ISO4SPRINGS - Isotope investigations for identifying the water sources and recharge areas of mountain springs in the Aosta Valley Region

According to Istat data, in 2020, approximately 85% of Italy's clean water came from groundwater, with 48.9% from wells and 35.8% from springs. Springs constitute one of the country's most valuable sources, essential for meeting the population's water requirements. Hydrological issues, including reduced discharge rates during dry months and the diminishing size of feeding glacial masses, have been reported by researchers across the Italian Alps. These patterns have been identified as interconnected with both the excessive use of groundwater and climate change impacts on recharge mechanisms. Therefore, it is crucial to examine how such mechanisms have changed in response to climate-driven factors.

However, the analysis cannot overlook understanding the recharge sources of mountain springs (i.e., rainfall contribution, snowmelt, glacial melt) and mapping the geological boundaries of recharge areas. Environmental isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen (δ18O and δD) serve as tools for tracing the origin of spring systems and supporting the design of interventions in mountainous catchments.

The objective of the research ISO4SPRINGS is to identify the dominant recharge zones of Aosta Valley Region springs (Promise, Alpe Perrot, Gabiet, Entrebin springs). This will be achieved by combining the results of environmental isotopes with laboratory geochemical analysis and time series analysis of spring discharge and available climate variables (i.e., rainfall, snow, and air temperature).