STUDY SITES
Three Alpine catchments with different proportions of glaciers and rock glaciers cover, representing different stages of deglaciation, are investigated:
Futschöl (Jamtal, Upper Paznaun Valley, Tyrol): highly glaciarized, several rock glaciers
Lazaun (Schnalstal/Val Senales, South-Tyrol): residual glaciers (After Peak Water), several rock glaciers
Madritsch/Madriccio (Martelltal/Val Martello, South-Tyrol): no glaciers, residual ice fields, several rock glaciers
Overall, 15 sampling sites, will be analyzed as follows:
Detailed geological and geomorphological characterization;
Intensive hydrological monitoring and seasonal chemical monitoring, including trace elements, of streams fed by active and relict rock glaciers, glaciers, and groundwater;
Characterization of the biological communities and assessment of trace element uptake and bioaccumulation in the foodwebs;
Metagenomic analyses of microbial trace metal resistance and trace metal-related metabolic pathways; Biosafety of trace metal-resistance;
Numerical modelling to estimate present hydrological and hydrochemical conditions in the study areas, and conceptual modelling of future ecological conditions in Alpine streams based on different climate scenarios.