Water quality change mechanism of the Third Pole transboundary river basins under the context of climate change is not only a current focus of the international community, but also a key scientific question of the academic  interest. This joint study of CAS and ICIMOD, based on existing  meteorological, hydrological, and glaciological observation networks of both  institutions in the Koshi River Basin, a major tributary of the Ganges and the transboundary, plans to carry out spatial sampling survey of surface water, groundwater, soil, and vegetation, and continuous monitoring of river reach  discharge, sediment load, and water quality at critical cross sections, for the following cooperation study: 1) Analyzing spatial and temporal variations of environmental and water quality parameters to identify the controlling factors of seasonal changes of water quality at sub-basin scale; 2)  Hydro-geochemical modeling to reveal the physical and chemical mechanism of  river reach discharge, sediment and water quality dynamics; and 3) Investigating water availability and uses to understand the existing management approach, pressures and institutional mechanism. The results are expected to provide scientific support for protection of aquatic environment  both in hydrological and limnological perspectives and rational use of water resources in Tibet of China, Nepal and India.

 

Principle Investigator：Zhang fan

Project duration：2018.01-2020.12