In the central Eastern Alps, an increasing number of high-altitude streams draining ice-rich permafrost display high concentrations of toxic element such as nickel, aluminum and manganese. To assess the environmental hazard, we continuously monitor the fluxes of toxic elements exported from a site in Val Mustair, Eastern Switzerland, since 2021. This multi-disciplinary thesis project will continue and expand this flux monitoring. It includes frequent field trips (i.e. hikes) to high-altitude settings in Val Mustair to collect water samples and subsequent chemical analyses in the laboratories of the institute. In addition, the temporal evolution of the permafrost area at the source of the stream will be documented and quantified by taking high-resolution images by a drone and their post-processing by photogrammetry and GIS-Based methods as well as geological modelling. The main aim of the thesis is to assess whether the combination of flux measurement and drone-based photogrammetry methods could serve as novel permafrost degradation proxy. To achieve this, the fluxes of toxic elements recorded since 2021 will be put into context with other, more traditional permafrost degradation proxies such as temperature measurements. In addition, the data collected during the thesis should lead to an improved quantitative understanding of the coupled thermal, hydraulic, and chemical processes controlling the mobilization of toxic solutes. This should ultimately allow to make a more informed prediction of the future environmental hazard caused by such systems.
Advisors: PD Dr. Christoph Wanner, Dr. David Mair
University: BE