Suspended sediment dynamics in the Morteratsch pro-glacial zone, Bernina Alps, Switzerland

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

STOTT, T.

Physical Geography and Outdoor Education, John Moores Univ., Liverpool, Royaume-Uni

NUTTALL, A.-M.

Geoscience, School of Biological and Earth Sciences, John Moores Univ., Liverpool, Royaume-Uni

EDEN, N.

School of the Built Environment, John Moores Univ., Liverpool, Royaume-Uni

SMITH, K.

School of Biological and Earth Sciences, John Moores Univ., Liverpool, Royaume-Uni

MAXWELL, D.

School of Biological and Earth Sciences, John Moores Univ., Liverpool, Royaume-Uni

Description :
This paper aims to : examine melt season suspended sediment storage and release patterns in relation to hydrological conditions in the proglacial zone of a rapidly retreating European Alpine glacier; and 2) evaluate the findings in the light of past daily mean river flow records. The Morteratsch valley is located in the Bernina massif, within the eastern part of the Swiss Alps. Suspended sediment concentration measured during July 2007 was closely associated with discharge. The results emphasise the rapid change in suspended sediment transport and yields with distance from the glacier snout and highlight the importance of measurements as close to the glacier snout as possible if data are to be representative of the glaciated land up-valley. A better understanding of the processes of sediment exchange is essential to improve predictions of the impacts of climate change and the subsequent effects on aquatic ecology.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Geografiska annaler. Series A. Physical geography, issn : 0435-3676, 2008, vol. 90, n°. 4, p. 299-313, nombre de pages : 15, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2008

Editeur :
Pays édition : Suede, Stockholm, Svenska sällskapet för antropologi och geografi

Langue :
Anglais