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<p>Tropical montane rivers play a critical role in regulating solute transport and biogeochemical fluxes; however, quantitative understanding of trace element dynamics and emerging environmental changes in relatively undisturbed headwater catchments remains limited. This study investigates solute dynamics, trace element mobility, and long-term water quality trends in the Thuthapuzha River, a west-flowing tributary of the Bharathapuzha River in the Southern Western Ghats, India. Multiseasonal sampling, integrated with long-term discharge and hydrochemical datasets, was employed to elucidate the dominant geochemical and hydrological controls and catchment processes. Major ion chemistry is characterized by the dominance of Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Na<sup>+</sup>, and HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>, indicating silicate weathering as the primary source of dissolved solutes, with mineral stability relations suggesting kaolinite formation under humid tropical conditions. Multivariate statistical analysis differentiates the geogenic control of major ions from the more complex behavior of trace elements, which is governed by redox conditions and adsorption–desorption processes associated with clay minerals and Fe–Mn oxides. Concentration–discharge relationships exhibit near-chemostatic behavior, reflecting stable subsurface contributions despite pronounced seasonal hydrological variability. Although the present water quality remains excellent, Mann–Kendall trend analysis (1990–2019) reveals a statistically significant increase in water quality index across all seasons, indicating gradual degradation of overall water quality. In addition, several physicochemical parameters and trace elements exhibit spatially variable but generally increasing downstream trends, suggesting emerging anthropogenic influence in the lower reaches of the basin. These long-term trends indicate a gradual deterioration of water quality in the system. This integrated assessment provides a process-based understanding of solute and trace element dynamics and establishes a baseline for detecting future environmental change in ecologically sensitive tropical montane catchments.</p>

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Solute dynamics and trace element mobility in a tropical montane river: implications for water quality and emerging environmental trends in the Western Ghats

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月23日

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  • Vipin T. Raj,
  • Gayathri Jayan Anila,
  • Sreelash Krishnan Kutty,
  • Maya Kesavan,
  • Padmalal Damodaran

摘要

Tropical montane rivers play a critical role in regulating solute transport and biogeochemical fluxes; however, quantitative understanding of trace element dynamics and emerging environmental changes in relatively undisturbed headwater catchments remains limited. This study investigates solute dynamics, trace element mobility, and long-term water quality trends in the Thuthapuzha River, a west-flowing tributary of the Bharathapuzha River in the Southern Western Ghats, India. Multiseasonal sampling, integrated with long-term discharge and hydrochemical datasets, was employed to elucidate the dominant geochemical and hydrological controls and catchment processes. Major ion chemistry is characterized by the dominance of Ca2+, Na+, and HCO3−, indicating silicate weathering as the primary source of dissolved solutes, with mineral stability relations suggesting kaolinite formation under humid tropical conditions. Multivariate statistical analysis differentiates the geogenic control of major ions from the more complex behavior of trace elements, which is governed by redox conditions and adsorption–desorption processes associated with clay minerals and Fe–Mn oxides. Concentration–discharge relationships exhibit near-chemostatic behavior, reflecting stable subsurface contributions despite pronounced seasonal hydrological variability. Although the present water quality remains excellent, Mann–Kendall trend analysis (1990–2019) reveals a statistically significant increase in water quality index across all seasons, indicating gradual degradation of overall water quality. In addition, several physicochemical parameters and trace elements exhibit spatially variable but generally increasing downstream trends, suggesting emerging anthropogenic influence in the lower reaches of the basin. These long-term trends indicate a gradual deterioration of water quality in the system. This integrated assessment provides a process-based understanding of solute and trace element dynamics and establishes a baseline for detecting future environmental change in ecologically sensitive tropical montane catchments.