Thermal Regime Characteristics of Alpine Springs in the Marginal Periglacial Environment of the Southern Carpathians DOI Open Access
Oana Berzescu, Florina Ardelean, Petru Urdea

et al.

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(9), P. 4182 - 4182

Published: May 6, 2025

Mountain watersheds play a crucial role in sustaining freshwater resources, yet they are highly vulnerable to climate change. In this study, we investigated the summer water temperature of 35 alpine springs highest part Retezat Mountains, Southern Carpathians, between 2020 and 2023. During four-year monitoring period, temperatures across all ranged from 1.2 °C 10.5 °C. Springs emerging rock glaciers had lowest average (2.37 °C), while those on cirque valley floors were warmest (6.20 followed closely by meadow-covered slopes °C) scree talus (4.70 °C). However, only four recorded below 2 °C, suggesting direct interaction with ground ice. The majority exhibited 4 exceeding conventional thresholds for permafrost presence. This challenges applicability traditional thermal indicators marginal periglacial environments, where reduced ice content within can lead spring ranging during summer. Additionally, cold displayed minimal daily seasonal fluctuations, highlighting their stability decoupling atmospheric conditions. These findings underscore critical maintaining acting as refugia cold-adapted organisms. As change accelerates degradation, these ecosystems face increasing threats, potential consequences biodiversity hydrological stability. study emphasizes need long-term expanded investigations into chemistry discharge dynamics improve our understanding high-altitude systems. Furthermore, it provides valuable insights sustainable management resources National Park, advocating conservation strategies mitigate impacts mountain hydrology biodiversity.

Language: Английский

Low-Altitude, Overcooled Scree Slope: Insights into Temperature Distribution Using High-Resolution Thermal Imagery in the Romanian Carpathians DOI Creative Commons
Andrei Ioniță,

Iosif Lopătiță,

Petru Urdea

et al.

Land, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 607 - 607

Published: March 13, 2025

Advective heat fluxes (chimney effect) in porous debris facilitate ground cooling on scree slopes, even at low altitudes, and promote the occurrence of sporadic permafrost. The spatial distribution surface temperature an overcooled, low-altitude slope Romanian Carpathians was analyzed using UAV-based infrared thermography different seasons. analysis revealed significant gradients within slope, with colder, forest-insulated lower sections contrasting warmer, solar-exposed upper regions. Across all surveyed seasons, this pattern remained evident, strongest contrasts December April. February exhibited most stable temperatures, thermal readings primarily corresponding to snow surfaces rather than exposed rock. Rock displayed greater variation vent holes. Vent holes were generally cooler rock surfaces, particularly warmer periods. persistent presence ice temperatures end warm season suggested potential existence isolated results confirm chimney effect, where cold air infiltrates talus, gradually warms as it ascends, outflows higher elevations. imagery proved effective detecting microclimatic variability elucidating processes governing talus slopes. This study provides valuable insights into extrazonal permafrost behavior, context global climate change.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Thermal Regime Characteristics of Alpine Springs in the Marginal Periglacial Environment of the Southern Carpathians DOI Open Access
Oana Berzescu, Florina Ardelean, Petru Urdea

et al.

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(9), P. 4182 - 4182

Published: May 6, 2025

Mountain watersheds play a crucial role in sustaining freshwater resources, yet they are highly vulnerable to climate change. In this study, we investigated the summer water temperature of 35 alpine springs highest part Retezat Mountains, Southern Carpathians, between 2020 and 2023. During four-year monitoring period, temperatures across all ranged from 1.2 °C 10.5 °C. Springs emerging rock glaciers had lowest average (2.37 °C), while those on cirque valley floors were warmest (6.20 followed closely by meadow-covered slopes °C) scree talus (4.70 °C). However, only four recorded below 2 °C, suggesting direct interaction with ground ice. The majority exhibited 4 exceeding conventional thresholds for permafrost presence. This challenges applicability traditional thermal indicators marginal periglacial environments, where reduced ice content within can lead spring ranging during summer. Additionally, cold displayed minimal daily seasonal fluctuations, highlighting their stability decoupling atmospheric conditions. These findings underscore critical maintaining acting as refugia cold-adapted organisms. As change accelerates degradation, these ecosystems face increasing threats, potential consequences biodiversity hydrological stability. study emphasizes need long-term expanded investigations into chemistry discharge dynamics improve our understanding high-altitude systems. Furthermore, it provides valuable insights sustainable management resources National Park, advocating conservation strategies mitigate impacts mountain hydrology biodiversity.

Language: Английский

Citations

0