Anthropogenic Fingerprints of Sedimentary Deposits in a Himalayan Wetland Ecosystem over the Last 8 Centuries

• Published in: Wetlands ecology and management 2024-10, Vol.32 (5), p.741-757
• Main Authors: Dar, Shahid Ahmad, Rashid, Irfan, Sharma, Rajveer, Bhat, Sami Ullah, Kumar, Pankaj
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abattoirs; Anthropogenic factors; Aquatic ecosystems; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Carbon 14; Carbon-nitrogen ratio; Catchment area; Catchment areas; Chronology; Conservation Biology/Ecology; Deforestation; Depth; Dissolved solids; Ecosystem management; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Environmental Law/Policy/Ecojustice; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Gravity corers; Household wastes; Hydrology/Water Resources; Life Sciences; Marine & Freshwater Sciences; Nitrogen; Nutrient concentrations; Nutrient dynamics; Nutrients; Organic carbon; Organic matter; Original Paper; Phosphorus; Physicochemical analysis; Physicochemical processes; Physicochemical properties; Primary production; Radiocarbon dating; Regression models; Sediment; Sediment deposits; Sedimentation; Sedimentation & deposition; Sediments; Sewage; Storm runoff; Stormwater; Stormwater management; Stormwater runoff; Total dissolved solids; Variation; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Wetlands
• ISSN: 0923-4861; 1572-9834
• DOI: 10.1007/s11273-024-09976-1

Understanding sedimentary deposits in wetlands is crucial for their effective management. In this study, we used an integrated approach to estimate the radiocarbon ( 14 C) chronology, sedimentation rate, and nutrient dynamics of the Khushalsar wetland in the Kashmir Himalaya. A UWITEC gravity corer was used to retrieve a 60 cm sediment core from the wetland. Accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) facilitated 14 C dating of core sediments revealed that the age of the sediments ranged from 248 ± 30 BP at 15–16 cm depth to 889 ± 27 BP at 59–60 cm depth. The linear increase in 14 C age with depth revealed steady depositional conditions. According to the Constant Rate of Supply model applied to 14 C ages, the sedimentation rate for Khushalsar wetland averaged 0.10 cm per year over the past 829 years, spanning from 1189 to 2018. Physicochemical analysis revealed a high concentration of ionic components in the sediments, wherein the electrical conductivity (EC) ranged from 2230 to 2970 µS cm −1 , and organic matter (OM) ranged from 6.6 to 19.8%. The regression model demonstrated significant ( p