The Periadriatic area in Central Italy is well-known for its hilly landscapes, which have been modeled on foredeep basin deposits (Plio-Pleistocene age). These deposits mainly consist of marly clays, with an average thickness that is above 500 meters. Although these lithotypes, if compared with the regional limestone aquifers of Apennines, are usually considered aquicludes, their upper portion is characterized by a coarsening upward trend. As a matter of fact, the corresponding stratigraphic sequence has at its top arenaceous deposits and even conglomerates. These geological features as expected influenced the morphological evolution of the landscapes, which are characterized by peculiar landforms. In fact, the areas with coarser outcrops show a flat shape and sub-vertical slopes, as boundaries. At the base of these scarps, springs can be found at the interface between coarse and fine deposits, accounting for the fact that these arenaceous bodies are actual aquifers. A combination of regular landscape, high position over the sea, and natural springs are the main reasons for settlement in these plain areas since pre-historic times. Until the middle of the last century, contact springs were the only water resource for both potable and agricultural purposes. Groundwater was exploited by historical complex systems of wells and drainage tunnels, which are nowadays abandoned. Since these aquifers have not been considered worthy water resources by local authorities, their hydrodynamics and hydrochemical features of this kind of water body have not been investigated in detail. Nevertheless, they could play a crucial role in integrated water management, especially to cope with climate changes and ever-increasing drought periods. Based on this consideration, this study is aimed at investigating this kind of aquifer from a hydrogeological point of view and assessing the quantity and quality of groundwater. Five examples throughout the Abruzzo region have been considered. For each of them, wells and springs have been monitored seasonally (i.e. hydraulic heads or discharge, and physico-chemical parameters), pumping tests have been carried out, and water balance has been calculated. The first results indicate that groundwater quantity and quality proved to be suitable for multi-purpose utilization and to represent a valid contribution for an integrated and sustainable water resource management system.

Evaluation of groundwater resources in Plio-Pleistocene arenaceous aquifers in Central Italy

Alessia Di Giovanni
;
Diego Di Curzio;Sergio Rusi
2021-01-01

Abstract

The Periadriatic area in Central Italy is well-known for its hilly landscapes, which have been modeled on foredeep basin deposits (Plio-Pleistocene age). These deposits mainly consist of marly clays, with an average thickness that is above 500 meters. Although these lithotypes, if compared with the regional limestone aquifers of Apennines, are usually considered aquicludes, their upper portion is characterized by a coarsening upward trend. As a matter of fact, the corresponding stratigraphic sequence has at its top arenaceous deposits and even conglomerates. These geological features as expected influenced the morphological evolution of the landscapes, which are characterized by peculiar landforms. In fact, the areas with coarser outcrops show a flat shape and sub-vertical slopes, as boundaries. At the base of these scarps, springs can be found at the interface between coarse and fine deposits, accounting for the fact that these arenaceous bodies are actual aquifers. A combination of regular landscape, high position over the sea, and natural springs are the main reasons for settlement in these plain areas since pre-historic times. Until the middle of the last century, contact springs were the only water resource for both potable and agricultural purposes. Groundwater was exploited by historical complex systems of wells and drainage tunnels, which are nowadays abandoned. Since these aquifers have not been considered worthy water resources by local authorities, their hydrodynamics and hydrochemical features of this kind of water body have not been investigated in detail. Nevertheless, they could play a crucial role in integrated water management, especially to cope with climate changes and ever-increasing drought periods. Based on this consideration, this study is aimed at investigating this kind of aquifer from a hydrogeological point of view and assessing the quantity and quality of groundwater. Five examples throughout the Abruzzo region have been considered. For each of them, wells and springs have been monitored seasonally (i.e. hydraulic heads or discharge, and physico-chemical parameters), pumping tests have been carried out, and water balance has been calculated. The first results indicate that groundwater quantity and quality proved to be suitable for multi-purpose utilization and to represent a valid contribution for an integrated and sustainable water resource management system.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11564/769869
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 4
social impact