Glacial stream

[2] Glacial streams can play a significant role in energy exchange and in the transport of meltwater and sediment.

[4] These processes are dependent on a variety of factors such as plate tectonic movement, volcanic activity, and changes in atmospheric gas composition.

[6] Subglacial fluvial erosion and glacial outwash occurs from the melting of the glacier and creates water flow that can wear bedrock.

[3] The stream slope is influenced by basal topography, ice thickness and flow, and glacier ablation.

[3] A real life example of meltwater stream channel formation is shown in this video of the Fox Glacier.

Glacial streams are found globally in regions of glacier presence,[3] often located in high latitudes or alpine environments.

Glacial stream discharge fluctuates throughout the year depending on snowmelt, glacier ablation, channel boundary melt, and precipitation.

[3] Measurements of discharge increase during spring and are highest in the summer, during which warmer temperatures promote the additions of meltwater.

[10] Thus, low water temperature, variable discharge rates, unstable substrate and riverbed, and increased turbidity and sediment load are the typical condition of glacial streams.

[8] At the end of summer, ice melt is reduced and stream flow decreases, causing an increase in the periphyton population.

[11] This water source provides the stream with a well-oxygenated environment that has constant flow and stable temperatures, varying only 1-2°C during the year.

[11] Rhithral stream sources come from snowmelt, causing soft water that is made up predominantly of sodium ions.

[11] For invertebrates, Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Diptera, turbellarians, acarines, oligochaetes and nematodes are typically found in these streams.

[8] Streams that have reliable water sources and do not dry up intermittently, will likely be warmer in temperature, which will allow organisms downstream to move to higher elevations and claim new territory.

Airborne contaminants, such as some pesticides, can accumulate in alpine areas and pose health risks to aquatic organisms living in these environments.

[16] Unfortunately, insufficient research has been conducted for the environmental preferences of macroinvertebrates in alpine environments, increasing the difficulty of monitoring the changes in glacial streams.