Here's the PPT of the presentation I made at our GEM (Geography, Environmental Science, Marine Resource Management) program seminar on 22 November 2016.
Been there, done that - check this out.
Download Campana_GEOG_Seminar_2016
The abstract of my original presentation in 2013:
In response to global warming, some mountain glaciers are melting at accelerated rates in various
regions. These mountain glaciers provide humanity and ecosystems with 'free storage' of fresh water and parcel out water to maintain and replenish freshwater supplies. During warm seasons, the glacial meltwater nourishes lower‐elevation ecosystems and human settlements alike. Replenishment of the frozen glacial water normally occurs during the cooler seasons; the cycle then repeats itself. However, the specter of global warming suggests that these glaciers will melt completely, some relatively quickly, thus eliminating them as a reliable, perennial source of freshwater with potentially disastrous effects for lower elevations. But before the freshwater melts completely and runs off to the oceans or internal basins, can some of it be stored in the subsurface? Such groundwater storage would not be a permanent, sustainable solution to freshwater shortages, but might provide a buffer to permit the development of alternatives to ensure survival of ecosystems and humans. The presentation will explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of subsurface storage to salvage glacial meltwater runoff, and speculate where such schemes might work.
Who knows? One of these days....Soon...
“If climate change is a shark, water is its teeth.” - Gemma Poag
Dear Andres,
Thanks for your comments.
I do not know the percentage but the sites we will examine are ones where the meltwater discharges to the sea. Some of it will undoubtedly recharge terrestrial aquifers so we will need to take that into account.
We have not yet done the calculation on isostatic adjustment due to the new water added to the oceans. We have not gotten that far yet. My gut feeling is that it won't be important.
Thanks again.
Posted by: Michael | Saturday, 26 November 2016 at 07:42 PM
What percentage of land based glacial melt naturally winds up in a land based water table, and how much reaches the sea? What amount of isostatic reaction is produced per cubic tonnes of water added to the sea bed with the introduction of the new water?
Posted by: Andrea Silverthorne | Saturday, 26 November 2016 at 06:57 PM