Abstract ID: 3.10293 | Not reviewed | Requested as: Poster | TBA | TBA

Springs are a fundamental part of the mountain landscape, providing ecosystems services and valuable water resources. Among them, springs originating from rock glaciers (RGs) and permafrost-related areas are still understudied ecosystems, often due to their limited accessibility. Intact RGs are considered important water storage because they contain permafrost ice volumes. Their relevance as water resources in alpine basins for multiple use is predicted to increase with respect to glaciers under climate change scenarios. In this respect, a proper evaluation of the quality of RG outflows is needed. Moreover, RG springs represent unique habitats, with an important role in biodiversity conservation. One of the peculiar features of springs originating from RGs is the constantly low water temperature, considered as a distinct signal of the presence of ice, and suggesting a possible role of these ecosystems as climate refugia. Studies performed in different regions of the Alps have shown how RG outflows may have sharply different chemical characteristics, mainly depending on the interaction of ice and bedrock lithology. A few studies have reported critical issues, such as the presence of high concentrations of trace metals, pointing to water quality below drinking water standards. Here we present the results of a chemical survey performed on five springs from intact RGs in 2020-2024 in the Piedmont region, Western Alps, Italy, within the INTERREG project RESERVAQUA. The survey aimed to characterize and assess the water quality of the selected springs based on major ions, nutrients, and trace metals. Assemblage composition of epilithic diatoms was also analysed in a subgroup of sites, to evaluate water quality through a sensitive and widely used biological indicator. All the investigated sites were characterized by low to moderate ion content, low nutrients and organic carbon concentrations and trace metals close or below the detection limit. Lithology was the main driver of spring water chemistry, with meteo-climatic factors playing a role in seasonal and interannual variability. The results of this study prompt the need for shared protocols and joint monitoring programs on these sensitive ecosystems, possibly involving sites all over the Alps, and integrating chemical and biological indicators.