Decoding Organic Matter Sources in Himalayan Lakes Using Molecular Markers
This study, published in Ecological Indicators (2025) by Sunil Kumar et al., provides critical insights into the environmental health and ecological dynamics of Northwest Himalayan lakes. The research used lipid biomarkers—molecular fossils like n-alkanes and highly branched isoprenoids (HBIs)—in lake sediments to determine the origins and preservation of organic matter (OM).
This comparative analysis of Manasbal, Renuka, and Ahansar lakes highlights the utility of lipid biomarkers in tracing OM sources, which is essential for developing effective strategies for protecting these vital freshwater ecosystems under increasing anthropogenic and environmental pressures.
(DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113701)
Figure: Location map and bathymetry of the study area (Image corresponds to May 2023; Source: Google Earth). The locations of Ahansar Lake (AR) and Renuka Lake (RNK) discussed in the text are also shown (Image Credits: https://www.sciencedirect.com/ )