Ramanathan AL

Prof. Dr. Ramanathan AL

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

28Years (1999-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
20 June 2006 in Environmental Geology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
MKManish Kumar
Manish Kumar
Ramanathan ALRamanathan AL
Ramanathan AL
MRM. S. Rao
M. S. Rao
BKBhishm Kumar
Bhishm Kumar

23 March 2007 in Environmental Geology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
MKManish Kumar
Manish Kumar
KKKalpana Kumari
Kalpana Kumari
Ramanathan ALRamanathan AL
Ramanathan AL
RSRajinder Saxena
Rajinder Saxena

1 January 2007 in Journal of Glaciology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PWPatrick Wagnon
Patrick Wagnon
ALAnurag Linda
Anurag Linda
YAYves Arnaud
Yves Arnaud
RKRajesh Kumar
Rajesh Kumar
PSParmanand Sharma
Parmanand Sharma
PCPierre Chevallier
Pierre Chevallier
Little is known about the Himalayan glaciers, although they are of particular interest in terms of future water supply, regional climate change and sea-level rise. In 2002, a long-term monitoring programme was started on Chhota Shigri Glacier (32.2° N, 77.5° E; 15.7 km2, 6263–4050 ma.s.l., 9 km long) located in Lahaul and Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. This glacier lies in the monsoon–arid transition zone (western Himalaya) which is alternately influenced by Asian monsoon in summer and the mid-latitude westerlies in winter. Here we present the results of a 4 year study of mass balance and surface velocity. Overall specific mass balances are mostly negative during the study period and vary from a minimum value of –1.4 m w.e. in 2002/03 and 2005/06 (equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) ∼5180 m a.s.l.) to a maximum value of +0.1 m w.e. in 2004/05 (ELA 4855 m a.s.l.). Chhota Shigri Glacier seems similar to mid-latitude glaciers, with an ablation season limited to the summer months and a mean vertical gradient of mass balance in the ablation zone (debris-free part) of 0.7mw.e.(100 m)–1, similar to those reported in the Alps. Mass balance is strongly dependent on debris cover, exposure and the shading effect of surrounding steep slopes.

1 January 2012 in Journal of Glaciology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MAMohd Farooq Azam
Mohd Farooq Azam
PWPatrick Wagnon
Patrick Wagnon
Ramanathan ALRamanathan AL
Ramanathan AL
CVChristian Vincent
Christian Vincent
PSParmanand Sharma
Parmanand Sharma
EBEtienne Berthier
Etienne Berthier
Mass-balance and dynamic behaviour of Chhota Shigri glacier, western Himalaya, India, has been investigated between 2002 and 2010 and compared to data collected in 1987-89. During the period 2002-10, the glacier experienced a negative glacier-wide mass balance of -0.67 ± 0.40 m w.e. a-1. Between 2003 and 2010, elevation and ice-flow velocities slowly decreased in the ablation area, leading to a 24-37% reduction in ice fluxes, an expected response of the glacier dynamics to its recent negative mass balances. The reduced ice fluxes are still far larger than the balance fluxes calculated from the 2002-10 average surface mass balances. Therefore, further slowdown, thinning and terminus retreat of Chhota Shigri glacier are expected over the next few years. Conversely, the 2003/04 ice fluxes are in good agreement with ice fluxes calculated assuming that the glacier-wide mass balance is zero. Given the limited velocity change between 1987−89 and 2003/04 and the small terminus change between 1988 and 2010, we suggest that the glacier has experienced a period of near-zero or slightly positive mass balance in the 1990s, before shifting to a strong imbalance in the 21st century. This result challenges the generally accepted idea that glaciers in the Western Himalaya have been shrinking rapidly for the last few decades.

30 May 2007 in Environmental Geology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SSSunil Kumar Srivastava
Sunil Kumar Srivastava
Ramanathan ALRamanathan AL
Ramanathan AL
A geochemical assessment of groundwater quality and possible contamination in the vicinity of the Bhalswa landfill site was carried out by using a hydrochemical approach with graphical and multivariate statistical methods with the objective of identifying the occurrence of various geochemical processes and understanding the impact of landfill leachates on groundwater quality. Results indicate that nitrate, fluoride and heavy-metal pollution are in an alarming state with respect to the use of groundwater for drinking purposes. Various graphical plots and statistical analyses have been applied to the chemical data based on the ionic constituents, water types, and hydrochemical facies to infer the impact of the landfill on groundwater quality. The statistical analysis and spatial and temporal variations indicate the leaching of contaminants from the landfill to the groundwater aquifer system. The concentrations of heavy metals in the landfill leachates are as follows: Fe (22 mg/l), Mn (~20 mg/l), Cu (~10 mg/l), Pb (~2 mg/l), Ni (0.25 mg/l), Zn (~10 mg/l), Cd (~0.2 mg/l), Cl− (~4,000 mg/l), SO 2−4 (~3,320 mg/l), PO 3−4 (~4 mg/l), NO −3 (30 mg/l) and fluoride (~50 mg/l); all were much higher than the standards. The study reveals that the landfill is in a depleted phase and is affecting groundwater quality in its vicinity and the surrounding area due to leaching of contaminants.