Nitrogen and Phosphorus loading in Wular Lake Kashmir

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the major and minor point and diffused sources of input and output of nitrogen and phosphorus with a view to assess the nutrient loading (balance) of the largest fresh water lake, Wular, in Kashmir so as to provide the baseline data about the nutrient enrichment loading leading to the trophic evolution of the lake. This work develops and examines in detail the balances of hydrologic and nutrient fluxes across the boundaries of Lake Wular, a largest water body of subcontinent, and interprets observed nutrient and retention transformations in the context of these fluxes. The validity of budgets developed for the biologically important nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) is treated by parallel development of a budget for chloride, an element expected to behave conservatively on passage through a reservoir. The said study will further help us to formulate various conservation strategies that could be adopted by the planners and managers for the better management of this prestigious water body. newline