CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Falcone, M.; Edwards, T.W.D.; and Wolfe, B.B.
Date : 2003.
Title : Hydrology of the Peace-Athabasca delta using water isotope tracers.
Publication : Canadian Geophysical Union - Hydrology Section Student Conference, Department of Geography, University of Toronto at Mississauga. Friday, December 5, 2003.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
Water isotope tracers (18O and 2H) are being employed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary hydrology of lakes in the Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD), one of the largest freshwater deltas in the world. Characteristic patterns of isotopic variability around and along a Local Evaporation Line (LEL), a well-defined linear trend in d18O-d2H-space, demonstrate lake-specific responses to precipitation, river input, and evaporation. For example, displacement above the LEL is due to dilution by recent summer rainfall, whereas displacement below suggests snowmelt input. Overall, closed-basin lakes undergo systematically high seasonal and inter-annual water balance variability, reflected by isotopic enrichment due to evaporation and depletion caused by precipitation events. Lakes susceptible to flooding and with channelized connections are also influenced by isotopically-depleted river input. Lake-specific water level data and high-resolution local climate records will contribute to developing quantitative estimates of lake water balances using isotope-mass balance models. Results will further understanding of hydroclimatic controls on the PAD, necessary for constraining isotope-based paleohydrological reconstructions from lake sediment records and anticipating hydrologic responses to ongoing climate change and variability.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology