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Vespasiano G, Cianflone G, Marini L, De Rosa R, Polemio M, Walraevens K, Vaselli O, Pizzino L, Cinti D, Capecchiacci F, Barca D, Dominici R, Apollaro C. Hydrogeochemical and isotopic characterization of the Gioia Tauro coastal Plain (Calabria - southern Italy): A multidisciplinary approach for a focused management of vulnerable strategic systems. Sci Total Environ 2023; 862:160694. [PMID: 36481154 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160694] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This work pursues the hydro-geochemical and isotopic characterization of the complex groundwater system of the Gioia Tauro Plain, one of the most important industrialized and agricultural coastal areas of southern Italy. The anthropic pressure exposes the water resources at risk of depletion and quality degradation making the plain groundwater a system of high scientific and social interest. The plain is characterized by a shallow aquifer, mostly recharged by local rains and a deep aquifer apparently less influenced by local precipitation. Both aquifers are mainly Ca-HCO3 waters except for localized sectors where Na-HCO3, Na-Cl and Ca-SO4 waters are present. In deep aquifer, both prolonged interaction with sedimentary rocks, mainly deriving from the erosion of crystalline rocks, and direct cation exchange represent the primary factors controlling the formation of Na-HCO3 waters. Mixing processes between these waters and either connate brine and/or deep thermal waters contribute to the formation of isolated high salinity Na-Cl-rich waters. In shallow aquifer, inputs of N-rich sewage and agriculture-related contaminants, and SOx emissions in proximity of the harbor are responsible of the increasing nitrate and sulphate concentrations, respectively. The Cl/Br and NO3/Cl ratios highlight contamination mainly linked to agricultural activities and contribution of wastewater. Along the northern boundary, the warmest groundwater (Na-Cl[SO4]) were found close to a bend of the main strike-slip fault system, locally favouring the rising of B- and Li-rich deep waters, testifying the influence of geological-structural features on deep water circulation. Despite the high-water demand, a direct marine intrusion is localized in a very restricted area, where we observed an incipient groundwater-seawater mixing (seawater contribution ≤7 %). The qualitative and quantitative conditions of the shallow aquifer still have acceptable levels because of the relatively high recharge inflow. A reliable hydrogeochemical conceptual model, able to explain the compositional variability of the studied waters, is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Vespasiano
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DIBEST), University of Calabria, Via Ponte Bucci 4, Cubo 15B, 87036 Rende, Italy; E3 (Earth, Environment, Engineering) Soc. Coop. and Spin-Off of University of Calabria, Via Ponte Bucci, Cubo 15B, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - G Cianflone
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DIBEST), University of Calabria, Via Ponte Bucci 4, Cubo 15B, 87036 Rende, Italy; E3 (Earth, Environment, Engineering) Soc. Coop. and Spin-Off of University of Calabria, Via Ponte Bucci, Cubo 15B, 87036 Rende, Italy.
| | - L Marini
- Steam Srl, Via Ponte a Piglieri 8, I-56121 Pisa, Italy
| | - R De Rosa
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DIBEST), University of Calabria, Via Ponte Bucci 4, Cubo 15B, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - M Polemio
- CNR-IRPI, National Research Council, Research Institute for Hydrogeological Protection, Via Amendola 122 I, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - K Walraevens
- Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrogeology, Department of Geology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - O Vaselli
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; CNR-IGG Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - L Pizzino
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Roma 1, Via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - D Cinti
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Roma 1, Via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - F Capecchiacci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; CNR-IGG Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Napoli, Osservatorio Vesuviano, Via Diocleziano, 328, 80125 Napoli, NA
| | - D Barca
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DIBEST), University of Calabria, Via Ponte Bucci 4, Cubo 15B, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - R Dominici
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DIBEST), University of Calabria, Via Ponte Bucci 4, Cubo 15B, 87036 Rende, Italy; E3 (Earth, Environment, Engineering) Soc. Coop. and Spin-Off of University of Calabria, Via Ponte Bucci, Cubo 15B, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - C Apollaro
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DIBEST), University of Calabria, Via Ponte Bucci 4, Cubo 15B, 87036 Rende, Italy
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