The hydrological response of high elevation catchments is strongly influenced by snowmelt processes. Moreover, in alpine periglacial environments, the presence of permafrost (generally discontinuous and frequently associated to landforms such as rock glaciers) makes even more difficult to identify the origin of surface and subsurface waters and the main contributors to stream runoff. Based on the use of isotopic (deuterium and 18-oxygen), electrical conductivity and water temperature data, this study aims to: i) identify which environmental tracer(s) could be used as indicator(s) of the possible influence of permafrost on groundwater and stream water; ii) investigate the role of snowmelt and rainfall on the seasonal runoff response in a periglacial catchment.
Origin of surface and subsurface waters in a periglacial catchment analysed by means of environmental tracers
ZUECCO, GIULIA;PENNA, DANIELE;CARTURAN, LUCA;ZANONER, THOMAS;CARTON, ALBERTO;BORGA, MARCO;DALLA FONTANA, GIANCARLO
2012
Abstract
The hydrological response of high elevation catchments is strongly influenced by snowmelt processes. Moreover, in alpine periglacial environments, the presence of permafrost (generally discontinuous and frequently associated to landforms such as rock glaciers) makes even more difficult to identify the origin of surface and subsurface waters and the main contributors to stream runoff. Based on the use of isotopic (deuterium and 18-oxygen), electrical conductivity and water temperature data, this study aims to: i) identify which environmental tracer(s) could be used as indicator(s) of the possible influence of permafrost on groundwater and stream water; ii) investigate the role of snowmelt and rainfall on the seasonal runoff response in a periglacial catchment.
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