Field Study of Mass Balance, and Hydrology of the West Khangri Nup Glacier (Khumbu, Everest)

Abstract

The depiction of glaciers’ dynamics in the high altitudes of Himalaya and the hydrological fluxes therein is often limited. Although sparse seasonal (snow/ice) melt data may be available, dense precipitation networks are not available everywhere, and especially in the highest area, and the assessment of accumulation processes and mass balance may be difficult. Hydrological fluxes are little measured in the high altitudes, and few studies are available covering flow modeling and flow partitioning. Here, we investigate the snow accumulation, ice melt, and mass balance of West Khangri Nup (WKN) glacier (0.23 km2, mean altitude 5494 m asl), which is a part of the Khumbu glacier in the Everest region, where information of precipitation and hydro-glaciological dynamics in the highest altitudes was made available recently in fulfillment of several research projects. Weather, glaciological, snow pits, hydrologic, and isotopic data gathered during field campaigns (2010–2014) on the glacier and at the EVK2CNR Pyramid site were used to (i) set up the Poli-Hydro glacio-hydrological model to describe ice and snow melt and hydrological flows from the glacier, and (ii) investigate seasonal snow dynamics on this high region of the glacier. Coupling ice ablation data and Poli-Hydro simulation for ca. 5 years (January 2010–June 2014), we estimate that the WKN depleted ca. −10.46 m of ice water equivalent per year m IWE year−1 (i.e., annually ca. −2.32 meter of water equivalent per year m WE year−1). Then, using snowpack density and isotopic (δ18O) profiles on the WKN, we demonstrate that the local snowpack is recent (Fall–Winter 2013–2014) and that significant snow accumulation did not occur recently, so this area has not been a significant one of accumulation recently. Analysis of recent snow cover from LANDSAT images also confirms snow dynamics as depicted. Our study presents original data and results, and it complements present studies covering glaciers’ mass balance as well as an investigation of accumulation zones in the Everest region and the Himalayas, which is also potentially helpful in the assessment of future dynamics under ongoing climate change.

Observations of Winter Ablation on Glaciers in the Mount Everest Region in 2020–2021

“…The authors of [19,24] identified a snow line altitude rise from 5289 m in 1962 to 5471 m in 2011 on the south side of Mount Everest. The authors of [25] reported that on West Kangri Nup Glacier, which is a tributary to the Khumbu Glacier, in the 5400-5500 m range, significant accumulation is no longer being retained through the summer monsoon. The work in [26] considered Rolwaling (Trambau) Glacier and observed an ELA at 5770 m to 5830 m during October 2016-2018.…”

Glacier Velocity Changes in the Himalayas in Relation to Ice Mass Balance

“…Such seasonal variability indicates different mechanisms of glacier mass loss in the Himalayas. Increased melt conditions in the early winter period, November and December, could enhance velocity, as noted by Bocchiola et al [39], Pelto et al [40] in the eastern Himalaya. During summer, mass losses are more likely to be resulted from increased ablation zone melting, given that precipitation has not been significant [41,42].…”

A pilot study of eDNA metabarcoding to estimate plant biodiversity by an alpine glacier core (Adamello glacier, North Italy)

“…Samples were thawed at room temperature in hermetically sealed tubes. As described in previous papers 78 , 79 , the ratio 18 O/ 16 O of water was analysed using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (Isoprime, Manchester, UK) interfaced with an on-line automatic system that allows CO 2 /H 2 O equilibration (Multiflow, Isoprime, Manchester, UK). For the analysis of ratio 2 H/ 1 H of water, 200 μl of water together with Hokko bead platinum catalyst (Isoprime) were introduced into a reaction vessel, which was then attached to the online automatic equilibration system and filled with He containing 10% of H 2 .…”