Search results for "Aquifer"
showing 10 items of 103 documents
The role of the aquifer in soil CO2 degassing in volcanic peripheral areas: A case study of Stromboli Island (Italy)
2017
Abstract The peripheral area of Stromboli Island, Italy, named “Scari”, was continuously studied between January 2009 and December 2010. Data on soil CO 2 flux and the partial pressure of CO 2 (pCO 2 ) in equilibrium with the thermal aquifer linked to the magmatic system are presented. Soil CO 2 fluxes range from 20 to 370 g m − 2 d − 1 and have been strongly affected by soil temperature variations. Soil CO 2 flux data were filtered with respect to the soil temperature and the calculated values, called “residuals”, were considered to detect changes induced by the magmatic system. The pCO 2 values change in a wide range from 0.03 to 0.6 (atm), showing rapid variations. The results of this s…
Natural and anthropogenic factors affecting groundwater quality of an active volcano (Mt. Etna, Italy)
2003
Abstract New geochemical data on dissolved major and minor constituents in 276 groundwater samples from Etna aquifers reveal the main processes responsible for their geochemical evolution and mineralisation. This topic is of particular interest in the light of the progressive depletion of water resources and groundwater quality in the area. Multivariate statistical analysis reveal 3 sources of solutes: (a) the leaching of the host basalt, driven by the dissolution of magma-derived CO2; (b) mixing processes with saline brines rising from the sedimentary basement below Etna; (c) contamination from agricultural and urban wastewaters. The last process, highlighted by increased concentrations of…
Contribution of local factors to the status of a groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystem in the transboundary Gauja-Koiva River basin, North-East…
2021
Abstract A pilot study was carried out in the Matsi spring fen, southern Estonia to test a proposed methodology ( Terasmaa et al., 2020 ) for identifying potential effects of groundwater bodies on groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems (GDTE). A comprehensive hydrochemical and isotopic dataset was collected and analyzed using multivariate statistical methods to assess the origin of the groundwater discharging in the spring fen and to determine both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of GDTE-groundwater interdependence. The hydrochemical findings were complemented with the hydrogeological, hydrodynamical and botanical observations, and summarized into a conceptual model of the st…
Dissolved CO2 in natural waters: development of an automated monitoring system and first application to Stromboli volcano (Italy)
2011
The study of geochemical parameters applied to natural systems has provided improved knowledge of geochemical mechanisms of gas/rock dissolution in natural waters that are linked to gas-water and/or water-rock interaction processes. Here we present the results of our studies focused on the development of an automated monitoring system for measuring the amount of dissolved CO2 in natural waters. The system is based on the principle of a dynamic equilibrium between water and the air as the host gas. The PCO2 measurements were carried out every four hours, and the equilibration time was around 20 minutes. Moreover, application to the thermal aquifer of Stromboli volcano during the 2009-2010 pe…
Geochemical and hydrogeological characterization of thermal springs in Western Sicily, Italy
1998
Abstract Thermal and cold waters from Castellammare–Alcamo (Western Sicily-Italy) were collected between May 1994 and May 1995 and studied for their chemical and isotopic composition. During the same period, mean monthly samples of meteoric water were also collected and measured for their isotopic composition. The main purpose of this study was the characterization of the acquifers and, if possible, of their recharge areas. According to the results obtained, the acquifers were divided into three main groups: (a) selenitic waters, (b) cold carbonatic waters, and (c) deep thermal waters resulting from the mixing of the other two types. Besides a mixing process between carbonatic and selenitic…
Characterisation of submarine groundwater discharge offshore south-eastern Sicily
2005
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…
Geochemical monitoring of groundwaters (1998-2001) at Vesuvius volcano (Italy)
2004
This work presents the results of hydrogeochemical studies carried out at Vesuvius during the period May 1998-December 2001, mostly focusing on compositional time variations observed during this time. Based on their chemistry, groundwater samples are distinguished into two groups, 1 and 2, representative of water circulation in the southern and northern sectors of the volcano, respectively. Waters from group 1 are typically more acidic, warmer, and more saline than those of group 2. They also have higher CO2 and CH4 contents, attributed to enhanced input of deep-rising volatiles and prolonged water-rock interactions. Time-series highlight the fairly constant chemical composition of the enti…
New Data on Seawater Intrusion in Liepāja (Latvia) and Methodology for Establishing Background Levels and Threshold Values in Groundwater Body at Ris…
2018
Intensive water consumption in former decades caused formation of large depression cone near city Liepāja and resulted with seawater intrusion into Upper Devonian Mūru-Žagaru confined freshwater aquifer. Area affected by seawater intrusion is delineated as separate groundwater body at risk (F5) and according to Groundwater Directive threshold values for groundwater bodies at risk must be established to assess the status of a body and identify possible trends. Correct estimation of background levels is significant for determination of threshold values. This study shows an updated so called “BRIDGE” methodology for determination of background levels. A two-step approach how to establish backg…
Moisture source in the Hyblean mountains region (south-eastern Sicily,Italy):Evidence from stable isotopes signature
2006
Abstract Here the authors present results of an isotope study on precipitation collected during a 2-a period from a rain-gauge network consisting of 6 stations located at different elevations in the Hyblean Mountains (HM) region, in south-eastern Sicily. The slope of the local meteoric water line ( δD = 6.50 δ 18 O + 9.87) obtained for the region suggests that precipitation is affected by evaporation during rainfall events. The main variations in rainwater isotope composition are due to seasonal effects and elevation. An average 2 H excess value of +21.2‰ was found for precipitation events less affected by evaporation (i.e. when the rainfall was >65 mm/month). The spatial distribution of O…
Multiple recharge processes to heterogeneous Mediterranean coastal aquifers and implications on recharge rates evolution in time
2018
Abstract Climate change is nowadays widely considered to have major effects on groundwater resources. Climatic projections suggest a global increase in evaporation and higher frequency of strong rainfall events especially in Mediterranean context. Since evaporation is synonym of low recharge conditions whereas strong rainfall events are more favourable to recharge in heterogeneous subsurface contexts, a lack of knowledge remains then on the real ongoing and future drinking groundwater supply availability at aquifers scale. Due to low recharge potential and high inter-annual climate variability, this issue is strategic for the Mediterranean hydrosystems. This is especially the case for coast…