Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-qxdb6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-28T13:17:49.962Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Monsoon variability and chemical weathering during the late Pleistocene in the Goriganga basin, higher central Himalaya, India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Steven P. Beukema ,
R.V. Krishnamurthy ,
N. Juyal ,
N. Basavaiah  and
A.K. Singhvi
Steven P. Beukema*
Affiliation:
Department of Geosciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
R.V. Krishnamurthy
Affiliation:
Department of Geosciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
N. Juyal
Affiliation:
Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad 380 009, India
N. Basavaiah
Affiliation:
Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Colaba, Mumbai 400 005, India
A.K. Singhvi
Affiliation:
Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad 380 009, India
*
⁎Corresponding author. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Remediation Division, 7953 Adobe Road, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009, USA. Fax: +1 269 567 9440.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Stable isotope analysis along with radiocarbon and luminescence dating of late Pleistocene lacustrine deposits at Burfu in the higher central Himalaya are used to interpret hydrologic changes in the lake basin. From 15.5 ka to ~ 14.5 ka the Burfu lake was largely fed by melting glaciers. A warming event at 14.5 ka suggests an enhanced monsoon and increased carbonate weathering. From ~ 13.5 ka to ~ 12.5 ka the isotopic data suggest large-amplitude climate variability. Following this, the isotope data suggest a short-lived, abrupt cooling event, comprising a ~ 300-yr intense cool period followed by a ~ 500-yr interval of moderate climate. A shift in isotope values at ~ 11.3 ka may signify a strengthening monsoon in this region. The inferred climatic excursions appear to be correlative, at least qualitatively, with global climatic events, and perhaps the Burfu lake sequence provides regional evidence of globally recorded excursions. This study also suggests a potential use of radiocarbon ages in specific environments as a paleoenvironmental proxy.

Keywords

HimalayaStable isotopesLacustrine sedimentsYounger DryasPaleoclimateHardwater effectLuminescence datingLate PleistoceneMonsoonChemical weathering
Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 75 , Issue 3 , May 2011 , pp. 597 - 604
Copyright
University of Washington

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aitken, M.J. Thermoluminescence Dating. (1985). Academic Press, London.Google Scholar
Barnard, P.L., Owen, L.A., and Finkel, R.C. Style and timing of glacial and paraglacial sedimentation in a monsoon-influenced high Himalayan environment, the upper Bhagirathi Valley, Garhwal Himalaya. Sedimentary Geology 165, 3 (2004). 199–221.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barnard, P.L., Owen, L.A., Sharma, M.C., and Finkel, R.C. Late Quaternary (Holocene) landscape evolution of a monsoon-influenced high Himalayan valley, Gori Ganga, Nanda Devi, NE Garhwal. Geomorphology 61, (2004). 91–110.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bartarya, S.K. Hydrochemistry and rock weathering in a subtropical Lesser Himalayan river basin in Kumaun. Journal of Hydrology 146, (1993). 149–174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bush, A.B.G. A positive climatic feedback mechanism for Himalayan glaciation. Quaternary International 65, 66 (2000). 3–13.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chandel, H.N., Patel, A.D., Vaghela, H.R., and Ubale, G.P. An effective and reuseable sampling pipe for luminescence dating. Ancient TL 24, 1 (2006). 21–22.Google Scholar
Dalai, T.K., Krishnaswami, S., and Sarin, M.M. Major ion chemistry in the headwaters of the Yamuna river system: chemical weathering, its temperature dependence and CO2 consumption in the Himalaya. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 66, 19 (2002). 3397–3416.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fairbanks, R.G. A 17, 000-year glacio-eustatic sea level record: influence of glacial melting rates on the Younger Dryas event and deep-ocean circulation. Nature 342, (1989). 637–642.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fairbanks, R.G., Mortlock, R.A., Chiu, T.-C., Cao, L., Kapln, A., Guilderson, T.P., Fairbanks, T.W., and Bloom, A.L. Marine radiocarbon calibration curve spanning 0 to 50, 000 years B.P. based on paired 230Th/234U/238U and 14 C dates on pristine corals. Quaternary Science Reviews 24, (2005). 1781–1796.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fontes, J.-C., Gasse, F., and Gibert, E. Holocene environmental changes in Bangong Co Basin (Western Tibet): Part 1. Chronology and stable isotopes of carbonates of a Holocene lacustrine core. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 120, (1996). 25–47.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fritz, P., and Fontes, J.C. (Eds.) Handbook of environmental isotope geochemistry. Volume 1: the terrestrial environment. (1980). Elsevier, Amsterdam.Google Scholar
Fuchs, M., and Owen, L.A. Luminescence dating of glacial and associated sediments: review, recommendations and future directions. Boreas 37, (2008). 636–659.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Galy, A., and France-Lanord, C. Weathering processes in the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin and the riverine alkalinity budget. Chemical Geology 159, (1999). 31–60.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ghosh, P., and Bhattacharya, S.K. Sudden warming epochs during 42 to 28 ky B.P. in the Himalayan region from stable isotope record of sediment column from a relict lake in Goting, Garhwal, North India. Current Science 85, 1 (2003). 60–67.Google Scholar
Harris, N., Bickle, M., Chapman, H., Fairchild, I., and Bunbury, J. The significance of Himalayan rivers for silicate weathering rates: evidence from the Bhote Kosi tributary. Chemical Geology 144, (1998). 205–220.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jacobson, A.D., Blum, J.D., and Walter, L.M. Reconciling the elemental and Sr isotope composition of Himalayan weathering fluxes: insights from the carbonate geochemistry of stream waters. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 66, 19 (2002). 3417–3429.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jin, Z.-D., Wu, Y., Zhang, X., and Wang, S. Role of late glacial to mid-Holocene climate in catchment weathering in the central Tibetan Plateau. Quaternary Research 63, (2005). 161–170.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Juyal, N., Pant, R.K., Basavaiah, N., Yadava, M.G., Saini, N.K., and Singhvi, A.K. Climate and seismicity in the higher Central Himalaya during 20–10 ka: evidence from the Garbayang basin, Uttaranchal, India. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 213, (2004). 315–330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Juyal, N., Chamyal, L.S., Bhandari, S., Bhushan, R., and Singhvi, A.K. Continental record of the southwest monsoon during the last 130 ka: evidence from the southern margin of the Thar Desert, India. Quaternary Science Reviews 25, (2006). 2632–2650.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Krishnamurthy, R.V., Bhattacharya, S.K., and Kusumgar, S. Palaeoclimatic changes deduced from 13 C/12 C and C/N ratios of Karewa lake sediments, India. Nature 323, (1986). 150–152.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Krishnamurthy, R.V., Atekwana, E.A., and Guha, H. A simple, inexpensive carbonate-phosphoric acid reaction method for the analysis of carbon and oxygen isotopes of carbonates. Analytical Chemistry 69, 20 (1997). 4256–4258.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Krishnamurthy, R.V., Syrup, K., and Long, A. Is selective preservation of nitrogenous organic matter reflected in the d13C signal of lacustrine sediments?. Chemical Geology 158, (1999). 165–172.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kronborg, C. Preliminary results of age determination by TL of interglacial and interstadial sediments. PACT 9, (1983). 595–605.Google Scholar
Leng, M.J., and Marshall, J.D. Palaeoclimate interpretation of stable isotope data from lake sediment archives. Quaternary Science Reviews 23, (2004). 811–831.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lian, O.B., and Roberts, R.G. Dating the quaternary: progress in luminescence dating of sediments. Quaternary Science Reviews 25, (2006). 2449–2468.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, W., Huang, Y., An, Z., Clemens, S., Li, L., Prell, W., and Ning, Y. Summer monsoon intensity controls C4/C3 plant abundance during the last 35 ka in the Chinese Loess Plateau: carbon isotope evidence from bulk organic matter and individual leaf waxes. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 220, (2005). 243–254.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meyers, P.A., Leenheer, M.J., Eadie, B.J., and Maule, S.J. Organic geochemistry of suspended and settling particulate matter in Lake Michigan. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 48, (1984). 443–452.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Murray, A.S., and Wintle, A.G. Luminescence dating of quartz using an improved single aliquot regenerative dose protocol. Radiation Measurements 32, (2000). 57–73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Owen, L.A., and Sharma, M.C. Rates and magnitudes of paraglacial fan formation in the Garhwal Himalaya: implications for landscape evolution. Geomorphology 26, (1998). 171–184.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pandey, S.K., Singh, A.K., and Hasnain, S.I. Weathering and geochemical processes Controlling solute acquisition in Ganga Headwater-Bhagirathi River, Garhwal Himalaya, India. Aquatic Geochemistry 5, (1999). 357–379.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pant, R.K., Juyal, N., Basavaiah, N., and Singhvi, A.K. Late Quaternary glaciation and seismicity in the Higher Central Himalaya: evidence from Shalang basin (Goriganga), Uttaranchal. Current Science 90, 11 (2006). 1500–1505.Google Scholar
Prell, W.L., and Kutzbach, J.E. Sensitivity of the Indian monsoon to forcing parameters and implications for its evolution. Nature 360, (1992). 647–652.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sarin, M.M., Krishnaswami, S., Dilli, K., Somayajulu, B.L.K., and Moore, W.S. Major ion chemistry of the Ganga-Brahmaputra River system: weathering processes and fluxes to the Bay of Bengal. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 53, (1989). 997–1009.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sharma, M.C., and Owen, L.A. Quaternary glacial history of the Garhwal Himalaya, India. Quaternary Science Reviews 15, (1996). 335–365.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singh, A.K., and Hasnain, S.I. Major ion chemistry and weathering control in a high altitude basin: Alaknanda River, Garhwal Himalaya, India. Hydrological Sciences Journal 43, (1998). 825–843.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singh, A.K., Pandey, S.K., and Panda, S. Dissolved and sediment load characteristics of Kafni Glacier meltwater, Pindar Valley, Kumaon Himalaya. Journal of the Geological Society of India 52, (1998). 305–312.Google Scholar
Singhvi, A.K., Bluszcz, A., Bateman, M.D., and Rao, S. Luminescence dating of loess-paleosol sequences coversands: methodological aspects and paleoclimatic implications. Earth Science Reviews 54, (2001). 193–211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singhvi, A.K., Porat, N., Wagner, G.A., and Eitel, B. Luminescence dating in earth sciences. Krbetschek, M. et al. Handbook of Luminescence Dating. (2011). Springer Verlag, Heidelberg.Google Scholar
Sinha, A. Geology and tectonics of the Himalayan region of Ladakh, Himanchal, Garhwal-Kumaun and Arunanchal Pradesh: a review. Zagros, Hindukush, Himalaya geodynamic evolution, Geodynamics series. Am. Geophys. Union 3, (1981). 122–148.Google Scholar
Sinha, A., Cannariato, K.G., Stott, L.D., Li, H.-C., You, C.-F., Cheng, H., Edwards, R.L., and Singh, I.B. Variability of Southwest Indian summer monsoon precipitation during the Bølling–Ållerød. Geology 33, 10 (2005). 813–816.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sirocko, F., Sarnthein, M., Erlenkeuser, H., Lange, H., Arnold, M., and Duplessy, J.C. Century-scale events in monsoonal climate over the past 24, 000 years. Nature 364, (1993). 322–324.CrossRefGoogle Scholar