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Environmental chemistry of a rare muddy snowfall occurrence on Alpine zone glaciers of Gulmarg, Kashmir Himalaya, India

F.A. Lone1 * , M.A. Khan1 , N. Qureshi1 , N.A. Kirmani2 , S.H. Sidiquee3 and R.A. Shah3

1 Division of Environmental Sciences, S.K.University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmi, Srinagar, 191 121 India

2 Division of Soil Sciences, S.K.University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, 191 121 India

3 Division of Agri-Statistics, S.K.University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, 191 121 India

4 Department of Bio-Sciences, Jammia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110 025 India

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.5.2.08

The Kashmir Himalayan valley witnessed some unique environmental pollution phenomena including black snow and outbreak of red-tide in lacustrine systems during early 1991. The occurrence of a rare muddy snowfall in May 2002 on high altitude (>4300 m.asl) Afarwat glaciers in the alpine zone (near Gulmarg) of Pir Panjal mountainous range of the Kashmir Himalaya indicates changing environmental scenario of the region. The principal hydrochemistry of the snow samples collected from the glacier revealed relatively high pH values (6.2-6.9) as compared to low records (pH;5.6) in snow samples of the valley-floor (alt.1600 m). The ionic composition showed relatively high values (u eq L-1) of chloride (12), carbonates (20), bicarbonates (36) and silicates (19) in the top-most layer of the glacier whilst dissolved oxygen and dissolved organic matter were below detection levels. On the contrary, low levels of nitrate (3.3 u eq L-1) and ammonical-nitrogen (2.8 u eq L-1) were recorded in glacier snow samples compared to valley-floor samples. The comparison with published works from other regions of the world indicates that the ionic concentration is higher in the glacier snow of the Kashmir Himalaya.


Chemical Environment; Comparison; Himalayan Glacier; Kashmir; Muddy Snow; World-Records

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Lone F.A, Khan M. A, Qureshi N, Kirmani N. A, Sidiquee S.H, Shah R. A. Environmental chemistry of a rare muddy snowfall occurrence on Alpine zone glaciers of Gulmarg, Kashmir Himalaya, India. Curr World Environ 2010;5(2):271-278 DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.5.2.08

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Lone F.A, Khan M. A, Qureshi N, Kirmani N. A, Sidiquee S.H, Shah R. A. Environmental chemistry of a rare muddy snowfall occurrence on Alpine zone glaciers of Gulmarg, Kashmir Himalaya, India. Curr World Environ 2010;5(2):271-278. Available from: http://www.cwejournal.org?p=284/

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Received: 2009-01-12
Accepted: 2009-02-20
Introduction

Events of substantial aeolian dust deposition on seasonal snow covers and glaciers are a common phenomenon in mid-latitude, (sub-tropical) and even high arctic regions. Such events are emerging as important environmental issues in view of their glacio-chemical and glacio-meteorological aspects. The atmosphere, an integral and huge component of biosphere, receives inputs from myriad anthropogenic activities including expanding industrial establishments. Varied emissions, inter alia, noxious gases and particulate pollutants have inherent potential to travel long distances with air/wind currents and get settled depending upon the micro-climatic conditions of the region. Research studies on snow chemistry is a useful tool for assessing the environmental impact of air pollution sources as well as the transport/ deposition of pollutants. Several works have been published on the chemical composition of snow in different parts of the world such as upland site in Mid-Wales (Reynolds 1983), remote Scottish catchment (Tranter et al., 1987), California (Gunz and Hoffmann 1990), Mt. Everest region (Marinoni et al., 2004), high Arctic (Toom-Sauntry and Barrie 2002), and north-eastern European Russia (Walker et al., 2003). However, scanty investigations (Naik et al., 1995, Sarfaraz et al., 2001 and Lone and Khan 2007) have been undertaken on the snow chemistry in India particularly mountainous region of Himalaya .Very recent muddy snow-fall occurrence observed in May 2002 on high altitude. Afarwat glaciers (> 4300 m. asl) on Pir Panjal Range in the Kashmir Himalaya by Lone and Khan (2008) is considered to spell growing environmental pollution in the region.

Kashmir (33o-34o N; 73o-75o E) is a deep elliptical bowl-shaped valley bounded by the lofty mountains of the Pir –Panjal Range in the south and southwest and the Great Himalayan. Range in the north and east. Preponderance of glaciers and patches of snow fields, plateau-like features (thick accumulation of the Pleistocene glacial moraines locally known as Kaerwas) constitute some outstanding physiographic elements of the region. In the recent past, Kashmir valley has witnessed some environmental manifestations. A report about the occurrence of “Black Snow” on the mountain peaks of Gund, Sonamarg (Kashmir) observed during March, 1991 was attributed (Kawosa, 1991) to the burning of oil-fields during Gulf war. Occasional showers of muddy rains were also witnessed in some regions of the Kashmir valley during April 2002. The rare occurrence of muddy snowfall on the Afarwat glaciers in the alpine zone of Kashmir Himalaya in May 2002 evoked considerable environmental concern because of its direct bearing on drinking water supplies, and the ecology of numerous natural snow-fed streams.The present study deals with environmental aspects of rare environmental phenomenon of muddy snowfall occurrence on the Afarwat glaciers in the alpine zone of the Kashmir Himalaya, and compares the findings with data reported from other regions of the world.

Physical Environment and Study Area

The physical environment of the Kashmir Himalayan Valley, in conjunction with other northern parts of India, is markedly influenced by the western disturbances during spring (March-May). These disturbances can be observed as a low pressure area at the surface, or as a cyclonic circulation in the lower troposphere, or as a trough in the upper westerly, and emanate from the Mediterranean, Caspian and Black Sea.Such disturbances moving across Iran and Turkistan affect the subcontinent north of 30o N. Their frequency of occurrence while passing eastward on an average varies from 2-5 during spring and 7-8 during winter affecting the northern-most parts of India. These disturbances are accompanied by heavy rainfall and rapid drop in temperatures; accentuating snow-formation and ice in these regions as reported in Naik et al., (1995). Sometimes, southwesterly winds also travel from Indian plains during spring-summer and pollutants and natural aerosols. The Kashmir region occupies a strategic position in India (Fig.1) bordering.Afghanistan in the north-west, Pakistan in the west and China and Tibet in the north and east. The study area is the Afarwat glacier in the alpine zone at an altitude of about 4307 m a.s.l in the mountainous Pir Panjal Range of Himalaya. At the foot of the glacier is situated the world famous ice-skiing tourist spot, Gulmarg, renowned for its stupefyingly beautiful surroundings. This place is located at a distance of about 55 km to the north-west of Srinagar city (summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir State). Some of the drainage streams of the glacier include Buniyar Nallah and Ferozpore Nallah, the latter joining river Jehlum which confluences with one of the Asia’s largest water body-the Wular Lake.

Material and Methods

The field survey at Afarwat glacier (alt.4307 m.asl) was conducted in May 2002. Snow samples were collected from selected sites; the top-most layer (T1) and 30 cm depth (T2). Snow-melt water samples were also collected from the water channels (T3) at the lower slopes of the glacier. The other sample was collected from the water stream (T4) flowing at the base of the mountain receiving the entire snow melt (run-off) from the mountain. The Shalimar Campus, Srinagar in the valley-floor (alt.1600 m) was chosen as a control site (C) for the comparison purposes. A glass cylinder (length 40 cm; dia 5 cm) was used for sampling. The snow samples were transported to the laboratory in carefully washed polyethylene bottles, rinsed with deionised water. The snow-melt water was then filtered to separate the muddy suspended particulate matter through Whatman (No.42) filter paper and the filtrate was stored in polyethylene bottles washed and rinsed with deionised water. Standard methods (APHA 1992) were used for various physical and chemical variables. The pH of snow melt water was measured immediately by using electronic digital pH-meter (Systronics 327). The alkalinity forms (CO3 and HCO3) were determined against standard solution of H2SO4 ; Chloride content was estimated titrimetrically against AgNO3. Phenol-disulphonic acid method was used for obtaining nitrate levels whilst ammonical-nitrogen was analaysed using Nesseler’s Reagent. The silicate content was measured by using acid-molybate solution. The estimations were performed on spectrophotometer (Systronics). Dissolved organic matter (DOM) was obtained as oxygen consumed from KMnO4 titration. Analysis of cations (Ca2+ and mg2+) was done titrimetrically using Na2EDTA ( disodium dihydrogen ethylene diamine tetra-acetate). Copper content was estimated on AAS ( Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, GEC 902, Australia).

Results and Discussion

Chemical Composition of Snow

Field observations of the affected glacier region showed that the upper layer (16-12 cm) of the snow was covered with grayish muddy particulate matter. Data on hydrochemistry of the snow samples collected from the Afarwat glacier and valley-floor (Shalimar campus, Srinagar as a control site) are given in Table 1. The pH value of the glacial snow was close to alkaline range and varied between 6.2 and 6.9. This suggests a strong influence of alkaline dust which might have originated from the Indian plains or arid zones in the west and transported to the region by south-westerly winds. The anions (Cl- CO32- and HCO3-) were present in appreciable concentration in all the snow samples (Table 1); higher values were recorded in top-most snow layer (T1) followed by 30 cm depth sample (T2), snow-melt channel water (T3) and stream-flow water at the base of mountain (T4). The total hardness of the snow samples is correlated with anionic concentration .The lack of dissolved oxygen (DO) and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the glacier snow samples could be attributed to the oxygen-deficiency and absence of organic wastes respectively at such high altitudes. The concentrations of NO3- and NH-4 - N were low in the snow samples collected from the Afarwat glacier as compared to valley plain snow samples (Control site). The higher NOx concentrations originating from automobiles in the lower plains of valley accounts for increased levels of nitrogen-forms in snow samples. Under normal atmospheric conditions, HNO3 can initially form Aitken nuclei which will grow rapidly in to submicron size and react with NH4+ to form NH4 NO3. This reaction is stated (Khemani et al., 1987 a, b ) to be reversible and temperature dependent. The formation of NH4 NO3 in tropical countries is rare due to persistence of higher temperature. However, HNO3 can react with soil derived or some industrial particulates and become incorporated in snow as the coarse aerosol (Wolff 1984). The data also indicate that concentrations of cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Cu2+ ) were higher in the glacier samples covered by muddy particulate layer in the Kashmir Himalaya.

Chemical Composition of the Residue/ Particulate Deposition

The dry residue of the snow melt filtrate appeared grayish cement like dust and showed strong binding and setting ability when mixed with sand (ratio1:2). The hardness was markedly evident after 24 hours suggesting that the particulate matter might be containing a significant proportion of Portland cement. This lends support to our observations that a significantly higher content of Ca2+, Mg2+ and SiO32- are present in the top most snow layer (T1) of glacier as all these elements are the important constituents of Portland cement. The chemical composition shows that residue/ particulate deposition approximately contains Lime stone = 78 %, Clay = 20.5 %, Gypsum = 5 % and Iron ore= 1.5 % in which the major constituents are CaO = 61.53 %, SiO3= 22.75 % and MgO = 4.2 % (courtesy: JK Cements, Srinagar). Such a chemical composition, typical of Por tland cement, suggests that these particulates/ aerosols might have origin in the emissions from industries/some cement manufacturing units or stone quarrying activities.

Table 1: Data on ionic composition (averages) on muddy snow of Afarwat glaciers (T1-T4 layers) and snow samples of valley plains (C)
 

Variable

T1

T2

T3

T4

C

pH

6.9

6.4

6.32

6.2

5.66

Cl- (u eq L-1)

12

9.5

8.8

6.3

1.3

CO32- (u eq L-1)

20

18

16

14

9

HCO3- (u eq L-1)

36

34

35

30

10

DO (u eq L-1)

BDL

BDL

BDL

BDL

5.2

DOM (u eq L-1)

BDL

BDL

BDL

BDL

5.4

NO - (u eq L 1)

3.3

3.6

3.8

4

6.7

NH4+- N (u eq L-1)

2.8

3

4.5

4.8

15.

Total hardness (u eq L-1)

125

120

118

95

68

SiO 2-

19.

7

6.5

6

2

Ca2+ (u eq-1)

42.6

24

22

22

13.6

Mg2+ (u eq L-1)

10.83

8.78

7.5

7

4.8

Cu2+ (ug L-1)

51.7

17.1

10.8

8.9

6.6

T1= Top snow layer; T2 = 30 cm underneath the top snow layer, T3 = Drainage site of glacier;T4= Water stream ;C = Samples collected from Shalimar Campus, SKUAST-K BDL =Below Detection Level

Comparison with other Snow Samples of the World

Table 2 provides a comparison of hydro-chemical features of Afarwat glacier snow in the Kashmir Himalaya with published world records, and wide variations are discernible. The pH of snow at Afarwat glacier is almost neutral (6.9) as compared to low records (4.5-6.2) from other regions. Precipitation acidity is assumed to originate primarily from sulphuric and nitric acids. The atmospheric alkaline ions (e.g. NH-4 and Ca2+) mostly originate from biogenic sources of NH4 and other anthropogenic activities and tend to neutralize the acidity in snow samples. In assessing the impact of acid and alkaline species on snow chemistry it is important to know their relative concentration in the snow of Afarwat glacier under study and compare with ionic composition of snow from Gulmarg, North India; Mount Everest, in southern Tibet in the Himalayan region as well as in East Rongbuk Glacier; Alert Nunavut Canada; rural upland site in Mid Wales, UK and in central and southern California, USA (Table 2).

Table 2: Comparison of the ionic composition of muddy top-most snow layer on Afarwat glacier with other regions of the world. (all values in u eq L- 1 except pH)

Location

CI-

NO-3

Ca2+

Mg2+

pH

Reference

Afarwat glacier

12

3.3

42.6

10.83

6.9

present study

Valley Plains, Kashmir

1.30

6.7

13.6

4.8

5.66

present study

Gulmarg, Kashmir

9.4

3.4

10.5

1.8

6.2

Naik et al (1995)

East Rongbuk Glacier

1.02

1.14

1.71

0.23

-

Kang et al (2004)

Alert, Nunavut,

21.81

6.13

37.87

8.43

-

Tom-Sauntry and

Mount Everest

4

4

38

-

6.2

Mariononi et al., (2001)

Mid Wales

21

11

4

-

4.5

Reynolds (1983)

Central and Southern

16.6

5.1

4

-

5.2

Gung and Hoffmann (1990)


During the present study, the calcium content was observed 4-times and magnesium 6-times higher compared to a decade earlier published record in Naik et al.,., (1995) of Gulmarg snow samples of Kashmir Himalayan region. The calcium content in mid-Wales and California, USA snow samples was extremely low (4 u eq L-1).However fresh snow of Mount Everest and Alert Nonavut, Canada, showed narrow variations with calcium values to Afarwat glaciers. Since nitrates are mainly derived from anthropogenic sources, their concentration in the top most snow layer (T1) on Afarwat glacier is much lower as compared to Kashmir plains for that reported earlier by Nail et al., (1995) for the region. This justifies the near neutral pH character of snow at Afarwat glacier which may also be due to the presence of higher concentration of alkaline material. The data also indicate that the snow at Afarwat glacier. Kashmir Himalaya, and Mount Everest has high Ca2+ contents and nearly neutral pH whilst the Welsh snow is more acidic and characterized by low Ca2+ content. The influence of alkaline components on the pH of rain, cloud and fog water in India are well documented in Khemani et al., (1987 a,b). The high concentration of the alkaline components (Ca2+ and Mg2+) are responsible for the high pH of precipitation in India and the alkaline pH in the snow samples at Afarwat glacier is consistent with these observations. The presence of appreciably higher concentration of Ca2+ reported by Morinoni et al., (2001) in the snow samples of Mt.Everest has been attributed by Wake et al., (1993) to the long transport of Asian dust. Other studies conducted by Parrington et al., (1983) and Goa et al., (1992) have also shown the high ionic concentration of Ca2+ in pre-monsoon snow. Such a situation is opined to be as a result of dust deposition during the peak dust storm activity mainly in April and May over Asia. The heavy metal content (Cu2+) in different snow samples during the present study was strikingly higher (51.7 ug L-1) as compared to valley-floor sample (6.6 ug -1).

The comparison with snow samples collected from unpolluted areas of Mt. Kitanomine, Houheikyou and Greenland (Table 3) reveals that the Cu2+ content is much higher in the top-most snow layer (T1) on Afarwat glacier and can be attributed to the transportation of Cu2 +contaminated particulates from anthropogenic activities. Studies conducted by Sakai et al., (1988) on heavy metal concentration in urban snow as an indicator of air pollution indicates that copper content varied from 0.6-9.7 (Toyohira River basin), 7.2-27.8 (snow dumping station) and 17.7-75.4 ug L-1 (urban area of Sapporo City) and attributed it to the accumulation of mixing of various pollutants from industrialization. Very low copper content (0.15 ugL-1) is reported by Weiss et al., (1975) in Greenland glaciers.

Afarwat glacier has a considerable influence on the quality of river and lake water in Kashmir Himalayan region. It is likely that the higher concentration of Ca2+ in muddy snow melt after reaching lake basins may result in CaCO3 precipitation (marl formation). Such phenomena have been also reported (Khan and Zutshi 1980, Khan 2000) in Kashmir valley lakes. According to 

Table 3: Comparison of copper content (ug L-1) in muddy snow layer samples of Afarwat glacier with other unpolluted areas of the world

Location

Cu2+     Reference

Afarwat glacier, Kashmir Himalaya

51.7

present study

Valley-floor, Kashmir

6.6

present study

Houheikyou

0.6

Sakai et al., (1988)

Greenland glacier

0.15

Weiss et al., (1975)

Moss (1980) the calcium and bicarbonate rich waters have a thick deposit of Ca2+ and Mg2+ (marl) covering the macrophytes and algal communities. Such precipitations may interfere with aquatic biotic communities of water
ecosystems.
 
 

Figure 1: Map of India (Left) and J&K (Right) shownig the location of afarwat glacier on pripanjal range and the location of sampling sites
Click here to view figure

The plausible reasons for the rare muddy snowfall occurrence on Afarwat glaciers of the Kashmir Himalaya could be (i) that the clouds loaded with particulate matter might have traveled from some northern state of India with some south-westerly monsoon winds or from north-western countries (including Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan etc.) as a result of western disturbances in Mediterranean Sea. However, the former explanation seems more valid in view of the fact that Pir Panjal Range acts as a natural barrier to the south-westerly winds coming over Indian plains. After reaching higher peaks (here Afarwat glaciers) the contaminated cloud droplets (crystals) condense due to the low temperature usually prevailing at high altitude (ii) that the dust emission from cement factories operating in various parts of the valley could be another source of this muddy deposition. Since the Kashmir valley is surrounded by mountains, there are little chances of suspended particulate matter undergoing dispersion to far off places. Such unique physiographic characteristics render Kashmir Himalayan valley more vulnerable to ravages of changing environmental scenario including recent rare muddy snowfall phenomenon.

Conclusion

Concluding, the results clearly demonstrate that the muddy snowfall samples of Afarwat glacier in the alpine zone of Kashmir Himalayan region contain higher ionic composition compared to the snow samples from Kashmir valley-floor and other regions of the world. The study calls for an urgent need to undertake inter-disciplinary environmental investigations to assess the changing ecology of mountain ecosystems especially vast glaciers which are important constituents of water resources of the Himalayan regions.

Acknowledgements

The authors record thanks to SKUAST-K for research facilities.The assistance rendered during field trip to Afarwat glaciers by colleagues (Dr. M.Y. Zargar and Mr .A H. Zargar) is duly acknowledged. Thanks are due to JK Cements, Srinagar, for providing some useful information. Ms Tahira helped in the computer typing of the manuscript.

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