Articles | Volume 28, issue 16
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3897-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3897-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
26 Aug 2024
Research article |
| 26 Aug 2024
| 26 Aug 2024
Projected future changes in the cryosphere and hydrology of a mountainous catchment in the upper Heihe River, China
Zehua Chang
Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education of China), School of Geographical Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education of China), School of Geographical Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Leilei Yong
Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education of China), School of Geographical Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Kang Wang
Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education of China), School of Geographical Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Rensheng Chen
Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
Chuntan Han
Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
Otgonbayar Demberel
Department of Geography and Geology, Khovd branch of National University of Mongolia, Khovd, 84140, Mongolia
Batsuren Dorjsuren
Department of Environment and Forest Engineering, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, 210646, Mongolia
Shugui Hou
School of Oceanography (SOO), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), No. 1954 Huashan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China
Zheng Duan
Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
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Leilei Yong, Yahui Wang, Batsuren Dorjsuren, Zheng Duan, and Hongkai Gao
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3062, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3062, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS).
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Topography and vegetation critically influence hydrology but are often underrepresented in models, especially in cold, data-scarce regions like Mongolia. Using a stepwise FLEX framework, we assessed their roles in two river basins. Distributed (FLEXD) and landscape-based (FLEXT) models outperformed lumped versions. High elevations showed delayed melt sustaining flow, while low elevations responded rapidly to rain. Study confirms topography/vegetation as key hydrological controls.
Qiumei Ma, Chengyu Xie, Zheng Duan, Yanke Zhang, Lihua Xiong, and Chong-Yu Xu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-679, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-679, 2025
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We propose a method to estimate the reservoir WLS curve based on the capacity loss induced by sediment accumulation and further assess the potential negative impact caused by outdated design WLS curve on flood regulation risks. The findings highlight that when storage capacity is considerably reduced, continued use of the existing design WLS curve may significantly underestimate, thus posing potential safety hazards to the reservoir itself and downstream flood protection objects.
Hongkai Gao, Markus Hrachowitz, Lan Wang-Erlandsson, Fabrizio Fenicia, Qiaojuan Xi, Jianyang Xia, Wei Shao, Ge Sun, and Hubert H. G. Savenije
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 4477–4499, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4477-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4477-2024, 2024
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The concept of the root zone is widely used but lacks a precise definition. Its importance in Earth system science is not well elaborated upon. Here, we clarified its definition with several similar terms to bridge the multi-disciplinary gap. We underscore the key role of the root zone in the Earth system, which links the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and anthroposphere. To better represent the root zone, we advocate for a paradigm shift towards ecosystem-centred modelling.
Jiaxing Liang, Hongkai Gao, Fabrizio Fenicia, Qiaojuan Xi, Yahui Wang, and Hubert H. G. Savenije
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-550, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-550, 2024
Preprint archived
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The root zone storage capacity (Sumax) is a key element in hydrology and land-atmospheric interaction. In this study, we utilized a hydrological model and a dynamic parameter identification method, to quantify the temporal trends of Sumax for 497 catchments in the USA. We found that 423 catchments (85 %) showed increasing Sumax, which averagely increased from 178 to 235 mm between 1980 and 2014. The increasing trend was also validated by multi-sources data and independent methods.
Hongkai Gao, Fabrizio Fenicia, and Hubert H. G. Savenije
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2607–2620, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2607-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2607-2023, 2023
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It is a deeply rooted perception that soil is key in hydrology. In this paper, we argue that it is the ecosystem, not the soil, that is in control of hydrology. Firstly, in nature, the dominant flow mechanism is preferential, which is not particularly related to soil properties. Secondly, the ecosystem, not the soil, determines the land–surface water balance and hydrological processes. Moving from a soil- to ecosystem-centred perspective allows more realistic and simpler hydrological models.
Chuntan Han, Chao Kang, Chengxian Zhao, Jianhua Luo, and Rensheng Chen
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2022-241, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2022-241, 2023
Manuscript not accepted for further review
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This paper presents analysis results of temperatures collected at three monitoring stations on a reservoir along Irtysh River. Temperatures close to ice surface were analyzed and correlated with air temperature. Ice thickness was correlated with temperatures, variations of temperature and AFDD. Regression models were proposed and compared using the dataset in this study which was then validated using data from stations in Russia and Finland.
Yetang Wang, Xueying Zhang, Wentao Ning, Matthew A. Lazzara, Minghu Ding, Carleen H. Reijmer, Paul C. J. P. Smeets, Paolo Grigioni, Petra Heil, Elizabeth R. Thomas, David Mikolajczyk, Lee J. Welhouse, Linda M. Keller, Zhaosheng Zhai, Yuqi Sun, and Shugui Hou
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 411–429, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-411-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-411-2023, 2023
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Here we construct a new database of Antarctic automatic weather station (AWS) meteorological records, which is quality-controlled by restrictive criteria. This dataset compiled all available Antarctic AWS observations, and its resolutions are 3-hourly, daily and monthly, which is very useful for quantifying spatiotemporal variability in weather conditions. Furthermore, this compilation will be used to estimate the performance of the regional climate models or meteorological reanalysis products.
Jiajia Wang, Hongxi Pang, Shuangye Wu, Spruce W. Schoenemann, Ryu Uemura, Alexey Ekaykin, Martin Werner, Alexandre Cauquoin, Sentia Goursaud Oger, Summer Rupper, and Shugui Hou
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2022-384, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2022-384, 2022
Revised manuscript not accepted
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Stable water isotopic observations in surface snow over Antarctica provide a basis for validating isotopic models and interpreting Antarctic ice core records. This study presents a new compilation of Antarctic surface snow isotopic dataset based on published and unpublished sources. The database has a wide range of potential applications in studying spatial distribution of water isotopes, model validation, and reconstruction and interpretation of Antarctic ice core records.
Junzhi Liu, Pengcheng Fang, Yefeng Que, Liang-Jun Zhu, Zheng Duan, Guoan Tang, Pengfei Liu, Mukan Ji, and Yongqin Liu
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 3791–3805, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3791-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3791-2022, 2022
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The management and conservation of lakes should be conducted in the context of catchments because lakes collect water and materials from their upstream catchments. This study constructed the first dataset of lake-catchment characteristics for 1525 lakes with an area from 0.2 to 4503 km2 on the Tibetan Plateau (TP), which provides exciting opportunities for lake studies in a spatially explicit context and promotes the development of landscape limnology on the TP.
Hongkai Gao, Chuntan Han, Rensheng Chen, Zijing Feng, Kang Wang, Fabrizio Fenicia, and Hubert Savenije
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4187–4208, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4187-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4187-2022, 2022
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Frozen soil hydrology is one of the 23 unsolved problems in hydrology (UPH). In this study, we developed a novel conceptual frozen soil hydrological model, FLEX-Topo-FS. The model successfully reproduced the soil freeze–thaw process, and its impacts on hydrologic connectivity, runoff generation, and groundwater. We believe this study is a breakthrough for the 23 UPH, giving us new insights on frozen soil hydrology, with broad implications for predicting cold region hydrology in future.
Wangbin Zhang, Shugui Hou, Shuang-Ye Wu, Hongxi Pang, Sharon B. Sneed, Elena V. Korotkikh, Paul A. Mayewski, Theo M. Jenk, and Margit Schwikowski
The Cryosphere, 16, 1997–2008, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1997-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1997-2022, 2022
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This study proposes a quantitative method to reconstruct annual precipitation records at the millennial timescale from the Tibetan ice cores through combining annual layer identification based on LA-ICP-MS measurement with an ice flow model. The reliability of this method is assessed by comparing our results with other reconstructed and modeled precipitation series for the Tibetan Plateau. The assessment shows that the method has a promising performance.
Yong Yang, Rensheng Chen, Guohua Liu, Zhangwen Liu, and Xiqiang Wang
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 305–329, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-305-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-305-2022, 2022
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A comprehensive assessment of snowmelt is missing for China. Trends and variability in snowmelt in China under climate change are investigated using historical precipitation and temperature data (1951–2017) and projection scenarios (2006–2099). The snowmelt and snowmelt runoff ratio show significant spatial and temporal variability in China. The spatial variability in snowmelt changes may lead to regional differences in the impact of snowmelt on the water supply.
Tao Xu, Hongxi Pang, Zhaojun Zhan, Wangbin Zhang, Huiwen Guo, Shuangye Wu, and Shugui Hou
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 117–127, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-117-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-117-2022, 2022
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In this study, we presented stable isotopes in atmospheric water vapor and precipitation for five extreme winter precipitation events in Nanjing, southeastern China, from December 2018 to February 2019. Our results imply that multiple moisture sources and the rapid shift among them are important conditions for sustaining extreme precipitation events, especially in the relatively cold and dry winter.
Xikun Wei, Guojie Wang, Donghan Feng, Zheng Duan, Daniel Fiifi Tawia Hagan, Liangliang Tao, Lijuan Miao, Buda Su, and Tong Jiang
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2021-418, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2021-418, 2021
Preprint withdrawn
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In this study, we use the deep learning (DL) method to generate the temperature data for the global land (except Antartica) at higher spatial resolution (0.5 degree) based on 31 different CMIP6 Earth system model(ESM). Our methods can perform bias correction, spatial downscaling and data merging simultaneously. The merged data have a remarkably better quality compared with the individual ESMs in terms of both spatial dimension and time dimension.
Yetang Wang, Minghu Ding, Carleen H. Reijmer, Paul C. J. P. Smeets, Shugui Hou, and Cunde Xiao
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 3057–3074, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3057-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3057-2021, 2021
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Accurate observation of surface mass balance (SMB) under climate change is essential for the reliable present and future assessment of Antarctic contribution to global sea level. This study presents a new quality-controlled dataset of Antarctic SMB observations at different temporal resolutions and is the first ice-sheet-scale compilation of multiple types of measurements. The dataset can be widely applied to climate model validation, remote sensing retrievals, and data assimilation.
Hongkai Gao, Chuntan Han, Rensheng Chen, Zijing Feng, Kang Wang, Fabrizio Fenicia, and Hubert Savenije
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2021-264, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2021-264, 2021
Manuscript not accepted for further review
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Permafrost hydrology is one of the 23 major unsolved problems in hydrology. In this study, we used a stepwise modeling and dynamic parameter method to examine the impact of permafrost on streamflow in the Hulu catchment in western China. We found that: topography and landscape are dominant controls on catchment response; baseflow recession is slower than other regions; precipitation-runoff relationship is non-stationary; permafrost impacts on streamflow mostly at the beginning of melting season.
Shugui Hou, Wangbin Zhang, Ling Fang, Theo M. Jenk, Shuangye Wu, Hongxi Pang, and Margit Schwikowski
The Cryosphere, 15, 2109–2114, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2109-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2109-2021, 2021
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We present ages for two new ice cores reaching bedrock, from the Zangser Kangri (ZK) glacier in the northwestern Tibetan Plateau and the Shulenanshan (SLNS) glacier in the western Qilian Mountains. We estimated bottom ages of 8.90±0.57/0.56 ka and 7.46±1.46/1.79 ka for the ZK and SLNS ice core respectively, constraining the time range accessible by Tibetan ice cores to the Holocene.
Ling Fang, Theo M. Jenk, Thomas Singer, Shugui Hou, and Margit Schwikowski
The Cryosphere, 15, 1537–1550, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1537-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1537-2021, 2021
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The interpretation of the ice-core-preserved signal requires a precise chronology. Radiocarbon (14C) dating of the water-insoluble organic carbon (WIOC) fraction has become an important dating tool. However, this method is restricted by the low concentration in the ice. In this work, we report first 14C dating results using the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fraction. The resulting ages are comparable in both fractions, but by using the DOC fraction the required ice mass can be reduced.
Lei Zheng, Chunxia Zhou, Tingjun Zhang, Qi Liang, and Kang Wang
The Cryosphere, 14, 3811–3827, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-3811-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-3811-2020, 2020
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Snowmelt plays a key role in mass and energy balance in polar regions. In this study, we report on the spatial and temporal variations in the surface snowmelt over the Antarctic sea ice and ice sheet (pan-Antarctic region) based on AMSR-E and AMSR2. Melt detection on sea ice is improved by excluding the effect of open water. The decline in surface snowmelt on the Antarctic ice sheet was very likely linked with the enhanced summer Southern Annular Mode.
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Short summary
An integrated cryospheric–hydrologic model, FLEX-Cryo, was developed that considers glaciers, snow cover, and frozen soil and their dynamic impacts on hydrology. We utilized it to simulate future changes in cryosphere and hydrology in the Hulu catchment. Our projections showed the two glaciers will melt completely around 2050, snow cover will reduce, and permafrost will degrade. For hydrology, runoff will decrease after the glacier has melted, and permafrost degradation will increase baseflow.
An integrated cryospheric–hydrologic model, FLEX-Cryo, was developed that considers glaciers,...
