Late Quaternary-Holocene lake-level changes in the eastern margin of the Thar Desert,India |
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| Authors: | Hema Achyuthan Amal Kar Chris Eastoe |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai, 600 025, India;(2) Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, 342 003, India;(3) Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA |
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| Abstract: | A study on two closed salt lake basins, Tal Chapar and Parihara in the eastern margin of the Thar Desert, Rajasthan, was carried
out to unravel late Quaternary geomorphic evolution of these saline lakes. Both lakes are elliptical in shape bordered by
stabilised dunes, and are oriented in a NE-SW direction, i.e., in the direction of the prevailing summer monsoon wind. Both
lakes have been formed in the wind-shadow zones of isolated hills of Precambrian quartzite. Our study indicates that the late
Quaternary sediments in the lakes began with the cyclic deposition of laminated fine silt layers (0.5 m thick), rich in organic
matter, alternating with ripple cross-bedded sand layers (each ∼1.5–2 m thick). Sand layers that are moderately sorted are
separated by laminated silt-clay layers with gypsum/calcite and this unit occurs in the upper most 4 m sequence in deeper
sections. The presence of gypsum crystals within the laminated sediments suggests a high concentration of Ca in the inflowing
water.
At Parihara Lake the organic carbon-rich sediments at 95 cm depth was dated to 7,375 + 155/−150 year BP. At Tal Chapar radiocarbon
dates of 7,190 + 155/−150 and 9,903 + 360/−350 was obtained from the sediments rich in organic carbon occurring at a depth
of 1.35 m and 1.80 m, respectively. The study reveals strong hydrologic oscillations during the past ∼14,000 year BP (13,090 + 310/−300 year
BP).
Quaternary geomorphic processes, especially the strong aeolian processes during dry climatic phases, played a major role in
the formation of the lake basins, as well as the fringing linear dunes. Geochemical and mineralogical analyses of the lacustrine
sediments, supported by radiocarbon dates indicate the existence of an ephemeral lake earlier than ∼13,000 year BP as sediments
began to be deposited in a lacustrine environment implying sustained runoff in the catchments. A freshwater lake formed between
9,000 year and 7,000 year BP. The lake dried periodically and this strong fluctuating regime continued until about ∼7,000 year
BP. Mid-Holocene was wet and this was possibly due to higher winter rains A saline lake existed between 6,000 year and 1,300 year
BP and finally present day semi arid conditions set in since 1,200 year BP. Remnants of a habitation site (hearth and charred
bones) on stabilised dune at Devani near Tal Chapar were dated to 240 ± 120 year, while that at Gopalpura was dated to 335 ± 90 year.
These historical sites on stabilised dunes were, according to the local accounts, settlements of people who used the lake
brine for manufacturing salt. |
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| Keywords: | Saline lakes Sedimentary structures Mineralogy Radiocarbon dates Holocene period |
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