scholarly journals Role of glaciers in watershed hydrology: a preliminary study of a "Himalayan catchment"

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Thayyen ◽  
J. T. Gergan
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Initial Increase ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Humid Climate ◽  
Flow Response ◽  
Sustainable Water Resources Management ◽  
South West Monsoon

Abstract. A large number of Himalayan glacier catchments are under the influence of humid climate with snowfall in winter (November–April) and south-west monsoon in summer (June–September) dominating the regional hydrology. Such catchments are defined as "Himalayan catchment", where the glacier meltwater contributes to the river flow during the period of annual high flows produced by the monsoon. The winter snow dominated Alpine catchments of the Kashmir and Karakoram region and cold-arid regions of the Ladakh mountain range are the other major glacio-hydrological regimes identified in the region. Factors influencing the river flow variations in a "Himalayan catchment" were studied in a micro-scale glacier catchment in the Garhwal Himalaya, covering an area of 77.8 km2. Three hydrometric stations were established at different altitudes along the Din Gad stream and discharge was monitored during the summer ablation period from 1998 to 2004, with an exception in 2002. These data have been analysed along with winter/summer precipitation, temperature and mass balance data of the Dokriani glacier to study the role of glacier and precipitation in determining runoff variations along the stream continuum from the glacier snout to 2360 m a.s.l. The study shows that the inter-annual runoff variation in a "Himalayan catchment" is linked with precipitation rather than mass balance changes of the glacier. This study also indicates that the warming induced an initial increase of glacier runoff and subsequent decline as suggested by the IPCC (2007) is restricted to the glacier degradation-derived component in a precipitation dominant Himalayan catchment and cannot be translated as river flow response. The preliminary assessment suggests that the "Himalayan catchment" could experience higher river flows and positive glacier mass balance regime together in association with strong monsoon. The important role of glaciers in this precipitation dominant system is to augment stream runoff during the years of low summer discharge. This paper intends to highlight the importance of creating credible knowledge on the Himalayan cryospheric processes to develop a more representative global view on river flow response to cryospheric changes and locally sustainable water resources management strategies.

scholarly journals Role of glaciers in watershed hydrology: ''Himalayan catchment'' perspective

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 443-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Thayyen ◽  
J. T. Gergan
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
River Flows ◽  
Discharge Data ◽  
Flow Response ◽  
Himalayan Glacier ◽  
South West Monsoon

Abstract. A large number of Himalayan glacier catchments are under the influence of humid climate with snowfall in winter (November–April) and South-West monsoon in summer (June–September) dominating the regional hydrology. Such catchments are defined as ''Himalayan catchment'', where the glacier melt water contributes to the river flow during the period of annual high flows produced by the monsoon. Other two major glacio-hydrological regimes of the Himalaya are winter snow dominated Alpine catchments of the Kashmir and Karakoram region and cold-arid regions of the Ladakh mountain range. Factors influencing the river flow variations in a ''Himalayan catchment'' were studied in a micro scale glacier catchment in the Garhwal Himalaya, covering an area of 77.8 km2. Discharge data generated from three hydrometric stations established at different altitudes of the Din Gad stream during the summer ablation period of 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004. These data has been analysed along with winter/summer precipitation, temperature and mass balance data of the Dokriani glacier to study the role of the glacier and precipitation in determining the runoff variations along the stream continuum from the glacier snout to 2360 m a.s.l. Study shows that the inter-annual runoff variations in a ''Himalayan glacier catchment'' is directly linked with the precipitation rather than mass balance changes of the glacier. Study suggest that warming induced initial increase of glacier degraded runoff and subsequent decline is a glaciers mass balance response and cannot be translated as river flow response in a ''Himalayan catchment'' as suggested by the IPCC, 2007. Study also suggest that the glacier runoff critically influence the headwater river flows during the years of low summer discharge and proposes that the Himalayan catchment could experience higher river flows and positive glacier mass balance regime together in association with strong monsoon. This paper intended to highlight the importance of creating credible knowledge on the Himalayan cryospheric processes to develop a global outlook on river flow response to cryospheric change and locally sustainable water resources management strategies.

scholarly journals First in situ record of decadal glacier mass balance (2003–2014) from the Bhutan Himalaya

2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (71) ◽  
pp. 289-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phuntsho Tshering ◽  
Koji Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Direct Method ◽  
Eastern Himalaya ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Differential Gps ◽  
Humid Climate ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
The Past ◽  
Southeastern Tibet

AbstractThis study presents the first decadal mass-balance record of a small debris-free glacier in the Bhutan Himalaya, where few in situ measurements have been reported to date. Since 2003 we have measured the mass balance of Gangju La glacier, which covers an area of 0.3km2 and extends from 4900 to 5200ma.s.l., using both differential GPS surveys (geodetic method) and stake measurements (direct method). The observed mass balance ranged from –1.12 to –2.04mw.e. a–1 between 2003 and 2014. The glacier exhibited much greater mass loss than neighbouring glaciers in the eastern Himalaya and southeastern Tibet, which are expected to be sensitive to climate change due to the monsooninfluenced humid climate. Observed mass-balance profiles suggest that the equilibrium-line altitude has been higher than Gangju La glacier since 2003, implying that the entire glacier has experienced net ablation for at least the past decade.

scholarly journals Extrapolating glacier mass balance to the mountain-range scale: the European Alps 1900–2100

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 713-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Huss
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Volume Change ◽  
Data Series ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Area Reduction

Abstract. This study addresses the extrapolation of in-situ glacier mass balance measurements to the mountain-range scale and aims at deriving time series of area-averaged mass balance and ice volume change for all glaciers in the European Alps for the period 1900–2100. Long-term mass balance series for 50 Swiss glaciers based on a combination of field data and modelling, and WGMS data for glaciers in Austria, France and Italy are used. A complete glacier inventory is available for the year 2003. Mass balance extrapolation is performed based on (1) arithmetic averaging, (2) glacier hypsometry, and (3) multiple regression. Given a sufficient number of data series, multiple regression with variables describing glacier geometry performs best in reproducing observed spatial mass balance variability. Future mass changes are calculated by driving a combined model for mass balance and glacier geometry with GCM ensembles based on four emission scenarios. Mean glacier mass balance in the European Alps is −0.31 ± 0.04 m w.e. a−1 in 1900–2011, and −1 m w.e. a−1 over the last decade. Total ice volume change since 1900 is −96 ± 13 km3; annual values vary between −5.9 km3 (1947) and +3.9 km3 (1977). Mean mass balances are expected to be around −1.3 m w.e. a−1 by 2050. Model results indicate a glacier area reduction of 4–18% relative to 2003 for the end of the 21st century.

scholarly journals Influence of debris cover on terminus retreat and mass changes of Chorabari Glacier, Garhwal region, central Himalaya, India

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (217) ◽  
pp. 961-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.P. Dobhal ◽  
Manish Mehta ◽  
Deepak Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Ablation Rate ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Central Himalaya ◽  
Himalayan Glaciers ◽  
Debris Cover ◽  
Wide Variability

AbstractRecent studies of Himalayan glacier recession indicate that there is wide variability in terminus retreat rate and mass balance in the different sectors of the mountain range, primarily linked to the topography and climate of the region. Variable retreat rates of glacier termini and inadequate supporting field data (e.g. mass balance, ice thickness, velocity, etc.) in the Himalayan glaciers make it difficult to develop a coherent picture of climate change impacts. In this study, the results of a detailed mapping campaign and ground-based measurements of ablation rate, terminus retreat and ice loss are reported for the period 2003–10. In addition, background information from an old glacier map (Survey of India, 1962) was compiled and terminus recession measurements were carried out from 1990 field photographs of Chorabari Glacier, central Himalaya. Our ablation stake network results suggest that the influence of debris cover is significant for Chorabari Glacier mass balance and terminus retreat. The terminus survey finds that the glacier is retreating, but at a lower rate than many other non-debriscovered glaciers in the region. The recession and ablation data (particularly in the upper ablation area at higher altitudes) suggest that the ice volume loss of the glaciers is of greater magnitude than the slow terminus retreat and, if the process continues, the lowermost part of the glacier may reduce to a quasi-stationary position while significant ice loss continues.

scholarly journals Cryoconite on a glacier on the north-eastern Tibetan plateau: light-absorbing impurities, albedo and enhanced melting

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (252) ◽  
pp. 633-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
YANG LI ◽  
SHICHANG KANG ◽  
FANGPING YAN ◽  
JIZU CHEN ◽  
KUN WANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Eastern Tibetan Plateau ◽  
The North ◽  
Ice Surface ◽  
Northern Tibetan Plateau ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACTCryoconite is a dark-coloured granular sediment that contains biological and mineralogical components, and it plays a pivotal role in geochemistry, carbon cycling and glacier mass balance. In this work, we collected cryoconite samples from Laohugou Glacier No. 12 (LHG) on the north-eastern Tibetan Plateau during the summer of 2015 and measured the spectral albedo. To explore the impacts of this sediment on surface ablation, the ice melting differences between the cryoconite-free (removed) ice and the intact layers were compared. The results showed that the mean concentrations of black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC) and total iron (Fe) in the LHG cryoconite were 1.28, 11.18 and 39.94 mg g−1, respectively. BC was found to play a stronger role in solar light adsorption than OC and free Fe. In addition, ice covered by cryoconite exhibited the lowest mean reflectance (i.e., <0.1). Compared with the cryoconite-free ice surface, cryoconite effectively absorbed solar energy and enhanced glacial melting at a rate of 2.27–3.28 cm d−1, and free Fe, BC and OC were estimated to contribute 1.01, 0.99 and 0.76 cm d−1, respectively. This study provides important insights for understanding the role of cryoconite in the glacier mass balance of the northern Tibetan Plateau.

The role of meteorological forcing and snow model complexity in winter glacier mass balance estimation, Columbia River basin, Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (25) ◽  
pp. 5085-5103
Author(s):  
Marzieh Mortezapour ◽  
Brian Menounos ◽  
Peter L. Jackson ◽  
Andre R. Erler ◽  
Ben M. Pelto
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Columbia River ◽  
Model Complexity ◽  
Columbia River Basin ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Meteorological Forcing ◽  
Snow Model

scholarly journals Spatial variability in mass loss of glaciers in the Everest region, central Himalayas, between 2000 and 2015

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 407-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen King ◽  
Duncan J. Quincey ◽  
Jonathan L. Carrivick ◽  
Ann V. Rowan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Mass Change ◽  
Central Himalayas ◽  
Glacier Recession ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. Region-wide averaging of Himalayan glacier mass change has masked any catchment or glacier-scale variability in glacier recession; thus the role of a number of glaciological processes in glacier wastage remains poorly understood. In this study, we quantify mass loss rates over the period 2000–2015 for 32 glaciers across the Everest region and assess how future ice loss is likely to differ depending on glacier hypsometry. The mean mass balance of all 32 glaciers in our sample was −0.52 ± 0.22 m water equivalent (w.e.) a−1. The mean mass balance of nine lacustrine-terminating glaciers (−0.70 ± 0.26 m w.e. a−1) was 32 % more negative than land-terminating, debris-covered glaciers (−0.53 ± 0.21 m w.e. a−1). The mass balance of lacustrine-terminating glaciers is highly variable (−0.45 ± 0.13 to −0.91 ± 0.22 m w.e. a−1), perhaps reflecting glacial lakes at different stages of development. To assess the importance of hypsometry on glacier response to future temperature increases, we calculated current (Dudh Koshi – 0.41, Tama Koshi – 0.43, Pumqu – 0.37) and prospective future glacier accumulation area Ratios (AARs). IPCC AR5 RCP 4.5 warming (0.9–2.3 °C by 2100) could reduce AARs to 0.29 or 0.08 in the Tama Koshi catchment, 0.27 or 0.17 in the Dudh Koshi catchment and 0.29 or 0.18 in the Pumqu catchment. Our results suggest that glacial lake expansion across the Himalayas could expedite ice mass loss and the prediction of future contributions of glacial meltwater to river flow will be complicated by spatially variable glacier responses to climate change.

scholarly journals Slight mass loss revealed by reanalyzing glacier mass-balance observations on Glaciar Antisana 15α (inner tropics) during the 1995–2012 period

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (231) ◽  
pp. 124-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
RUBÉN BASANTES-SERRANO ◽  
ANTOINE RABATEL ◽  
BERNARD FRANCOU ◽  
CHRISTIAN VINCENT ◽  
LUIS MAISINCHO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Vertical Gradient ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Clear Identification ◽  
The Common ◽  
Geodetic Mass Balance

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we reanalyze the glacier mass balance on Glaciar Antisana 15α over the 1995–2012 period. Annual glacier mass balances were quantified on the basis of monthly glaciological measurements using an adaptation of Lliboutry's statistical approach. The geodetic mass balance was computed between 1997 and 2009 giving a cumulative balance of −1.39 ± 1.97 m w.e. and a slightly negative adjusted annual glaciological mass balance (−0.12 ± 0.16 m w.e. a−1). Despite a careful analysis of uncertainties, we found a large discrepancy between the cumulative glaciological and the geodetic mass balances over the common period, of 4.66 m w.e. This discrepancy can mainly be explained by underestimated net accumulation in the glacier upper reaches, which could be due to the peculiar climate conditions of the equatorial zone with year round accumulation, thereby preventing clear identification of annual layers. An increase of ~70% in measured rates of net accumulation would be needed to balance the glaciological and geodetic mass balances; a hypothesis confirmed by estimated ice flux in the vicinity of the ELA. Consequently, the vertical gradient of precipitation may be higher than previously estimated and the accumulation processes (including the role of frost deposition) need to be carefully analyzed.

Artesian conditions in the Chilterns Chalk aquifer (North West of the London Basin) and the implications for surface water - groundwater interactions

2021 ◽  
pp. SP517-2020-144
Author(s):  
Alessandro Marsili ◽  
Ilias Karapanos ◽  
Mahmoud Jaweesh ◽  
Daniel R. Yarker ◽  
Eleanor M. Powers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Flow ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Tectonic Stress ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Groundwater Abstraction ◽  
North West ◽  
Geophysical Logging ◽  
Flow Response ◽  
Rock Strata

AbstractThe Chalk is a principal aquifer which provides an important resource in Southeast England. For two centuries, it allowed the establishment of a thriving watercress-growing industry, indirectly through diverted stream flow and directly, through the drilling of flowing artesian boreholes. The distribution of artesian boreholes across different catchments, suggests a regional control on vertical groundwater flow within the New Pit and Lewes Chalk units. Interrogation of location-specific information points to the confining role of a few key marls within the New Pit Chalk Formation, which can be traced up-catchment to where they naturally outcrop or have been exposed by quarrying. Evidence is found in geophysical logging of a number of boreholes across catchments, confirming a consistent pattern of the spatial distribution of such key markers. When tectonic stress was applied to the various Chalk Formations, the marl bands would have reacted producing more plastic deformation and less fractures in comparison with rigid rock strata. Such scenario would have created the conditions for secondary aquifer units, giving the Chalk confining or semi-confining hydraulic characteristics on a regional scale. This conceptual understanding helps explain the reasons that the river flow response to reductions in groundwater abstraction varies across the flow duration curve.

scholarly journals Using remote-sensing data to determine equilibrium-line altitude and mass-balance time series: validation on three French glaciers, 1994–2002

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (175) ◽  
pp. 539-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Rabatel ◽  
Jean-Pierre Dedieu ◽  
Christian Vincent
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Equilibrium Line ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
Sensing Data

AbstractAlpine glaciers are very sensitive to climate fluctuations, and their mass balance can be used as an indicator of regional-scale climate change. Here, we present a method to calculate glacier mass balance using remote-sensing data. Snowline measurements from remotely sensed images recorded at the end of the hydrological year provide an effective proxy of the equilibrium line. Mass balance can be deduced from the equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) variations. Three well-documented glaciers in the French Alps, where the mass balance is measured at ground level with a stake network, were selected to assess the accuracy of the method over the 1994–2002 period (eight mass-balance cycles). Results obtained by ground measurements and remote sensing are compared and show excellent correlation (r2 > 0.89), both for the ELA and for the mass balance, indicating that the remote-sensing method can be applied to glaciers where no ground data exist, on the scale of a mountain range or a given climatic area. The main differences can be attributed to discrepancies between the dates of image acquisition and field measurements. Cloud cover and recent snowfalls constitute the main restrictions of the image-based method.

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