Modelling sediment load in a glacial meltwater stream in western Norway

• Published in: Journal of Hydrology
• Main Authors: Diodato, Nazzareno, Støren, Eivind W.N., Bellocchi, Gianni, Nesje, Atle
• Other Authors: Met European Research Observatory (MetEROBS), University of Bergen (UiB), UR 0874 Unité de recherche sur l'Ecosystème Prairial, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Unité de recherche sur l'Ecosystème Prairial (UREP)-Ecologie des Forêts, Prairies et milieux Aquatiques (EFPA), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2013
• Subjects: glacier; précipitation; sédiment; [SDE.MCG]Environmental Sciences/Global Changes; Norway
• Online Access: https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-02651865; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.02.011

International audience The objective of this work is to provide a tool for modelling and temporal reconstruction of the sediment load in a proglacial valley in Norway. For this purpose, we have developed the SEdiment Load CLImatological Model (SELCLIM) to predict climate-induced sediment load based on seasonal precipitation and temperature inputs. The model is tested using observational data for the period 1968–2000. The main development of the Nigardsbreen Valley system is likely the combined effects of pulsed erosion over multiple nivoglacial cycles of expansion and retreat at interdecadal scale, pulsed flushes and runoff-erosivity erosion. The model used discharge and surrogate predictors to model annual sediment load. The study attempted at relating historical and instrumental glacier front movement, thermal spring–summer conditions, snow and glacier ice ablation, and summer rainfall with total summer sediment accumulation to assess interannual to centennial-scale variability of sediment load during the Little Ice Age glacier expansion and following retreat at Nigardbreen.