Manasbal Lake Research Articles

A Comparative Study of Monsoonal and Non-Monsoonal Himalayan Lakes, India

Sedimentological, mineral magnetic and carbon isotopic studies on cores from Mansar Lake in the Jammu area provide paleomonsoonal history dating back to 580 bc. From ca. 580 bc to ad 300, the region experienced precipitation similar to the present, whereas from ad 300 to 1400, the monsoon was relatively subdued. A small excursion ca. ad 1100 suggests an effect of medieval warming. Studies in the Kumaon region did not provide a proper precipitation record, as anthropogenic activity interfered with sedimentation. Manasbal Lake in Kashmir gave an inversion of 14C chronology due to younger paleosols in the drainage basin. Further, the episodic nature of sedimentation in Manasbal Lake hampered the reconstruction of precipitation history in the area.

Lake Sediments from the Kashmir Himalayas: Inverted 14C Chronology and Its Implications

We have measured 14C, 210Pb and 137Cs profiles in two representative cores from Manasbal Lake, Kashmir, India. The sedimentation rate derived from 210Pb and 137Cs in the upper part of the core is in the range of 3.4 to 5.5 mm yr−1. In contrast, 14C ages show an inversion at depths >20 cm. These results are attributed to the erosion of the ubiquitous 10–20-m-thick loess mantle, based on the similarity of 14C ages of the inversion layer in the sediments and the paleosols present in the catchment area. Frequency-dependent mineral magnetic susceptibility (χfd), carbon to nitrogen ratios and pigment concentrations in the profile show a significant amount of allochthonous component in the lake deposits and support the conclusion that the 14C dates do not reflect the chronology of the in-situ lake sedimentation but episodic deposition of the surrounding loess. Thus, 14C serves as a useful tracer to understand source components of the sediments.

On the trophic status and conservation of Kashmir Lakes

The lakes of the Kashmir Valley are generally shallow and situated in the flood plain of the river Jhelum. Thermal stratification is fairly uncommon, and stable stratification occurs in deeper lakes (12 metres, Manasbal lake). The waters are mostly low in dissolved solids, medium hard and slight to highly alkaline.