2022/09/01 by Caroline Clason, Sally Rangecroft, Philip N. Owens +9 · 3 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics #Climate change and permafrost #Cryospheric studies and observations
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/aog.2023.14
openalex publication_date 2022/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Abstract Mountain glaciers are crucial sources of fresh water, contributing directly and indirectly to water, energy and food supplies for hundreds of millions of people. Assessing the impact of diminishing glacial meltwater contributions to the security of this resource is critical as we seek to manage and adapt to changing freshwater dynamics in a warming world. Both water quantity and quality influence water (in)security, so understanding the fluxes of water, sediment and contaminants through glacial and proglacial systems is required for holistic assessment of meltwater contribution to downstream resource security. In this paper we consider the socio-environmental role of and pressures on glacier-fed waters, discuss key research priorities for the assessment of both the quantity and quality of meltwater and reflect on the importance of situating our understanding within a transdisciplinary and inclusive research landscape.