ICEtoFLUX – HydrologIcal changes in ArctiC Environments and water-driven biogeochemical
The ICEtoFLUX project aims to study and quantify hydrological dynamics and their physical, chemical, and biological effects in the Arctic environment. The project focuses on the Bayelva River basin (Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard), from its glaciers, Austre- and Vestre-Broggerbreen, in the upper reaches, through the proglacial system, to Kongsfjorden, where the river flows, influencing the fjord's waters and currents with meltwater flows associated with the transport of both solid and dissolved material.
Thanks to the multidisciplinary tools and expertise of the partnership (IGG and ISP for the CNR, the Polytechnic University of Turin, and the University of Bari), hydrological-hydrogeological, geophysical, geochemical, chemical-environmental, microbiological, and numerical modeling activities are planned, aimed at studying the main components of the hydrological cycle to quantify Arctic hydrological processes and their related abiotic and biotic transport.
The experimental phase begins in 2022 with the melt season and will be largely repeated in the 2023 melt season. In situ activities consist of: flow measurements on selected glacial drainages; continuous hydrometric/piezometric and physicochemical monitoring of the Bayelva River and groundwater contained in the "active layer" (in piezometers built in the active layer down to the permafrost); geophysical surveys to investigate potential areas of active groundwater even beneath the permafrost; vertical physicochemical profiles at selected sites within the fjord; sampling of rainwater, winter snowpack, glacier meltwater, and fjord water for subsequent organic and inorganic chemical (including emerging pollutants), isotopic, microbial biomass, and suspended solids analyses.
The modeling component will define the relationships between meteorological variables (acquired by existing monitoring equipment) and the water quantity and quality parameters measured in this project, with a view to providing forecasts on the evolution of the system under study.
The data from the experimental and modeling activities will increase knowledge of changes affecting the hydrosphere of the Polar Regions and their impacts on the quality and quantity of water resources. These results will certainly be of interest to Arctic populations and the scientific community studying the climate effects in these regions and their feedback on the global climate.
The results of ICEtoFLUX will also be relevant and reported to numerous international projects, groups, and platforms, including SIOS, NySMAC, Kongsfjorden System Flagship, etc.