Intensity and spatio-temporal variability of fluvial sediment transfers in an Arctic-oceanic periglacial environment in northernmost Swedish Lapland (Latnjavagge catchment)

Mass Transfers and Sedimentary Budgets in Geomorphologic Drainage Basin Studies

“…The transport distance of 2300 m for fluvial solute transport is about half the medium distance between the water divide opposite to the outlet and the drainage basin outlet. Mass transfers by fluvial suspended sediment transport and fluvial bedload transport are based on an average movement of 1400 m, which is about half the medium distance between water divide and inlet Latnjajaure (lake), for suspended sediments and 250 m, based on monitoring of tracer movements, for bed load (Beylich et al, 2006b;Beylich, 2008 Fluvial solute transport clearly dominates over fluvial sediment transport. Ranking the different processes according to their annual mass transfers shows that stream work dominates over slope denudation, with fluvial solute transport being clearly the most important process.…”

“…Geomorphic processes, operating within drainage basins, transferring sediments and changing landforms are highly dependent on climate, vegetation cover and human impact and will be significantly affected by climate change (e.g. Rapp, 1985;Barsch, 1993;Evans & Clague, 1994;Haeberli & Beniston, 1998;Lamoureux, 1999;Lamoureux et al, 2007;Slaymaker et al, 2003;Orwin & Smart, 2004;Beylich et al, 2006b;Beylich & Warburton, 2007;Beylich & Kneisel, 2009;Cockburn & Lamoureux, 2007;Slaymaker, 2008). An improved quantitative knowledge of mass transfers by sedimentary transfer processes operating in present-day climates is needed to model and determine the possible consequences of predicted climate change.…”

“…In the channels dissolved, suspended and bed load is transported. Direct human impact on the natural system is presently small and is limited to reindeer husbandry (extensive grazing), some hiking tourism and field research at the Latnjajaure Field Station (LFS) (Beylich et al, 2006b;Beylich, 2008).…”

“…In addition, suspended sediment concentrations in small creeks draining the slope systems were analysed (Beylich et al, 2006b;Beylich, 2008;Beylich & Kneisel, 2009). …”

“…The importance of deflation and aeolian deposition were estimated by using sediment traps and by analysing sediment concentrations in snow cores collected along defined profiles within the drainage basins (Beylich, 2008;Beylich et al, 2006b;Beylich & Kneisel, 2009). …”