Author(s): J. J. Gibson; T. D. Prowse
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Abstract: Isotope stratigraphy of river-ice covers can be applied to reconstruct time-series of the stable isotopic composition of winter streamflow, although careful attention to ice type, morphology and location of sampling is required to obtain useful results. Ice surveys conducted in the Liard River Basin, northwestern Canada, suggest that the isotopic composition of winter streamflow is relatively invariant along the main river stem. However, systematic isotopic enrichment is observed over the course of the winter for small tributaries draining discontinuous-permafrost wetlands. Although consistent with a decrease in the proportion of flow derived from groundwater versus surface-water sources, further study is required to verify the underlying physical processes associated with this response.
Year: 1998