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Del Gaudio E, Stevenazzi S, Onorati G, Ducci D. Changes in geochemical and isotopic contents in groundwater before seismic events in Ischia Island (Italy). Chemosphere 2024; 349:140935. [PMID: 38086450 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
We analysed the hydrogeochemical and isotopic contents in groundwater for the period 2002-2020, in the Ischia Island, a volcanic island in Southern Italy, and compared them with seismic events that occurred in the same period. The study is based on a large hydrochemical database, which includes chemical (major and minor compounds, metals and trace elements) and isotopic analyses (δ18O and δ2H). For each of the 34 seismic events occurred in the studied period, we considered coordinates, date, time, depth and magnitude. To exclude the influence of meteorological variability on the hydrochemistry, we examined rainfall time series measured in four stations located in the island. Results show hydrogeochemical anomalies for some chemical elements observed months before the seismic events. Arsenic, electrical conductivity, chromium and vanadium have been identified as potentially affected by hydrogeochemical anomalies related to the earthquakes. The variations in stable isotopes (δ2H and δ18O) in groundwater also seem associated with the earthquakes. This study aims to contribute to the individuation of components in groundwater prone to register sudden changes related to seismic events and it highlights the need of a continuous and long-term hydrogeochemical monitoring in seismic areas. Indeed, the conclusions of this study must be further confirmed by a future continuous monitoring of major compounds, trace elements and isotopes in groundwater to evaluate the effective temporal coincidence/lag with the seismic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Del Gaudio
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Edile e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale Ricerca "AMbiente" (C.I.R.AM.), Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Stevenazzi
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Edile e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Onorati
- Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione Ambientale della Campania (ARPAC), Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Ducci
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Edile e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Yamamoto S, Koike K, Yamashiki YA, Shimada J. Detecting groundwater level changes related to the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22916. [PMID: 38129502 PMCID: PMC10739714 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50133-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This study presented the first attempt to detect precursory changes in groundwater level before the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. This detection was achieved by accurately determining the relationship between long-term groundwater level fluctuation and crustal deformation over 16 years through analysis of groundwater level time-series data acquired at 17 sites within the study area. Here, we show that the observed groundwater levels were lower than the modelled levels in aquifers composed of porous strata (Togawa lava and part of the pre-Aso volcanic rocks), and that there were larger differences until 2014, which diminished until the occurrence of the Kumamoto Earthquake. The initial reduction in the modelled groundwater level and the latter recovery were most likely caused by crustal strain relaxation associated with the large 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku (Mw 9.0) and the strain accumulation prior to the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Katsuaki Koike
- Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Jun Shimada
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Rahman ATMS, Kono Y, Hosono T. Self-organizing map improves understanding on the hydrochemical processes in aquifer systems. Sci Total Environ 2022; 846:157281. [PMID: 35835189 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The holistic understanding of hydrochemical features is a crucial task for management and protection of water resources. However, it is challenging for a complex region, where multiple factors can cause hydrochemical changes in studied catchment. We collected 208 groundwater samples from such region in Kumamoto, southern Japan to explicitly characterize these processes by applying machine learning technique. The analyzed groundwater chemistry data like major cations and anions were fed to the self-organizing map (SOM) and the results were compared with classical classification approaches like Stiff diagram, standalone cluster analysis and score plots of principal component analysis (PCA). The SOM with integrated application of clustering divided the data into 11 clusters in this complex region. We confirmed that the results provide much greater details for the associated hydrochemical and contamination processes than the traditional approaches, which show quite good correspondence with the recent high resolution hydrological simulation model and aspects from geochemical modeling. However, the careful application of the SOM is necessary for obtaining accurate results. This study tested different normalization approaches for selecting the best SOM map and found that the topographic error (TE) was more important over the quantization error (QE). For instance, the lower QE obtained from min-max and log normalizations showed problems after clustering the SOM map, since the QE did not confirm the topological preservation. In contrast, the lowest TE obtained from Z-transformation data showed better spatial matching of the clusters with relevant hydrochemical characteristics. The results from this study clearly demonstrated that the SOM is a helpful approach for explicit understanding of the hydrochemical processes on reginal scale that may capably facilitate better groundwater resource management.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T M Sakiur Rahman
- RIKEN Center for Computational Science, Data Assimilation Research Team, 7-1-26, Minatojima-minami-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Yumiko Kono
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan
| | - Takahiro Hosono
- Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan; International Research Organization for Advanced Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan
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Kobayashi J, Kuroda K, Miyamoto C, Uchiyama Y, Sankoda K, Nakajima D. Evaluating sewer exfiltration in groundwater by pharmaceutical tracers after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, Japan. J Hazard Mater 2021; 411:125183. [PMID: 33858117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In April 2016, a series of earthquakes (M 7.3 on the Japan Meteorological Agency scale) occurred in Kumamoto, Japan causing serious damage to underground sewerage networks. In this study, we evaluated sewer exfiltration in groundwater in the Kumamoto area after the earthquakes by using multiple tracers. We used 14 pharmaceuticals, including carbamazepine and crotamiton, and anthropogenic Gd as tracers, and we measured concentrations of these tracers from September 2016 to November 2017 seasonally. The detection frequency of caffeine, carbamazepine, crotamiton, ibuprofen, and anthropogenic Gd ranged from 29% to 45%, and the concentrations of the pharmaceuticals in the groundwater were lower than those in previous studies. The median of all pharmaceutical concentrations did not decrease, whereas the median of the sum of crotamiton and carbamazepine concentrations, which are quantitative sewage markers, decreased with time. The sewer exfiltration rates in September 2016 estimated using carbamazepine, crotamiton, and anthropogenic Gd were 0.59 ± 0.27%, 0.66 ± 0.47%, and 0.11 ± 0.18% of sewage dry weather flow, respectively, indicating that the effect of the earthquakes on sewer exfiltration was small, probably because the damaged sewers were quickly repaired. This study demonstrated that a multiple-tracer approach is useful for evaluating sewer exfiltration after major earthquakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Kobayashi
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Science, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, 3-1-100 Tsukide, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Kuroda
- Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu 939-0398, Toyama, Japan; Fukushima Branch, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 10-2 Fukasaku, Miharu, Tamura 963-7700, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Chinatsu Miyamoto
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Science, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, 3-1-100 Tsukide, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan
| | - Yukiko Uchiyama
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Science, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, 3-1-100 Tsukide, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan
| | - Kenshi Sankoda
- Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu 939-0398, Toyama, Japan
| | - Daisuke Nakajima
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba 305-8506, Ibaraki, Japan
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Nakagawa K, Shimada J, Yu Z, Ide K, Berndtsson R. Effects of the Japanese 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake on Nitrate Content in Groundwater Supply. Minerals 2021; 11:43. [DOI: 10.3390/min11010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake had a significant impact on groundwater levels and quality. In some areas, the groundwater level increased significantly due to the release of groundwater from upstream mountainous regions. Conversely, the groundwater level in other areas greatly decreased due to the creation of new fracture networks by the earthquake. There were also significant changes in certain groundwater quality variables. In this study, we used clustering based SOM (self-organizing maps) analysis to improve the understanding of earthquake effects on groundwater quality. We were especially interested in effects on groundwater used for drinking purposes and in nitrate concentration. For this purpose, we studied groundwater nitrate (NO3− + NO2−–N) concentrations for the period 2012–2017. Nitrate concentration changes were classified into seven typical SOM clusters. The clusters were distributed in three representative geographical regions: a high concentration region (>4 mg/L), a low concentration region (<1.6 mg/L) with minimal anthropogenic loading area, and an intermediate concentration region (2–4 mg/L). Depending on these regions, the nitrate concentration changes just before and after the earthquake had both increasing and decreasing trends between 2015–2017. This points to complex physiographical relationships for release of stored upstream groundwater, promotion of infiltration of shallow soil water/groundwater, and nitrate concentration as affected by earthquakes. We present an analysis of these complex relationships and a discussion of causes of nitrate concentration changes due to earthquakes.
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Binda G, Pozzi A, Michetti AM, Noble PJ, Rosen MR. Towards the Understanding of Hydrogeochemical Seismic Responses in Karst Aquifers: A Retrospective Meta-Analysis Focused on the Apennines (Italy). Minerals 2020; 10:1058. [DOI: 10.3390/min10121058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Earthquakes are known to affect groundwater properties, yet the mechanisms causing chemical and physical aquifer changes are still unclear. The Apennines mountain belt in Italy presents a rich literature of case studies documenting hydrogeochemical response to seismicity, due to the high frequency of seismic events and the presence of different regional aquifers in the area. In this study, we synthesize published data from the last 30 years in the Apennine region in order to shed light on the main mechanisms causing earthquake induced water changes. The results suggest the geologic and hydrologic setting specific to a given spring play an important role in spring response, as well as the timing of the observed response. In contrast to setting, the main focal mechanisms of earthquake and the distance between epicenter and the analyzed springs seems to present a minor role in defining the response. The analysis of different response variables, moreover, indicates that an important driver of change is the degassing of CO2, especially in thermal springs, whereas a rapid increase in solute concentration due to permeability enhancement is observable in different cold and shallow springs. These findings also leave open the debate regarding whether earthquake precursors can be recognized beyond site-specific responses. Such responses can be understood more comprehensively through the establishment of a regional long-term monitoring system and continuous harmonization of data and sampling strategies, achievable in the Apennine region through the set-up of a monitoring network.
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Hosono T, Yamada C, Manga M, Wang CY, Tanimizu M. Stable isotopes show that earthquakes enhance permeability and release water from mountains. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2776. [PMID: 32488089 PMCID: PMC7265347 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16604-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogeological properties can change in response to large crustal earthquakes. In particular, permeability can increase leading to coseismic changes in groundwater level and flow. These processes, however, have not been well-characterized at regional scales because of the lack of datasets to describe water provenances before and after earthquakes. Here we use a large data set of water stable isotope ratios (n = 1150) to show that newly formed rupture systems crosscut surrounding mountain aquifers, leading to water release that causes groundwater levels to rise (~11 m) in down-gradient aquifers after the 2016 Mw 7.0 Kumamoto earthquake. Neither vertical infiltration of soil water nor the upwelling of deep fluids was the major cause of the observed water level rise. As the Kumamoto setting is representative of volcanic aquifer systems at convergent margins where seismotectonic activity is common, our observations and proposed model should apply more broadly. The authors investigate the groundwater table changes in the Kumamoto region (Japan) following the 2016 Mw 7.0 Kumamoto earthquake. Through detailed isotope analysis the study shows how earthquakes can rupture the crust and generate new pathways for aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Hosono
- Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan. .,International Research Organization for Advanced Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan.
| | - Chisato Yamada
- Department of Earth Science, Faculty of Science, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
| | - Michael Manga
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley McCone Hall, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Chi-Yuen Wang
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley McCone Hall, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Masaharu Tanimizu
- School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, 2-1 Gakuen, Sanda, 669-1337, Japan
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