VOLAKE · VOlatiles in LAKe Ecosystem

The project titled VOLAKE (Volatiles in Lake Ecosystem) aims to investigate the dynamics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in freshwater environments, specifically focusing on lake ecosystems. VOCs are significant trace gases that play crucial roles in climate and environmental processes, yet their behavior in freshwater settings remains largely unexplored. This research seeks to fill critical knowledge gaps regarding VOCs in lakes, particularly their exchange with the atmosphere, vertical distribution within the water column, and relationship to ecological health indicators.The study will capitalize on advanced measurement technologies and interdisciplinary approaches to enhance understanding VOC dynamics. The objectives are threefold: first, to quantify VOC exchange between the lake and the atmosphere using eddy covariance (EC) methods; second, to map the vertical distribution of VOCs in the water column and analyze how they change over time; and third, to develop a supervised model linking VOC variability to key ecological indicators in Lake Geneva.The project will conduct intensive field measurements over a growing season, employing a platform called LéXPLORE for continuous data collection. The methodology combines direct flux measurements with detailed analyses of water column samples, utilizing state-of-the-art techniques like PTR-TOF-MS (Proton Transfer Reaction – Time of Flight – Mass Spectrometry and machine learning for data interpretation. These models will integrate satellite remote sensing data and lake hydrodynamics to contextualize findings on a broader scale.Ultimately, VOLAKE aims to pioneer continuous monitoring of VOC fluxes and provide a comprehensive understanding of their ecological roles. By bridging physical and biological perspectives, the project seeks to contribute significantly to ecological theories and freshwater management strategies, offering valuable insights into the impacts of environmental change on lake ecosystems.