Brown, G.H. and Sharp, M.J. (1993)
The use of sulfate as a tracer for the delayed flow component of alpine glacial runoff
Proceedings
- Cite key
- Brown1993
- Language
- en
- Journal
- Tracers in Hydrology IAHS Publ.
- Volume
- 215
- URL
- http://itia.ntua.gr/hsj/redbooks/215/hysj_215_01_0089.pdf
- Description
- A method for separating alpine glacial runoff into two components, quickflow and delayed flow, is presented and is based on the dilution characteristics of sulfate relative to other major ions. These
components followed different flowpaths before they mixed in basal arterial channels. Quickflow was relatively dilute. The quickflow composition was controlled by post mixing reactions, whose magnitude varied diurnally. A principal control of the quickflow composition was suspended-sediment concentration. In contrast, the composition of delayed flow remained relatively constant throughout the ablation season. The proportion of quickflow early in the ablation season ranged from 0-40%, and increased to 60-70%
during periods of maximum runoff.