Concentration-Discharge Patterns Across the Gulf of Alaska Reveal
Geomorphological and Glacierization Controls on Stream Water Solute
Generation and Export
Abstract
High latitude glacierized coastal catchments of the Gulf of Alaska (GoA)
are undergoing rapid hydrologic changes in response to climate change
and glacial recession. These catchments deliver important nutrients in
the form of both inorganic and organic matter to the nearshore marine
environment, yet are relatively understudied with respect to
characterization of the solute generation processes and total yields.
Using multiple linear regression informed by Bayesian Information
Criterion analysis we empirically demonstrate how watershed
characteristics affect solute generation as represented by
concentration-discharge relationships. We find that watershed mean slope
and relief control solute generation and that solute yields are
influenced most by glacier coverage. We contribute a new flux and
concentration-discharge based conceptualization for understanding solute
cycles across a hydroclimatic gradient of GoA watersheds that can be
used to better understand future watershed responses to rapid hydrologic
change.