First snow, glacier and groundwater contribution quantification in the upper Mendoza River basin using stable water isotopes

Crespo, Sebastián; Fernandoy, Francisco; Cara, Leandro; Klarian, Sebastián A.; Lavergne, Céline

doi:10.1080/10256016.2020.1797713

Cited by 19 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In the Mendoza River basin (Central Andes, Argentina), Crespo et al, found clear differences in ionic and stable isotope chemistry between the main mountain ranges of the catchment basin related to different precipitation systems (Pacific and Atlantic moisture) and geological settings [32]. In another study in the same catchment basin, Crespo et al [20] showed that glacial input accounted for 50%, periglacial 15%, groundwater 18% and snowmelt 17% of the total contribution [20]. In that study, Crespo et al [20] highlighted that more than 83% of water input originates from "not-snow" water source in dry periods in the Mendoza River basin and pointed out the importance of quantifying the water source contribution from a large diversity of sources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…In another study in the same catchment basin, Crespo et al [20] showed that glacial input accounted for 50%, periglacial 15%, groundwater 18% and snowmelt 17% of the total contribution [20]. In that study, Crespo et al [20] highlighted that more than 83% of water input originates from "not-snow" water source in dry periods in the Mendoza River basin and pointed out the importance of quantifying the water source contribution from a large diversity of sources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…This extraordinary event occurred in the hottest decade of the last 100 years and would seem to have no analogy in the last millennium, according to precipitation and streamflow reconstructions in the area [6,7]. Long-term climate projections also do The socio-economic development and subsistence of the region is strongly linked to the meltwater from the Andes, which also includes the buffering effect of glaciers in dry periods [19,20]. However, this information has not been estimated in this basin yet for other water sources than snowmelt.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As was proposed by Peña and Nazarala [22] for the whole Central Andes, this cryoforms contribute to approximately 67% of the total summer flow. The glacial melt streamflow buffer effect limits the drought, so droughts in the Central Andes do not reach more critical situations [19,20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Differences in glacio-genesis features and melting conditions provide distinct air and sediment contact times of each water source and thus different chemical characteristics in terms of ionic and stable isotope water composition [20,32]. This specific chemical composition could allow the identification of every water source and the quantification of their input contribution for each season.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Where Does the Chilean Aconcagua River Come from? Use of Natural Tracers for Water Genesis Characterization in Glacial and Periglacial Environments

Crespo

Lavergne

Fernandoy

et al. 2020

Water

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The Aconcagua river basin (Chile, 32 °S) has suffered the effects of the megadrought over the last decade. The severe snowfall deficiency drastically modified the water supply to the catchment headwaters. Despite the recognized snowmelt contribution to the basin, an unknown streamflow buffering effect is produced by glacial, periglacial and groundwater inputs, especially in dry periods. Hence, each type of water source was characterized and quantified for each season, through the combination of stable isotope and ionic analyses as natural water tracers. The δ18O and electric conductivity were identified as the key parameters for the differentiation of each water source. The use of these parameters in the stable isotope mixing “simmr” model revealed that snowmelt input accounted 52% in spring and only 22–36% during the rest of the year in the headwaters. While glacial supply contributed up to 34%, both groundwater and periglacial exhibited a remarkable contribution around 20% with some seasonal variations. Downstream, glacial contribution averaged 15–20%, groundwater seasonally increased up to 46%, and periglacial input was surprisingly high (i.e., 14–21%). The different water sources contribution quantification over time for the Aconcagua River reported in this work provides key information for water security in this territory.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Where Does the Chilean Aconcagua River Come from? Use of Natural Tracers for Water Genesis Characterization in Glacial and Periglacial Environments

Crespo

Lavergne

Fernandoy

et al. 2020

Water

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Isotopic signature of a glacial influenced hydrological system in northern Patagonia, Argentina

Sepúlveda

Echegoyen

Martín

et al. 2022

Hydrological Processes

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High glacial mountain environments around the world are important water reservoirs and are extremely sensitive to the effects of climate change. Considering that climate change affects snow accumulation and glacial melting, it is essential to understand the runoff generation and hydrological dynamics in these type of systems. Andean glaciers have shown a retreating and thinning pattern since the start of the 21st century. Regarding this, the stable isotopic composition of waters is useful to assess the contributions from different sources (i.e., glaciers, precipitation, and tributaries' inputs) to rivers. Several Patagonian mountain rivers have Andean glaciers in their headwaters, one of which is the Manso River. In this basin, over the last 30 years, the Ventisquero Negro Glacier (Manso Glacier's regenerated tongue) experienced a rapid thinning and recession that generated a proglacial lake, called Manso proglacial Lake. In this study, topographic effects upon the stable isotopic composition of river waters (δ2H and δ18O) are recognized, particularly, the altitude effect. The stable isotope composition of the Manso River varies downstream, evolving to a composition more enriched in heavy isotopes in the lower basin, likely due to altitude effects and the progressive evaporation that mainly occurs in the lakes' surfaces that the river crosses. Results show that glacial meltwater is the major water contributor in the upper basin during early fall. In the rest of the basin the stable isotopic composition of the Manso River is mainly controlled by the lakes' isotopic signatures and is highly influenced by two tributary rivers. The concordance between isotopic models and hydrological data demonstrates that stable isotopes constitute a valuable tool to quantify the contribution of different water sources. This has the potential to be particularly useful in areas where discharge data is unavailable.

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Review: Hydrogeology of Northern Mendoza (Argentina), from the Andes to the eastern plains, in the context of climate change

et al. 2022

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First snow, glacier and groundwater contribution quantification in the upper Mendoza River basin using stable water isotopes

Cited by 19 publications

References 21 publications

Where Does the Chilean Aconcagua River Come from? Use of Natural Tracers for Water Genesis Characterization in Glacial and Periglacial Environments

Where Does the Chilean Aconcagua River Come from? Use of Natural Tracers for Water Genesis Characterization in Glacial and Periglacial Environments

Isotopic signature of a glacial influenced hydrological system in northern Patagonia, Argentina

Review: Hydrogeology of Northern Mendoza (Argentina), from the Andes to the eastern plains, in the context of climate change

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