loading page

Contrasting physical and chemical conditions of two springs fed by active rock glaciers
  • +5
  • Stefano Brighenti,
  • Michael Engel,
  • Monica Tolotti,
  • Maria Bruno,
  • Geraldene Wharton,
  • Francesco Comiti,
  • Werner Tirler,
  • Walter Bertoldi
Stefano Brighenti
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Michael Engel
Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde
Author Profile
Monica Tolotti
Edmund Mach Foundation Research and Innovation Centre
Author Profile
Maria Bruno
Edmund Mach Foundation Research and Innovation Centre
Author Profile
Geraldene Wharton
Queen Mary University of London
Author Profile
Francesco Comiti
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
Author Profile
Werner Tirler
Eco Research Srl
Author Profile
Walter Bertoldi
Università degli Studi di Trento
Author Profile

Abstract

Rock glaciers are increasingly influencing the hydrology and water chemistry of Alpine catchments, with important implications for drinking water quality and ecosystem health under a changing climate. During summers of 2017 - 2019, we monitored the physical and chemical conditions of springs emerging from two active rock glaciers (ZRG and SRG) with distinct geomorphological settings in the Eastern Italian Alps (Solda/Sulden catchment). Both springs had constantly cold waters (1.4 ± 0.1 °C), and their ionic composition was dominated by SO42-, HCO3-, Ca2+ and Mg2+. Concentrations of major ions and trace elements, and values of water isotopes (δ18O, δ2H), increased towards autumn with an asymptotic trend at SRG, and a positive unimodal pattern at ZRG, where concentrations peaked 60 - 80 days after the end of the snowmelt. Wavelet analysis on electrical conductivity (EC) and water temperature records revealed daily cycles only at SRG, and significant weekly/biweekly fluctuations at both springs attributable to oscillations of meteorological conditions. Several rainfall events triggered a transient (0.5 - 2 hrs) EC drop and water temperature rise (dilution and warming) at SRG, whereas only intense rainfall events occasionally increased EC at ZRG (solute enrichment and thermal buffering), with a long-lasting effect (6 - 48 hrs). Our results, supported by a limited but emerging literature, suggest that: i) the distinctive composition of the bedrock drives different concentrations of major ions and trace elements in rock glacier springs; ii) pond-like and stream-like springs have distinct fluctuations of water parameters at different timescales; iii) peaks of EC/solute concentrations indicate a seasonal window of major permafrost thaw for rock glaciers feeding pond-like springs. These results provide a first quantitative description of the hydrological seasonality in rock glacier outflows, and their hydrochemical response to precipitation events, bringing relevant information for water management in the European Alps under climate change.
22 Dec 2020Submitted to Hydrological Processes
23 Dec 2020Submission Checks Completed
23 Dec 2020Assigned to Editor
23 Dec 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Jan 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Jan 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
24 Feb 20211st Revision Received
25 Feb 2021Submission Checks Completed
25 Feb 2021Assigned to Editor
25 Feb 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
29 Mar 20212nd Revision Received
30 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
30 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
30 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Accept