JF Aus,

It appears most of the meltwater from polar and glacier ice contributes directly to sea level rise, with only a small fraction evaporating into the atmosphere or becoming part of groundwater systems. Here's a breakdown of what happens to this meltwater:

1. Direct runoff: The majority of meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets flows into the ocean, raising sea levels.

2. Evaporation and sublimation: A small portion of the meltwater evaporates into the atmosphere or sublimates (turns directly from ice to vapour), but this is relatively minor compared to runoff.

3. Groundwater infiltration: Some meltwater seeps into the ground, joining the groundwater system, but this also accounts for a minor part of the total melt.

The following research indicates that more than 90-95% of meltwater ends up in the ocean, with less than 5-10% evaporating or infiltrating the ground. This varies based on regional conditions and climate factors.

The IPCC provides comprehensive assessments of sea level rise and the role of melting ice. Their Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) and Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) offer detailed analyses. (http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1, http://www.ipcc.ch/srocc)

The NSIDC provides extensive data and research on the cryosphere, including glacier melt dynamics and its impact on sea level rise. Their resources frequently cite studies that quantify meltwater contributions. (http://nsidc.org/cryosphere)

The USGS provides information on glacier contributions to sea level rise and the processes involved, including evaporation. (http://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-would-sea-level-change-if-all-glaciers-melted)

Several peer-reviewed studies provide specific measurements and models of glacier and ice sheet melt, such as:

Bamber, J. L., & Aspinall, W. P. (2013). "An expert judgement assessment of future sea level rise from the ice sheets." Nature Climate Change, 3(4), 424-427. (http://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate1778)

Rignot, E., Velicogna, I., Van Den Broeke, M. R., Monaghan, A., & Lenaerts, J. T. M. (2011). "Acceleration of the contribution of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets to sea level rise." Geophysical Research Letters, 38(5). (http://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2011GL046583)