6533b824fe1ef96bd1281268

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Hydrochemical evolution and environmental features of Salso River catchment, central Sicily (Italy)

Mariano ValenzaRocco FavaraF. Grassa

subject

HydrologyPollutiongeographygeography.geographical_feature_categorymedia_common.quotation_subjectGeneral EngineeringDrainage basinStructural basinWater balanceFaciesEarth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)General Earth and Planetary SciencesEnvironmental ChemistryEnvironmental scienceWater qualitySurface waterGroundwaterGeneral Environmental ScienceWater Science and Technologymedia_common

description

A hydrogeochemical study of the Salso River highlighted the chemical and isotopic space-time evolution along its flow path and the main contamination processes. Within the basin, three different hydrogeochemical facies have been individuated: (1) Ca-Mg-HCO3, (2) Ca-Mg-SO4 and (3) Na-Cl. The first facies reflects the chemical composition of the groundwaters hosted in the carbonate reliefs that belong to the Madonie Mountains. The second and the third facies are the result of the interaction processes between surface waters and the gypsum and salty clays, respectively. Two pollution sources have been also located in the basin downstream from the salt mine and downstream from a discharge area of wastewater from the town of Gangi. On the basis of the location of natural and anthropogenic pollution sources, the waters available for drinking and irrigation use are also indicated.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s002540000116