Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

First results on bathymetry and limnology of high-altitude lakes in the Gokyo Valley, Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, Nepal

  • Note
  • Published:
Limnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time the morphology, physical and chemical characteristics of three high-altitude lakes in the Gokyo Valley, Everest National Park, Nepal. The moraine-dammed glacial lakes were studied for three seasons to create baseline data. The second, third, and fourth lakes in the Gokyo Valley are deeper than previously assumed. The vertical profiles of temperature and dissolved oxygen indicated that the thermocline zone varied between 10 and 20 m below the surface during the post-monsoon season. Although most of the analyzed metal concentrations were below the level recommended by the WHO for safe drinking water, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels exceeded the limits in some of the samples. This has created great concern for human health. The probable route of these two pollutants is monsoon precipitation that carries industrial pollutants along its route. The sedimentation rates of Gokyo Lakes range from 0.069 to 0.089 cm per annum, which is within the limits of other high-altitude lakes. The present findings created a baseline database for some of the remote high-altitude lakes in Nepal that can be used for lake management and for assessing future changes in lake characteristics in the Himalayan region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

References

  • Aizaki M, Terashima A, Nakahara H, Nishio T, Ishida Y (1987) Trophic status of Tilitso, a high altitude Himalayan lake. Hydrobiologia 153:217–222

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Altindağ A, Yiğit S (2005) Assessment of heavy metal concentrations in the food web of lake Beyşehir, Turkey. Chemosphere 60:552–556

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Appleby PG, Oldfield F (1978) The calculation of 210Pb dates assuming a constant rate of supply of unsupported 210Pb to the sediment. Catena 5:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bortolami G (1998) Geology of the Khumbu Region, Mt Everest, Nepal. In: Lami A, Giussani G (eds) Limnology of high altitude lakes in the Mt Everest Region (Nepal), vol 57. Mem Ist Ital Idrobiol, Italy, pp 41–49

  • Britt NW (1955) Stratification in western Lake Erie in summer of 1953: effects on the Hexagenia (Ephemeroptera) population. Ecology 36:239–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chale FMM (2002) Trace metal concentrations in water, sediments and fish tissue from Lake Tanganyika. Sci Total Environ 299:115–121

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eggermont H, Russel JM, Schettler G, Damme KV, Bessems I, Verschuren D (2007) Physical and chemical limnology of alpine lakes and pools in the Rwenzori Mountains (Uganda-DR Congo). Hydrobiologia 592:151–173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ENPHO (1995) Limnological investigation of Gosainkund Lake and impact of Janai Purnima festival. ENPHO, Kathmandu

  • Füreder L, Ettinger R, Boggero A, Thaler B, Thies H (2006) Macroinvertebrate diversity in Alpine lakes: effects of altitude and catchment properties. Hydrobiologia 562:123–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Göransson E, Johnson RK, Wilander A (2004) Representativity of a mid-lake surface water chemistry sample. Environ Monit Assess 95:221–238

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gujja B (2007) Conservation of high-altitude wetlands: experiences of the WWF network. Mt Res Dev 27:368–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Håkanson L (2005) The importance of lake morphometry and catchment characteristics in limnology-ranking based on statistical analysis. Hydrobiologia 541:117–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hambrey MJ, Quincey DJ, Glasser NF, Reynolds JM, Richardson SJ, Clemmens S (2009) Sedimentological, geomorphological and dynamic context of debris-mantled glaciers, Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) region, Nepal. Q Sci Rev 27:2361–2389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han Y, Jin Z, Cao J, Posmentier ES, An Z (2007) Atmospheric Cu and Pb deposition and transport in lake sediments in a remote mountain area, northern China. Water Air Soil Pollut 179:167–181

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Handy RD (1994) Intermittent exposure to aquatic pollutants: assessment, toxicity and sublethal responses in fish and invertebrates. Comp Biochem Physiol Part C Toxicol Pharmacol Endocrinol 107:171–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson GE, Löffler H (1956) The thermal classification of lakes. Proc Natl Acad Sci 42:84–86

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ives JD (2005) Global warming—a threat to Mount Everest? Mt Res Dev 25:391–394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeelani G, Shah AQ (2006) Geochemical characteristics of water and sediment from the Dal Lake, Kashmir Himalaya: constraints on weathering and anthropogenic activity. Environ Geol 50:12–23

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamala-Kannan S, Batvari BPD, Lee KJ, Kanna N, Krishnamoorthy R, Shanthi K, Jayaprakash M (2008) Assessment of heavy metals (Cd, Cr and Pb) in water, sediment and sea weed (Ulva lactuca) in the Pulicat Lake, South East India. Chemosphere 71:1233–1240

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamenik C, Schmidt R, Kum G, Psenner R (2001) The influence of catchment characteristics on the water chemistry of mountain lakes. Arct Antarct Alp Res 33:404–409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kling GW (1988) Comparative transparency, depth of mixing, and stability of stratification in lakes of Cameroon, West Africa. Limnol Oceanogr 33:27–40

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lacoul P, Freedman B (2005) Physical and chemical limnology of 34 lentic waterbodies along a tropical-to-alpine altitudinal gradient in Nepal. Int Rev Hydrobiol 90:254–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lacoul P, Freedman B (2006) Recent observation of a proliferation of Ranunculus trichophyllus Chaix. in high-altitude lakes of the Mount Everest region. Arct Antarct Alp Res 38:394–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis WM Jr (1983) A revised classification of lakes based on mixing. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 40:1779–1787

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis WM Jr (1996) Tropical lakes: how altitude makes a difference. In: Schiemer F, Boland KT (eds) Perspectives of tropical limnology. Acad Publ, Amsterdam, pp 43–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Löffler H (1969) High altitude lakes in Mt. Everest region. Verh Int Ver Theor Angew Limnol 17:373–385

    Google Scholar 

  • Lokeshwari H, Chandrappa GT (2006) Impact of heavy metal contamination of Bellandur Lake on soil and cultivated vegetation. Curr Sci 91:622–627

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mansour SA, Sidky MM (2002) Ecotoxicological studies. 3. Heavy metals contaminating water and fish from Fayoum Governorate, Egypt. Food Chem 78:15–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Melack JM (1978) Morphometric, physical and chemical features of the volcanic crater lakes of western Uganda. Arch Hydrobiol 84:430–453

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prasad AK, Yang KHS, El-Askary HM, Kafatos M (2009) Melting of major glaciers in the western Himalayas: evidence of climatic changes from long term MSU derived tropospheric temperature trend (1979–2008). Ann Geophys 27:4505–4519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramanathan V, Crutzen PJ, Mitra AP, Sikka D (2002) The Indian Ocean experiment and the Asian brown cloud. Curr Sci 83:947–955

    Google Scholar 

  • Rashed MN (2001) Cadmium and lead levels in fish (Tilapia nilotica) tissues as biological indicator for lake water pollution. Environ Monit Assess 68:75–89

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ren J, Qin D, Kang S, Hou S, Pu J, Jing Z (2004) Glacier variations and climate warming and drying in the central Himalayas. Chin Sci Bull 49:65–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Robbins JA (1978) Geochemical and geophysical applications of radioactive lead. In: Nriagu JO (ed) Biogeochemistry of lead in the environment. Elsevier Scientific, Amsterdam, pp 285–393

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogora M, Massaferro J, Marchetto A, Tartari G, Mosello R (2008) The water chemistry of some shallow lakes in Northern Patagonia and their nitrogen status in comparison with remote lakes in different regions of the globe. J Limnol 67:75–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Román-Ross G, Depetris PJ, Arribeére MA, Guevara SR, Cuello GJ (2002) Geochemical variability since the Late Pleistocene in Lake Mascardi sediments, northern Patagonia, Argentina. J South Am Earth Sci 15:657–667

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosman KJR, Ly C, Van de Veld K, Boutron CF (2000) A two century record of lead isotopes in high altitude Alpine snow and ice. Earth Planet Sci Lett 176:413–424

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha AB, Wake CP, Dibb JE, Mayewski PA, Whitlow SI, Carmichael GR, Ferm M (2000) Seasonal variations in aerosol concentrations and compositions in the Nepal Himalaya. Atmos Environ 34:3349–3363

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spears BL, Hansen JA, Audet DJ (2007) Blood lead concentrations in waterfowl utilizing Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 52:121–128

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tartari G, Previtali L, Tartari GA (1998a). Genesis of the lake cadastre of Khumbu Himal Region (Sagarmatha National Park, East Nepal). In: Lami A, Giussani G (eds) Limnology of high altitude lakes in the Mt Everest Region (Nepal), vol 57. Mem Ist Ital Idrobiol, Italy, pp 139–149

  • Tartari GA, Tartari G, Mosello R (1998b) Water chemistry of high altitude lakes in the Khumbu and Imja Kola valleys (Nepalese Himalayas). In: Lami A, Giussani G (eds) Limnology of high altitude lakes in the Mt Everest Region (Nepal), vol 57. Mem Ist Ital Idrobiol, Italy, pp 51–76

  • Tekin-Özan S (2008) Determination of heavy metal levels in water, sediment and tissues of tench (Tinca tinca L., 1758) from Beyşehir Lake (Turkey). Environ Monit Assess 145:295–302

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vázquez G, Favila ME, Madrigal R, Olmo CM, Baltanás A, Bravo MA (2004) Limnology of crater lakes in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. Hydrobiologia 523:59–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2008) Guidelines for drinking water quality [electronic resource]: incorporating the 1st and 2nd addenda, vol 1. World Health Organization, Geneva

  • Yang H, Battarbee RW, Turner SD, Rose NL, Derwent RG, Wu G, Yang R (2010) Historical reconstruction of mercury pollution across the Tibetan Plateau using lake sediments. Environ Sci Technol 44:2918–2924

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zaharescu DG, Hooda PS, Soler AP, Fernandez J, Burghelea CI (2009) Trace metals and their source in the catchment of the high altitude Lake Respomuso, Central Pyrenees. Sci Total Environ 407:3546–3553

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zakharova EA, Pokrovsky OS, Dupré B, Gaillardet J, Efimova LE (2007) Chemical weathering of silicate rocks in Karelia region and Koala peninsula, NW Russia: assessing the effect of rock composition, wetlands and vegetation. Chem Geol 242:255–277

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu L, Wu Y, Wang J, Lin X, Ju J, Xie M, Li M, Mäusbacher R, Schwalb A, Daut G (2008) Environmental changes since 8.4 ka reflected in the lacustrine core sediments from Nam Co, central Tibetan Plateau, China. Holocene 18:831–839

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The first author (Dr. Chhatra Mani Sharma) is supported by a Chinese Academy of Sciences Fellowship for Young International Scientists (grant no. 2009Y2AZ10). The research work was funded to the Aquatic Ecology Center, Kathmandu University, by the WWF Nepal Program (agreement no. WC79). We would like to acknowledge Profs. Reidar Borgstrøm, Bjørn Olav Rosseland, and Inggard Blakar from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences; and Prof. Otto Moog from the Agricultural University of Vienna, Austria, for providing sampling equipment for our first expedition to the Gokyo wetlands. In addition, Dr. Mark Loewen (Canada), Olivier Faber (Luxembourg), James Schalles (USA), Wolfgang Schitter, and Eva Heu (Austria) also deserve our sincere thanks for assisting in the field. The technical support and guidance from Tom Bresnahan from Golden Software were praiseworthy. Rashmi Shrestha, laboratory analyst, and Rosha Raut, PhD candidate at the Aquatic Ecology Centre, Kathmandu University, helped us to analyze the water chemistry in the laboratory. Finally, local people, park officials, and Gokyo Resort also deserve our sincere thanks for their kind cooperation during the entire fieldwork periods. Finally, we thank two anonymous reviewers for giving meaningful comments and suggestions for the improvement of the article.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Chhatra Mani Sharma

    Present address: Human and Natural Resources Studies Centre, Kathmandu University, 6250, Kathmandu, Nepal

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China

    Chhatra Mani Sharma, Shichang Kang, Qianggong Zhang & Qing Li

  2. Aquatic Ecology Centre, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal

    Subodh Sharma, Roshan Man Bajracharya & Smriti Gurung

  3. Department of Biodiversity and Systematic Biology, Cathays Park, Cardiff, UK

    Ingrid Jüttner

Authors
  1. Chhatra Mani Sharma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Subodh Sharma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Roshan Man Bajracharya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Smriti Gurung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ingrid Jüttner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Shichang Kang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Qianggong Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Qing Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chhatra Mani Sharma.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Shin-ichi Onodera.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sharma, C.M., Sharma, S., Bajracharya, R.M. et al. First results on bathymetry and limnology of high-altitude lakes in the Gokyo Valley, Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, Nepal. Limnology 13, 181–192 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10201-011-0366-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10201-011-0366-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation