Insights into the streamwater age in the headwater catchments covered by glaciers and permafrost, Central Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

Improving our understanding of streamwater age knowledge is critical for revealing the complex hydrological processes in alpine cryosphere catchments. However, few studies on water age have been conducted in alpine cryosphere catchments due to the complicated and inclement environment. In this study, the Buqu catchment, a typical alpine catchment covered by glaciers and permafrost on the central Tibetan Plateau (TP), was selected as the study area. Using the sine-wave approach and a gamma model based on the seasonal cycle of stable isotopes in water, the young water fraction (Fyw) and mean transit time (MTT) of the Buqu catchment outlet and 23 sub-catchments was estimated to comprehensively reveal the potential driving mechanism of water age variability. The streamwater MTT for the entire catchment was 107 days, and 15.1 % of the streamwater was younger than 41 days on average. The estimated water age showed significant spatial heterogeneity with shorter water ages in high-elevation and glacier catchments and longer water ages in low-elevation and non-glacier catchments. Precipitation was the primary driver for spatial variations in water age, while the thickness of the permafrost active layer may function as an intermediate hub to drive water age variability. Mechanically, the thickness of the permafrost active layer controls the water ages by modifying the flow direction and length of water flow path. Spatially, this control mechanism is indirectly driven by the elevation gradient. The TDS concentration in streamwater is significantly related to water age, thus revealing a close link between water quality and hydrology. Our findings suggest that cryosphere retreats likely alter water age, thereby slowing water circulation rates and affecting water quality security under global warming. This study provides insights into the evolution of water ages, thereby deepening our understanding of the hydrological processes and guiding the protection of water resources in alpine headwater catchments.