Katarzyna Stachniak is one of the beneficiaries of the competition for funding student and PhD candidates mobility within the HarSval project. She received 9918 PLN funding for the research trip: Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, Sogndal.

Enjoy reading her report below:

“In the period 15 – 30 October 2024, within the framework of the HarSval project, I completed a research visit to Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, in Sogndal for analysing and discussing the hydrochemical results of surface waters being compiled in collaboration with Prof. Jacob Yde and discussing the drainage of glacial catchment waters studied as part of my PhD thesis. During my stay at the University of Norway, I was familiarised with the principles of analysing and interpreting stable oxygen isotope results, which, among others, Prof. Jacob. deals with in his geochemical research of glacial waters. During the discussion, the Professor presented the importance of oxygen-stable isotopes, used to better understand a glaciated catchment’s water source. In addition, I had the opportunity to meet with a team of glaciologists, including Profesor Andy Hodson, who is also researching Svalbard catchments and has recently been addressing interesting issues related to the permafrost environment. The collaboration with Prof. Jacob Yde has benefited from a positive exchange of our experiences, the structuring of plans for collaboration, the expansion of my understanding of the methodology of the hydrochemical studies performed, and the possibility of having subject-related discussions regarding glaciated catchments research in the Arctic and Norway.”