| Summary: | Abstract: Annually laminated lake sediments provide valuable high resolution records of paleoclimate in areas such as the High Arctic where detailed records are generally lacking. Studies of lacustrine sediment deposition and watershed dynamics allow for interpretation or calibration of the annual sediment yields and the connection to climatic controls. Sediment trap studies undertaken on Linnévatnet, a High Arctic glacial-fed lake on the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, since 2003 provide a critical link from modern processes to the laminated sediment record. In the summer of 2010 a total of 31 traps were collected that were deployed in the summer of 2009. Their locations in relation to the inlet of the glacial stream Linnéelva range from proximal (.4km away) to distal (3.3km). Instrumentation in the Linné Valley, including time lapse cameras, temperature loggers, snow trees, and weather station data help facilitate understanding of climatic controls on glacial melt and stream discharge. Two sedimentation events occurred in the summer/fall of 2009, accounting for 25% of total sediment accumulation. Spring 2010 sedimentation began on 6/15 with an event that accounted for 12.5% of total yearly sediment accumulation. This was followed by the most significant event of the year from 6/24-6/30. This event accounted for 50% of the total sediment accumulation and was driven by the nival melt. Two further events were recorded by the intervalometer, each accounting for 6.3% of total accumulation. The first event was the result of settling of fine grained particles and the second was a distinct event driven by solar radiation and temperature. The nival melt is determined to be the dominant hydrologic event in the Linné valley and responsible for the majority of sedimentation in Linnévatnet. The timing and intensity of this melt event is controlled primarily by melting degree days. Further study is needed to determine the validity of using Linnévatnet’s varved sediment for paleoclimate reconstructions.
|
|---|