Glacier retreat due to climate warming reduces glacial erosion. However, other hydrological factors may cause a transient increase in sediment delivery, known as 'peak sediment'. This study analyzed suspended sediment concentration time series from 11 Andean rivers (1960s-present) to understand past changes and infer future behavior. Anomalously high sediment concentrations occurred recently and in the 1970s, with the latter being higher. Analysis suggests the peak sediment generated by anthropogenic deglaciation, starting two centuries ago, has likely passed its maximum for most glacierized catchments.
Publisher
Communications Earth & Environment
Published On
Oct 26, 2024
Authors
Iván Vergara, René Garreaud, Ian Delaney, Álvaro Ayala
Tags
glacier retreat
sediment delivery
Andean rivers
climate warming
hydrology
deglaciation
sediment concentration
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