The Glaciofluvial Environment of Linnébreen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Date
2012-07-03
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Abstract
Suspended sediment concentrations (SSC), meltwater discharge and local
climatic conditions of the Linné glaciofluvial system were monitored from July 21 to
August 9, 2010 in order to determine the temporal relationships between local
climate, glacier melting and sediment production. ISCO water samplers were
installed along the main meltwater channel to record SSC. SSC was directly related
to discharge of the glaciofluvial system, which was in turn dependent on melt of the
Linné glacier. The relationship between SSC and climatic conditions can be linked to
the rate of glacier melt, which is in turn controlled by local climatic conditions. Of all
the observed weather conditions, precipitation had the highest impact on glacier melt
and discharge and therefore had the highest correlation to SSC. During periods
without precipitation, solar radiation was the greatest influence on glacier melt and
SSC. Measured SSC and calculated sediment load for the season from the Lower
(distal) site was substantially less than the measured SSC and calculated sediment
load at the Upper (proximal) site. The differences between the two sampling sites
indicate that the glaciofluvial system immediately downvalley of the glacier is acting
as a sediment sink. This study has established that increased SSC is largely due to
increased precipitation. The presence of a pro-glacial sediment sink interrupts the
sediment signal produced by the glacier and complicates the sediment record
downvalley in Lake Linné.
Description
Keywords
sediment, flux, Linne, meltwater