Geochemical evidence of ions’ sources and influences of meteorological factors on hydrochemistry of glacier snow meltwater in the source region of the Yangtze River

This study discusses the hydrochemical components of glacier snow meltwater using the correlation analysis, factor analysis, enrichment factor, and the Gibbs diagram. Water samples were collected from June to September in 2016 and 2017. The results obtained the monthly changes for anions and cations in Yuzhufeng (YZG) and Jianggudiru Glacier (JGG) were notably, with highest concentration of ions recorded in September. The effect of seasonal variation on the chemical characteristics of glacier snow meltwater was determined by studying the interaction between the glacier snow meltwater and the control source. The change of hydrochemical characteristics and hydrological cycle is positive in cold areas under the climate warming. The hydrochemical characteristics of glacier snow meltwater in study area were mainly contributed by crustal sources such as evaporates and carbonate rocks. Certainly, a small part of human input cannot be ignored. There was a close relationship between temperature and hydrochemical characteristics, and the relationship between meteorological factors and other ions except K+ was not clear. It is concluded that the water chemistry of glacier snow meltwater in the Alpine region is mainly controlled by the temperature factor-led ablation.