Changes in climatic conditions for the formation of ice regime in the rivers of the Lake Sevan basin
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction. Studying the ice regime of Armenian rivers is a serious scientific and practical task due to the country’s unique climatic conditions. This article examines the potential impact of climate change on the properties and processes associated with river ice, discusses future results, and their implications. The Introduction. Studying the ice regime of Armenian rivers is a serious scientific and practical task due to the country’s unique climatic conditions. This article examines the potential impact of climate change on the properties and processes associated with river ice, discusses future results, and their implications. The article presents the ice regime characteristics of rivers in the Lake Sevan basin at gauging stations over the entire observation period and under current climatic conditions. Research methods and materials. The initial data were collected from stationary observations at hydrological posts and meteorological stations up to 2023/2024. An inverse relationship was established between the duration of freeze-up and its onset dates, as well as a direct relationship between the duration of freeze-up and its end dates, which can be used to preliminarily calculate the duration of freeze-up. Research results. It was confirmed that the dates of the first ice phenomena and the establishment of stable ice occur later, while rivers clear of ice earlier. There is a tendency for the duration of ice phenomena, freeze-up, and maximum ice thickness to decrease. It was found that all currently operating meteorological stations in the basin (Semenovka, Sevan, Sorzha, Masrik, Martni, and Gavar) show a trend toward increasing air temperatures during the cold season (November–March), total positive temperatures, and the number of days with above-zero temperatures, while negative temperatures tend to decrease. Conclusion. The obtained relationships and tabular information can be used to characterize ice conditions and assess their potential changes on the country’s rivers. The need to consider climate change when designing and constructing infrastructure on rivers with seasonal ice cover is emphasized. The results of the scientific research can be used in monitoring and forecasting work related to river and reservoir development, as well as in providing hydrological and hydrometeorological support for the design, construction, and operation of hydraulic structures and water management facilities in the Lake Sevan basin. The obtained results will be useful for solving problems related to the adaptation of economic sectors related to the use of surface water bodies, especially rivers, in winter conditions, as well as for hydrological calculations and forecasts by hydrologists and other specialists involved in water bodies. The research results may be useful in implementing strategic objectives for the development of water sectors in the region's socioeconomic and environmental complex.
Authors: Varduhi Margaryan, Ekaterina Gaidukova
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7162142003
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