A multilayer interactive web map of the wine growing region carnuntum with emphasis on geochemical and mineralogical zoning

During a three-year study the vineyards of the wine-growing region Carnuntum have been investigated for their terroir characteristics (climate, soil, rocks) and major viticulture functions. As an outcome of the study, various thematic layers and geodata analyses describe the geo-environmental properties and variability of the wine growing region and delimit homogenous multilayer mapping units by using a Geographic Information System.

These results have been converted to multilayer web services which are presented with a web map application (http://www.geologie.ac.at/en/research-development/mapping/substrate-floor/naturraum-carnuntum/).

The web map gives access to grouped thematic layers which represent climatic parameters (e.g. HUGLIN-Index, risk of frost), soil physics (e.g. available water capacity), soil chemistry and nutrients, rock geochemistry, geology, mineralogy and apparent resistivity maps. Using the web map interface one is able navigate on-screen to areas of interest and select the desired layers in any combination and transparency for display on aerial images. As the study results are made available to winemakers of the region and to the general public, the web map shall primarily serve as an information tool but is also intended to promote and communicate scientific research for the exploration of winegrowing regions.

The functions of the web map focus on the evaluation of the vertical and lateral variations of rocks and soils. In the study area more than 200 samples were taken by drilling or at sampling pits and analysed for grainsize distribution, clay mineral and bulk mineral content and whole rock geochemistry. By exploratory data analysis of the sample data the parameters were used to compare regional areas and lithostratigraphic units with graphs and descriptive statistics. The results of the exploratory data analysis contribute to the characterization of the stratigraphic units and the zoning of the study region.