Towards a tracer-based conceptualization of meltwater dynamics and streamflow response in a glacierized catchment

Multiple water sources and the physiographic heterogeneity of glacierized catchments hamper a complete conceptualization of runoff response to meltwater dynamics. In this study, we used environmental tracers (stable isotopes of water and electrical conductivity) to obtain new insight into the hydrology of glacierized catchments, using the Saldur River catchment, Italian Alps, as a pilot site. We analysed the controls on the spatial and temporal patterns of the tracer signature in the main stream, its selected tributaries, shallow groundwater, snowmelt and glacier melt over a 3-year period. We found that stream water electrical conductivity and isotopic composition showed consistent patterns in snowmelt-dominated periods, whereas the streamflow contribution of glacier melt altered the correlations between the two tracers. By applying two- and three-component mixing models, we quantified the seasonally variable proportion of groundwater, snowmelt and glacier melt at different locations along the stream. We provided four model scenarios based on different tracer signatures of the end-members; the highest contributions of snowmelt to streamflow occurred in late spring–early summer and ranged between 70 and 79 %, according to different scenarios, whereas the largest inputs by glacier melt were observed in mid-summer, and ranged between 57 and 69 %. In addition to the identification of the main sources of uncertainty, we demonstrated how a careful sampling design is critical in order to avoid underestimation of the meltwater component in streamflow. The results of this study supported the development of a conceptual model of streamflow response to meltwater dynamics in the Saldur catchment, which is likely valid for other glacierized catchments worldwide

Residuos leñosos de gran tamaño en un torrente de la Cordillera de Los Andes, Chile: su funcionalidad e importancia

The study analyzed amounts, characteristics and morphological impact of Large Woody Debris (LWD) in Tres Arroyos torrent of the Chilean Southern Andes draining an old-growth forested basin. All woody debris pieces greater than 10 cm in diameter and 1 m in length were surveyed along a 1.5 km-long stream section presenting a general step-pool/cascade morphology. The total amount of large woody debris within the fluvial corridor was on average 1,500 m3/ha, very high value comparable only to data from old-growth forested basins in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Around two thirds of LWD volume were found in accumulations while half of the LWD elements were located on the active floodplain. As much as 83% of the LWD pieces showed signs of in-stream transport, 13% were directly associated to natural tree falls, and the remaining to landslides and bank erosion. Different types of log-jams were observed, some heavily altering channel morphology (log-steps and valley jams), others just lining the channel edges (bankfull bench jams). The percentage of log-steps over the total number of steps is around 22%, whereas the elevation loss due to LWD (log-steps and valley jams) was 27% the total potential energy. Finally, 2,000 m3 of sediments were estimated to be stored in the main channel behind LWD structures, corresponding to approximately 150% of the annual basin sediment yield

Hydraulics, Morphology, and Energy Dissipation in an Alpine Step-pool Channel

To investigate the relationship between hydraulics and channel morphology in step‐pool channels, we combined three‐dimensional velocity measurements with an acoustic Doppler velocimeter and topographic surveys in a steep step‐pool channel, the Rio Cordon, Italy. Measurements were organized around step, pool, and tread units and occurred within a range of 36%–57% of bankfull discharges. As flow moved from steps to their downstream pools in our study reach, an average of approximately two thirds of the total energy was dissipated, as measured by relative head loss through step‐pool sequences. Much of this head loss was achieved by elevation (potential energy) loss rather than velocity reductions. Although an overall, expected pattern of flow acceleration toward step crests and deceleration in pools was present, pool velocities were high, especially where upstream step crests were irregular and where residual pool depths were low. Many steps were porous or “leaky,” with irregular cross‐channel bed and water surface topography, producing high‐velocity jets and less flow resistance than channel‐spanning dammed steps. Longitudinal variations in hydraulics are thus often overshadowed by lateral variations arising from morphologic complexities. Velocity and turbulence characteristics in the Rio Cordon show marked differences from data we have collected in a more stable and wood‐rich channel in the Colorado Rockies, in which “ponded” steps are more prevalent and pools are slower and more turbulent. Comparison of these channels illustrates that step‐pool structure and hydraulics are strongly influenced by flow regime, sediment supply, lithology, time since the last step‐forming flood, and availability of in‐stream wood

Study of debris-flow initiation through the analysis of seismic signals

Monitoring data gathered in the headwaters of the Gadria catchment, eastern Italian Alps, have been analysed to study debris-flow initiation. The active channel, located at 2200 m a.s.l., was instrumented with a geophone, a time-lapse video camera and a rain gauge. The peak amplitude and duration of the seismic signals and their frequency content were analysed and compared with video images. Results showed that different seismic sources produced signals with different characteristics and that it is possible to discriminate the most intense runoff by analysing the combination of peak amplitude and duration of the seismic signal. The further development of this research would be to create an algorithm able to automatically classify the seismic sources and identify intense channel processes that can generate debris flows. In perspective, the combination of seismic detection in the initiation area with monitoring just above the infrastructures at risk could represent an effective solution to expand the lead time of an early warning system

How do geomorphic characteristics affect the source of tree water uptake in restored river floodplains?

Alpine rivers and their floodplains have been highly modified by human activities during the last decades. River restoration projects aim to counteract these negative impacts and to restore ecosystem services provided by riparian habitats. We studied two recently restored river sites in the Ahr/Aurino and Mareit/Mareta Rivers (Italian Alps) to investigate how geomorphic conditions, soil moisture, and groundwater level affect the source of water used by grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench). We compared the isotopic composition (δ2H) of tree sap at different locations (low terraces formed during bed incision and recent floodplains formed after restoration) with that of potential water sources, that is, groundwater, soil water, and rainfall. The monthly variation in the isotopic composition of rainfall was reflected in both shallow and deeper soil water, as well as in the isotopic composition of sap. The redistribution of precipitation and groundwater in the soil differed between the post-restoration floodplain sites and the post-incision terraces, leading to a different relation between the sap water, soil water, and groundwater isotopic composition. The results show that transpiration of A. incana trees growing on recent floodplains is mostly supported by stream-fed soil water, whereas trees growing on terraces mainly use precipitation-fed soil water. These marked, morphology-related differences in the source of transpiration water of grey alder highlight how channel degradation still affects the ecohydrological processes in Alpine fluvial corridors. Nonetheless, large restoration interventions—in terms of channel widening—can enable the self-formation of new floodplain areas characterized by stream water-fed riparian ecosystems