Abstract—Wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide
essential services, including water purification, biodiversity
preservation, and climate regulation. However, these ecosystems
are under increasing threats from pollution, climate change, and
anthropogenic activities. Syarpu Lake, located in Rukum
district, Karnali Province, Nepal is an important freshwater
resource facing similar pressures, yet its hydrochemical
properties and pollution dynamics remain insufficiently studied.
This research aims to bridge the knowledge gaps by conducting
a comprehensive assessment of the lake's water quality,
hydrochemistry, and trophic patterns to inform sustainable
management practices. Bathymetric mapping revealed a
maximum depth of 6.5 m and an average depth of 3.59 m,
indicating significant sediment accumulation and reduced
catchment area due to human activities and natural processes.
Hydrochemical analysis identified calcium (35.06 mg/L) and
bicarbonate (87.15 mg/L) as the dominant ions, with rock
weathering emerging as the primary source of ion contributions
based on Piper and Gibbs plots. The Carlson Trophic State
Index (CTSI) classified the lake as eutrophic, with a mean value
of 69.86, highlighting a concerning trend toward anoxic
conditions due to nutrient enrichment. Despite moderate
pollution levels, the lake’s water was deemed suitable for
irrigation, supported by sodium adsorption ratio (SAR < 2.25)
and permeability index (PI: 23.92–38.05). These findings align
with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (clean water and
sanitation) and 15 (life on land), emphasizing the need for
targeted conservation measures, such as sedimentation control,
eco-friendly tourism management, and sustainable land-use
practices, to protect Syarpu Lake’s ecological health and ensure
its long-term viability as a vital freshwater resource in the
Himalayas.
Keywords—Wetlands, Bathymetry, pollution, eutrophication,
Syarpu Lake, sustainable development goals
Cite: Chiranjivi Kaphle, Ramesh Raj Pant, Ahmed M. Saqr, Sushmita Kafle, Motee Lal Sharma, Memet Varol, and Yam Prasad Dhital, "Hydrochemical Assessment and Water Quality Evaluation of Syarpu Lake, Nepal: Implications for Sustainable Management," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 214-224, 2025.
Copyright © 2025 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).