Bangkog Co (Bangkog Tso; Bange Cuo; Bangge Cuo), Baingoin Co. (Bange Co.), Nagchu Prefecture (Naqu Prefecture), Tibet, Chinai

Regional Level Types
Bangkog Co (Bangkog Tso; Bange Cuo; Bangge Cuo)	- not defined -
Baingoin Co. (Bange Co.)	County
Nagchu Prefecture (Naqu Prefecture)	Prefecture
Tibet	Autonomous Region
China	Country

Bangkog Co is a salt lake in the interior part of the Tibetan Plateau. It consists of three sub-basins (called Lakes I, II and III) joined by narrow channels. Lake I is the upstream sub-basin and has a water-surface elevation of 4525 m asl. There is no surface input into Lake I. Lake I discharges into Lake II (water-surface elevation of 4522 m asl) which in turn discharges into Lake III (water-surface elevation of 4520 m asl). A small stream discharges into Lake III from the southeast. This is the only surface input to the lakes, which are otherwise fed by direct precipitation and springs. The lakes have water depths between 0.3 m (Lake I) and 1 m (Lake III). Lake I and II are seasonally dry, however Lake III is a permanent water body. At their maximum (summer) extent, Lakes I, II and III have areas of 5.4 km2, 50 km2 and 80 km2 respectively. The lake water is saline. The salt content varies from is 168.7 g/l to 403 g/L and the pH from 9 to 10.2. The modern sediments consist of mirabilite bearing carbonate clay in the centre of the lake and mirabilite-bearing carbonate sand with gravels in the nearshore zone. The three saline lakes are inset within a playa. The existence of this playa indicates that Bangkog Lake was larger in the past. The lake basin originated through faulting in the Mesozoic. The underlying bedrock is Cretaceous conglomerate, sandstone and argillite. The climate in the catchment is cold (annual mean temperature of 1.5°C) and arid (total annual precipitation of 308.3 mm, total annual evaporation of 2238.6 mm).

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References