Suspended Sediment and Solute Characteristics of TwoDesert Rivers oflndia

Abstract

Suspended sediment and solute were studied in two desert rivers for 3 years. Suspended sediment concentration in both the streams was higher in the first seasonal flow and decreased in subsequent flows.The average sediment concentration in Sukri was 4.68 and 2.30 g L^-1 in Guhiya. Water from both the streams was alkaline. Guhiya. due to its highly mineralised basin carried higher salt concentration than the river Sukri. Except for K, concentration of individual ions tended to decrease with an increase in discharge. Compared with major Indian rivers and world average river water, salt concentrations in desert river waters are high.