Water of high altitude lakes of Himalaya range in Nepal are often considered as pure, yet they are being affected by various activities either via environmental factors or anthropogenic means. The latter one might have the severe impact on water bodies resulting in accumulation of microorganisms in water and forming a microbial community of varied organisms. This affects the quality of water accounting the rate of pollution which eventually distress the aquatic lives such as decline in population of macroinvertebrates and several health issues among aquatic animals. Moreover, high mountain lakes in comparison to lowland lakes undergo rapid change with seasons affecting the microbial community. Also, high altitude freshwater lakes are fragile and sensitive and all the aquatic life depends on the stability of the water. In such a scenario, human influence on the lake might be another factor for contributing to the bacterial consortium.
Nepal comprises a total of 5358 lakes, of which, 2,227 are located above 3000m elevation. However, very limited limnological studies had been carried out in high altitude freshwater bodies than in lowland and middle mountain lakes. Evidently, Loffler (1990) implemented the first limnological study in Nepal, who provided data on morphology, temperature, chemistry, and biology of 24 lakes of altitudes between 4,500 and 5,600m in the Mount Everest region. Similarly, several limnological studies have been carried out in the different altitudes water bodies of Nepal and all these were focused on the physical and chemical limnology. Multiple studies have been conducted in diverse fields, but there is still a lack of studies on microbial analysis especially in water of holy lakes.
Lakes which are situated in high altitude have delicate and very sensitive ecosystem. The natural stability of water defines the marine life; thus, any major deviations can lead to different and adverse impacts on the organism’s habitat and disturb the natural balance as a whole. Alterations in physico-chemical and microbial assemblages appeared to be influenced by the quality of the water and other environmental factors.
Gosainkunda is a popular religious destination where thousands of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims flock visit for the holy water. Indeed, it is also famous for trekkers from all over the world. As a consequence, this lake has been continuously under use by humans and this might have affected natural niche of lake. In this context, monitoring microbial community in the water of Gosainkunda lake will give an informative outcome which will set up a strategy for conservation and preservation of water flora and fauna.
Thus, research on microbial composition in high altitude water of holy lake should to be initiated to determine the eminence of water quality which might be susceptible by environmental and human activities.
References:
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- Dodds WK. Freshwater ecology: concepts and environmental applications. Elsevier; 2002 Mar 21.
- Löffler, H., High altitude lakes in Mt. Everest region. Internationale Vereinigung für theoretische und angewandte Limnologie: Verhandlungen, 1969. 17(1): p. 373-385
- Raut, R., et al., Physico-chemical characterization of Gosainkunda Lake. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology, 2012. 13(1): p. 107-114.
- Raut R, Sharma S, Bajracharya RM, Sharma CM, Gurung S. Physico-chemical characterization of Gosainkunda Lake. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology. 2012;13(1):107-14.
- Schwarzenbach RP, Egli T, Hofstetter TB, Von Gunten U, Wehrli B. Global water pollution and human health. Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 2010 Nov 21; 35:109-36.