Evidence of rock glacier melt impacts on water chemistry and diatoms in high mountain streams

Thies, Hansjörg; Nickus, Ulrike; Tolotti, Monica; Tessadri, Richard; Krainer, Karl

doi:10.1016/j.coldregions.2013.06.006

Cited by 77 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…There, peculiar white coated stream stones with high values of arsenic, copper, nickel, uranium, and yttrium have been found. As the coated stones were only found downstream of the Krummgampen rock glacier, we argue that the formation of such coatings are very likely related to the presence of an active rock glacier which releases highly concentrated waters into a high mountain stream (Thies et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The high element concentrations in the Lazaun rock glacier ice core indicate that melt waters draining from an active rock glacier can impact the water quality of nearby high mountain freshwaters as has been observed at other sites in the European Alps (e.g. Thies et al, 2007;Thies et al, 2013;Nickus et al, 2015). Recently, another potential impact of a rock glacier on a high mountain stream has been discovered in the Krummgampen catchment (Tyrol, Austria).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here we report on the characteristics of peculiar stone coatings in a high mountain stream at Krummgampen (Tyrol, Austria), which is impacted by an active rock glacier (Thies et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…for aluminium and nickel (Thies et al, 2007(Thies et al, , 2013Nickus et al, 2015). The catchments of these freshwaters are characterized by the presence of active rock glaciers and melting of this widespread form of mountain permafrost is discussed as the most likely cause for observed pronounced changes in high mountain freshwater chemistry (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Peculiar arsenic, copper, nickel, uranium, and yttrium-rich stone coatings in a high mountain stream in the Austrian Alps

Thies¹,

Nickus²,

Tessadri³

et al. 2018

AJES

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Peculiar coatings rich in arsenic, copper, nickel, uranium, and yttrium were found to cover stones in a high mountain stream downstream of the confluence of small acidic tributaries, which emerge at the front of the Krummgampen rock glacier (Ötztal Alps, Tyrol, Austria). The hard mineral coatings are characterized by a white color, a x-ray amorphous structure and showed properties of hydrous aluminium silicates like allophane (Al O (SiO ) x n H O) and/or imogolite (Al SiO (OH) ). Main constituents of the coatings are aluminium, silica, and sulfur. Contrary to high concentrations of arsenic, copper, nickel, uranium, and yttrium in the stream stone coatings, corresponding element values are below the limit of detection both in the Krummgampen stream and -except for nickel and traces of copper -also in acidic outflows from the rock glacier. Stone coatings are neither present in rock glacier outflows nor in the Krummgampen stream upstream of the rock glacier, nor in other streams in the catchment. The coatings are interpreted as a precipitate on or an accretion to stone surfaces in the Krummgampen stream, which is characterized by moderate solute concentrations and a neutral pH. In acidic outflows of the rock glacier high concentrations of dissolved sulfate, calcium, magnesium, silica, aluminium, manganese, and nickel prevail. Some constituents of stream stone coatings like arsenic, copper, nickel, uranium, and yttrium have also been measured in paragneiss rocks in the catchment of the rock glacier which are characterized by heavily weathered accessory minerals monazite, xenotime, and pyrite. It is therefore very likely that minerals which occur in the bedrock of the catchment represent a major source for elements accumulated in stream stone coatings even though processes like element release from the ice-rock matrix in the rock glacier, transport to and accumulation on Krummgampen stream stone surfaces are not yet completely understood.____________________________________________________

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Peculiar arsenic, copper, nickel, uranium, and yttrium-rich stone coatings in a high mountain stream in the Austrian Alps

Thies¹,

Nickus²,

Tessadri³

et al. 2018

AJES

Self Cite

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“…This can be due to the release of ions stored in ground ice (Kokelj et al, 2002;Kokelj and Burn, 2003) or, on longer timescales, caused by exposure of new material to leaching, as previously frozen deposits ) become hydraulically more permeable. In some cases, water originating from areas of inferred permafrost degradation has been shown to contribute to exceeding guideline values for drinking water quality with respect to selected heavy metals (Thies et al, 2007(Thies et al, , 2013. Based on the dilution with direct run-off and water from non-permafrost areas, these effects on water quality are likely most pronounced in small and arid catchments.…”

Section: Persistence and Impacts Of Permafrost Thaw In The Hkhmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review article: Inferring permafrost and permafrost thaw in the mountains of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region

et al. 2017

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Abstract. The cryosphere reacts sensitively to climate change, as evidenced by the widespread retreat of mountain glaciers. Subsurface ice contained in permafrost is similarly affected by climate change, causing persistent impacts on natural and human systems. In contrast to glaciers, permafrost is not observable spatially and therefore its presence and possible changes are frequently overlooked. Correspondingly, little is known about permafrost in the mountains of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, despite permafrost area exceeding that of glaciers in nearly all countries. Based on evidence and insight gained mostly in other permafrost areas globally, this review provides a synopsis on what is known or can be inferred about permafrost in the mountains of the HKH region. Given the extreme nature of the environment concerned, it is to be expected that the diversity of conditions and phenomena encountered in permafrost exceed what has previously been described and investigated. We further argue that climate change in concert with increasing development will bring about diverse permafrost-related impacts on vegetation, water quality, geohazards, and livelihoods. To better anticipate and mitigate these effects, a deepened understanding of high-elevation permafrost in subtropical latitudes as well as the pathways interconnecting environmental changes and human livelihoods are needed.

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The differing biogeochemical and microbial signatures of glaciers and rock glaciers

et al. 2016

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Glaciers and rock glaciers supply water and bioavailable nutrients to headwater mountain lakes and streams across all regions of the American West. Here we present a comparative study of the metal, nutrient, and microbial characteristics of glacial and rock glacial influence on headwater ecosystems in three mountain ranges of the contiguous U.S.: the Cascade Mountains, Rocky Mountains, and Sierra Nevada. Several meltwater characteristics (water temperature, conductivity, pH, metals, nutrients, complexity of dissolved organic matter (DOM), and bacterial richness and diversity) differed significantly between glacier and rock glacier meltwaters, while other characteristics (Ca 2+ , Fe 3+ , SiO 2 concentrations, reactive nitrogen, and microbial processing of DOM) showed distinct trends between mountain ranges regardless of meltwater source. Some characteristics were affected both by glacier type and mountain range (e.g., temperature, ammonium (NH 4 + ) and nitrate (NO 3 À ) concentrations, and bacterial diversity). Due to the ubiquity of rock glaciers and the accelerating loss of the low-latitude glaciers, our results point to the important and changing influence that these frozen features place on headwater ecosystems.

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Evidence of rock glacier melt impacts on water chemistry and diatoms in high mountain streams

Cited by 77 publications

References 26 publications

Peculiar arsenic, copper, nickel, uranium, and yttrium-rich stone coatings in a high mountain stream in the Austrian Alps

Peculiar arsenic, copper, nickel, uranium, and yttrium-rich stone coatings in a high mountain stream in the Austrian Alps

Review article: Inferring permafrost and permafrost thaw in the mountains of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region

The differing biogeochemical and microbial signatures of glaciers and rock glaciers

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