Context: Recently, the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology operating under the Department of Science and Technology investigated gas emissions in the springs of Himalayas. According to the study, the springs in the Himalayan region show a significant discharge of carbon dioxide.
Background

• There are more than 600 Geothermal springs in the Himalayan region. They play a major role in regional and global climate. They are spread across 10,000 square kilo metres in the Garhwal region of Himalaya show a significant discharge of CO2 rich water.
• The estimated carbon dioxide degassing (removal of dissolved gases from liquids, especially water or aqueous solutions) flux is nearly 7.2 ×106 mol/year to the atmosphere.
• Such CO2 degassing should be taken into account to assess global carbon outflux in the earth’s atmosphere.

Key findings of the Study

• The carbon dioxide released from the thermal springs are sourced from metamorphic decarbonation of carbonate rocks, magmatism and oxidation of graphite. 
• These rocks are present in the deep Himalayan core. The Geothermal rocks in the region are dominated by evaporation and weathering of silicate rocks. 
• The Isotopic analyses point that there are meteoric sources of geothermal water.
• The scientists collected samples from 20 Geothermal springs in the major fault zones of Garhwal Himalayas. 
• The samples consisted of isotopic measurements such as oxygen and dissolved inorganic carbon.

About Carbon Cycle

• The carbon outflux from the interior of the earth through volcanic eruptions, geothermal systems and fault zones contribute to global carbon cycle. 
• It affects long term and short-term climate of the earth.
• Carbon Cycle involves series of processes where carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment. 
• It involves incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and its return to atmosphere by respiration, burning of fossil fuels and decay of dead organisms.
• The four main steps of carbon cycle are photosynthesis, decomposition, respiration and combustion.

About Geothermal Springs

• Water on the earth’s surface percolates into porous rocks and is subjected to intense heat. 
• When this water matter comes in contact with hot magma in the lower part of the crust, they are converted into steam. 
• As more and more water get converted into steam, the pressure increases. The increased pressure forces the steam through vents beneath the earth’s surface. 
• The steam gets converted into hot spring water as it reaches the surface due to decrease in pressure.

List of Major hot springs in India:

• Panamik in Nubra valley, Ladakh.
• Kheer Ganga hot water spring, Himachal Pradesh
• Gaurikund, Kedarnath, Uttarakhand.