Geological, hydrogeological and geochemical characterization of aquifers in coastal areas (Ragusa-Donnalucata Area, Sicily, Italy)

Carbonate groundwater systems hosted in coastal areas are of particular concern, for multi-fold reasons. First, in Sicily - as in many other islands – coastal areas are the most densely populated: this increase of anthropogenic pressure considerably raises the potential risks of groundwater contamination. This is even more dangerous considering the fact that groundwater is often the main source of potable water for coastal communities, especially since rivers and ponds near the shore are brackish. Secondly, coastal areas are the sites of potential interactions between the groundwater systems and seawater, the morphology and the location of this interface being a complex function, of groundw…

Hydrochemistry and isotopic characteristics of submarine springs of southeastern Sicily

Guida Geologica del Parco delle Madonie - II edizione