Abstract ID: 3.13877 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Alpine springs are vital freshwater sources but are increasingly vulnerable to climate change. The ECOSPRING project (Qualitative and quantitative impacts of climate change on alpine spring waters and their microbial biodiversity – an eco-hydrogeological approach) is a collaboration between the University of Graz, the University of Vienna, Geosphere Austria, and the Climate Change Center Austria (CCCA). Supported by the Austrian Academy of Sciences, this research investigates how climate change affects spring hydrology, water quality, and microbial biodiversity in Austria.
Our study integrates hydrogeological, geochemical, and microbial analyses to assess seasonal variations in temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, stable water isotopes, nutrient fluxes, major ions, and dissolved organic matter. These parameters provide insights into processes shaping spring water quality and quantity.
Microbial communities play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems and serve as indicators of environmental change. By linking microbial composition to hydrogeochemical conditions, we aim to identify mechanisms driving biodiversity shifts in spring waters. Additionally, the project contributes to a national groundwater fauna biodiversity initiative, focusing on stygobiont invertebrates. The research spans multiple spatial and temporal scales. Locally, three Styrian springs were monitored monthly for the duration of 2024 to capture fine-scale seasonal dynamics. Nationally, we sampled 84 springs at high-flow conditions in spring and early summer 2024, with 34 representative springs resampled in autumn/early winter 2024 to assess expected low-flow conditions. Despite unusually high autumn discharge, the dataset remains robust for analyzing seasonal trends and inter-site variability. A 2021 regional study in Styria provided baseline data by sampling 15 springs three times, complementing ECOSPRING findings with finer temporal resolution.
Preliminary results show seasonal and spatial variability in spring water chemistry and microbial communities, with distinct microbial compositions in hydrologically stable vs. fluctuating springs. Future analyses will further explore these interactions to enhance our understanding of spring vulnerability to climate change and human pressures.
Ultimately, this research will enhance sustainable water resource management strategies, advancing the conservation and understanding of alpine spring ecosystem vulnerability in a changing climate.