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RESEARCH

Climate Change

Climate change studies in Loch Vale have documented increasing air temperatures, earlier snowmelt, and earlier runoff. These changes may have important impacts on water availability, water quality, and ecosystem function.

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• Water Resources
• Presentation — Changes in the Timing of Snowmelt in Colorado (PDF, 5.83 MB)

Carbon Cycling

Carbon cycling has been studied in Loch Vale since the 1980s. Research indicates that wetlands in Loch Vale are now releasing more carbon than they are storing, and respiration occurs even during winter through deep snowpacks.

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• Carbon Cycling Studies
• Papers — Wintertime Carbon Fluxes (PDF, 2.4 MB)
• Paper — Methane Fluxes in Loch Vale (PDF, 1.95 MB)
• Paper — CO2 Fluxes at an Alpine Wetland (PDF, 2.2 MB)

Mineral Weathering

Mineral weathering is a natural process that occurs in soil and helps neutralize acid rain. Thin, patchy soils in Loch Vale make this area sensitive to acid deposition. Mineral weathering also consumes atmospheric carbon dioxide, and over geologic time scales, it is the principal mechanism for regulating climate.

Learn More:

• Weathering
• Paper — Mineral Weathering in Loch Vale (PDF, 550 KB)
• Presentation — Mineral Weathering in Loch Vale (PDF, 3.22 MB)

Nitrogen Deposition

Nitrogen emissions from automobiles, industry, and agriculture are transported to Loch Vale through the atmosphere. When deposited on vegetation, soil, and water, excess nitrogen can lead to increased nutrient concentrations in lakes and streams, and changes in the type and abundance of aquatic life and vegetation.

Learn More:

• Paper — Nitrogen Fluxes in Loch Vale (PDF, 1.21 MB)
• Synthesis paper — Effects of Nitrogen Deposition in the Rocky Mountains (PDF, 450 KB)
• Paper — Pathways for Nitrogen Release (PDF, 200 KB)
• Paper — Nitrogen Deposition in the Rocky Mountain Region (PDF, 400 KB)
• Presentation — Nitrogen Deposition (PDF, 3.89 MB)

Mercury Deposition

Mercury is emitted to the atmosphere by a variety of natural processes and anthropogenic activities. Mercury deposition to alpine environments can be large, and is bioaccumulated in fish.

Learn More:

• Paper on Mercury Transport in Loch Vale (PDF, 425 KB)
• Presentation — Mercury in Rocky Mountain National Park (PDF, 3.15 MB)

Groundwater in Alpine Terrain

Alpine/subalpine catchements like Loch Vale tend to have thin, patchy soils and little alluvial material. However, talus cones and permafrost may provide substantial underground storage capacity for water.

Learn More:

• Permafrost
• Paper — Groundwater in Loch Vale (PDF, 1.5 MB)
• Presentation — Groundwater in Loch Vale (PDF, 3.29 MB)

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