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Isotopic characteristics of ice cover in a large northern river basin
Author(s) -
Gibson J. J.,
Prowse T. D.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
hydrological processes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.222
H-Index - 161
eISSN - 1099-1085
pISSN - 0885-6087
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1085(199911)13:16<2537::aid-hyp940>3.0.co;2-a
Subject(s) - geology , cover (algebra) , hydrology (agriculture) , drainage basin , structural basin , physical geography , geomorphology , geography , cartography , geotechnical engineering , mechanical engineering , engineering
Isotope stratigraphy of river‐ice covers can be applied to reconstruct time‐series of the stable isotopic composition of winter streamflow, although careful attention to ice type, morphology and location of sampling is required to obtain useful results. Ice surveys conducted in the Liard River Basin, northwestern Canada, suggest that the isotopic composition of winter streamflow is relatively invariant along the main river stem. However, systematic isotopic enrichment is observed over the course of the winter for small tributaries draining discontinuous‐permafrost wetlands, and is attributed to shifts in the isotopic composition of source water. Recommendations for further study required to verify the underlying physical processes associated with this response are outlined. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.