0000000000631543

AUTHOR

M.a. Schiavo

Characterisation of submarine groundwater discharge offshore south-eastern Sicily

A complex approach in characterisation of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) off south-eastern Sicily comprising applications of radioactive and non-radioactive tracers, direct seepage measurements, geophysical surveys and a numerical modelling is presented. SGD fluxes in the Donnalucata boat basin were estimated by direct seepage measurements to be from 4 to 12Ls(-1), which are comparable with the total SGD flux in the basin of 17Ls(-1) obtained from radon measurements. The integrated SGD flux over the Donnalucata coast estimated on the basis of Ra isotopes was around 60m(3)s(-1) per km of the coast. Spatial variations of SGD were observed in the Donnalucata boat basin, the average (222…

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Geochemical characterization of groundwater and submarine discharge in the south-eastern Sicily

Abstract The main results of a hydrogeochemical survey carried out during 2002–2003 along the coast of the south-eastern Sicily, which aimed at geochemical characterization of both groundwater chemistry and submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in the area are presented. A general frame of chemical processes affecting the studied groundwater and SGD point out that most samples fall within the calcite-anhydrite-dolomite field (CAD). The chemical composition of the samples within the CAD triangle is essentially controlled by calcite, dolomite and gypsum dissolution, which are the main minerals of the carbonate rocks hosting the aquifers. An additional process evidenced in this study is a mixi…

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Stable isotopes of water as a tool to study groundwater–seawater interactions in coastal south-eastern Sicily

Summary Stable isotopes of hydrogen (δD) and oxygen (δ 18 O) in groundwater, submarine springs and seawater collected in coastal south-eastern Sicily were investigated. While the spatial distribution of δ 18 O in groundwater showed that most of the heavy-isotope-depleted samples (from −5.7‰ to −6.9‰) were located in the higher portion of the Hyblean Mountains, more positive values (from −3.4‰ to −5.6‰) were found in the marginal areas. The isotope composition of submarine springs was characterized by significant variability (δ 18 O between −5.6‰ and +1.0‰ and δD between −30‰ and +5.0‰) reflecting seasonal variations and different seawater contributions. The isotopic and chemical composition…

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Isotope distribution of dissolved carbonate species in southeastern coastal aquifers of Sicily (Italy)

Concentrations of major ions and the δ13C composition of dissolved inorganic carbon in groundwater and submarine groundwater discharges in the area between Siracusa and Ragusa provinces, southeastern Sicily, representing coastal carbonate aquifers, are presented and discussed. Most of groundwater analysed belongs to calcium bicarbonate type, in agreement with the geological nature of carbonate host rocks. Carbonate groundwater acquires, besides the dissolution of carbonate minerals, dissolved carbon (and the relative isotopic composition) from the atmosphere and from soil biological activity. In fact, δ13C values and total dissolved inorganic carbon contents show that both these sources con…

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