Hydrological changes and chemical weathering through time in the southwestern Alps using isotopes from siliceous microalgae

The Alps, the ‘water towers of Europe,’ contribute significantly to the accumulation and supply of water in the continent. However, each year they are faced with floods, summer droughts and landslide events. The Mediterranean basin, meanwhile, stands to lose between 20 % and 30 % of precipitation by 2100, putting water resources at risk. What the future holds is unclear. The EU-funded Hydro-ALPS project seeks to offer new insights on climate projections and strategies for water resources. It will examine hydrological changes by measuring oxygen and silicon isotopes from diatoms extracted from lacustrine sediments and chemical weathering of the crystalline bedrock. Project work will help local areas to better understand climate change and encourage stakeholders to adopt new water resource strategies.