Abstract.
Rock
glaciers
play
a
vital
role
in
the
hydrological
functioning
of
many
alpine
catchments.
Here,
we
investigate
seasonal
and
daily
freeze-thaw
cycles
previously
undocumented
Canfinal
rock
glacier
(RG)
located
Val
d'Ursé
catchment
(Bernina
Range,
Switzerland)
RG's
influence
on
dynamics
hydrogeological
system.
We
combine
digital
image
correlation
techniques,
geochemical
isotopic
analyses,
time-series
analysis,
monitoring
to
understand
An
acceleration
RG
creep
since
1990
has
occurred,
with
most
active
regions
exhibiting
horizontal
velocities
~1
m/yr.
Distinct
signatures
springs
influenced
by
discharge
reflect
contrasting
temporally-variable
groundwater
mixing
ratios.
A
novel
application
frequency-domain
analysis
air
temperature
spring
electrical
conductivity
enables
quantitative
understanding
thaw
subsurface
flow
dynamics.
gradual
decrease
time-lag
between
maximum
EC
minimum,
caused
dilution
from
ice
melt,
is
observed
over
snow-free
period,
implying
progressively
shorter
residence
times.
Through
our
multi-method
approach,
develop
conceptual
models
for
RG-influenced
systems
time-scales.
Frontiers in Earth Science,
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
11
Опубликована: Фев. 9, 2023
In
the
current
context
of
climate
change,
rock
glaciers
represent
potentially
important
water
resources
due
to
melting
ice
they
contain
and/or
their
role
as
high
mountain
reservoirs.
However,
hydrology
these
high-altitude
debris
accumulations
is
poorly
known.
Understanding
origin
and
quality
glacier
outflows
essential
evaluate
contribution
impact
on
headwater
systems.
this
study,
we
developed
a
conceptual
model
explaining
main
hydro-chemical
processes
in
active
permafrost
warming.
This
was
derived
from
isotopic
physico-chemical
analyses
performed
six
Swiss
Alps
during
warm
season.
Similar
chemical
were
sources
not
fed
by
at
all
study
sites.
The
ion
content
(SO
4
2-
,
Ca
2+
Mg
NO
3
−
)
emerging
globally
higher
than
that
glaciers.
Besides,
electrical
conductivity
springs
increased
season,
tracking
increasing
perennial
ground
melting.
We
hypothesized
ionic
fingerprint
points
mainly
remobilization
compounds
stored
colder
period
past
cryosphere
(e.g.,
1960s–1980s).
Global and Planetary Change,
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
227, С. 104180 - 104180
Опубликована: Июнь 17, 2023
Naturally
occurring
acid
rock
drainage
(ARD)
appears
to
be
promoted
in
permafrost
environments
with
pyrite-bearing
host
rocks.
However,
it
is
poorly
understood
how
the
interaction
between
solid
ice,
meltwater
and
pyrite
causes
formation
of
sulfuric
subsequent
mobilization
toxic
elements.
To
elucidate
governing
processes
assess
general
hazard
ARD
areas
context
global
warming,
we
present
chemical
water
analyses
for
six
high-alpine
surface
waters
downstream
intact
glaciers
Central
Eastern
Alps.
In
addition,
provide
a
detailed
structural
characterization
nanocrystalline
Al-hydroxysulfate
precipitates
forming
along
streams
serving
as
visual
manifestation
ARD.
Finally,
show
results
from
column
experiments,
experimentally
simulating
paragneisses.
Studying
on
both,
field
laboratory
scales,
demonstrated
that
under
field-site
conditions
may
act
highly
efficient
reactors,
resulting
high
concentrations
elements
such
aluminum,
nickel,
manganese,
fluorine
sampled
streams.
The
most
likely
reason
strong
these
their
temporal
storage
enrichment
frozen
glacier
core,
leading
quick
focused
export
summer
when
ice
melt
production
rates
are
high.
confirmed
presence
basaluminite
(Al4(OH)10(SO4)
x
3
H2O),
controlling
solubility
aluminum.
Geochemical
modeling
allowed
quantify
inverse
behavior
temperature,
field-derived
standard
reaction
enthalpy
(∆rH°)
−580
kJ
mol
−1.
This
value
can
now
used
determine
aluminum
also
at
temperatures
relevant
settings
(0–5
°C).
Aerial
photographs
study
sites
suggest
intensification
Alps
over
past
20
years,
flux
mobilized
further
increase
future.
Owing
abundance
rocks,
same
apply
worldwide.
conclusion,
quality
rocks
must
carefully
monitored
future
environmental
hazard.
Journal of Hydrology,
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
623, С. 129779 - 129779
Опубликована: Июнь 7, 2023
Glaciers
and
rock
glaciers
are
key
elements
of
mountain
hydrological
systems,
but
their
relative
influence
on
the
chemical
isotopic
conditions
streams
within
river
continuum
is
still
overlooked.
During
three
consecutive
years
(2019–2021),
we
studied
24
stream
sections
in
two
catchments
(Plima
Schnals,
Eastern
Italian
Alps)
with
varying
cover
glaciers.
End-member
mixing
models
based
δ2H
d-excess
revealed
a
large
spatial
temporal
variability
contribution
different
water
sources
to
runoff.
Overall,
snowmelt
(77
±
17
%)
rainwater
(5
5
were
largest
smallest
runoff
components,
respectively.
The
ice
melt
was
high
fed
by
(23
15
(16
16
%).
In
highly-glacierised
Plima
basin,
tracer-based
estimation
annual
fraction
matched
reasonably
well
(90–167%)
mean
glacial
loss
estimated
geodetic
mass
balance.
contrast,
found
overestimation
component
derived
from
poorly
glacierised
(but
glacier-rich)
Schnals
catchment.
influenced
glaciers,
at
both
particular
patterns
electrical
conductivity
resulted
unreliable
estimates
meltwater/groundwater
fractions
Depending
local
lithology,
concentrations
trace
(Sr,
Ni,
Ba,
Mn,
Zn,
Al)
close/below
limits
quantification
non-glacial
streams.
alpine
areas,
abundance
can
confound
signature
imparted
thus
hindering
use
methods
for
hydrograph
separation.
Under
combined
surpass
drinking
quality
even
downstream
as
observed
catchment
nickel.
Hydrology and earth system sciences,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
29(6), С. 1505 - 1523
Опубликована: Март 19, 2025
Abstract.
Rock
glaciers
play
a
vital
role
in
the
hydrological
functioning
of
many
alpine
catchments.
Here,
we
investigate
seasonal
and
daily
freeze–thaw
cycles
previously
undocumented
Canfinal
rock
glacier
(RG)
located
Val
d'Ursé
catchment
(Bernina
Range,
Switzerland)
RG's
influence
on
dynamics
hydrogeological
system.
We
combine
digital
image
correlation
techniques,
geochemical
isotopic
analyses,
time
series
analysis,
monitoring
to
understand
An
acceleration
RG
creep
since
1990
has
occurred,
with
most
active
regions
exhibiting
horizontal
velocities
∼1
m
yr−1.
Distinct
signatures
springs
influenced
by
discharge
reflect
contrasting
temporally
variable
groundwater
mixing
ratios.
A
novel
application
frequency–domain
analysis
air
temperature
spring
electrical
conductivity
enables
quantitative
understanding
thaw
subsurface
flow
dynamics.
Following
onset
snowmelt,
observed
gradual
decrease
lag
between
maxima
minima
at
front
glacier.
This
suggests
progressively
increasing
flows
within
talus,
driven
efficient
recharge
from
snowmelt
contributions
thawing
Through
our
multi-method
approach,
develop
conceptual
model
representing
main
cryo-hydrogeological
processes
involved
RG-influenced
headwaters.
Frontiers in Earth Science,
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
11
Опубликована: Апрель 12, 2023
Rock
glaciers
are
common
geomorphic
features
in
alpine
landscapes
and
comprise
a
potentially
significant
but
poorly
quantified
water
resource.
This
project
focused
on
three
complementary
questions
germane
to
rock
glacier
hydrology:
1)
Does
the
composition
of
meltwater
vary
from
year
year?
2)
How
dependent
is
lithology?
And
3)
does
presence
catchment
change
stream
chemistry?
To
address
these
questions,
we
deployed
automated
samplers
collect
late
June
through
mid-October
2022
two
rock-glacierized
mountain
ranges
Utah,
United
States
characterized
by
different
lithologies.
In
Uinta
Mountains
northern
where
bedrock
predominantly
quartzite,
was
collected
at
springs
discharging
previously
shown
release
summer
sourced
internal
ice.
La
Sal
southeastern
trachyte
widespread,
spring,
along
main
watershed
containing
multiple
glaciers,
absent.
Precipitation
also
collected,
data
loggers
for
temperature
electric
conductivity
were
deployed.
Water
samples
analyzed
stable
isotopes
with
cavity
ring-down
spectroscopy
hydrochemistry
ICP-MS.
Our
show
that
exhibits
shift
snowmelt
source
an
ice
over
course
melt
season
consistent
year.
We
found
chemistry
study
areas
notably
ways
can
be
linked
back
their
contrasting
types.
Finally,
Mountains,
properties
basin
resemble
strongly
contrast
lacking
glaciers.
Collectively
results
underscore
role
as
agent
influencing
high-elevation
systems.
Quaternary Science Advances,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
14, С. 100188 - 100188
Опубликована: Апрель 10, 2024
Rock
glaciers
are
common
landforms
in
mountainous
areas
of
the
western
US.
The
motion
active
rock
is
a
key
indicator
ice
content,
offering
connections
to
climate
and
hydrologic
systems.
Here,
we
quantified
movement
six
La
Sal
Uinta
Mountains
Utah
through
repeat
differential
GPS
surveying.
Networks
10–41
points
on
each
glacier
were
surveyed
September,
2021;
July,
2022;
2023.
We
found
that
all
features
moving
with
average
annual
rates
from
1.5
±
0.8
18.5
7.5
cm/yr.
move
up
3x
faster
summer
than
winter,
greater
2023
after
winter
above-average
snowfall,
emphasizing
role
liquid
water
availability.
Velocities
individual
2021–22
positively
correlated
velocities
during
2022–23,
suggesting
spatial
variability
not
stochastic,
but
rather
reflects
internal
properties
glacier.
Bottom
temperature
snow
measurements
springs
discharging
summer,
suggest
these
contain
modern
permafrost.
Radiocarbon
data
document
advance
one
Little
Ice
Age.
Our
dataset
reveals
complicated
patterns
movement,
network
survey
established
will
be
valuable
baseline
for
detecting
future
cryosphere
change
mountains.
