishing House, 19. (in Chinese)
Pandey S K, Singh A K, Hasnain S I, 1999. Weathering and geochemical processes controlling solute acquisition in Ganga Headwater-Bhagirathi River, Garhwal Himalaya, India. Aquatic Geochemistry, 5: 357–379.
Pang Hongxi, He Yuanqing, Lu Aigang et al, 2006. Comparisons of Stable Isotopic Fractionation in Winter and Summer at Baishui Glacier No.1, Mt. Yulong A. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 61(5): 501–509. (in Chinese)
Sarin M M, Krishnaswami S, Dilli K et al, 1989. Major ion chemistry of the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system: Weathering processes and flux to the Bay of Bengal. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 53: 997–1009.
Shen Zhaoli (ed.), 1986. The Hydro-Geoehemistry. Beijing: Gedogy Press, 77–78, 83. (in Chinese)
Sheng Wenkun, Wang Ninglian, Pu Jianchen, 1996. The hydrochemical characteristics in the Dongkemadi Glacier area, Tanggula Range. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 18(3): 235–243. (in Chinese)
Singh A K, Hasnain S I, 1999. Environmental geochemistry of Damodar River basin-east coast of India. Environmental Geology, 37: 124–136.
Singh A K, Hasnain S I, 2002. Aspects of weathering and solute acquisition processes controlling chemistry of sub-alpine proglacial streams of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Hydrological Processes, 16: 835–849.
Stallard R F, Edmond J M, 1983. Geochemistry of Amazon. 2 The influence of geology and weathering environment on the dissolved load. Journal of Geophysical Research, 88: 9671–9688.
Taylor S R, McLennan S M, 1985. The Continental Crust: Its Composition and Evolution. Oxford: Blackwell.
Wang Sumin, Dou Hongshen (eds.), 1998. China Lake Records. Beijing: Science Press, 405. (in Chinese)
Wu Yanhong, Wang Sumin, Xia Weilan et al., 2001. Environmental variation in central Tibetan Plateau in the last 200 years. Science in China (Series D), 44(suppl. 1): 264–268. (in Chinese)
Yin Changliang, Tian Lide, Yu Wusheng et al., 2006. Variations of stable oxygen isotope in precipitation in the basin of Yamzho Lake. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 28(6): 919–924. (in Chinese)
Yin Guan (ed.), 1988. Isotope Hydrology Geochemistry. Chengdu: Chengdu University of Science and Technology Press, 68–100, 146–147. (in Chinese)
Zhang Dian, Shi Changxin, Jia La, 2004. A study of chemical properties of rains on the Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 24(3): 555–557.
Zhang J, Huang WW, Letolle R et al., 1995. Major element chemistry of the Huanghe (Yellow River), China: Weathering processes and chemical fluxes. Journal of Hydrology, 168: 173–203.
Zhao Huabiao, Yao Tandong, Xu Baiqing, 2006. Hydrological and hydrochemical features of Kartamak Glacier Area in Muztag Ata. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 28(2): 269–275. (in Chinese)
Zhu Liping, Chen Ling, Li Bingyuan et al., 2002. Environmental changes reflected by the lake sediments of the South Hongshan Lake, Northwest Tibet. Science in China (Series D), 45: 430–439.
Zhu Liping, Ju Jianting, Wang Junbo et al., 2006. Environmental changes recorded in core sediments from the Pumoyum Co Lake of the Tibetan Plateau during the initial stage of the last deglacial period. Quaternary Sciences, 26(5): 772–780. (in Chinese)
Zhu Liping, Wang Junbo, Chen Ling et al., 2004. 20000-year environmental change reflected by multidisciplinary lake sediments in Chen Co, southern Tibet. Acta Geographica Sinica, 59(4): 514–524. (in Chinese)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Foundation: National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40871099; National Basic Research Program of China, No.2005CB422002; Knowledge Innovation Project of CAS, No. KZCX2-YW-146-4
Author: Zhu Liping (1965–), Professor, specialized in ostracod and paleo-environmental studies.
Corresponding author: Ju Jianting (1977–), Ph.D, specialized in lake sediment and environmental change.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhu, L., Ju, J., Wang, Y. et al. Composition, spatial distribution, and environmental significance of water ions in Pumayum Co catchment, southern Tibet. J. Geogr. Sci. 20, 109–120 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-010-0109-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-010-0109-x