A sediment budget for the Ganga-Brahmaputra catchment

Abstract

Published data are used to construct an approximate sediment budget for the 1.656 x 106 km2 catchment of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers. From these data, it has not been possible to identify the major sources of sediment. Recently published Nd/Sr tracer results suggest that the High Himalaya is the main source of sediment, providing for the first time a focus for more detailed research on the role of land use and other factors in the generation of sediment. Much is yet to be learned about this globally important catchment, and the budget provides a framework for further research. Show more