title: Melting Himalayan glaciers contaminated by legacy atmospheric depositions are important sources of PCBs and high-molecular-weight PAHs for the Ganges floodplain during dry periods.
abstract: Melting glaciers are natural redistributors of legacy airborne pollutants, affecting exposure of pristine proglacial environments. Our data shows that melting Himalayan glaciers can be major contributors of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for surface water in the Gangetic Plain during the dry season. Glacial emissions can exceed in some cases inputs from diffuse sources within the catchment. We analyzed air, deposition and river water in several sections along the Ganges River and its major headwaters. The predominant glacial origin of these contaminants in the Himalayan reach was demonstrated using air-water fugacity ratios and mass balance analysis. The proportion of meltwater emissions compared to pollutant discharge at downstream sections in the central part of the Gangetic Plain was between 2 and 200%. By remobilizing legacy pollutants from melting glaciers, climate change can enhance exposure levels over large and already heavily impacted regions of Northern India.
authors: TERI University, 10 Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India.
authors: Brij Mohan
authors: BM
authors: Sharma
authors: Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalleen 21, Oslo, 0349, Norway; Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, Brno, 62500, Czech Republic. Electronic address: luca.nizzetto@niva.no.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Nizzetto
authors: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Darbari Seth Block, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, 110003, India.
authors: Girija K
authors: GK
authors: Bharat
authors: TERI University, 10 Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070, India; The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Darbari Seth Block, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, 110003, India.
authors: Shresth
authors: S
authors: Tayal
authors: Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, Brno, 62500, Czech Republic.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Melymuk
authors: Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, Brno, 62500, Czech Republic.
authors: Ondřej
authors: O
authors: Sáňka
authors: Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, Brno, 62500, Czech Republic.
authors: Petra
authors: P
authors: Přibylová
authors: Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, Brno, 62500, Czech Republic.
authors: Ondřej
authors: O
authors: Audy
authors: Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalleen 21, Oslo, 0349, Norway.
authors: Thorjørn
authors: T
authors: Larssen
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D057231:Climate Change; D046448:Ice Cover / Q000737:chemistry*; D007194:India; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012621:Seasons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: DDT; Glacier; India; PAHs; PCBs