Analysis of solute transport by the relationship between solute concentration and meltwater discharge in a snowpack [스노우팩 내에서 융설 배출수와 용질 농도 간의 상관관계를 통한 용질의 이동 해석]

Abstract

Understanding of how atmospherically derived solutes transport in a snowpack is crucial for management of variations of surface water quality and maintenance of healthy ecological environment. To better understand how the meltwater generated at the snow surface transport to the bottom of the snowpack, we review the relationship between discharge and solute concentration. While the discharge of meltwater increases at the bottom of the snow, the solute concentration decrease (negative relationship), but increases with increasing of the discharge (positive relationship), which has been reported in several studies. These relationships have not been quantitatively explained, but Mobile-Immobile Model (MIM) helps in explaining the relationships. In the MIM, the hydraulic exchange rate constant between mobile and immobile water increased with increasing of meltwater velocity in the snow. The relationships were explained by that the solutes stay either mobile or immobile phase and the solutes exist either in the whole snow or only at the surface of the snow. The mechanisms may be relevant to solute transport processes in unsaturated soil and may shed light on explanation of concentration-discharge relationships observed from lysimeters and streams. © 2020 The Geological Society of Korea. All rights reserved.