A Model for Pollutant Concentrations During Snow-Melt

Hibberd, Sarah

doi:10.3189/s0022143000008492

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The effect of such inhomogeneities is to cause pollutant and meltwater to penetrate the snowpack more quickly within the preferred channels, resulting in an earlier and less abrupt start to the meltwater runoff. Hibberd (1984) extended the kinematic wave theory for pollutant concentration during snowmelt and found the results of the model to be in agreement with experimental studies. The pollutant transport through snow involves four components: (i) movement of meltwater through snowpack, (ii) movement of pollutant in meltwater through snowpack, (iii) movement of meltwater at the base of snowpack, and (iv) movement of pollutant in snowmelt runoff.…”

Section: Solute Transport In Snowpackssupporting

confidence: 55%

Kinematic wave modelling in water resources: a historical perspective

Singh

2001

Hydrological Processes

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Abstract:The history of the kinematic wave theory and its applications in water resources are traced. It is shown that the theory has found its niche in water resources and its applications are so widespread that they may well constitute what may be termed 'kinematic wave hydrology'. Few theories have been applied in hydrology and water resources as extensively as the kinematic wave theory. This theory, however, is not without limitations and when it is applied they must be so recognized.

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Section: Solute Transport In Snowpackssupporting

confidence: 55%

Kinematic wave modelling in water resources: a historical perspective

Singh

2001

Hydrological Processes

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“…The concentration factor CF was higher in zones of low flow than in zones of high flow, but the ionic mass flux was highest in zones of high flow. The model of Hibberd [1984] can at least qualitatively describe these relationships between CF, mass flux, and flow volume.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and temporal variations in snowmelt runoff chemistry, Northwest Territories, Canada

Marsh¹,

Pomeroy²

1999

Water Resources Research

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Abstract. In order to demonstrate the spatial and temporal variations in meltwater chemistry at both the lysimeter (0.25 m 2) and basin scale, field measurements of snowmelt were conducted in northern Canada. These observations show that microscale variations in flow volume are accompanied by variations in meltwater chemistry. For example, the solute concentrations were largest in areas with low flow, while the largest mass flux occurred in the areas with highest flow. The observed variations in both concentration and mass flux can be quantitatively described by the relationships described by Hibberd [1984].The field measurements clearly demonstrate that in order to estimate the average meltwater chemistry, it is necessary to sample the flow field at a scale similar to that required to average the lateral variations in meltwater volume. Variations in meltwater runoff chemistry also occur at the basin scale due to changes in snowcover depth and the resulting differences in the timing of meltwater release. For example, at this site, meltwater release occurs up to a week earlier from the shallow snow covers than for the deeper snow covers. It would be expected that this asynchronous meltwater runoff would result in a smoothing of the ionic pulse at the basin scale, with lower peak values and a more gradual decline in concentration when compared with meltwater at a point. With these deficiencies in mind, the objective of this paper is to outline the spatial and temporal variations in meltwater flow volume and chemistry within natural snowpacks at both microscale and basin scale. Specifically, we will investigate the impact of flow variability on the CF and mass flux of meltwater and finally consider the potential role that the spatial variations in snow depth play in controlling the timing of meltwater runoff chemistry.

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“…Consider a wetting front moving through a homogeneous snowpack with (1) a uniform initial concentration profile, (2) solute initially residing in the immobile liquid phase at concentration Ci and in the solid phase at concentration Cs, and (3) meltwater generated at the surface at a constant rate. Hibberd [1984] explored two limiting cases influencing the CF of the first meltwater to reach the bottom of the snowpack: (1) where there is no dispersion and where initially immobile water is mobilized and displaced as the wetting front proceeds through the snowpack and (2) where dispersion is sufficiently large that the concentration profile behind the wetting front is uniform. These two cases are equivalent to assuming rapid mixing of mobile and immobile water in packs of infinite and zero depth, respectively.…”

Section: Peak Meltwater Ec Ofmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A conceptual model of solute release from snow that has been used by several workers is that solute is transferred from an immobile liquid phase to a mobile liquid phase as a wetting front of mobile meltwater percolates through the snowpack [Colbeck, 1981;Hibberd, 1984;Brimblecombe et al, 1987;Bales, 1991]. Consider a wetting front moving through a homogeneous snowpack with (1) a uniform initial concentration profile, (2) solute initially residing in the immobile liquid phase at concentration Ci and in the solid phase at concentration Cs, and (3) meltwater generated at the surface at a constant rate.…”

Section: Peak Meltwater Ec Ofmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interannual, seasonal, and spatial patterns of meltwater and solute fluxes in a seasonal snowpack

Harrington¹,

Bales²

1998

Water Resources Research

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Abstract. Meltwater discharge and electrical conductivity were measured in eight 1 x 1 m lysimeters, and snow accumulation and electrical conductivity of melted samples were measured in snow pits during four snowmelt seasons at Mammoth Mountain, California. The peak snow-water equivalent ranged from 0.57 to 2.92 m over the four melt seasons. Lysimeter discharges ranged from 20% to 205% of the mean flow; however, mean lysimeter flow was representative of snow ablation observed in snow pits. The electrical conductivity in snow pit samples and meltwater averaged 2-3 •S cm -1. Peak meltwater electrical conductivity ranged from 6 to 14 times the bulk premelt snowpack electrical conductivity. Snow depth did not affect the magnitude of the ionic pulse, and ion depletion as a function of snow ablation was similar from year to year despite interannual contrasts in melt rate and snow accumulation. Diel fluctuations in electrical conductivity were more pronounced in shallower snowpacks. The two main field observations of this study were (1) meltwater discharge at the base of the snowpack, observed using multiple snowmelt lysimctcrs, and (2) snow-water equivalent (SWE) and chemical load stored in the snowpack, observed in snow pits. Tracer tests were also conducted with dyes and ionic tracers. The observations span the spring melt seasons for four years (1992-1995).Data were collected at a research site located on Mammoth Mountain, California (37ø37'30"N, 119ø2'30"W; 2900 m above mean sea level), a ski resort located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada, California. The hydrology of the site is dominated by a deep winter snowpack deposited by wintertime frontal storms moving east from the Pacific Ocean, subsequent spring melt, and generally mild dry summers punctuated by sporadic local convective storms. The site is sparsely wooded with rolling terrain. Meltwater was collected in eight 1 x 1 m high-density polyethylene zero-tension lysimctcrs, six of which were equipped with electrical conductivity (EC) probes. The lysimctcrs were each bounded by 0.2-m vertical walls to prevent pressure-driven lateral flow from the basal saturated layer of the snowpack.Prior to snowfall, the lysimctcrs were rinsed with distilled 823

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A Model for Pollutant Concentrations During Snow-Melt

Cited by 15 publications

References 11 publications

Kinematic wave modelling in water resources: a historical perspective

Kinematic wave modelling in water resources: a historical perspective

Spatial and temporal variations in snowmelt runoff chemistry, Northwest Territories, Canada

Interannual, seasonal, and spatial patterns of meltwater and solute fluxes in a seasonal snowpack

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