Hydrology: Current Research

Assessment of Physico-Chemical Parameters of Meltwater of Ponkar Glacier, Manang, Nepal

Abstract

Kripa Thapa, Suman Shrestha, Kanchan Sharma, Nischal Shrestha, Rajendra Bhandari, Ashish Bashyal and Sandeep Shrestha

A study of the melt water draining from Ponkar glacier, Bhimthang Valley, Nepal was performed to determine various physico-chemical parameters prevailing along 16 sampling sites consisting of moraine dammed, Ponkar Lake at 4100 metres to downstream glaciated stream at 1930 metre. Temperature, pH and Electrical conductivity were recorded on site and the melt water samples were brought in laboratory and different parameters were analyzed following APHA, AWWA, WEF (2012). The glacier melt water was alkaline in nature with pH 7.876 (± 0.340) and electrical conductivity was 70.187 (± 28.33) μS/cm. The concentration of cations were in the order of Ca²⁺>Mg²⁺>Na⁺>K⁺. Similarly, the order of major anions was HCO₃>Cl⁻>SO₄²>NO₃^- respectively. Calcium and magnesium were the dominant cations, while bicarbonate and chloride were the dominant anions. Piper plot showed calcium-sulphate weathering as the major source of dissolved ions resulting Gypsum as dominant rock type. The trace metals were found in order Fe>Al>Zn>Mn. The study provides the baseline data on physical- chemical characteristics of glacial melt water in Ponkar glacier, Nepal.