Diurnal dynamics of minor and trace elements in stream water draining Dongkemadi Glacier on the Tibetan Plateau and its environmental implications

Li, Xiangying; He, Xiaobo; Kang, Shichang; Sillanpää, Mika; Ding, Yongjian; Han, Tao; Wu, Qingbai; Yu, Zhongbo; Qin, Dahe

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.08.021

Cited by 29 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Temporal variations in the flux of dFe from DG, UG1, and LHG can largely be attributed to glacier discharge, which changed on daily and seasonal timescales. This is consistent with previous studies that showed that dFe fluxes are dominated by glacier discharge rather than dFe concentration (Li et al, ; Mitchell & Brown, ). For example, at Haut Glacier d'Arolla in Switzerland, dFe concentrations exhibit a similar seasonal pattern with export increasing with glacier discharge (Mitchell et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…This leads to higher concentrations of dFe and major ions during the early (late May to mid‐June) portions of the melt season (Figures a–f). During the peak portion of the melt season (mid‐June to late August), fast flow occurs mainly through ice‐walled conduits and open channels, which reduces meltwater residence time and limits the potential for solute acquisition (e.g., Li et al, , ; Mitchell et al, ; Wadham et al, ), thus resulting in lower concentrations of dFe and major ions (Figures a–f). During late portion of the melt season (late August to late September), there is renewed storage of meltwater within the contracting englacial and/or subglacial conduits (Hodgkins, ; Hodgkins et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have shown that the dissolution of carbonate is the dominant weathering process in most glacial basins within China (Li, ) and that dFe at DG and QG results primarily from oxidation of pyrite (Li et al, , , ). The close relationships between dFe and SO 4 2− , Ca 2+ (also Mg 2+ and HCO 3 − ; Figures a–f) suggest that pyrite oxidation coupled to carbonate dissolution mainly governs dFe acquisition at DG, UG1, and LHG.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While a number of studies have been conducted on the concentration and/or export of Fe from ice sheets (Aciego et al, ; Bhatia et al, ; Hawkings et al, ; Hodson et al, ; Statham et al, ) and glaciers (Fortner et al, ; Galeczka et al, ; Li et al, ; Mitchell et al, ; Schroth et al, ; Zhang et al, ), there are no comprehensive regional or global estimates of the fluxes of Fe from glaciers. Previous studies indicated that dissolved Fe concentrations from some glaciers display a seasonal variation and exhibit a negative correlation with glacier discharge (Hodson et al, ; Li et al, ; Mitchell et al, ). However, measurements of temporal variations in Fe across an entire glacier melt season are very limited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Dissolved Iron Supply from Asian Glaciers: Local Controls and a Regional Perspective

Ding

Hood

et al. 2019

Global Biogeochemical Cycles

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Ice sheets have been shown to deliver large amounts of labile iron (Fe) to aquatic ecosystems; however, the role of glaciers distinct from ice sheets in supplying labile Fe to downstream ecosystems is less well understood despite their rapid volume loss globally. Direct and continuous measurements of Fe from glaciers throughout an entire melt season are very limited to date. Here we present extensive seasonal data on 0.45‐μm‐filtered Fe (dFe) from three glaciers in Asia. Concentrations of dFe are negatively correlated with glacier discharge, and dFe yields are closely related to specific discharge. Based on our study and previously published dFe data, we estimate the release of dFe from Asian glaciers to be 23.8±14.1 Gg/a. We further compile a global data set of dFe from more than 12 glaciers, which, when combined with data on glacier discharge, suggest that the release of dFe from glaciers globally is on the order of 185±172 Gg/a. This finding suggests that glaciers may provide a substantial, but largely unrecognized source of potentially labile Fe, and may become increasingly important for the Fe biogeochemical cycle in a warming climate.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Dissolved Iron Supply from Asian Glaciers: Local Controls and a Regional Perspective

Ding

Hood

et al. 2019

Global Biogeochemical Cycles

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“…Studies by Fortner et al () have shown that filterable (<0.45 μm) nanoparticulate Al from glacierised basins potentially affects biogeochemical cycles although the relevant processes are still not clearly understood. Also, filterable Al concentrations in glacial meltwater exceed water quality standards (Fortner et al, ; Li et al, ; Li, Qin, Jing, Li, & Wang, ). Moreover, research from the Greenland ice sheet and peripheral glaciers shows significant correlation between Al and other glacier‐derived nutrients, such as Fe and Si, in short‐term studies on peak flow (Yde & Knudsen, ; Yde, Knudsen, & Nielsen, ); whereas for glacial and periglacial floodplains in Svalbard, these correlations are insignificant (Hodson, Nowak, & Christiansen, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Aluminium in glacial meltwater demonstrates an association with nutrient export (Werenskiöldbreen, Svalbard)

Stachnik

Yde

Nawrot

et al. 2019

Hydrological Processes

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The aluminium (Al) cycle in glacierised basins has not received a great deal of attention in studies of biogeochemical cycles. As Al may be toxic for biota, it is important to investigate the processes leading to its release into the environment. It has not yet been ascertained whether filterable Al (passing through a pore size of 0.45 μm) is incorporated into biogeochemical cycles in glacierised basins. Our study aims to determine the relationship between the processes bringing filterable Al and glacier‐derived filterable nutrients (particularly Fe and Si) into glacierised basins. We investigated the Werenskiöldbreen basin (44.1 km2, 60% glacierised) situated in SW Spitsbergen, Svalbard. In 2011, we collected meltwater from a subglacial portal at the glacier front and at a downstream hydrometric station throughout the ablation season. The Al concentration, unchanged between the subglacial system and proglacial zone, reveals that aluminosilicate weathering is a dominant source of filterable Al under subglacial conditions. By examining the Al:Fe ratio compared with pH and the sulphate mass fraction index, we found that the proton source for subglacial aluminosilicate weathering is mainly associated with sulphide oxidation and, to a lesser degree, with hydrolysis and carbonation. In subglacial outflows and in the glacial river, Al and Fe are primarily in the forms of Al(OH)4‐ and Fe(OH)3. The annual filterable Al yield (2.7 mmol m‐2) was of a magnitude similar to that of nutrients such as filterable Fe (3.0 mmol m‐2) and lower than that of dissolved Si (18.5 mmol m‐2). Our results show that filterable Al concentrations in meltwater are significantly correlated to filterable and dissolved glacier‐derived nutrients (Fe and Si, respectively) concentrations in glaciers worldwide. We conclude that a potential bioavailable Al pool derived from glacierised basins may be incorporated in biogeochemical cycles, as it is strongly related to the concentrations and yields of glacier‐derived nutrients.

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Seasonal controls of meltwater runoff chemistry and chemical weathering at Urumqi Glacier No.1 in central Asia

Ding

Han

et al. 2019

Hydrological Processes

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Temporal variation of runoff chemistry and its seasonal controls relating to chemical weathering processes and drainage system evolution were examined at Urumqi Glacier No.1 in Xinjiang, China, over a full melt season. The dominant ions in meltwater runoff are HCO 3 − , Ca 2+ , and SO 4 2− ; and Fe, Sr, and Al are dominant elements. Concentrations of major ions and some elements show periodic variations with seasons and negatively correlate with discharge, whereas other elements (e.g., Al, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) show a random change, providing insights into the hydrological and physicochemical controls. HCO 3 − and Ca 2+ are primarily derived from calcite, SO 4 2− and Fe mainly come from pyrite, and Sr and Al principally originate from silicate.Hydrochemical fluxes of solutes exhibit strong seasonality but are positively related to discharge, suggesting an increasing release of solutes during higher flow conditions. Solute yields, cation denudation rate, and chemical weathering intensity observed at Urumqi Glacier No.1 are higher than those at most basins worldwide.This suggests that chemical weathering in central Asia may be stronger than at other glacial basins with similar specific discharge. Concentrations of some elements (e.g., Fe, Al, As, Pb, and Zn) are close to or exceed the guidelines for drinking water standards in meltwater-fed rivers. These rivers may face future challenges of water quality degradation, and relationships between changing flow and water quality conditions should be established soon, given that development of channelized flow is expected to be earlier over a melt season in a warming climate.

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Diurnal dynamics of minor and trace elements in stream water draining Dongkemadi Glacier on the Tibetan Plateau and its environmental implications

Cited by 29 publications

References 51 publications

Dissolved Iron Supply from Asian Glaciers: Local Controls and a Regional Perspective

Dissolved Iron Supply from Asian Glaciers: Local Controls and a Regional Perspective

Aluminium in glacial meltwater demonstrates an association with nutrient export (Werenskiöldbreen, Svalbard)

Seasonal controls of meltwater runoff chemistry and chemical weathering at Urumqi Glacier No.1 in central Asia

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