Evaluating water quality of rock glacier outflows in the Western Alps, Italy: a regional perspective. in Environmental monitoring and assessment / Environ Monit Assess. 2024 Oct 24;196(11):1100. doi: 10.1007/s10661-024-13246-1.

2024
ARPA Piemonte

Tipo pubblicazione

Journal Article

Autori/Collaboratori (5)Vedi tutti...

Rogora M
National Research Council - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), L.Go Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania Pallanza, Italy. michela.rogora@irsa.cnr.it.
Giacomotti P
National Research Council - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), L.Go Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania Pallanza, Italy.
Orrù A
National Research Council - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), L.Go Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania Pallanza, Italy.

et alii...

Abstract

Intact rock glaciers (RG) are considered valuable water storage because containing permafrost ice volumes. The hydrological relevance of RG is forecasted to increase with respect to glaciers under climate change scenarios, as well as RG's role as water resources in alpine basins for multiple uses. Besides the assessment of water amount stored in intact rock glaciers, the evaluation of water quality is of primary importance. Here, we present the results of a chemical survey performed on five outflows from intact RG in 2020-2023 in the Piedmont region, Western Alps, Italy, along a latitudinal gradient and in different geological settings. The survey aimed to assess the water quality of RG outflows based on chemical indicators (major ions, nutrients, trace metals). Sampling and analyses were performed according to standard methods for freshwater samples, paying specific attention to the analytical quality and consistency of the data. We considered seasonal and interannual variability of the main chemical variables and the possible effects of RG outflows on the chemistry of lakes and ponds located in proximity to the RG. All the investigated sites were characterized by low to moderate ion content, low nutrients, and trace metals close to or below the detection limit, indicating a good water quality status. Results suggested lithology as the main factor affecting the chemical composition of RG outflows. The results of this study indicate it is advisable to develop shared protocols and joint monitoring programs for data collecting at RG outflow sites all over the Alps, possibly integrating chemical and biological indicators, with the final aim of monitoring the water quality of these valuable resources and its temporal evolution under climate change.

Accesso banca dati bibliografica

PMID : 39446165

DOI : 10.1007/s10661-024-13246-1

Keywords

Ice Cover/chemistry; Environmental Monitoring/methods; Italy; Water Quality; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis; Lakes/chemistry; Climate Change; Chemical indicators; Climate change; High-altitude ecosystems; Permafrost; Trace metals; Water quality;