On the surficial sediments of the fresh water Naini Lake, Kumaun Himalaya, India

Abstract

The 1.4 km long and 0.45-0.25 km wide crescent shaped Naini Lake in the Nainital District of Kumaun Himalaya, India is divided by an east-west running transverse Central Ridge into two sub-basins. These northwest and southeast sub-basins are storehouse of clayey sediments brought by a number of gullies and streams from almost all the direction. The studies of major, trace and rare earth elements besides the valuation of total carbon, nitrogen, organic carbon, calcium carbonate and the clay mineralogy show that the surface sediments of these two sub-basins differ slightly. The general distribution of most of the analysed elements is higher in the Mallital (NW) sub-basin as compared to the Tallital (SE) sub-basin, the exception being total C, Ca and Sr which show a reverse trend. This study will form a valuable source of information for the future environmental studies related to such an important water body for the natives