Observations of cryoconite hole system processes on an Antarctic glacier
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| Format: | Artículo científico |
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Sociedad de Biología de Chile
2012
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| author | SHELLEY A. MACDONELL |
| author_facet | SHELLEY A. MACDONELL |
| contents | Observations of cryoconite hole system processes on an Antarctic glacier SHELLEY A. MACDONELL SEAN J. FITZSIMONS Biología solute meltwater Biogeochemistry drainage system glacier hydrology Cryoconite holes are water-fi lled depressions that form on glacier surfaces when uneven distributions of sediment cause differential melting to occur. Cryoconite holes are important features of cold glacier systems, as they enhance meltwater generation, enable the development of complex drainage networks and facilitate the growth of microbial communities on the glacier surface. This paper describes the development of a cryoconite hole hydrological network on an Antarctic glacier, and explores the implications for nutrient storage and deliver y within the glacier system. Field measurements included measuring the internal dimensions and repeat mapping of cryoconite holes across the glacier surface, and laborator y analysis included cation and anion analysis on clean ice and cr yoconite hole samples. Results showed the distribution of cr yoconite holes was determined by surface topography and local ablation rates. Planar surfaces are characterised by the highest density of cr yoconite holes. Cryoconite holes are rare within supraglacial channels and surfaces with high ablation rates. The negative correlation between cr yoconite hole density and ablation rate means that the glacier surface need to be relatively stable in order for the cr yoconite hole to develop and persist. Furthermore, cryoconite holes are likely to contribute up to 1/3 of the meltwater generated on planar surfaces, however not all of this water is stored in the holes. Water may be drained via channels, cracks and intergranular drainage, however the relative importance of each is not yet known. As cryconite holes are relatively nutrient rich compared with clean glacier ice, the nature of connections between cryoconite holes are important for determining nutrient deliver y both across the glacier, and to the proglacial region. 2012 artículo científico 0716-078X https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=369944303003 en http://www.redalyc.org/revista.oa?id=3699 Revista Chilena de Historia Natural application/pdf Sociedad de Biología de Chile Revista Chilena de Historia Natural (Chile) Num.4 Vol.85 |
| format | Artículo científico |
| id | redalyc_369944303003 |
| institution | Redalyc |
| language | en |
| publishDate | 2012 |
| publisher | Sociedad de Biología de Chile |
| spellingShingle | Observations of cryoconite hole system processes on an Antarctic glacier SHELLEY A. MACDONELL Biología solute meltwater Biogeochemistry drainage system glacier hydrology Observations of cryoconite hole system processes on an Antarctic glacier SHELLEY A. MACDONELL SEAN J. FITZSIMONS Biología solute meltwater Biogeochemistry drainage system glacier hydrology Cryoconite holes are water-fi lled depressions that form on glacier surfaces when uneven distributions of sediment cause differential melting to occur. Cryoconite holes are important features of cold glacier systems, as they enhance meltwater generation, enable the development of complex drainage networks and facilitate the growth of microbial communities on the glacier surface. This paper describes the development of a cryoconite hole hydrological network on an Antarctic glacier, and explores the implications for nutrient storage and deliver y within the glacier system. Field measurements included measuring the internal dimensions and repeat mapping of cryoconite holes across the glacier surface, and laborator y analysis included cation and anion analysis on clean ice and cr yoconite hole samples. Results showed the distribution of cr yoconite holes was determined by surface topography and local ablation rates. Planar surfaces are characterised by the highest density of cr yoconite holes. Cryoconite holes are rare within supraglacial channels and surfaces with high ablation rates. The negative correlation between cr yoconite hole density and ablation rate means that the glacier surface need to be relatively stable in order for the cr yoconite hole to develop and persist. Furthermore, cryoconite holes are likely to contribute up to 1/3 of the meltwater generated on planar surfaces, however not all of this water is stored in the holes. Water may be drained via channels, cracks and intergranular drainage, however the relative importance of each is not yet known. As cryconite holes are relatively nutrient rich compared with clean glacier ice, the nature of connections between cryoconite holes are important for determining nutrient deliver y both across the glacier, and to the proglacial region. 2012 artículo científico 0716-078X https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=369944303003 en http://www.redalyc.org/revista.oa?id=3699 Revista Chilena de Historia Natural application/pdf Sociedad de Biología de Chile Revista Chilena de Historia Natural (Chile) Num.4 Vol.85 |
| title | Observations of cryoconite hole system processes on an Antarctic glacier |
| topic | Biología solute meltwater Biogeochemistry drainage system glacier hydrology |
| url | https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=369944303003 |