Seasonal evolution of water source contributions to subglacial outflow: Insight from a new isotope-mixing model
The Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) subglacial hydrological system may undergo a seasonal evolution, with significant geophysical and biogeochemical implications. We present results from a new isotope-mixing model to quantify the relative contributions of surface snow, glacial ice and delayed flow to the...
Published in: | Journal of Glaciology |
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2011
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Online Access: | https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/seasonal-evolution-of-water-source-contributions-to-subglacial-outflow-insight-from-a-new-isotopemixing-model(9f7bac56-e2c8-417c-ae9e-e2da4c303886).html https://doi.org/10.3189/002214311798043861 http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/igsoc/jog/2011/00000057/00000205/art00016 |
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ftunstandrewcris:oai:risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk:publications/9f7bac56-e2c8-417c-ae9e-e2da4c303886 2023-05-15T16:21:26+02:00 Seasonal evolution of water source contributions to subglacial outflow: Insight from a new isotope-mixing model Bhatia, Maya P. Das, Sarah B. Kujawinski, Elizabeth B. Henderson, Paul B. Burke, Andrea Charette, Matthew A. 2011-10-01 https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/seasonal-evolution-of-water-source-contributions-to-subglacial-outflow-insight-from-a-new-isotopemixing-model(9f7bac56-e2c8-417c-ae9e-e2da4c303886).html https://doi.org/10.3189/002214311798043861 http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/igsoc/jog/2011/00000057/00000205/art00016 eng eng info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess Bhatia , M P , Das , S B , Kujawinski , E B , Henderson , P B , Burke , A & Charette , M A 2011 , ' Seasonal evolution of water source contributions to subglacial outflow: Insight from a new isotope-mixing model ' , Journal of Glaciology , vol. 57 , no. 205 , pp. 929-941 . https://doi.org/10.3189/002214311798043861 article 2011 ftunstandrewcris https://doi.org/10.3189/002214311798043861 2021-12-26T14:23:09Z The Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) subglacial hydrological system may undergo a seasonal evolution, with significant geophysical and biogeochemical implications. We present results from a new isotope-mixing model to quantify the relative contributions of surface snow, glacial ice and delayed flow to the bulk meltwater discharge from a small (∼5 km2) land-terminating GrIS outlet glacier during melt onset (May) and at peak melt (July). We use radioactive (222Rn) and stable isotopes (18O, deuterium) to differentiate the water source contributions. Atmospherically derived 7Be further constrains meltwater transit time from the glacier surface to the ice margin. We show that (1) 222Rn is a promising tracer for glacial waters stored at the bed and (2) a quantitative chemical mixing model can be constructed by combining 222Rn and the stable water isotopes. Applying this model to the bulk subglacial outflow from our study area, we find a constant delayed-flow (stored) component from melt onset through peak melt. This component is diluted first by snowmelt and then by increasing glacial ice melt as the season progresses. Results from this pilot study are consistent with the hypothesis that subglacial drainage beneath land-terminating sections of the GrIS undergoes a seasonal evolution from a distributed to a channelized system. Article in Journal/Newspaper glacier Greenland Ice Sheet Journal of Glaciology University of St Andrews: Research Portal Greenland Journal of Glaciology 57 205 929 941 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
University of St Andrews: Research Portal |
op_collection_id |
ftunstandrewcris |
language |
English |
description |
The Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) subglacial hydrological system may undergo a seasonal evolution, with significant geophysical and biogeochemical implications. We present results from a new isotope-mixing model to quantify the relative contributions of surface snow, glacial ice and delayed flow to the bulk meltwater discharge from a small (∼5 km2) land-terminating GrIS outlet glacier during melt onset (May) and at peak melt (July). We use radioactive (222Rn) and stable isotopes (18O, deuterium) to differentiate the water source contributions. Atmospherically derived 7Be further constrains meltwater transit time from the glacier surface to the ice margin. We show that (1) 222Rn is a promising tracer for glacial waters stored at the bed and (2) a quantitative chemical mixing model can be constructed by combining 222Rn and the stable water isotopes. Applying this model to the bulk subglacial outflow from our study area, we find a constant delayed-flow (stored) component from melt onset through peak melt. This component is diluted first by snowmelt and then by increasing glacial ice melt as the season progresses. Results from this pilot study are consistent with the hypothesis that subglacial drainage beneath land-terminating sections of the GrIS undergoes a seasonal evolution from a distributed to a channelized system. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Bhatia, Maya P. Das, Sarah B. Kujawinski, Elizabeth B. Henderson, Paul B. Burke, Andrea Charette, Matthew A. |
spellingShingle |
Bhatia, Maya P. Das, Sarah B. Kujawinski, Elizabeth B. Henderson, Paul B. Burke, Andrea Charette, Matthew A. Seasonal evolution of water source contributions to subglacial outflow: Insight from a new isotope-mixing model |
author_facet |
Bhatia, Maya P. Das, Sarah B. Kujawinski, Elizabeth B. Henderson, Paul B. Burke, Andrea Charette, Matthew A. |
author_sort |
Bhatia, Maya P. |
title |
Seasonal evolution of water source contributions to subglacial outflow: Insight from a new isotope-mixing model |
title_short |
Seasonal evolution of water source contributions to subglacial outflow: Insight from a new isotope-mixing model |
title_full |
Seasonal evolution of water source contributions to subglacial outflow: Insight from a new isotope-mixing model |
title_fullStr |
Seasonal evolution of water source contributions to subglacial outflow: Insight from a new isotope-mixing model |
title_full_unstemmed |
Seasonal evolution of water source contributions to subglacial outflow: Insight from a new isotope-mixing model |
title_sort |
seasonal evolution of water source contributions to subglacial outflow: insight from a new isotope-mixing model |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/seasonal-evolution-of-water-source-contributions-to-subglacial-outflow-insight-from-a-new-isotopemixing-model(9f7bac56-e2c8-417c-ae9e-e2da4c303886).html https://doi.org/10.3189/002214311798043861 http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/igsoc/jog/2011/00000057/00000205/art00016 |
geographic |
Greenland |
geographic_facet |
Greenland |
genre |
glacier Greenland Ice Sheet Journal of Glaciology |
genre_facet |
glacier Greenland Ice Sheet Journal of Glaciology |
op_source |
Bhatia , M P , Das , S B , Kujawinski , E B , Henderson , P B , Burke , A & Charette , M A 2011 , ' Seasonal evolution of water source contributions to subglacial outflow: Insight from a new isotope-mixing model ' , Journal of Glaciology , vol. 57 , no. 205 , pp. 929-941 . https://doi.org/10.3189/002214311798043861 |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.3189/002214311798043861 |
container_title |
Journal of Glaciology |
container_volume |
57 |
container_issue |
205 |
container_start_page |
929 |
op_container_end_page |
941 |
_version_ |
1766009432404131840 |