Northern Rivers Research Articles

LOW FLOW ON THE RIVERS OF THE EUROPEAN PART OF RUSSIA AND ITS HAZARDS

This paper reviews the changes in river flow of the European part of Russia during the low-flow period, characterizing groundwater flow feeding. River flow oscillations were analyzed for winter and summer periods. Statistical analyses of average low flow and the minimum monthly summer and winter discharges for 1946–1977 and 1978–2010 showed significant positive trends for all parameters of low-water period. The greatest increase is observed in the Middle Volga, where low flow has almost doubled. The low flow discharges increased by up to 50–70 % in the center of the European part of Russia and the Upper Don and its tributaries, ranging from 0 to 30 % for the northern rivers. Despite the low flow increase, the lack of water in 2010 and 2014 caused economic damage. It is shown that the observed hydrological hazards occur as a result of snow melt draughts and water management instability.

Physically based modeling of many-year dynamics of daily streamflow and snow water equivalent in the Lena R. basin

The applicability of a procedure, developed previously for evaluating runoff hydrographs of northern rivers, to the largest Russian river—the Lena—which flows under severe conditions of the Northeastern Siberia, is examined. The procedure is based on the land surface model SWAP in combination with input data derived from global databases of land surface parameters and meteorological forcing data derived from observations at meteorological stations located in the basins of the rivers or near them. Also studied was the ability of the model SWAP to reproduce the many-year dynamics of the values of snow water equivalent averaged over the Lena basin and their distribution over the basin area.

Physically based simulating long-term dynamics of diurnal variations of river runoff and snow water equivalent in the Kolyma River Basin

The potentialities of the technique, developed previously for simulating the runoff hydrographs of northern rivers, as applied to the Kolyma R., flowing under the severe conditions of the Northeastern Siberia, are examined. The technique is based on a land surface model SWAP with input data based on meteorological forcing data derived from observations from meteorological stations and on global data sets of land surface parameters. The ability of the SWAP model to reproduce the long-term dynamics of basin-averaged snow depth and snow water equivalent was also studied.

Water Discharge and Sediment Load Changes in China: Change Patterns, Causes, and Implications

In this research, monthly hydrological and daily meteorological data were collected across China for the period 1956–2012. Modified Mann–Kendall tests, double mass curve analysis, and correlation statistics were performed to identify the long-term trends and interrelation of the hydrometeorological variables and to examine the influencing factors of streamflow and sediment. The results are as follows: (1) In the last 60 years, the streamflow in northern China has shown different decreasing trends. For the southern rivers, the streamflow presented severe fluctuations, but the declining trend was insignificant. For the streamflow in western China, an increasing trend was shown. (2) In the northern rivers, the streamflow was jointly controlled by the East Asian monsoon and westerlies. In the southern rivers, the runoff was mainly influenced by the Tibet–Qinghai monsoon, the South Asian monsoon, and westerlies. (3) Sediment loads in the LCRB (Lancang River Basin) and YZRB (Yarlung Zangbo River Basin) did not present significant change trends, although other rivers showed different degrees of gradual reduction, particularly in the 2000s. (4) Underlying surface and precipitation changes jointly influenced the streamflow in eastern rivers. The water consumption for industrial and residential purposes, soil and water conservation engineering, hydraulic engineering, and underlying surface changes induced by other factors were the main causes of streamflow and sediment reduction.

Variation of the use of marine resources by Galaxias maculatus in large Chilean rivers

The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of use of marine resources in recruitment of Southern Hemisphere native riverine fish Galaxias maculatus from rivers across a latitudinal gradient. To do this, we analysed the concentrations of δ34S in vertebral column tissues from fish collected in ten Chilean river systems across latitudes 36°–47°S. The analyses of δ34S signatures in these rivers suggest that the use of marine resources by riverine populations of G. maculatus in large river systems in Chile is variable, with marine resources playing a limited role in more northern large rivers, characterised by warmer temperatures and predictable flow regimes and floodplain inundations. This is in contrast to life histories described for G. maculatus in rivers from New Zealand and Australia, where riverine populations are believed to be characterised by an obligatory recruitment phase in marine environments. Recruitment of G. maculatus in Chilean large rivers appears to depend on their freshwater productivity driven by climate as well as both longitudinal (headwaters lakes-estuary) and lateral (main channel-floodplains) hydrologic connectivities.

Impacts of bridge piers on the initiation of ice cover – an experimental study

Abstract Ice jams in northern rivers during winter period significantly change the flow conditions due to the extra boundary of the flow. Moreover, with the presence of bridge piers in the channel, the flow conditions can be further complicated. Ice cover often starts from the front of bridge piers, extending to the upstream. With the accumulation of ice cover, ice jam may happen during early spring, which results in the notorious ice jam flooding. In the present study, the concentration of flowing ice around bridge piers has been evaluated based on experiments carried out in laboratory. The critical condition for the initiation of ice cover around bridge piers has been investigated. An equation for the critical floe concentration was developed. The equation has been validated by experimental data from previous studies. The proposed model can be used for the prediction of formation of ice cover in front of a bridge pier under certain conditions.

Controls on chemical weathering on a mountainous volcanic tropical island: Guadeloupe (French West Indies)

Guadeloupe Island is a natural laboratory, ideally suited to the study of biogeochemical processes in tropical and mountainous volcanic environments. The island’s east–west rainfall gradient (1200–8000mm/yr) is superimposed on a north–south age gradient (2.7Ma to present), providing a unique opportunity to investigate the influence of rainfall and rock age on the chemical weathering of volcanic terrains. Taking advantage of this configuration, we present the first temporal survey (2007–2013) of the geochemical composition of the dissolved load of rain and river waters in Guadeloupe.Our data demonstrate that the chemical composition of river water is influenced by rainfall abundance, hydrothermal alteration (from active or fossilized volcanic systems) and interactions between water and minerals during chemical weathering processes. The contribution of rain to the overall chemical balance is especially significant in the older northern part of the island, where the ferralitic soils are base-cation-depleted. Between 15% and 65% of the Ca or Mg riverine budgets comes from atmospheric deposits, highlighting the major role of rainfall in the geochemical budgets of small tropical and mountainous watersheds. The river water dataset indicates that different chemical weathering processes dominate the budget depending on the age of the local bedrock. In the younger, southern part of the island, a pool of easily-weatherable andesitic minerals from the bedrock dominates. The contribution from this pool decreases significantly (to 5–15wt.% of the bulk soil) towards the older terrains in the north. The northern rivers are characterized by low Ca/Mg ratios (0.5–1.0), intermediate between those of fresh rocks (1.7–3.3) and soil (0.1). Weathering in the northern part of the island is therefore dominated by the dissolution of depleted secondary minerals into soils. The Ca/Mg ratio of the river water increases from north to south, eventually reaching values similar to those of the bedrocks, arguing for congruent dissolution of the youngest volcanic rocks.The magnesium isotopic composition of river water (δ26Mg) reflects inputs from both rain and weathering processes. In southern and central rivers, the Mg isotopic value of waters after correction for rain inputs (δ26Mgwea) is systematically depleted in heavy isotopes (mean value of −0.34‰) relative to that of the bedrock (−0.24‰ to −0.15‰). In the north, the δ26Mgwea of the river water (−0.09‰) is heavier than that of the andesitic bedrock, possibly reflecting the dissolution of 26Mg-rich secondary minerals (ferralitic soil measured around +0.13‰). The robustness of δ26Mg and Ca/Mg as proxies of the degree of soil weathering should be investigated further via more detailed sampling campaigns in the future.By combining high-frequency monitoring of river discharge with measurements of concentration–discharge relationships for a wide range of chemical elements, we estimate the mean annual chemical weathering fluxes for three rivers that belong to the OBSERA critical zone observatory. Fluxes vary from 51.7 to 91.8t/km2/yr north to south along the bedrock age gradient, and are among the highest recorded in volcanic tropical regions. Flash floods can explain 21–31% of the annual chemical weathering fluxes. The results highlight the importance of monitoring rivers over periods of several years in order to obtain accurate estimates of chemical exports in tropical and mountainous environments.

Predicted Hydrochemical State of Water at the Kanku HPP Reservoir

The article examines issues of predicting the hydrochemical state of water in the reservoir and lower pool of the future Kanku HPP on the Timpton River in South Yakutia. The impact of having various sources of organic and biogenic substances enter the water from the submerged floor of the future reservoir is determined by calculation. Stream runoff is determined to be the principal factor for the entry of organic and biogenic substances into the water of the Kanku reservoir. A tentative assessment is made for the hydrochemical state of water in the lower pool. It is assumed that the water quality in the lower pool of the Timpton River will improve, as compared to water in the reservoir. Northern rivers have a lower self-purification capacity, however, which should be taken into account when designing and constructing hydroelectric plants in Yakutia, and assessment of water quality must be approached on a case-by-case basis, with due regard for the physical and geographical features of the region.

Spatial distribution of water quality parameters of rivers around Erhai Lake during the dry and rainy seasons

Surface water from 18 rivers (including the buffer zone and lakeside area) around Erhai Lake was sampled in the dry and rainy seasons of 2013. The water quality was measured and the spatial variations of selected water quality parameters were determined. The results indicated that the following five parameters, ρ(TN), ρ(NO3 −-N), ρ(NH3-N), ρ(TP), and ρ(CODMn), in the surface water of the 18 rivers changed seasonally. The average value of ρ(TN), ρ(NO3 −-N), ρ(NH3-N), ρ(TP), and ρ(CODMn) in the rainy reason was higher than that in the dry season, respectively. The average value of ρ(TN) in three rivers (Mijuhe, Yonganjiang, and Luoshijiang rivers) flowing into the lake from the north was clearly higher than that in rivers flowing into the lake from the west. In contrast, the average value of ρ(TP) in the three northern rivers was lower than that in the western rivers. In the dry season, the distribution of ρ(TP) had a significant positive correlation with the distribution of ρ(TN), but this was not significant in the rainy season. The average value of ρ(CODMn) was within the Class I of “Surface Water Environmental Quality Standards of China”.

Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase and inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase activities in three mammalian species: aquatic (Mirounga angustirostris), semi-aquatic (Lontra longicaudis annectens) and terrestrial (Sus scrofa)

Aquatic and semiaquatic mammals have the capacity of breath hold (apnea) diving. Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) have the ability to perform deep and long duration dives; during a routine dive, adults can hold their breath for 25 min. Neotropical river otters (Lontra longicaudis annectens) can hold their breath for about 30 s. Such periods of apnea may result in reduced oxygen concentration (hypoxia) and reduced blood supply (ischemia) to tissues. Production of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) requires oxygen, and most mammalian species, like the domestic pig (Sus scrofa), are not adapted to tolerate hypoxia and ischemia, conditions that result in ATP degradation. The objective of this study was to explore the differences in purine synthesis and recycling in erythrocytes and plasma of three mammalian species adapted to different environments: aquatic (northern elephant seal) (n = 11), semiaquatic (neotropical river otter) (n = 4), and terrestrial (domestic pig) (n = 11). Enzymatic activity of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) was determined by spectrophotometry, and activity of inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) and the concentration of hypoxanthine (HX), inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP), adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP), adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP), ATP, guanosine 5′-diphosphate (GDP), guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP), and xanthosine 5′-monophosphate (XMP) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The activities of HGPRT and IMPDH and the concentration of HX, IMP, AMP, ADP, ATP, GTP, and XMP in erythrocytes of domestic pigs were higher than in erythrocytes of northern elephant seals and river otters. These results suggest that under basal conditions (no diving, sleep apnea or exercise), aquatic, and semiaquatic mammals have less purine mobilization than their terrestrial counterparts.

Response of fish assemblages to hydromorphological restoration in central and northern European rivers

European rivers are highly degraded and restoration efforts are becoming more frequent. However, only few restoration projects have been rigorously evaluated so far. We investigated the response of fish assemblages to hydromorphological restoration measures including river widening, creation of instream structures, flow enhancement, remeandering and side-channel reconnection. We sampled 15 rivers with pairs of degraded and restored sites and calculated the effect sizes (i.e., restored–degraded) for species richness, species diversity, fish density and habitat traits. We analysed the following factors potentially affecting restoration success: (1) length of the restored river stretch, (2) time after restoration and (3) hydromorphological quality of restoration. While species diversity and density did not respond to restoration, proportion of small rheophilic fish increased and eurytopic decreased. Short-term ( 12 years) of restoration measures have a stronger effect on fish assemblages than mid-term effects. Furthermore, the hydromorphological quality and the length of the restored section are relevant for the restoration effects on the fish community. Future restoration projects should focus on more dynamic, self-sustaining habitat improvements extending over several kilometres and should be coupled with other measures such as restoring the river continuity and species reintroductions.

Run-off Hydrograph Reproduction of Northern Rivers with Use of Global Data Base

Daily run-off hydrograph calculations of nine Russian rivers according to the model of heat-moisture exchange of the underlying surface with the atmosphere SWAP are made. As an informational support three global meteorological data base were used (reanalyses NCEP/DOE, reanalyses ERA-40 and hybridizes NCEP/DOE reanalyses), as well as global data base according tom parameters of the underlying surface. It is shown, that high quality of run-off calculation of the Nothjern rivers on the base of SWAP model and global data base is possible in case of simultaneous optimization of the model parameters and reductions toward the precipitation and incoming radiation.

Simulating the formation of river runoff and snow cover in the northern West Siberia

The potentialities of a technique for simulating runoff hydrographs of northern rivers, developed earlier, are examined as applied to permafrost areas with high percentage of wetlands represented by the river basins of Taz, Pur, and Nadym in West Siberian Plain. The technique is based on the land surface model SWAP in combination with input data based on global data sets of land surface parameters and meteorological forcing data derived from observations from meteorological stations within or near the river basins. The ability of model SWAP to reproduce the many-year dynamics of basin-averaged snow depth and mean snow water equivalent in the Taz R. basin was also examined.

Gill raker counting for approximating the ratio of river- and sea-spawning whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus (Actinopterygii: Salmoniformes: Salmonidae) in the Gulf of Bothnia, Baltic Sea

Background. The ability to distinguish between stocks in mixed fisheries is a prerequisite for a sustainable fisheries management. In the Gulf of Bothnia the relative contribution of endangered river-spawning and sea-spawning whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus (Linnaeus, 1758), to fisheries catches are currently not well known. This also applies to the southern Åland Islands, a major feeding ground for river-spawning whitefish from northern rivers. River- and sea-spawning whitefish are mixed while away from the breeding grounds and off the spawning season, and cannot be distinguished based on external features. Materials and methods. Analysis on gill raker numbers of river-spawning (n = 480) and sea-spawning (n = 456) whitefish from twelve locations at the Finnish west coast and the Åland Islands was performed. In whitefish sampled from feeding grounds at the Åland Islands the strontium concentration was analysed in otoliths from fish (n = 20) with low (27) and high (30) number of gill rakers. Results. A marked difference in the mean gill raker number of the river- and sea-spawning whitefish stocks was observed. The weighted mean of gill rakers of whitefish caught at spawning locations showed that the number of gill rakers of fish from rivers and the sea were 29.9 ± 2.14  (n = 480) and 26.7 ± 2.21  (n = 456), respectively. The difference between the two groups was highly significant (t = 22.50, df = 934, P < 0.0001). The means differed by 3.20 (2.92–3.48, 95% CL) indicating the groups are well separated.  In whitefish sampled at feeding grounds at the Åland Islands, otolith strontium concentration was higher (t = 2.09, df = 18, P = 0.04) in fish having 27 gill rakers (3.86 ± 0.30 mg · g–1, n = 10), compared to those having 30 gill rakers (3.54 ± 0.35 mg · g–1, n = 10).  Otolith strontium analysis thereby supported the utility of gill raker counting data for estimating the proportion of river- and sea-spawning whitefish in mixed populations. As expected, the gill raker counting method successfully indicated temporal alterations in the proportions of river- and sea-spawning whitefish on feeding grounds. Conclusion. Gill raker counting is an easy, fast, and inexpensive method that can be used to estimate the spatiotemporal occurrence and migratory patterns of river- and sea-spawning whitefish at the southern feeding grounds in the Gulf of Bothnia, and thereby aid in a sustainable management of whitefish stocks.

Ability of a land surface model to predict climate induced changes in northern Russian river runoff during the 21st century

Abstract. The objective of the present study is application of the land surface model SWAP to project climate change impact on northern Russian river runoff up to 2100 using meteorological projections from the atmosphere–ocean global climate model INMCM4.0. The study was performed for the Northern Dvina River and the Kolyma River characterized by different climatic conditions. The ability of both models to reproduce the observed river runoff was investigated. To apply SWAP for hydrological projections, the robustness of the model was evaluated. The river runoff projections up to 2100 were calculated for two greenhouse gas emission scenarios: RCP8.5 and RCP4.5 prepared for the phase five of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). For each scenario, several runoff projections were obtained using different models (INMCM4.0 and SWAP) and different post-processing techniques for correcting biases in meteorological forcing data. Differences among the runoff projections obtained for the same emission scenario and the same period illustrate uncertainties resulted from application of different models and bias-correcting techniques.

Occurrence of a Sharksucker ('Echeneis naucrates') on a Northern River Shark ('Glyphis garricki') in a tidal riverine habitat

Remoras (family Echeneidae) are teleost fishes adapted to hitchhiking behaviour on a variety of marine taxa. Three species have been documented in the waters of the Northern Territory, including the Sharksucker ('Echeneis naucrates'). Sharks are a preferred host for adult 'E. naucrates'. An additional host species, the Northern River Shark ('Glyphis garricki'), is reported here. A small (178 mm total length) 'E. naucrates' was found attached to a 'G. garricki' in tidal reaches of the West Alligator River in Kakadu National Park in October 2014. This is the first report of an echeneid fish on a shark of the genus 'Glyphis' ('river sharks').

Western Disturbances: A review

AbstractCyclonic storms associated with the midlatitude Subtropical Westerly Jet (SWJ), referred to as Western Disturbances (WDs), play a critical role in the meteorology of the Indian subcontinent. WDs embedded in the southward propagating SWJ produce extreme precipitation over northern India and are further enhanced over the Himalayas due to orographic land‐atmosphere interactions. During December, January, and February, WD snowfall is the dominant precipitation input to establish and sustain regional snowpack, replenishing regional water resources. Spring melt is the major source of runoff to northern Indian rivers and can be linked to important hydrologic processes from aquifer recharge to flashfloods. Understanding the dynamical structure, evolution‐decay, and interaction of WDs with the Himalayas is therefore necessary to improve knowledge which has wide ranging socioeconomic implications beyond short‐term disaster response including cold season agricultural activities, management of water resources, and development of vulnerability‐adaptive measures. In addition, WD wintertime precipitation provides critical mass input to existing glaciers and modulates the albedo characteristics of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, affecting large‐scale circulation and the onset of the succeeding Indian Summer Monsoon. Assessing the impacts of climate variability and change on the Indian subcontinent requires fundamental understanding of the dynamics of WDs. In particular, projected changes in the structure of the SWJ will influence evolution‐decay processes of the WDs and impact Himalayan regional water availability. This review synthesizes past research on WDs with a perspective to provide a comprehensive assessment of the state of knowledge to assist both researchers and policymakers, and context for future research.

Characteristics and Spatial Segregation of Sympatric Saugers and Walleyes in the Ottawa River, Canada

AbstractFew comparative studies exist on the sympatric populations of Saugers Sander canadensis and Walleyes S. vitreus, especially in northern rivers. Depth‐stratified, standardized index netting surveys were conducted in the Ottawa River, Canada—a large, fragmented northern river. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine whether Saugers and Walleyes were spatially segregated within river reaches; (2) assess whether relative abundances of the two species were correlated within river reaches and ascertain factors affecting their relative abundances; (3) determine whether life history characteristics in this northern river were within the variation reported for each species; and (4) evaluate whether there was synchrony in year‐class strength between the two species and identify the factors affecting year‐class strength. Saugers and Walleyes were spatially segregated, specifically by depth. Probability of capture was greatest in the 20–35‐m depth stratum for Saugers and in the 6–12‐m depth stratum for Walleyes. Relative abundances of Saugers and Walleyes were correlated and were positively related to reach characteristics (i.e., mean and maximum depth, reach length, and river kilometers upstream from the confluence) but negatively related to thermal conditions (i.e., growing degree‐days, water temperature at preferred depths, and human population in proximity to the river). Life history characteristics were within the literature‐reported ranges except for Saugers, which were older with a smaller length at 50% maturity. Year‐class strengths of Saugers and Walleyes were synchronous at the reach and river levels and were positively correlated with mean annual temperature but negatively correlated with mean annual river flow. Saugers and Walleyes can coexist within large water bodies. Recruitment synchrony suggests that spawning management efforts could benefit both species, which could be advantageous when managing the Sauger, a lesser studied species. However, life history differences advocate that harvest regulations (e.g., size limits) must be species specific in order to be effective.Received June 13, 2013; accepted January 27, 2015

Studying snow cover in European Russia with the use of remote sensing methods

Abstract. Satellite data are used to study water balance in large river basins in the East European Plain. For this purpose, the accuracy of estimates of snow water equivalent (SWE) based on microwave remote sensing data was evaluated through the comparison of these data with SWE measurements in open and forested areas. The errors of the SWE estimates, evaluated as their relative root-mean-square deviations from the measured values, are maximal in the Northern Dvina basin (53%); for the Oka and Don river basins, the errors are 35 and 33%, respectively. The main problems of remote sensing for northern river basins occur due to the thick canopy and the high snowpack, whose height exceeds the penetration depth. For the southern regions and midland river basins, a priority problem is due to the presence of liquid water in the snowpack during thaws.

Hydrochemistry and its controlling factors of rivers in the source region of the Yangtze River on the Tibetan Plateau

This study focuses on the chemical composition, and the factors controlling it, of the high mountain-rivers in the source region of the Yangtze River on the Tibetan Plateau. By comprehensive and systematic analysis, the chemical signatures, spatial variations of water quality, as well as the factors controlling them are studied. The value of the average total dissolved solids (TDS) is 778mg/l, ranging from 117 to 5496mg/l. In order of decreasing concentration, the main cations are Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+, while the main anions are Cl−, HCO3−, SO42−, and NO3−. Na+ and Cl− are the dominant ions, accounting for 74.2% and 63.7% of the total cations and anions, respectively, followed by Ca2+ and HCO3−, which account for 14.3% and 25%, respectively. The Piper diagram shows the main water type to be a Cl−·HCO3−–Na+·Ca2+ type. From the Gibbs boomerang model, we conclude that the chemistry of the river water is controlled by lithogenic weathering processes. The Na-normalized ratio end-member diagram indicates that the weathering of silicates and carbonates is relatively significant, on the whole. There exists pronounced regional heterogeneity in the water chemistry and the factors affecting it. The northern rivers, including Chumaer He, Beilu He, and Ranchiqu, are mainly affected by evaporation and crystallization processes, while the southern rivers (Tuotuo He, Gaerqu, and Buqu) show effects from the weathering of carbonates and silicates.