Hydro-Geochemical characteristics of the himalayan streams

An investigation of the hydro-geochemical processes have been under taken in the present work using numerous hydro-chemical data of the Himalayan streams. It has revealed that chemistry of glacial streams was influenced by the bedrock composition and reflected in higher (Ca⁺² + Mg⁺²) over (Na⁺ + K⁺) in many glaciers. The middle and lower altitude rivers show a slight decrease in (Ca⁺² + Mg⁺²/Na⁺ + K⁺) indicating more intense silicate weathering than the higher Himalayan rivers. Piper's (1944) diagram suggests a distinct pattern of glaciers and other streams. Glacier streams are mainly of Ca-HCO3⁻type and the streams at middle and lower altitudes show mixed type of waters. A distinct pattern of (Ca⁺² + Mg⁺²)/SO₄⁻² ratios was observed in the glaciers and other streams. The possible sources of dissolution could be the sulfate minerals-gypsum and anhydrite whereas the second possible source is the oxidation of sulfides. An inverse relationship with length and a direct relation with snout elevation was observed in Electrical conductivity in glacier stream waters. The lesser length and higher snout elevation enriches the solute in meltwater streams due to shrinking of glacier size.