Open AccessSeasonal geochemistry of an arctic tundra drainage basin
Author(s) -
Everett K. R.,
Marion G. M.,
Kane D. L.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1989.tb00847.x
Subject(s) - surface runoff , snow , tundra , snowmelt , spring (device) , arctic , drainage basin , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental science , precipitation , geology , environmental chemistry , ecology , chemistry , oceanography , geomorphology , biology , geography , mechanical engineering , cartography , geotechnical engineering , meteorology , engineering
The snow melt food at Imnavait Creek takes place sometime between 12 May and 2 June and constitutes the single most important hydrological and geochemical event. Three years of study indicate this event spans 7 to 10 days and that peak discharge can be expected to be between 0.6 and 0.9 cu. mes. Ion concentrations peak during the first 15% of the event while pH is at a minimum. In all cases, ion concentrations in the spring runoff are 4 to 9 times those of the snow pack, Precipitaion, including dryfall, contributes significant amounts of Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cl and SO 4 . Postassium is present in surface waters only during melt‐off and for a short time after. Calcium. Mg. suspended solids and electrical conductivity all reach broad, poorly defined peaks in mid‐summer. Only pH shows a significant relationship to discharge. On a seasonal basis a substantial charge imbalance favoring cations occurs. It seems probable that the, as yet, unmeasured negative charge is associated with organic anions. No seasonal trends were recorded for Mg, K or Mn in subsurface flow in the surrounding slopes. Calcium. Fe and Al showed a late season peak, and the concentration of Na and Si decreased as the melt season progressed.