Abstract:As one of the regions with the densest glacier distribution globally,Mount Qomolangma area exerts sig-nificant impact on downstream ecosystems,water resource utilization and agricultural irrigation through its meltwa-ter.This study aimed to investigate the water variation characteristics of glacial runoff in this area.6 water tempera-ture monitoring points were established along the Zhagaqu River,which was fed by the Rongbuk Glacier on the northern slope of Mount Qomolangma.High-frequency monitoring was conducted continuously for 7 days,and me-teorological data were integrated to analyze the spatio-temporal variation in water temperature and their driving fac-tors.The results indicated that water temperature of the Zhagaqu River increased with decreasing altitude,demon-strating significant spatial heterogeneity.In higher-altitude areas(5023~5147 m),the water temperature iwas domi-nated by solar radiation,showing a significant positive correlation with shortwave radiation,while in lower-altitude areas(4321~4700 m),the water temperature was dominated by air temperature,exhibiting greater fluctuation,and was influenced by multiple factors such as heat exchange and tributary inflow,resulting in occasionally anomalous high-temperature events.In addition,the maximum water temperature in higher-altitude areas was observed between 13:00 and 16:00,while in lower-altitude areas it was delayed between 15:00 and 18:00,showing a time lag of ap-proximately 2~3 hours.This study reveals the dynamic variation patterns and primary controlling factors of meltwa-ter temperature at different altitudes in glacial runoff in Mount Qomolangma area,which could enrich the under-standing of meltwater temperature variability of glacial runoff and its mechanisms in high-altitude areas,and pro-vide a scientific basis for the meltwater resource management of glacial runoff and aquatic ecosystem protection un-der climate change.
