Impact of Dissolution of Saline‐Alkaline Soils on the Hydrochemistry and Erosion Rates of the Ganga River System

Abstract We characterize here the saline‐alkaline soils composed of Na 2 CO 3 and NaHCO in Ganga floodplain peninsular basin using various chemical proxies isotopic composition Sr. Abundance their higher solubility make them an important source non‐chloride other dissolved ions including Sr to river waters. Inverse model based apportionment indicates ∼26%–71% at outflow is influenced by soils; however, some tributaries floodplain, for example, Gomti, this contribution exceeds 85%. The estimated silicate erosion rate correcting soil (∼5 tons km −2 yr −1 ) less than one third that Himalayan headwaters (16 emphasizing role physical controlling mountain catchments compared temperature residence time floodplain. sourced fluxes from floodplains are comparable those Himalaya because vast drainage area catchment. findings study have direct relevance studies on determination weathering rates not only system, but also basins infested such as Columbia, Colorado, upper Rio Grande, Missouri‐Mississippi Parana river, Niger, Nile, Orange.