Hydro-Geochemical Water Inputs Identification in Glacierized Basin Hydrology

Abstract

Mining activities are usually placed in the upper basin regions, especially in developingcountries, with economies that strongly rely on natural commodities. Although glaciersdo not occupy a large area of these mountain ranges, they deliver vital water for downstreampopulations. This is especially relevant during drought periods, when winterprecipitation is strongly diminished and ice melt becomes relevant. They are also a keyresource for highland wetland ecosystems and paradoxically at the same time for thedevelopment of mega-mining projects. Regularly, for environmental impact assessmentsand relevant public consultations, it will be stated that water from glaciers does not constitutean important source within the basin system, even though this has not been accuratelyquantified. Different water sources, given by spatial, geological, and hydrologicalfeatures, can be identified using a combination of ionic and isotopic information fromwater, thus allowing to establish their proportions downstream, where water from differentorigins is mixed, and also to track their evolution over seasons. This approach shouldbe useful especially for basins with strong pressures for the exploitation and consumptionof water in mountainous basins and also with special relevance for basins with littleor no knowledge of their water system and reservoirs.