Multi‐year high‐frequency sampling provides new runoff and biogeochemical insights in a discontinuous permafrost watershed

Permafrost-underlain watersheds in the subarctic are sensitive to warming as small changes ground thermal status will alter all components of hydrological cycle. Globally, observed increases winter flows and shifting water chemistry have most often been ascribed permafrost thaw deepening runoff pathways. However, there remain few studies headwater catchments that examine coupled flow-chemistry relations at high frequency over multiple years seasons evaluate implications environmental change. In this study, we use multi-year high-frequency measurement discharge, specific conductance (SpC) chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) along with traditional grab sampling major ions understand sources pathways how distinct solutes mobilized a well-studied basin Yukon, Canada. Seasonally, catchment exhibited considerable hysteresis flow-solute had both chemostatic dilution SpC–Q patterns respect depending upon season mobilization CDOM–Q signals. Storm events were extracted from data normalized C–Q indices determined related flow, meteorological variables. predominantly an anti-clockwise DOC concentrations during storms, some exception spring fall. Conversely, clockwise behaviour less seasonal or inter-annual variability. Information study supports previous conceptual models thermally regulated generation layered soil profile, yet also points importance lateral connectivity distal solutes.