Gurnell, A.M. (1982)

The dynamics of suspended sediment concentration in an Alpine pro-glacial stream network

Inproceedings
Cite key
Gurnell1982
Language
en
Journal
Hydrological Aspects of Alpine and High Mountain Areas (Proceedings of the Exeter Symposium, July 1982)
Volume
IAHS Publ. no. 138
Pages
319-330
URL
http://iahs.info/redbooks/a138/iahs_138_0319.pdf
Description
Spatial and temporal variations in suspended sediment concentration in the pro-glacial stream network of the glacier de Tsidjiore Nouve, Val d'Hérens, Valais, Switzerland are described. Substantial variations in concentration both between tributaries and down the main stream are used to identify controls on the observed concentration patterns and to improve research design. It is concluded that hourly sampling is insufficient accurately to assess sediment load in a pro-glacial stream because the temporal suspended sediment concentration pattern is characterized by rapid flushes of sediment. In addition, it is suggested that nonglacial sediment sources can rapidly disguise the pattern of sediment yield with increasing distance from the glacier snout, particularly during periods of intermediate to high discharge.