TITLE:
Water Quality of High-Altitude Lakes in the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, Nepal
AUTHORS:
Narayan Prasad Ghimire, Pramod Kumar Jha, Gianumberto Caravello
KEYWORDS:
Physico-Chemical Characteristics; Water Quality; Tourism; High Altitudinal Lake
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.4 No.7A,
July
9,
2013
ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was to analyze
physical and chemical characteristics of high altitude lakes (Gokyo lake
series, Imja lake, Pyramid lake) of the Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu region
located above 4500 m altitude. The lake water was studied for three years
(2008, 2009 and 2010) to compare the annual changes in the parameters. The
findings created a database for present status of high land lakes of Nepal,
which can be used for the management of lakes as well as to study the impact of
tourism on water quality. The lake water quality in general still stands good
in terms of standards for drinking water (WHO, Nepal standard) but degradation
process has started. Total nitrogen in water samples was lower than the WHO
standard but an increase in the nitrate nitrogen has been recorded. Similarly,
total phosphorrous quality was also found increased.