Geochemistry of Manasbal Lake Sediments, Kashmir: Weathering, Provenance and Tectonic Setting

This paper presents a detailed sediment chemistry investigation of the Manasbal lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, which is one of the high altitude lakes in the Kashmir valley. 22 lake floor sediment samples covering the entire lake were collected and analyzed for textural characteristics, CaCO3, organic matter, TOC, TN contents, C/N ratio, major and trace element chemistry. These analyses were conducted to trace the provenance of the sediments. Textural parameters reveal that the lake sediments consist predominantly clay and silt fractions. The C/N ratio of the sediments indicates a mixed source of TOC, both autochthonous and allochthonous in origin. The log (Fe2O3/K2O) Vs. log (SiO2/Al2O3) graph of the sediments discriminates the rock types of the catchment area that are Fe-shale, Fe-sand, wacke, shale and litharenite. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) falls between 59.11 to 90.16% and Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW) between 63.97 to 99.68% and these values are higher than the Post-Archaean Australian Shale (PAAS), indicating moderate to highly chemically weathered lake floor sediments. Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA) values (60.74-99.63%) suggests the occurrence of plagioclase feldspars in the lake floor sediments. Geochemical characteristics signify a mixed-nature of provenance of the lake floor sediments due to the tectonic settings of the lake basin in a complex catchment area.