Character and rate of denudation in a High Arctic glacierized catchment (Ebbaelva, Central Spitsbergen)

A series of investigations of water and sediment discharge from the glacierized Ebba River catchment (53 km2, located in the Billefjorden area in the central part of Spitsbergen) was carried out during the ablation seasons of 2008–2010. The study included hydrometric measurements at the catchment closing profile, identification of meteorological factors, and specification of the suspended and dissolved sediment load and of the water's chemical composition. The study evidenced a typical water regime for proglacial rivers, as well as its diversification in subsequent ablation seasons being determined mainly by thermal conditions. Moreover, during the study, the chemical (1 t km −2 d −1) and mechanical denudation (2.7 t km −2 d −1) indices were calculated. These rates documented the independent nature of the water supply system and the water and matter dynamics of the glacierized catchment.