Journal of Geological Society of India (Online archive from Vol 1 to Vol 78)

Syed I. Hasnain ¹, Renoj J. Thayyen ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi - 110 067, IN

Abstract

Electrical conductivity of proglacial and supraglacial channels of Dokriani (Bamak) glacier have been studied during August-September 1992 and October-November 1993. Specific conductance of meltwaters of proglacial stream varies inversely with discharge both on diurnal and temporal scale. Observed year to year variations in solute characteristics are probably due to the change in internal channel system of the glacier. The spatial and seasonal variations in solute enrichment of supraglacial meltwaters depend on contact time with surface moraines.

Keywords

Solute Concentration, Dokriani, Glacier, Garhwal Himalaya.

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Syed I. Hasnain ¹, Renoj J. Thayyen ¹

Affiliations
1 Himalayan Glacier Project, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067, IN

Abstract

Suspended sediment transport and major cations and anions with discharge were monitored between 28 August and 20 September 1992 in Dokriani glacier (Bamak), Garhwal Himalaya. The hydrograph and chemograph exhibit diurnal variation reflecting the conditions of meltwater transferred to the portal through different hydrological pathways. The suspended sediment transport on diurnal time scale peaks before the discharge peak, indicating that sediment transport reacts quickly to discharge. During the observation period sediment concentration show decreasing trend with discharge.

Keywords

Glaciology, Sediment Transport, Garhwal Himalaya.

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Sarfaraz Ahmad ¹, Syed I. Hasnain ¹

Affiliations
1 Glacier Research Group, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067, IN

Abstract

Water quality of meltwater streams in the Higher Himalaya is mainly controlled by precipitation (snowmelt, icemelt and monsoon rainfall), geology and land use patterns in the region. In response to increase in population growth and acidification of the Asian atmosphere, the quality of stream water in one of the pristine environments of the world viz. the Himalaya has been affected. The quality of water in these streams of the glacier region is controlled by mixing of the surface and subsurface waters. Hence, hydrographic study was carried out to quantify the proportion of glacier meltwater in the two different types of water sources in the stream viz. surface and subsurface. The hydrograph was separated into surface and subsurface component sources using a mixing model, and the electrical conductivity (EC) was used as a tracer for mixing of the surface and subsurface component. The results show that high variability in the temporal variation in the surface and subsurface component of water source in the stream. Average subsurface water contribution to stream water was 37 % of the total runoff. The subsurface water was rapidly flushed out from the system during the initial stages of snowmelting. During the rising limb, surface and subsurface flows contribute about 5 1 % and 48% of the total runoff respectively. Surface water was estimated to be the dominant component of streamflow on the falling limb of the hydrograph and constitutes about 77% of total flow. It constitutes however about 64% of total runoff for the whole water year.

Keywords

Glacial Stream, Meltwater, Hydrographic Study, Garhwal Himalaya.

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