Origin of surface and subsurface waters in a periglacial catchment analysed by means of environmental tracers

The hydrological response of high elevation catchments is strongly influenced by snowmelt processes. Moreover, in alpine periglacial environments, the presence of permafrost (generally discontinuous and frequently associated to landforms such as rock glaciers) makes even more difficult to identify t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: ZUECCO, GIULIA, PENNA, DANIELE, CARTURAN, LUCA, ZANONER, THOMAS, CARTON, ALBERTO, BORGA, MARCO, DALLA FONTANA, GIANCARLO, R. Seppi, N. Mantese, A. Gobbi, J. Gabrieli
Other Authors: Zuecco, Giulia, Penna, Daniele, Carturan, Luca, R., Seppi, N., Mantese, A., Gobbi, Zanoner, Thoma, J., Gabrieli, Carton, Alberto, Borga, Marco, DALLA FONTANA, Giancarlo
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2012
Subjects:
periglacial catchment
surface and subsurface water
environmental tracers
permafrost
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11577/2578890
Description
Summary:The hydrological response of high elevation catchments is strongly influenced by snowmelt processes. Moreover, in alpine periglacial environments, the presence of permafrost (generally discontinuous and frequently associated to landforms such as rock glaciers) makes even more difficult to identify the origin of surface and subsurface waters and the main contributors to stream runoff. Based on the use of isotopic (deuterium and 18-oxygen), electrical conductivity and water temperature data, this study aims to: i) identify which environmental tracer(s) could be used as indicator(s) of the possible influence of permafrost on groundwater and stream water; ii) investigate the role of snowmelt and rainfall on the seasonal runoff response in a periglacial catchment.

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