Question

Which source water source has the shortest residence time, a glacier or a river?

Answer 1

A river typically has a shorter residence time compared to a glacier. Residence time refers to the average time water spends in a particular reservoir. In glaciers, water can remain trapped for long periods, often decades to centuries, as it slowly melts and moves through the ice. In contrast, river water flows continuously through the system and generally has a much shorter residence time, often on the order of days to weeks, depending on factors like flow rate and season. Therefore, rivers are characterized by a more dynamic and fast-moving water cycle compared to the relatively static nature of glaciers.