Chemical Environment and Nutrient Fluxes in a Floodplain Wetland Ecosystem, Kashmir Himalayas, India

Abstract

Research findings are presented on the chemical environment and nutrient dynamics in Hokersar wetland ecosystem of Kashmir Himalayas (J&K). The water body is characterized by calcium-rich water and dominance of bicarbonate anion. The estimation of nutrient pools in principal components (water, sediments and macrophytes) indicates sediments as long-term major sink (> 99 %); the sequence being sediment > water > macrophytes. The sediment phosprorus-pool was estimated at 5,844 metric tonnes (99.6%). Almost similar trend was observed in the nitrogen pool, sediments held 8,195 metric tonnes (99.8 %). The potassium pool in the sediment accounted for 30,883 metric tons (99.5%). Notwithstanding the nutrient removal potential of macrophytes and their bioremediation role in combating water pollution, sediments act as a major sink, holding key for sequestration and removal mechanism.