Temporal dynamics of water quality and microbial community composition in alpine springs

Springs are vital water sources, and their vulnerability to environmental changes, particularly climate change, is of growing concern. The collaborative research project ECOSPRING, funded by the Austrian Academy of Sciences, focuses on the assessment of microbial communities and water quality patterns in selected springs all over Austria. Here, we will focus on understanding the response and vulnerability to hydrological events and climate change.

The first aim of the project is to characterize the springs based on their temporal dynamics in terms of physical-chemical characteristics. A detailed analysis of the dynamics in discharge, temperature, pH, EC, stable isotopes, essential nutrients, and major ions will provide valuable insights into the geological imprint and prevailing hydrological conditions, as well as on catchment areas.

Microbes are an integral component of aquatic ecosystems and can serve as sensitive indicators for environmental conditions. We will compare the microbial community composition in relation to the hydrogeological and physicochemical conditions.

Our research activities target two spatial scales, from a local perspective, with 14 springs in the province of Styria studied monthly, to a regional approach by sampling around 100 springs distributed all over Austria twice, in winter/spring and summer/autumn marking the expected hydrological extremes.

In the initial stages of our research, we gathered data from 15 selected springs of Styria. These springs exhibit a wide and dynamic spectrum in their physical-chemical properties. Together with records of discharge, springs could be categorized into stable, intermediate, and highly dynamic systems. Our preliminary results indicate a connection between these fluctuating physical-chemical conditions and the composition of the spring water microbiome. The underlying mechanisms driving these observed patterns are yet not fully understood and await further investigations.

In summary, this research project seeks to enhance our understanding of the vulnerability of spring waters to anthropogenic pressures such as climate change. The findings will provide a knowledge base for future water resources management and contribute to the sustainable use of these vital resources.