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Reconstruction of the vertical thermal disturbance induced by a groundwater heat pump system
(GWHPs): Potential of using a temperature-measuring chain as a monitoring tool

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Reconstruction of the vertical thermal disturbance induced by a groundwater heat pump system (GWHPs): Potential of
using a temperature-measuring chain as a monitoring tool / Taddia, Glenda; Gizzi, Martina; LO RUSSO, Stefano. -
ELETTRONICO. - (2021). (Intervento presentato al convegno 5th Edition of FLOWPATH the National Meeting on
Hydrogeology tenutosi a Napoli nel 1 - 3 Dicembre 2021).

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01 January 2025
 5th Edition of FLOWPATH
the National Meeting on Hydrogeology
Napoli, 1-3 December 2021

Conference Proceedings Book

Sponsor:

Patronage:
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Organizing Committee

Chairs (University of Naples Federico II – IAH)

Daniela Ducci, Vincenzo Allocca, Alfonso Corniello, Pantaleone De Vita, Silvia Fabbrocino,
Giovanni Forte.

Members (Board Members of the IAH Italian Chapter)

Sergio Rusi, Luca Alberti, Paolo Cerutti, Paolo Fabbri, Marco Masetti, Alessandro Gargini, Francesco
La Vigna, Marco Petitta, Vincesco Piscopo, Maurizio Polemio, Viviana Re, Andrea Sottani, Daniela
Valigi.

Local Organizing Committee (University of Naples Federico II – IAH)

Silvio Coda, Delia Cusano, Elena Del Gaudio, Palmira Marsiglia, Mariangela Sellerino, Roberto
Villani, Raffaele Viola.

Scientific Committee

Maurizio Barbieri, Giovanni Pietro Beretta, Tullia Bonomi, Chiara Calligaris, Corrado Camera,
Matteo Camporese, Alberto Carletti, Giancarlo Ceccanti, Fulvio Celico, Nicolò Colombani, Stefania
Da Pelo, Domenico Antonio De Luca, Antonio De Matteis, Diego Di Curzio, Lucio Di Matteo, Marco
Doveri, Maria Dolores Fidelibus, Francesco Fiorillo, Adriano Fiorucci, Maria Letizia Fumagalli,
Giorgio Ghiglieri, Mauro Giudici, Manuela Lasagna, Stefano Lo Russo, Francesca Lotti, Grazia
Martelli, Micòl Mastrocicco, Lucia Mastrorillo, Marco Materazzi, Roberto Mazza, Claudia Meisina,
Vittorio Paolucci, Mario Parise, Nicola Pastore, Daniele Pedretti, Emma Petrella, Leonardo Piccinini,
Giorgio Pilla, Elisabetta Preziosi, Dimitra Rapti, Francesco Ronchetti, Rudy Rossetto, Marco Rotiroti,
Rosario Ruggieri, Manuel Sapiano, Giuseppe Sappa, Michele Saroli, Chiara Sbarbati, Luisa Stellato,
Stefania Stevenazzi, Glenda Taddia, Marco Tallini, Alberto Tazioli, Dario Tedesco, Sebastiano
Trevisani, Gabriele Uras, Stefano Viaroli, Arcangelo Francesco Violo, Luca Zini.
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Preface

The Italian Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) is pleased to present
you the abstracts submitted to the 5th Edition of FLOWPATH, the National Meeting on
Hydrogeology. The congress take place on 1-3 December 2021 in the Monumental Complex of Saints
Marcellino and Festo (Historical Centre of Naples).

Following the tradition of the previous editions of FLOWPATH, the conference is an opportunity
for hydrogeologists and professionals to exchange ideas and discuss different issues on
groundwater resources.

The preparation of the 5th Edition of FLOWPATH hardly involved the Organizing Committee, with
the full-time effort of the Chairs and the Local Organizing Committee, testified by numerous
meetings (more than monthly, since 2020) and activities.

The objectives of the conference are:

• to promote dialogue and exchange of scientific knowledge among young hydrogeologists;

• to deepen the theoretical and practical aspects of our understanding of groundwater in a

changing climate;

• to update all the stakeholders, researchers and professionals on recent challenges in the
hydrogeological sciences;

• to encourage researchers, professionals and administrators to contribute to the improvement

of a sustainable water resources management.

The congress has been structured into four sessions, i.e.:

Session 1 - Climate change and groundwater

Session 2 - Groundwater Resource and Sustainability

Session 3 - Geothermal, Urban and Contaminant Hydrogeology

Session 4 - Groundwater flow and hydrogeochemical features in volcanic, karst and coastal plain
aquifers

Each session starts with a Keynote lecture, held by international experts. The members of the
Scientific Committee and the Chairs of the four sessions actively contributed to this successful
Congress.

This Conference Proceedings book, including one keynote lecture for each session and 116 total
abstracts, represents the final step of this Congress. All these abstracts underwent a rigorous peer-
review process by the Scientific Committee members and were assigned to oral (44) or poster (72)
presentation. The Authors come from Universities, Public Bodies, Private Companies of Italy and
some other countries.

In summary, this congress, with more than 160 participants, testified the interest in groundwater
resources and their protection with a view to future challenges in the hydrogeological sciences.
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

We would thank especially the sponsors and the Organizations offering their patronage, with
particular mention to the prestigious UNESCO-IHP, but our thanks are addressed to all people that
directly or indirectly contributed to this successful edition of FLOWPATH.

On behalf the organizing committee

Daniela Ducci

Chair of the IAH Italian Chapter

 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Index
Session 1 | Climate change and groundwater ___________________________ 1
Keynote Lecture Assessment of climate change impacts on groundwater: Crossing the boundaries of hydrogeology Steffen Birk _____2

Climate and Landscape Effects on Agricultural Soil Losses in Semi-arid Watershed Busico et al. _______________________________3

Meteorological variability and groundwater quality: examples in different hydrogeological settings Lasagna et al. ________________4

Co-occurrence of climatic and post-seismic events depleting groundwater resources of fractured carbonate aquifers of Sibillini Mts.
(Central Italy) Matrolillo et al. ________________________________________________________________________________________5

Groundwater-surface water interactions revealed by meteorological trends and groundwater fluctuations on streams discharge
Fronzi et al. ___ 6

New hydrogeological assessments on the groundwater dependent ecosystem of the Pilato Lake (Sibillini Mts, Central Italy)
Gafa et al. ___ 7

Last century rainfall variations in northern Tuscany (Italy) and possible effects on karstic strategic groundwater Nigro et al. _______8

Climate-driven groundwater evolution in different types of aquifer systems and climate contexts Franceschi et al. ________________9

Assessing long-term scenarios of groundwater recharge in karst aquifers by climate models (GCMs and RCMs) Lepore et al. _____10

Trends in long-term time series of karst springs discharge and relation to climate factors and changes Leone et al. _______________11

Spatio-temporal analyses and correlations between groundwater and air temperature in the Piedmont Po plain (NW Italy):
preliminary results Egidio et al. _____________________________________________________________________________________12

Impact of North Atlantic Oscillation On Water Resources In South-Western Poland Olichwer et al. ____________________________13

The first national groundwater climate-change impact indicator in Italy La Vigna et al. ______________________________________14

Regional and local control of the North Atlantic Oscillation on the hydrological response of karst aquifers in southern Italy
Marsiglia et al. ___ 15

Analyzing the groundwater management practices in the surficial aquifer of Abu Dhabi Cherubini et al. _______________________16

Changes in the discharge regime of a major spring in the Northern Apennines over a century (1920-2020): a comparison between
ancient and recent monitoring surveys in relation to climate change Gargini et al. ___________________________________________17

The Variation of the Natural Flow Regime and Trend Discharge of the Bagnara Limestone Spring (Apennines, Italy) Mottola et al. _18

Interdisciplinary investigations of managed aquifer recharge potential on the small island of Vis (Croatia) Patekar et al. __________19

Session 2 | Groundwater Resource and Sustainability __________________ 20

Keynote Lecture Groundwater Resources on the United Nations Agenda: Cross-border groundwater cooperation Alice Aureli _____21

Machine learning in hydrogeology: a method to deal with the missing data problem in time series Fabbri P. ____________________22

Specific vulnerability to anthropogenic pollution: a novel hybrid method Busico et al. _______________________________________23

Hydrogeological study of the Venafro Mts. (central-southern Italy) carbonate aquifer: numerical analysis and management scenarios
Lancia et al. ___ 24

Batch experiments on nutrient leaching in sandy soils amended with compost, zeolites, biochar, and graphene Alessandrino et al. _25

Groundwater nitrate contamination mitigation through a Forested infiltration Area (FIA) system in the Arborea Nitrate Vulnerable
Zone (Sardinia, Italy) Carletti et al. ___________________________________________________________________________________26

Assessing spatial variability of groundwater evaporation rates at controlled laboratory conditions Gaiolini et al. ________________27

Applying the Principal Component Analysis for a deeper understanding of the groundwater recharge: case study of the Bacchiglione
Basin (Veneto, Italy) Meggiorin et al. _________________________________________________________________________________28

Assessing the long-term sustainability of the groundwater resource in the Bacchiglione basin (Veneto, Italy) with the Mann-Kendall
test: from controversial results to suggestions for a higher reliability Meggiorin et al. ________________________________________29

The COPA+K method: an index-based approach for the karst groundwater vulnerability assessment. The Valseriana springs case
(Northern Italy) Citrini et al. ________________________________________________________________________________________30
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
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Digitalization of groundwater management using an agile and parsimonious approach based on open-source resources
De Filippis et al. ___ 31

Reactive Silica Traces Manure Spreading in Alluvial Aquifers Affected by Nitrate Contamination: A Case Study in a High Plain of
Northern Italy Severini et al. ________________________________________________________________________________________32

Groundwater resource evaluation in Plio-Pleistocene arenaceous aquifers (Central Italy) Di Giovanni et al. _____________________33

Groundwater chemical evolution in flysch supported by geophysical and hydrochemistry investigation Aguzzoli et al. __________34

Using multi-sensor capacitance probe for soil water management: results from sandy soils in Central Italy Di Matteo & Ortenzi ___35

Is sustainable remediation possible? A real case of groundwater remediation with no water consumption Donati et al. ___________36

Assessment of combined effects of 2016 seismic sequence and recharge variability on the groundwater storage and potentiality of the
Pescara del Tronto aquifer (Sibillini Mts., central Italy) Banzato et al. ______________________________________________________37

Hydrogeochemical characterization and quality evaluation of the water resources in the micro-basin of the Chibunga River
(Ecuador) Santillan Quiroga et al. ____________________________________________________________________________________38

Hydrogeochemical characterization as a tool to perform risk assessment on wells, springs, and surface water intake in the scope of
the Water Safety Plan Zanotti et al. ___________________________________________________________________________________39

Friuli Venezia Giulia Region: protection and management of the Karst Aquifers Calligaris et al._______________________________40

Analysing long time-series of groundwater levels in a paddy field area (Piedmont region, NW Italy): preliminary results
Egidio et al. ___ 41

The path of water in relation to human communities: history of a middle-age aqueduct in Apulia (southern Italy) Parise et al. _____42

Hydrogeological impact of a railway tunnel. An application of time series analysis Menichetti & Tessitore _____________________43

3D model of Alpine Aquifers of Lombardy (Italy) Stevenazzi et al. ________________________________________________________44

Investigating the feasibility of using precipitation measurements from weather radar to estimate recharge in regional aquifers: the
Majella massif case study in central Italy Di Curzio et al. ________________________________________________________________45

Transmissivity estimates by specific capacity data of fractured carbonate aquifers (Umbria Region, Central Italy) Valigi et al. _____46

The hydrogeological role of some slip surface in a roto-translational landslide: the case study of Case Pennetta (Northern Apennines)
Petrella et al. ___ 47

The application of the TFM-ext model for the evaluation of the pesticide transport along the unsaturated zone Bancheri et al. _____48

A comprehensive geodatabase to supporting the management of the coastal carbonate aquifers of Adriatic and Ionian Seas
De Giorgio et al. ___ 49

Analysing long time-series of groundwater levels in a paddy field area (Piedmont region, NW Italy): preliminary results
Egidio et al. ___ 50

New ISPRA Permeability Map of Italy for Nationwide Water Budget Estimation Braca et al.__________________________________51

Structuring of a database of Campania springs (southern Italy) and regional hydrogeological analysis Cusano et al. _____________52

Hydraulic head in riverbed under influence of infiltration intake. Case study from Oława River, SW Poland Wcisło & Błachowicz _53

Sharp & smooth inversion strategies of the AEM data to reconstruct the geological context in granular aquifers and in rocky aquifers
useful to the predisposition of the flow model - case study Province of Brescia, Italy Gisolo et al. ______________________________54

Improvement of hydrogeological knowledge by means of Airborne EM – A case study in Lower Sassony (Germany)
Menghini & Viezzoli ___ 55

Optimising groundwater monitoring to ensure the sustainable exploitation of a coastal aquifer system Sapiano et al. ____________56

A multi-method approach for estimating groundwater recharge of a strategic karst aquifer in southern Apennines, Italy
Villani et al. ___ 57

Methodology for identifying groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDE) and allowing the groundwater status assessment
accordingly in Sardinia Buttau et al. __________________________________________________________________________________58

IAH recommendations and emerging trends for groundwater inflows and heat management in tunnels Dematteis et al. __________59

Long-Term Annual Average Aquifer Recharge assessment for the island of Sardinia (Italy) Arras et al._________________________60
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
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Interactions between loosing streams and coastal groundwater-dependent ecosystem: a case study from the Torre Guaceto natural
reserve and the Canale Reale River (Brindisi) Brigida et al. ______________________________________________________________61

Integrated hydrogeological modelling for sustainable management of the Brindisi plain aquifer (Southern Italy) Pastore et al. _____62

Monitoring strategies to detect the impact of landfills activities on groundwater Preziosi et al. ________________________________63

Advanced automated integration of Airborne Electromagnetic and drilling data Fiandaca et al. _______________________________64

High resolution flow models at basin scale with the support of airborne geophysics and multiple-point statistics Comunian et al. __65

How to restore an overexploited aquifer… hints and insights from coastal Tuscany (Italy) Rossetto et al. _______________________66

Update of the framework for the availability of groundwater resources in the Norcia and Cascia Plains following the earthquakes of
2016 Cogo & Quaranta ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 67

Session 3 | Geothermal, Urban and Contaminant Hydrogeology _________ 68

Keynote Lecture Groundwater resources in risk: Pollution threats under future stresses Xavier Sanchez-Vila __________________69

Soil conditioners effects on hydraulic properties, leaching processes and denitrification on a silty-clay soil Gervasio et al. _________70

Formation of new solute plumes from buried industrial waste as a consequence of the regional increase of aquifer head levels in the
Piana ad Oriente di Napoli Pedretti et al.______________________________________________________________________________71

Adaptation of the Connected Linear Network Process for borehole heat exchangers numerical modelling Barbieri et al. __________72

Natural and anthropogenic groundwater contamination in a coastal volcanic-sedimentary aquifer in the archaeological site of Cumae
(southern Italy) Stellato et al. ________________________________________________________________________________________73

Application of multivariate statistical techniques for groundwater spatio-temporal analysis: the case study of Milan metropolitan
Area Sartirana et al. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ 74

Modeling groundwater/surface-water interactions in an industrial area (Mantua, Italy) Bonomi et al. __________________________75

An unorthodox method for deriving natural background levels of arsenic at the meso-scale using site-specific datasets: the case of
Ferrara Filippini et al. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 76

Assessment and potential of the groundwater urban heat island in the Milan metropolitan area Previati et al. ___________________77

Background contaminants values in groundwater: methodological analysis in the case studies of Turin and Biella plains (NW Italy)
Cocca et al. ___ 78

Particles ending point location in constraining optimal pumping rate estimation Critelli et al. _________________________________79

Multi-isotopic investigation at regional scale in Lombardy Region: implication on groundwater management for Water Alliance
stakeholders Gorla et al. ____________________________________________________________________________________________80

Opportunities and critical issues related to the use of amendments as remediation techniques Dal Santo et al. ___________________81

Sustainable Development Goals, natural risks and best practices for low enthalpy geothermal systems: Apulian experiences
De Giorgio et al. ___ 82

Seasonal variability of pesticides in surface and drinking water wells in the annual cycle in western Poland, and potential health risk
assessment Kruc-Fijalkowska et al. ___________________________________________________________________________________83

The Permeability Map of Italy Gafà et al. ______________________________________________________________________________84

Urban Hydrogeology - The groundwater monitoring activities in Rome (Italy) La Vigna et al._________________________________85

Traditional phytoscreening coupled with PID analysis and detector tubes: a rapid in situ assessment of VOCs concentrations and
plume delineation Leoncini et al._____________________________________________________________________________________86

A novel methodology for Groundwater Flooding Susceptibility assessment through Machine Learning techniques in a mixed-land
use aquifer Allocca et al. ____________________________________________________________________________________________87

Assessment of Chloroethenes Enhanced Biodegradation in groundwaters by Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA)

Casiraghi et al. ___ 88

Evaluation of Chromium pollution into an industrial remediation site, and its occurrence in reserve areas of deep aquifers
Quaranta et al. ___ 89

Identifying areas suitable for Sustainable Drainage Systems and Aquifer Storage and Recovery to mitigate stormwater flooding
phenomena in Rome (Italy) Lentini et al. ______________________________________________________________________________90
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Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment in Areas with Intensive Agricultural Activities Through a DRASTIC-like method
Fusco et al. ___ 91

Reconstruction of the vertical thermal disturbance induced by a groundwater heat pump system (GWHPs): Potential of using a
temperature-measuring chain as a monitoring tool Taddia et al. __________________________________________________________92

Numerical investigation on the performance and sustainability of borehole heat exchanger system in fractured and karstic limestone
aquifer for resilient and smart cities Pastore et al. _______________________________________________________________________93

Geophysical estimation of hydraulic conductivity at contaminated sites and its integration into groundwater flow modelling
Fiandaca et al. ___ 94

Multidisciplinary Approach to Conceptual Modelling of Hydrothermal Systems, Topusko – Croatia Pavić et al. _________________95

The particle size distribution as a key factor for hydrogeological investigations Urumović et al. _______________________________96

Session 4 | Groundwater flow and hydrogeochemical features in volcanic,

karst and coastal plain aquifers ______________________________________ 97
Keynote Lecture Selected European research results, information products and map viewers of groundwater quality and quantity
developed by the four GeoERA groundwater projects: HOVER, RESOURCE, TACTIC and VoGERA Klaus Hinsby ____________________98

Recharge assessment and water table variation over time in different areas of the Castelporziano Presidential Estate: possible
implication on forest health Lacchini et al. ____________________________________________________________________________99

New insights on the groundwater-seismicity relationship: experiences from the hydrogeological network in central-southern Italy
Gori et al. ___ 100

Hydrogeochemistry and geothermometry of fractured carbonate aquifers controlled by deep-seated faults: two study cases from
Central Italy Barberio et al. ________________________________________________________________________________________ 101

Groundwater salinization assessment in the coastal area of Sozopoli (Northern Greece) Ntona et al. __________________________ 102

Hydrogeological Behaviour and Geochemical Features ofWaters in Evaporite-Bearing Low-Permeability Successions: A Case Study
in Southern Sicily, Italy Rizzo et al. __________________________________________________________________________________ 103

Hydrogeological Map of the Sibillini Mts. (Central Italy) Viaroli et al. ____________________________________________________ 104

Groundwater resources and legacy mining: the usefulness of integrated approaches to investigate complex carbonate aquifer
systems Natali et al. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 105

Defining dissolved species background levels in a complex heterogenic area through stochastic approach Rufino et al. __________ 106

Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in northern Sardinia – Coupling geochemical data and geostructrural mapping and
modelling to enhance the understanding of groundwater flow Labry et al.________________________________________________ 107

Groundwater natural background levels in a densely populated valley plain along the Ligurian coast Sabattini et al. ____________ 108

Multiple-step numerical modeling to assist aquifer characterization: a case study from the south of Brazil Rama & Miotliński ____ 109

Hydrogeological properties of ignimbrites: two examples of pyroclastic flow deposits in central Italy Allocca et al. _____________ 111

Numerically enhanced conceptual modelling (NECoM) applied to the Malta Mean Sea Level Aquifer Lotti et al. _______________ 111

Study for the realization of an expert system for continuous monitoring of turbidity in the water bodies of the Apuan area
Biagini et al. ___ 112

A coupled hydrogeological and multi-isotopic approach to investigate saltwater intrusion in a coastal groundwater (Sardinia, Italy)
Porru et al. ___ 113

Karst springs along the Murge Adriatic coastline (Apulia, southern Italy) Liso et al. ________________________________________ 114

Groutability of a rock mass evaluated by means of geo-structural surveys and in-situ tests Budetta & De Luca _________________ 115

Analysis and mapping of the salinity distribution and water table level of the Emilia-Romagna coastal phreatic aquifer
Giambastiani et al. ___ 116

Hydrochemical, isotopic and microbiota characterization of telese mineral waters (Southern Italy) Corniello et al. ______________ 117

The hydrological role of soil coverings on the groundwater recharge of representative Mediterranean karst aquifer: the case study of
the Mt. Soprano-Mt. Vesole-Mt. Chianello aquifer (Campania region, southern Italy) Cusano et al. ___________________________ 118
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
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Study of dilution processes of sulfidic aquifer hosted by the “Fiume-Vento” karstic complex, Frasassi (Marche Region, Central Italy)
Nicolini et al. ___ 119

First results of infrared thermography applied to the evaluation of hydraulic conductivity in rock masses Pappalardo G. ________ 120

Hydrogeological characterization of Naples city’s coastal volcanic-marine aquifer (southern Italy) Petrone et al. ________________ 121

Groundwater management through Forested Infiltration Area and hydrogeological numerical modeling of Arborea coastal plain
(Sardinia, Italy) Sessini et al. _______________________________________________________________________________________ 122

Ecosystem preservation of the Doberdò lake (Classical Karst) Calligaris et al. ______________________________________________ 123

2002-2021: Twenty Years of Groundwater Quality Monitoring in Campania (Italy) Barbuto et al. _____________________________ 124
Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Session 1

Climate change and groundwater

Keynote Lecture:

Assessment of climate change impacts on groundwater: Crossing the boundaries of hydrogeology

Steffen Birk (University of Graz)

Convenors

Walter Dragoni (ex Università degli Studi di Perugia)

Adolfo Mottola (ARPA Campania)

Giovanna De Filippis (AECOM)

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

KEYNOTE LECTURE
Assessment of climate change impacts on groundwater: Crossing
the boundaries of hydrogeology
Steffen Birk (University of Graz)

As a source of water supply for households, agriculture, and industry, groundwater plays an
important role in the adaptation to climate change. Yet, the development of adaptation strategies
needs to consider that climate change affects groundwater resources in several ways. On the one hand,
climate change alters the water cycle and thus groundwater recharge; on the other hand, human
activities aimed at climate change mitigation or adaptation potentially involve impacts on
groundwater. One approach to assess climate change impacts is to consider multiple global and
regional climate models driven by scenarios of future greenhouse gas emissions and to propagate the
model ensemble through impact models, e.g. assessing the resulting effects on the water cycle or
groundwater. The uncertainty of the results, however, increases with each step of the model chain
such that the outcome might be of limited use in practice. It has thus been suggested to complement
this scenario-based, top-down approach by a vulnerability-based, bottom-up approach focusing on the
identification and analysis of factors that are relevant for coping with climate change in a given
system. Here, I further suggest that model-based approaches should be supported by experimental
investigations and historic data analyses. Using lysimeters within controlled experiments provides
insights into climate change effects on soil water; this may help reduce uncertainties in recharge
estimates needed for groundwater models. Analysis of historic groundwater data provides
information about factors controlling groundwater levels; this is needed for vulnerability-based
assessments of climate change impacts on groundwater. Thus, hydrogeologists need to cross the
boundaries to other disciplines and, at the same time, be inventive in the use of hydrogeological data
and methods.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Climate and Landscape Effects on Agricultural Soil Losses in

Semi-arid Watershed
Gianluigi Busico1, Eleonora Grilli1, Sílvia C. P. Carvalho2, Micol Mastrocicco1, Simona Castladi1
1 DiSTABiF - Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies,
Campania University “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
2 University of Lisbon, CCIAM (Climate Change Impacts Adaptation & Modelling)/cE3c, Faculty of Sciences,

Lisbon, Portugal

Key words: Soil erosion, Climate changes, SWAT model.

The assessment of soil erosion rates represents a fundamental tool for land management and
planning, since it allows to correctly modify land-use practices finalizing them to a sustainable
management in the long-term period (Adhikari and Hartemink, 2016). Therefore, it is necessary to
consider all the available climate predictions and their uncertainties. In this study, the SWAT model,
which has proved to correctly assess hydrological responses to land use and climate changes (Busico
et al., 2020) was utilized to simulate and predict the soil erosion trend within a semi-arid watershed
in South Portugal. The model was successfully calibrated and validated using real data of
streamflow and river sediment transport. Afterwards, a predicting analysis for the period 2018-2040
was conducted using three climate models and two different emission perspectives (RCP 4.5 and
8.5). Results were extracted and analyzed including those from the four farm sites identified by the
Life project “Desert-Adapt”. Despite the high variability due to the climate variation a significative
increasing or decreasing trend was not identified on any survey sites. A detailed analysis was
conducted for all the sites considering the morphologic, soil and land cover characteristics to identify
the more sensitive factor. The result highlighted how soil erosion will be greatly and mainly
influenced first from soil, then from morphology, and land cover characteristics despite climate. The
study confirmed how the Leptosols category is the soil group most subjected to sediment loss due
to its intrinsic characteristics, and how the agroforestry and farmed system will negatively influence
soil erosion rate if no anti-erosion action will be adopted (Verheijen et al., 2009). This study
highlighted the necessity to identify all aspects responsible for land degradation especially inside
those Mediterranean watersheds characterized by highly variable climate condition and very
shallow soils to fulfill a sustainable resource utilization.

Adhikari, K., Hartemink, A.E. (2016). Linking soils to ecosystem services – a global review. Geoderma. 262, 101-111. doi:
0.1016/j.geoderma.2015.08.009.
Busico, G., Colombani, N., Fronzi, D., Pellegrini, M., Tazioli, A., Mastrocicco, M. (2020). Evaluating SWAT model performance,
considering different soils data input, to quantify actual and future runoff susceptibility in a highly urbanized basin. Journal of
Environmental Management. 266. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110625.
Verheijen, F.G.A., Jones, R.J.A., Rickson, R.J., Smith, C.J. (2009). Tolerable versus actual soil erosion rates in Europe. Earth-Science Reviews.
doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2009.02.003.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Meteorological variability and groundwater quality: examples in

different hydrogeological settings
Manuela Lasagna1, Daniela Ducci2, Mariangela Sellerino2, Susanna Mancini1, Domenico Antonio
De Luca1
1 Turin University, Earth Sciences Department, Turin (Italy)
2 Università Federico II - Napoli, Ingegneria Civile, Edile e ambientale - DICEA, Napoli (Italy)

Key words: groundwater; monitoring; contamination; climate variability; quality.

Rainfall and temperature variability causes changes in groundwater recharge that can also influence
groundwater quality by different processes (Bloomfield et al. 2016). The aim of this study is the
analysis of the hydrogeochemical variations in time due to meteorological variability in two
different study areas in Italy: an alluvial aquifer in the Piedmont Po plain and an alluvial-pyroclastic
aquifer in the Campanian plain.
The examined plains show groundwater with natural quality not satisfying the European drinking
water standards, or anthropogenic contamination. The peculiar natural quality is due, in the
Campanian plain, to the closeness of volcanic areas, and to the presence of reducing conditions. In
Piedmont Plain a test site is characterised by a point-source contamination by heavy metals, due to
the presence of past industrial activities. In all the examined areas there is a diffuse nitrate
contamination (Ducci et. al. 2019; Lasagna and De Luca, 2019). The fluctuations of the ions As, F, Fe,
Mn, Cr VI, NO3 and Cl were analysed and compared, using statistical methods, with the variations
over the time in precipitations, temperature, and piezometric levels, sometimes significant.
Results highlight the importance of the groundwater and meteorological monitoring and the key
role of the recharge variation in the hydrogeochemical processes. The linking degree between
rainfall/ temperature variability and hydrogeochemistry is variable, in function of the typology of
chemical species, their origin and of the aquifer characteristics. The fluctuation of climate variables
determinates sudden changes in the geochemistry of shallow unconfined aquifers (e.g. in the
Piedmont plain), while semiconfined or confined aquifers (e.g. in the Volturno-Regi Lagni plain)
react with a higher delay to these variations. Moreover, natural quality is more affected by climatic
variations than anthropogenic contamination, which is the result of multiple environmental and
anthropic factors.

Bloomfield, J.P.; Jackson, Christopher R.; Stuart, M.E. 2013. Changes in groundwater levels, temperature and quality in the UK over the
20th century: an assessment of evidence of impacts from climate change. http://www.lwec.org.uk/publications/water-climate-change-
impacts-report-card/1-groundwater-temperature-quality, LWEC, 14pp.
Ducci, D.; Della Morte, R.; Mottola, A.; Onorati, G.; Pugliano, G. 2019. Nitrate trends in groundwater of the Campania region (southern
Italy). Environ Sci Pollut R, 26, 2120–2131. doi: 10.1007/s11356-017-0978-y.
Lasagna, M.; De Luca, D.A. 2019. Evaluation of sources and fate of nitrates in the western Po Plain groundwater (Italy) using nitrogen
and boron isotopes. Environ Sci Pollut Res, 26(3), 2089-2104. doi: 10.1007/s11356-017-0792-6.

The full paper is published on: Lasagna M, Ducci D, Sellerino M, Mancini S, De Luca DA (2020). Meteorological variability and
groundwater quality: examples in different hydrogeological settings (2020). Water 12, 1297. doi:10.3390/w12051297.

4
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Co-occurrence of climatic and post-seismic events depleting groundwater

resources of fractured carbonate aquifers of Sibillini Mts. (Central Italy)
Lucia Mastrorillo1, Stefano Viaroli1, Francesca Banzato2, Enrico Bolzonella1, Margherita Bufalini3,
Carlo Ianni4, Marco Materazzi3, Marco Petitta2, Massimo Tonelli4
1 Department of Sciences – University of Roma Tre, Largo S. L. Murialdo 1, 00146 Rome, Italy
2 Earth Sciences Department, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
3 School of Sciences and Technology-Geology Division, University of Camerino, Via Gentile da Varano 7, 62032 Camerino

(Italy)
4 CIIP spa Integrated Water Service, Viale della Repubblica 24, 63100 Ascoli Piceno, Italy

Key words: spring discharge, drought, earthquakes, fractured aquifer, Central Italy.

In 2016, after a seismic sequence which struck the fractured carbonate aquifer of the Sibillini Mts., a
prolonged drought period occurred in the same area.
The main effect of the earthquakes on the Sibillini Mt. hydrostructure was a sustained increased
groundwater outflow. Multiple changes in water-table and in discharge of the springs occurred
lasting more than two years. In the same period, a shortage in rainfall and snow-cover hits the
aquifer, causing a decrease in groundwater recharge. The superposition of these events triggered
one of the most serious groundwater crisis of the last years, affecting the Sibillini Mts, that is the
main source of drinking water supply of the Adriatic coast.
With this work, the spatial and temporal distribution of the drought periods in the Sibillini aquifers
has been investigated, to understand how much the last drought period has influenced the current
water crisis, independently by the earthquake effects.
The Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) of 20 rainfall stations was calculated since the 1950s, focusing
on the analysis of the more intense drought periods identified. Using GIS, the intensities of drought
events were spatialized, and their temporal distribution was analyzed with statistical criteria. The
results were compared with the springs discharge data provided by the local water suppliers. The
discharge dataset is not homogeneous, and it covers a period from 20 to 70 years. The first results
suggest that the surplus outflow induced by the earthquake would have exhausted the groundwater
resources and partially depleted the groundwater reserves. This resulting condition appears to be
comparable with an intense aquifer overexploitation, in which the produced imbalance was
additionally enhanced by the simultaneous scarce recharge, caused by the drought period.
Nevertheless, the effects on the spring discharges due to these combined causes are consistent with
the hydrodynamic and geometrical parameters of the related feeding aquifer.

Mastrorillo, L., Saroli, M., Viaroli, S., Banzato, F., Valigi, D., & Petitta, M. 2020. Sustained post-seismic effects on groundwater flow in
fractured carbonate aquifers in central Italy. Hydrological Processes. 34, 1167–1181. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13662.
Nanni T., Vivalda P.M., Palpacelli S., Marcellini M., Tazioli A. 2020. Groundwater circulation and earthquake-related changes in
hydrogeological karst environments: a case study of the Sibillini Mountains (central Italy) involving artificial tracers. Hydrogeol J 28,
2409–2428. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02207-w.
Valigi, D., Fronzi, D., Cambi, C., Beddini, G., Cardellini, C., Checcucci, R., Mastrorillo, L., Mirabella,.F., Tazioli, A. 2020. Earthquake-
induced spring discharge modifications: the Pescara di Arquata spring reaction to the August–October 2016 Central Italy earthquakes.
Water 2020 (12), 767.18 pp; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12030767.

5
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Groundwater-surface water interactions revealed by

meteorological trends and groundwater fluctuations on streams
discharge
Davide Fronzi1, Elisa Mammoliti2, Nicolò Colombani1, Stefano Palpacelli1, Mirco Marcellini1,
Alberto Tazioli1
1SIMAU- Dipartimento di Scienze e Ingegneria della Materia, dell’Ambiente ed Urbanistica, Università Politecnica delle
Marche, Via Brecce Bianche 12, 60131 Ancona, Italy
2 Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università di Perugia, via Faina 4, 06123, Perugia, Italy

Key words: Aquifer-streams interaction; piezometric level; stream discharge; continuous

monitoring; hydro-meteorological trends.

The importance of considering groundwater (GW) and surface water (SW) as a single resource of
two interconnected components has rapidly increased during the last decades [1]. In order to
investigate GW-SW interaction in aquifers exploited by several wells, an integrated continuous
monitoring of the hydrological conditions have been performed. The sub-catchment (14 km2) is
located in the Aspio basin (Central Italy), it is drained by a small stream and it is characterized by
the presence of two aquifers: an unconfined alluvial aquifer and a confined limestone aquifer [2].
The aim of this study is to evaluate the drivers of stream drying up occurred during 2019, by
applying a time series analysis on daily rainfall and potential evapotranspiration, piezometric and
stream continuous monitoring and monthly pumping rates of wells. The rainfall and temperature
trends were analysed over a period of 60 years, while cross correlation and autocorrelation analyses
were performed on daily piezometric and stream levels over the last five years. The groundwater
table elevation was compared with the baseflow index, highlighting the interconnection between
both GW-SW during the years. To explore correlations with meteorological trends SW-GW levels
and pumping rates, a correlation matrix and ANOVA tests were performed. The precipitation
decrease and the concomitant potential evapotranspiration increase lead to gradual recharge
decrease. These analyses support the hypothesis of stream drying up mainly due to decreased
recharge. Even though there was an increase of groundwater withdrawals in the last two years, this
might not have played a major role since pumping rates increase did not trigger excessive
groundwater drawdown. This case study stresses the importance of studying GW-SW interactions
in a continuously changing meteo-climatic context characterized by a decreasing precipitation trend,
coupling both the advantages of a robust statistical method like time series analysis and the field
continuous monitoring.

1. Fleckenstein J. H., Krause S., Hannah M. D., Boano F., Groundwater-surface water interactions: New methods and models to improve
understanding of processes and dynamics, Advances in Water Resources, Volume 33, Issue 11, 2010, Pages 1291-1295, ISSN 0309-
1708, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2010.09.011.
2. Tazioli A., Aquilianti L., Clementi F., Marcellini M., Nann T., Palpacelli P., Roncolini A., Vivalda P. M., Flow parameters in porous
alluvial aquifers evaluated by multiple tracers, Rend. Online Soc. Geol. It., Vol. 47, 2019, Pages 126-132,
https://doi.org/10.3301/ROL.2019.23.

6
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

New hydrogeological assessments on the groundwater dependent

ecosystem of the Pilato Lake (Sibillini Mts, Central Italy)
Rossella Maria Gafà1, Francesco La Vigna1, Lucio Martarelli1, Gennaro Maria Monti1, Angelantonio
Silvi1
1 Gelogical Survey of Italy - ISPRA, Rome (Italy)

Key words: Hydrogeology, Groundwater dependent ecosystem (GDE), Pilato Lake, Sibillini Mts,
Central Italy.

Due to the endemic presence of the crustaceous Chirocephalus marchesonii, the Pilato Lake (Sibillini
Mts, Central Italy) was in the past mainly studied from the biological viewpoint, but hydrogeological
information on this groundwater dependent ecosystem is scarce.
Hydrogeological activities were conducted in 2018-2020 for verifying the effects on that ecosystem
induced by the Central Italy 2016-2017 seismic sequence. Geomorphological evidences of ruptures
were not observed in the study area, but only boulders detached from the surrounding slopes.
Furthermore, for investigating the lake drying in the recent 2017, 2019 and 2020 summers, the
seasonal lowering of lake levels during 2010, 2012 and 2014-2020 was reconstructed. It resulted that
in the pre-seismic years the lake emptying was slower (mean value 0.044 m/g) than in the post-
seismic time (mean 0.066 m/g). It is then likely that seismic quaking induced increase of
permeability, and consequently of infiltration velocity through the lake sustaining surficial (detrital
and glacial) and/or bedrock deposits towards the subsurface. More frequent summer dryings of the
lake is then predictable.
The hydrogeological conceptual model of the lake area showed that the refilling process of the lake
is driven by snow and rain precipitations (P). The air temperatures during 2018-2019 and their effects
on evaporation from lake (E, mean 640-710 mm) and on real evapotranspiration (ET, mean 450-480
mm/a) were estimated. Finally, infiltration through sustaining sediments (I=P-R-ET-E; mean 525-510
mm/a; R, runoff is negligible) was calculated.
The bathymetric isolines of the lake area already obtained by drone flights, elevation contour lines
of topographic maps and GPS surveys of elevation of lake borders with time. These data recently
allowed the estimation with time (Δt) of lake wet surface (A) and lake volume variations (ΔV), and
then bulk permeability (K=ΔV/A•Δt) of sustaining sediments was as well valuated (10-6÷10-7 m/s).

7
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Last century rainfall variations in northern Tuscany (Italy) and

possible effects on karstic strategic groundwater
Matteo Nigro1, Roberto Giannecchini1,2, Matia Menichini2, Marco Doveri2, Michele Barsanti3,
Brunella Raco2, Paolo Lunini4
1 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy
2 IGG-CNR, Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
3 Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo L. Lazzarino, 56122 Pisa, Italy
4 MeteoApuane, associazione meteorologica locale, via B. Croce 17, 54100 Massa, Italy

Key words: climate change, precipitation variability, Apuan Alps, north-western Tuscany.

Climate change is one of the main factors affecting groundwater resources, making an assessment
necessary for the future exploitation. Recent past climate changes evaluation requires an extensive
and distributed meteorological database. Some of the principal groundwater systems in Tuscany
(particularly the karst aquifer systems of the Apuan Alps) are present in its northern part. Also,
Tuscany has a densely distributed rain gauges network (some datasets longer than 100 years).
Bartolini et al. (2014) and D’Oria et al. (2017) already identified precipitation reduction and
temperature increase in the whole of Tuscany and its northern portion for the last century.
In this work, we investigate the time evolution of rainfall in northern Tuscany in the last century
both for quantity and dynamics. The number of rain gauges chosen for this analysis was heavily
increased and deeply controlled for datasets continuity and homogeneity.
We studied the precipitation data in terms of mean annual precipitation differences between the
periods 1990/2019 – 1921/1950 and 1990/2019 – 1951/1980; detection of trends in the yearly and
seasonal precipitation via the Mann-Kendall test; rainfall events variations; spatial distribution of
the precipitation trend; changing in single precipitation events extension through the last seventy
years. The precipitation reduction, identified in the previous studies, is confirmed and seasonally
featured. We highlight variations in the rainfall events for different rain-depth intervals. We estimate
the last century annual precipitation decrease to be around 10% of the Mean Annual Precipitation
in the past thirty years. However, this variation seems not evenly distributed in the analysed area.
The observed evolution in local hydrological regime represents a serious threat to the strategic karst
groundwater of the area, which is sensitive to hydro-climate conditions (Doveri et al., 2019). The
precipitation decrease and the change in distribution are already modifying the flow rate and regime
in some major karst springs.

Bartolini G., Messeri A., Grifoni D., Mannini D., Orlandini S., 2014. Recent trends in seasonal and annual precipitation indices in Tuscany
(Italy). Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 118:147–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-013-1053-3.
D’Oria M., Ferraresi M., Tanda M.G., 2017. Historical trends and high-resolution future climate projections in Northern Tuscany (Italy).
Journal of Hydrology, vol. 555 pp. 708-723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2017.10.054.
Doveri M., Piccini L. Menichini M., 2019. Hydrodynamic and geochemical features of metamorphic carbonate aquifers and implications
for water management: the Apuan Alps (NW Tuscany-Italy) case study. In: Karst Water Environment: Advances in Research,
Management and Policy (T. Younos, M. Schreiber, K. K. Ficco, Editors). Springer Publishers, pp 209-249 (First Online: 27 May 2018).
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77368-1_8.

8
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Climate-driven groundwater evolution in different types of

aquifer systems and climate contexts
Linda Franceschi1,2, Matia Menichini1, Roberto Giannecchini1,2, Brunella Raco1, Marco Doveri1
1 Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG-CNR) of Pisa
2 Department of Earth Sciences of University of Pisa

Key words: groundwater resources, climate changes, hydrodynamics, hydrometeorological data.

Groundwater represent the safest and most reliable source of drinking water, besides being widely
exploited both for agricultural and industrial purposes. Despite their strategic importance, they are
very often neither protected nor adequately studied to detect any potential threats, such as those
related to anthropogenic or climate changes impacts. Although groundwater are less influenced by
climate changes, it is still necessary to understand their response to climatic trends in order to
improve the management of groundwater resources.
The aim of this work is to describe the evolution of groundwater tied to climate conditions, by
analysing and correlating meteo-climate and hydrodynamic-physical-chemical data in three
different types of aquifer systems and geographical contexts:
• The mountain aquifer hosted in the volcanic edifice of Mt. Amiata (SE Tuscany) extending
over an area of about 80 km2, in the range of altitude 450-1750 m a.s.l., where precipitation
(1200 mm/yr on average) is mainly rainfall and secondarily snowfall (Doveri et alii, 2017).
• The aquifer of Pianosa Island (Tuscan Archipelago), which extends for just 10 km2 in a semi-
arid climate due to low annual precipitation (about 500 mm), relatively high atmospheric
temperature (about 18 °C on average) and windy conditions (Doveri et alii, 2012).
• The foothill aquifer system developed in the middle-high plain of the Brenta River (NW
Veneto), where groundwater is closely connected to the river and consequently to the
hydrologic regime of the alpine climate affecting the uppermost sector of the catchment
(Sottani & Vielmo, 2014).
The availability of sufficiently large time series data allowed us to adopt an integrated
hydrodynamics, physical-chemical and statistical-geostatistical approach, to underline correlation
between meteorological parameters and groundwater evolution.
The results showed a general decline of groundwater yield congruently to trends of climate
indicators, as well as the possibility to extend our research towards the development of predictive
data-driven models concerning groundwater quantity and quality in awaited climate conditions.

Doveri, M., Menichini, M., Provenzale, A., & Scozzari, A. (2017). Groundwater response to climate changes: examples of observed and
modeled trends on Tuscany aquifers (central Italy). Atti del Convegno “XVII Giornata Mondiale dell’Acqua-“Strategie di adattamento
alla domanda e alla disponibilità di risorse idriche”, Accademia dei Lincei, Roma.
Doveri M., Giannecchini, R., Mussi M., Nicotra I., Puccinelli A. (2012) - Aspetti geologici e idrogeologici del peculiare acquifero dell'Isola
di Pianosa (Arcipelago Toscano). EngHydroEnv Geology, 15, 17-30.
Sottani, A., & Vielmo, A. (2014). Groundwater conservation and monitoring activities in the middle Brenta River plain (Veneto Region,
Northern Italy): preliminary results about aquifer recharge. Acque Sotterranee-Italian Journal of Groundwater.

9
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Assessing long-term scenarios of groundwater recharge in karst

aquifers by climate models (GCMs and RCMs)
Daniele Lepore1, Pantaleone De Vita1, Vincenzo Allocca1
1 Department of Earth, Environmental and Resources Sciences - University of Naples Federico II

Key words: climate change, groundwater recharge, karst aquifer.

Karst aquifers host important groundwater resources for human and agricultural use in many areas
of the world and include natural landscapes and ecosystems with great geo- and biodiversities
(Goldscheider, 2012). The studies of the climate-change impact on the groundwater recharger
processes of these aquifers is a task of high importance due to the high relationship between the
socio-economic dependence of the human activity with the groundwater availability. The aim of this
review it is to verify the state of the art of the application of climate models, such as General
Circulation Models (GCMs) and the more detailed Regional Circulation Models (RCMs), and
analyze how these models have been used to assess groundwater recharge in different
hydrogeological conditions and climate and hydrological scenarios, in the framework of
Mediterranean karst aquifers. GCMs and RCMs are applied around the world with different spatial
and temporal scale resolution, succeeding to reconstruct climate scenarios up to the end of the
current century. The review was performed paying attention to methodologies applied for the
estimation of groundwater recharge in different temporal scenarios reconstructed by the application
of the GCMs/RCMs in areas with carbonate lithologies. Ensemble of different GCMs/RCMs
represent the best approach for a reduction of the uncertainty of the results obtained by this
modeling and the temporal analysis are carried out in various time scales for a better evaluation.
Precipitations and temperature are the fundamental variables and their time series, simulated by
RCMs, are easily and largely applicable for the quantification of the groundwater recharge by
numerical models. However, these time series can increase the spatial resolution of the local scale
climate with correct downscaling techniques/bias correction methods (Teutschbein and Seibert 2012,
Gudmundsson et al., 2012) and can be used also for the quantification of the groundwater recharge
through empirical models or water budget approach.

Goldscheider, N. (2012). A holistic approach to groundwater protection and ecosystem services in karst terrains.
Gudmundsson, L., Bremnes, J. B., Haugen, J. E., & Engen-Skaugen, T. (2012). Downscaling RCM precipitation to the station scale using
statistical transformations–a comparison of methods. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 16(9), 3383-3390.
Teutschbein, C., & Seibert, J. (2012). Bias correction of regional climate model simulations for hydrological climate-change impact studies:
Review and evaluation of different methods. Journal of hydrology, 456, 12-29.

10
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Trends in long-term time series of karst springs discharge and

relation to climate factors and changes
Leone G1, Pagnozzi M1, Catani V1, Esposito L1, Fiorillo F1
1 Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Study of Sannio, Benevento, Italy

Key words: Karst, Time series, Distribution fit, Standardization, Climate change.

Karst aquifers of the Campania Region are generally drained by large basal springs, that satisfy the
needs of water of numerous villages of the Southern Italy. In most cases, the discharge time series
of these springs are available and provide precious data to understand the water resource
availability variations under climate change. This study aims to investigate the effects of the main
climate variables, rainfall and temperature, on the groundwater conditions. The main relationships
between climate and discharge have been evaluated by applying different statistical analyses to
long-term series of hydro-meteorological variables. In particular, the performances of different
three-parameter probability distribution models for the frequency analysis of the hydrological series
have been analyzed; an accurate statistical criterion has been used to select the most suitable
probability model to calculate robust hydrological standardized series, in order to examine duration
and intensity of hydrologically dry and wet periods; hydrological droughts have been focused,
considering their role on the economies and environment. Long-term variations of hydro-
meteorological variable have also been investigated by using non-parametric trend detection tests;
these tests include Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slope tests, that assess the sign and the statistical
significance of trends in time series. Our analysis reveals the strong relationship between climate
variations and groundwater system; in particular, results of the analysis shows that the intensity
and the frequency of hydrological droughts have been increased over the last three decades; a
statistically significant decrease of the annual mean spring discharge was observed, together with a
strong statistically significant trend of the annual mean air temperature. The latter had been a strong
impact on the karst aquifers and induced an increase of duration and intensity of hydrological
droughts in the last decades. On the other hand, no statistically significant long-term trend seems to
characterize the annual mean precipitation series.

The full paper is published on: Fiorillo, F., Leone, G., Pagnozzi, M., & Esposito, L. (2021). Long-term trends in karst spring
discharge and relation to climate factors and changes. Hydrogeology Journal, 29(1), 347-377.

11
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Spatio-temporal analyses and correlations between groundwater

and air temperature in the Piedmont Po plain (NW Italy):
preliminary results
Elena Egidio1, Manuela Lasagna1, Susanna Mancini1, Domenico Antonio De Luca1
1 University of Torino (Earth Sciences Department)

Key words: groundwater temperature, trend, climate change, Po plain.

It’s now recognized that a global climate change is taking place, leading to an increase in
temperatures and a variation in precipitation regime, also affecting groundwater (GW) (Taylor et
al., 2013).
In this study we want to evaluate how climate change affects GW temperature (GWT) in the
Piedmont Po plain (NW Italy).
The Piedmont Po plain covers the 27% of the whole region and it’s the most important GW reservoir
of the Piedmont region (De Luca et al., 2020). It consists, from top to bottom, by Alluvial deposit
complex (lower Pleistocene-Holocene), that hosts a shallow unconfined aquifer, the
“Villafranchiano” transitional complex (late Pliocene-early Pleistocene), that hosts a multilayered
aquifer, and a Marine complex (Pliocene) hosting a confined aquifer (De Luca et al., 2020).
For this research, 41 wells in the shallow aquifer and 20 weather stations were selected throughout
the Piedmont Po plain area, and GWT and air temperature (AT) parameters were analysed for the
period 2010-2019.
The GWT data were firstly studied with basic statistical analysis (mean, maxima, minima), then with
the Mann-Kendall and Theil-Sen methods to evaluate the trend of the monthly mean GWT. GWT
show a general increase in all the plain, with a mean of 0.85 °C/10years.
Same analyses were carried out for monthly means AT data and it was observed that the mean
increase is 1,69 °C/10years.
To compare GWT and AT, the Voronoi polygons method was used on QGis, centring the polygons
on the weather stations.
It was possible to highlight that in most cases there is a greater increase in the AT than in the GWT.
The same behaviour was observed for the monthly minima and maxima GWT and AT.
These results testify a greater resilience of GWT to climate variability. Future insights will be a
detailed analysis of the factors influencing the more or less evident increase in GWT in relation to
air temperatures.

De Luca D. A., Lasagna M., Debernardi L. 2020. Hydrogeology of the western Po plain (Piedmont, NW Italy). Journal of maps, Vol. 16,
NO. 2, 265-273. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2020.1738280.
Taylor R.G., Scanlon B., Döll P., Rodell M., van Beek R., Wada Y., Longuevergne L., Leblanc M., Famiglietti J.S., Edmunds M., Konikow
L., Green T.R., Chen J., Taniguchi M., Bierkens M.F.P., MacDonald A., Fan Y., Maxwell R.M., Yechieli Y., Gurdak J.J., Allen D.,
Shamsudduha M., Hiscock K., Yeh P.J.F., Holman I., Treidel H. 2013. Ground water and climate change. Nat. Clim. Change 3, 322-
329.

12
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Impact of North Atlantic Oscillation On Water Resources In

South-Western Poland
Tomasz Olichwer1, Robert Tarka1, Sebastian Buczyński1
1 University of Wrocław, Institute of Geological Sciences(Poland)

Key words: climate change, groundwater resources, SW Poland.

Research indicates that the influence of the NAO on the discharge of rivers in Poland is at its greatest
in winter and early spring, i.e. during the formation of some of the country’s largest water resources
(Wrzesiński 2008). The studies of authors focuses on south-western Poland in 17 catchments with
varying environmental features and surface areas. Used data from the years 1966 to 2015 included
river flows, temperatures and precipitation. The information was subjected to mathematical and
statistical transformations. Data point towards a decline in precipitation, air temperature on the
other hand shows an upward trend on study area. Most of the drainage basins show a correlation
between total and groundwater runoff and meteorological conditions. In light of the fact that local
meteorological conditions are created by large-scale phenomena, attempted to draw a connection
between runoff and the NAO indexes. In all of the drainage basins, comparisons between annual
runoff (both total and subsurface) and the winter NAO index showed high correlations. The highest
correlation coefficients are obtained when comparing annual NAO indices with the annual total
runoff for the period between January and December in large drainage basins, and for the period
between February and January and between March and February in small drainage basins. In the
case of groundwater runoff, the annual NAO index correlates most strongly with the degree of the
flow assessed following the algorithm based on the delayed figures, i.e. from February to January of
the following year and from March to February of the following year. The situation is different when
comparing the winter NAO index with the total and groundwater runoff figures from each 6-month
period. The highest, statistically significant figures are calculated by comparing the winter NAO
index with total and groundwater runoff for the period between March and August and April and
September. This suggests a significant impact of the winter NAO index on the formation of runoff
during the warmer months.

Wrzesiński, D. 2008. Impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation on river runoff in Poland. IWRA 13th World Water Congress Montpellier,
France: 1-4.

13
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

The first national groundwater climate-change impact indicator

in Italy
Francesco La Vigna1, Rossella Maria Gafà1, Marco Marcaccio2
1 Geological Survey of Italy - ISPRA, Rome (Italy)
2 Enviromental Protecion Agency of Emilia Romagna - ARPAE, Bologna (Italy)

Key words: data series, monitoring network, Rome.

Precipitation is decreasing in Southern Europe. Strong pressure on water resources is expected, with
a consequent reduction in water quality and quantity, especially in summer, in southern regions and
small islands. The Italian National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change – SNACC (MATTM,
2014) identifies water resources among the most critical situations. These do not present serious
problems in terms of water availability on an annual basis, but rather in terms of uneven availability
over time and space and management efficiency. The Italian National Climate Change Adaptation
Plan – PNACC (MATTM, 2018) identifies among the specific actions to address the reduction of
water availability, the improvement of the effectiveness of monitoring, planning and efficiency of
the use of the resource. For the first time an indicator aiming to detect any impact signal specifically
related to groundwater resources has been identified in Italy. The indicator is based on groundwater
level data series analysis of official regional monitoring stations.
The purpose of the indicator is to provide information on the evolution of groundwater levels on a
national scale in relation to the different climatic zones. The groundwater level measured in
conditions not influenced by other anthropogenic factors is recognized as a descriptor of the
quantitative status of the aquifers (Barthel, 2011). Thus the trend of groundwater levels is able to
provide a snapshot of the quantitative status of groundwater resources.
Currently, although at preliminary state, an effort has been made to select a group of representative
stations for each homogeneous climate macro-region of the PNACC, and the selected stations from
those available do not yet have a completely homogeneous coverage on the national territory.
Keeping against this limit, the first calculations performed show how groundwater resources do not
show particular crisis signals, generally showing stable or positive trends in recent years, compared
to the average of the selected period, which ranges from 10 to 20 years depending on the historical
data series available.

Barthel, R., 2011 An indicator approach to assessing and predicting the quantitative state of groundwater bodies on the regional scale
with a special focus on the impacts of climate change. Hydrogeology Journal 19:525-546 DOI: 10,1007/s10040-010-0693-y
MATTM, 2014. SNACC – Strategia Nazionale di Adattamento ai Cambiamenti Climatici.
MATTM, 2018. PNACC – Piano Nazionale di Adattamento ai Cambiamenti Climatici.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Regional and local control of the North Atlantic Oscillation on

the hydrological response of karst aquifers in southern Italy
Palmira Marsiglia1, Domenico Calcaterra1, Pantaleone De Vita1, Michele Di Natale2, Roberto
Villani1, Vincenzo Allocca1
1 University of Naples Federico II, Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences
2 G.O.R.I. S.p.A., Ercolano, Naples, Italy

Key words: climatic variability, North Atlantic Oscillation, groundwater recharge.

The importance of groundwater resources deriving from karst aquifers is known worldwide having
beneficial effects on economic and social development, from the regional to local scales. For the
Campania region, karst aquifers are the main source of water supply for drinking, irrigation, and
industrial uses. Among these aquifers, that of the Avella Mts, managed by G.O.R.I Inc., a joint-stock
company that manage the integrated water service of the Sarno-Vesuvian District of the Campania
region, constitutes a strategic resource. It supplies about 80% of the total resources conducted into
the aqueduct systems extending over 927 km2 and providing 1.500.000 inhabitants.
Given the relevance of this karst aquifer and of its annual groundwater yield, a study of the effects
of long-term climatic variability on groundwater recharge was carried out with the aim to assess
possible drought scenarios. The analysis was carried out at two spatial scales, the regional and local
scales. Knowing that the long-term variability of the principal climatic parameters in the
Mediterranean area are also linked to the occurrence of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), an
atmospheric phenomenon occurring on the north hemisphere, time series of precipitation and air
temperature were collected and analyzed over about a century, from 1921 to 2019. At this scope
recordings of 18 rain gauges and 9 air temperature stations, chosen among the most continuous at
the regional scale, and of 23 rain gauges and 11 thermometric stations, on a local scale, were
analyzed. For the same period, time series of the winter NAO index and discharges of five different
karst aquifers were collected. The analysis of the NAO Index and of hydrological parameters
controlling groundwater recharge, precipitation, air temperature, actual evapotranspiration and
effective precipitation, was carried out by the calculation of normalized annual indexes and by the
application of smoothing numerical techniques for the analyses of long-term trend. The analysis of
time series of normalized indexes highlighted the existence, both at the regional and local scales, of
complex periodicities, from 2 to more than 30-40 years, with differences in average values of up to
approximately ± 30% for precipitation and karst spring discharges, which were found strongly
correlated with the winter NAO index.
The results of this study combine the continental scale atmospheric cycles and groundwater recharge
of karst aquifers from the regional to aquifer scales depicting the use of the winter NAO index as a
proxy to predict the multitemporal variability of groundwater flow in Mediterranean karst areas.
Therefore, these findings could be used to assess possible drought scenarios.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Analyzing the groundwater management practices in the surficial

aquifer of Abu Dhabi
Claudia Cherubini1, Sadhasivham Sathish, Nicola Pastore2, Concetta Giasi2
1.Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, via Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara (Italy)
2Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Polytechnic of Bari,
via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari (Italy)

Key words: Abu Dhabi; agriculture activities; desalinated water; solute transport model.

The groundwater resource in Abu Dhabi has been depleted by heavy pumping in the past. Water
derived from the desalinated plants and Treated Sewage Plants (TSE) are significantly reducing the
rate of groundwater pumping. Many reports suggest that the pumping is reduced but not less than
the rate of groundwater renewability. Ranges of decline and increase in the groundwater head are
noticed in some locations. It is also reported that the replacement of groundwater especially in the
field of agriculture sectors demands a proper understanding of aquifer behavior. This study is
conducted to understand the impacts in the aquifer system caused by the introduction of desalinated
water for agriculture activities and for aquifer recharge. A regional density dependent flow model
is employed in this study. The simulation is carried out from the year 2000 to 2050 using a reported
rate of groundwater pumping and 0.1 g/l, 0.5 g/l, 1 g/l, 1.5 g/l and 2 g/l of desalinated water salinity.
An improvement in the groundwater quality is noticed in the aquifer due to the addition of less
saline water into the aquifer. In the eastern part of the aquifer, an increase in the groundwater head
is noticed in few wells due to the existing reduction in the groundwater pumping. The results
confirm that this region demands further management practices in quantifying the amount of
alternative water sources in irrigation such as desalinated water in order to face agricultural water
scarcity.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Changes in the discharge regime of a major spring in the

Northern Apennines over a century (1920-2020): a comparison
between ancient and recent monitoring surveys in relation to
climate change
Alessandro Gargini1, Maria Filippini1, Federico Grazzini2, Stefano Segadelli3
1 Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna (Italy)
2 Idro Meteo Clima Survey, ARPAE, Bologna (Italy)
3 Geological, seismic and soil survey, Emilia-Romagna Region, Bologna (Italy)

Key words: climate change, spring, discharge, Epiligurian unit, arenite.

It is scientifically established that global warming induced by greenhouse gases, affecting the surface
energy budget, can significantly alter the Earth's water cycle, with consequent modification of
precipitation typology and regime. However, the net effects of these changes on the process of
groundwater discharge are still uncertain at local scale. The lack of historical series of monitoring
data, dating back to at least 60-100 years ago, is among the main drawbacks, with the rare exception
of major karst springs exploited for public water supply [1]. In hard rock aquifers, like those
dominant in the Northern Apennines, the dynamic of spring outflow during the first half of the XX
century is an absolute black-box. For this reason, it appeared noteworthy to analyze detailed
monthly-based monitoring data, over the 1915-1920 time span, of the whole discharge of the Nadìa
spring [2], one of the most productive spring in the Emilia-Romagna region, in low flow season,
among those used for drinking water. Such data were reported in a century-old study functional to
the drilling of a draining tunnel for water uptake. We present a comparison between the monthly
regime of the spring discharge 100 years ago and a continuous monitoring performed by the authors
during the 2020/2021 hydrological year, integrated with the total water uptaken in years 2018-2020.
Nadìa spring discharges from an arenitic fractured aquifer deposited in a neritic setting above
mainly clayey units acting as a permeability threshold. The abundance of calcite in the grains and
cement of the arenite enhances corrosion and enlargement of fractures. In 2018-2021 the spring
discharge range has been 80-50 L/s whereas in 1915-1920 it was 140-63 L/s. The two (ancient and
recent) sets of data were compared with a focus on the evolution of precipitation and thermal
regime.

1. Diodato, N., Bellocchi G., Fiorillo F., Ventafridda G. 2017. Case study for investigating groundwater and the future of mountain spring
discharges in Southern Italy, Journal of Mathematical Sciences, 14 (9), 1791 – 1800.
2. Vecchi, A. 1920. La sorgente di Rosola e la sua derivazione per l’acquedotto modenese. Giornale del Genio Civile, Anno LVIII.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

The Variation of the Natural Flow Regime and Trend Discharge

of the Bagnara Limestone Spring (Apennines, Italy)
Adolfo Mottola1, Giovanni Ruggieri1, Raniero Madonna1
1 Indipendent Researcher, Naples (Italy)

Key words: groundwater spring, flow regime, trend discharge, climate change.

The study of the spring flows of the Bagnara spring was undertaken in order to statistically
investigate any decreases in the spring flow over the last forty years of flow records. It is found that
the spring flow regime has statistically changed over the last forty years due to climate change. It is
calculated that, on a multiannual scale, the tendency to decrease the spring flow is statistically
significant for the minimum flows, while the multiannual decrease trend of the maximum and
average flows does not appear statistically significant. The methodology used is based on the
criterion of linear regression and trend analysis. It is concluded that starting from the next two
decades the impact of climate change on minimum flows will be significant for the water supply for
human use and for the life of biotic communities as it could lead, in a statistical sense, to the absence
of spring flow during the dry season.

Angelini, P. and Dragoni, W. 1997. The Problem of Modeling Limestone Springs The Case of Bagnara (North Apennines, Italy). Ground
Water, 35, 612-618.
Arpa Umbria, 2019. Dati del monitoraggio in continuo delle portate sorgive. www.arpa.umbria.it.
Poff N.L., Allan J.D., Bain M.B., Karr J.R., Prestegaard K.L., Richter B.D., Sparks R.E., Stromberg J.C, 1997. The Natural Flow Regime. A
paradigm for river conservation and restoration. BioScience, 47 (11), pp. 769-784.
Valigi, D., Di Matteo, L., Dragoni, V.U., Frondini, F., Cambi, C., Boscherini, A., Checcucci, R., Lotti, F. 2012. Carta idrogeologica del Monte
Cucco (Umbria nordorientale). Bilancio idrogeologico dei complessi giurassici e cretacico inferiori. Gruppo Poligrafico Tiberino. Città
di Castello, Perugia, Italy.
Ventsel, A., D. 1983. Teoria dei processi stocastici. Editori Riuniti Edizione MIR.
Ventsel, E., S. 1983. Teoria delle probabilità. Editori Riuniti Edizione MIR.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Interdisciplinary investigations of managed aquifer recharge

potential on the small island of Vis (Croatia)
Matko Patekar1 Marco Pola1 Staša Borović1 Josip Terzić1 Maja Briški1 Ivan Kosović1 Vlatko Brčić1
Silvia Mittempergher2 Alessio Lucca3 Luigi Riccardo Berio3
1 Croatian Geological Survey, Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Zagreb (Croatia)
2 University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Modena (Italy)
2 University of Parma, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Parma (Italy)

Key words: Vis island, groundwater, karst hydrogeology, climate change, managed aquifer
recharge.

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) refers to a suite of methods by which excess surface water is
diverted underground where it is stored for subsequent recovery. Although MAR has a long history
of implementation in aquifers with intergranular porosity, its application in the karst environment
presents major challenges due to the high heterogeneity of karst aquifers (Dillon et al., 2019). This
research was focused on conducting a MAR feasibility study on the island of Vis, a small karstic
island in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea, where favorable geological and hydrogeological
conditions enabled the formation of high-quality karst aquifers, making the island autonomous in
terms of water supply. The island’s main aquifer is protected from seawater intrusions by several
hydrogeological barriers, however, climate change and high seasonal pressures related to tourism
pose a threat to the future availability of freshwater. To investigate whether a MAR operation is
feasible and suitable for the karst aquifer on Vis, detailed field and laboratory investigations were
carried out. Field investigations included in-situ measurements of physicochemical parameters on
water samples from springs and boreholes, groundwater monitoring (conductivity, temperature,
and water levels), geophysical methods (ERT, magnetotellurics, and seismic refraction), and
structural measurements. Laboratory analyses included measurements of stable water isotopes,
principal cations and anions, tritium activity, and analyses of stable isotopes from dissolved
sulphates. The results corroborated the available conceptual model of the water resources detailing
the geometry of the carbonate aquifer and of the fracture systems driving the water circulation. A
3D numerical model (FEFLOW) of the island will be developed to simulate various scenarios of
climate change, with and without MAR. The integration of the obtained results with historical data
and previous research will be used for implementing efficient and sustainable management of the
karst aquifer through MAR or alternative solutions on Vis island.

Dillon, P., Stuyfzand, P., Grischek, T. et al. Sixty years of global progress in managed aquifer recharge. Hydrogeol. J. 27, 1–30 (2019).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1841-z.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
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Session 2

Groundwater Resource and Sustainability

Keynote Lecture:

Groundwater Resources on the United Nations Agenda: Cross-border groundwater cooperation

Alice Aureli (UNESCO IHP)

Conveners

Tullia Bonomi (Università degli Studi di Milano – Bicocca)

Antonio Menghini (Aarhus Geofisica S.r.l.)

Maria Filippini (Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna)

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

KEYNOTE LECTURE
Groundwater Resources on the United Nations Agenda: Cross-
border groundwater cooperation
Alice Aureli (UNESCO IHP)

Transboundary waters account for 60 per cent of the world’s freshwater flow, while 153 countries
have territory within at least one of the 286 transboundary river and lake basins and 592
transboundary aquifer systems.
Despite the fact such a large proportion of the fresh water on the planet is contained in transboundary
aquifers, it was not until 20 years ago that the UNESCO ISARM initiative, a major study of
“invisible groundwater”, was launched.
Over the last 20 years, the UNESCO ISARM Initiative has significantly contributed to progress
made in the assessment, cooperation and regulation of joint management of shared
groundwater. Since its start in the year 2000, ISARM has launched a number of global and regional
initiatives. These are designed to delineate and analyse transboundary aquifer systems and to
encourage riparian states to work cooperatively towards mutually beneficial and sustainable aquifer
development.
The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet
and improve the lives and prospects for all. UNESCO IHP contributes to the achievement of SDG
6 to ‘Ensure access to water and sanitation for all. UNESCO IHP is responsible, together with the
UNECE, for the monitoring of Indicator 6.5.2 which tracks the percentage of transboundary basin
area within a country that has an operational arrangement for water cooperation.
While substantial progress has been made in the study of transboundary aquifers, one of the results
of the second phase of the monitoring of indicator 6.5.2 is to clearly address the problem of data gaps
in relation to transboundary aquifers as a trigger for sustained cooperation.
148 countries share at least one aquifer with a neighbouring country. However, the lack of data on
aquifers remains a major obstacle to achieving water security for many countries. The report,
prepared by UNESCO and UNECE on indicator 6.5.2, clearly points to the need to strengthen efforts
to accelerate investments and capacity development on groundwater resources studies by 2030.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Machine learning in hydrogeology: a method to deal with the

missing data problem in time series
Paolo Fabbri1
1 Department of Geosciences, University of Padova (Italy)

Key words: time series, open-source, machine learning (ML), Euganean Geothermal Field (EuGF).

Often in hydrogeology long time series show periods of interrupted monitoring, producing missing
data, while in some cases, it could be needful the availability of the complete time series. A machine
learning (ML) approach can be a useful way to estimate missing data in a time series. In this work,
a long time series representing the potentiometric level on the Euganean Geothermal field (EuGF)
of Abano Terme (NE, Italy) is considered. Since 1977, a monitoring network is present in EuGF and
the well BA2 has the longest time series of potentiometric levels in EuGF. As usual, such a time series
presents missing values (96 missing data on a total of 526) and the purpose is to estimate
potentiometric levels also that times. In this area, the potentiometric levels are artificial and strictly
linked to thermal water exploitation, so the input data are the thermal water exploitations and the
output data are the estimated potentiometric levels in BA2.
ML is a general definition concerning algorithms that give computers the ability to learn from data
without being explicitly programmed, in fact, a machine-learning algorithm learns how to make
decisions from the data alone. There are different ML approaches such as neural networks, deep
learning, random forest, and others. Here the Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), implemented in
the h2o package in R environment, is taken into account to estimate missing data on the monthly
potentiometric level of BA2 well. GBMs build an ensemble of shallow and weak successive trees
with each tree learning and improving on the previous. When combined, these many weak
successive trees produce a powerful “committee” that is often hard to beat with other ML
algorithms.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Specific vulnerability to anthropogenic pollution: a novel hybrid method

Gianluigi Busico1, Nerantzis Kazakis2, Colombani Nicolo3, Dario Tedesco1, Micol Mastrocicco1
1DiSTABiF - Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Campania
University “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
2Department of Geology, Lab. of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
3SIMAU - Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Polytechnic University of Marche,
Via Brecce Bianche 12, 60131 Ancona, Italy

Key words: Aquifer Pollution, Vulnerability assessment, Statistical analysis.

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) refers to a suite of methods by which excess surface water is
diverted underground where it is stored for subsequent recovery. Although MAR has a long history
of implementation in aquifers with intergranular porosity, its application in the karst environment
presents major challenges due to the high heterogeneity of karst aquifers (Dillon et al., 2019). This
research was focused on conducting a MAR feasibility study on the island of Vis, a small karstic
island in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea, where favorable geological and hydrogeological
conditions enabled the formation of high-quality karst aquifers, making the island autonomous in
terms of water supply. The island’s main aquifer is protected from seawater intrusions by several
hydrogeological barriers, however, climate change and high seasonal pressures related to tourism
pose a threat to the future availability of freshwater. To investigate whether a MAR operation is
feasible and suitable for the karst aquifer on Vis, detailed field and laboratory investigations were
carried out. Field investigations included in-situ measurements of physicochemical parameters on
water samples from springs and boreholes, groundwater monitoring (conductivity, temperature,
and water levels), geophysical methods (ERT, magnetotellurics, and seismic refraction), and
structural measurements. Laboratory analyses included measurements of stable water isotopes,
principal cations and anions, tritium activity, and analyses of stable isotopes from dissolved
sulphates. The results corroborated the available conceptual model of the water resources detailing
the geometry of the carbonate aquifer and of the fracture systems driving the water circulation. A
3D numerical model (FEFLOW) of the island will be developed to simulate various scenarios of
climate change, with and without MAR. The integration of the obtained results with historical data
and previous research will be used for implementing efficient and sustainable management of the
karst aquifer through MAR or alternative solutions on Vis island.
Ascott, M.J., Gooddy, D.C., Wang, L., Stuart, M.E., Lewis, M.A., Ward, R.S., Binley, A.M (2017) Global patterns of nitrate storage in the
vadose zone. Nat. Commun. 8, 1416.

Busico, G, Cuoco, E, Kazakis, N, Colombani, N, Mastrocicco, M, Tedesco, D, Voudouris, K. (2018) Multivariate statistical analysis to
characterize/discriminate between anthropogenic and geogenic trace elements occurrence in the Campania plain, southern Italy.
Environ. Pollut. 234, 260–269.
Busico, G., Kazakis, N., Colombani, N., Mastrocicco, M., Voudouris, K., Tedesco, D. (2017). A modified SINTACS method for groundwater
vulnerability and pollution risk assessment in highly anthropized regions based on NO 3− and SO42− concentrations. Sci. Tot. Environ.
609, 1512-1523.

The full paper is published on: Busico, G., Kazakis, N., Cuoco, E., Colombani, N., Tedesco, D., Voudouris, K., & Mastrocicco, M.
(2020). A novel hybrid method of specific vulnerability to anthropogenic pollution using multivariate statistical and regression
analyses. Water Research, 171 doi:10.1016/j.watres.2019.115386

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Hydrogeological study of the Venafro Mts. (central-southern Italy)

carbonate aquifer: numerical analysis and management scenarios
Michele Lancia1,2, Marco Petitta3, Chunmiao Zheng1,2, Michele Saroli4
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science
and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen (China);
2 State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School
of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen (China);
3 Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University, Roma (Italy);
4 DiCeM, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino (Italy).

Key words: central Apennines; hydrogeological conceptual model; karst; MODFLOW.

Carbonate fractured aquifers represent strategic water resources of Italy, supplying major cities and
villages. These aquifers coincide with the Apennines mountain ridges and are characterized by
water springs with a steady flow rate. The lack of alternative water sources, drought occurrence and
increasing human water abstraction make compelling the detail characterization of these
groundwater systems. In this study, the Venafro Mts. (central-southern Italy) carbonate aquifer (370
km2), has been investigated. Selected area is relevant for water supply of Naples and its hinderland,
and it is exploited by the WCW (Western Campania Water-works). Via a collection of geological and
hydrogeological data (Saroli et al., 2019; Lancia et al., 2020 and references therein), a groundwater
conceptual model for the aquifer is built. The definition of the lithological units and tectonic
lineaments together with piezometric data, spring flow rates, and WCW abstraction rates are the
basis for the setup of a numerical model via USGS-MODFLOW. The UZF (Unsaturated Zone Flow)
package with an NWT-UPW (Newton Solver-Upstream Weighting) configuration allows better
numerical convergence in mountain areas (Lancia et al. 2019). Steady-state simulation validates the
conceptual model and the literature budgets. A further transient model, calibrated by rain gauge
station data, between 2010 and 2018 years, simulates the spring flow rates during the dry and wet
periods. Simulation analysis suggests Venafro Mts. aquifer is affected by stress enhanced during
drought conditions. Water springs located at higher elevations show larger flow rate variations,
suffering the rainfall decreases and water abstractions. Management scenarios comprehending a
drastic water abstraction cut-off are also considered. Studied aquifer shows a slow response, with
recovery time estimated at the decennial scale, testifying its limited resilience to natural and human
pressures. Detailed studies at long-term scale are suggested to assess the sustainability of water
abstraction throughout the carbonate aquifers of the Italian peninsula.
Lancia, M., Zheng, C., Yi, S., Lerner, D., Andrews, C. 2019. Analysis of groundwater resources in densely populated urban watersheds
with a complex tectonic setting: Shenzhen, southern China Hydrogeo J, 27, 183-194.
Lancia, M., Petitta M., Zheng, C., Saroli, M. 2020. Hydrogeological insights and modelling for sustainable use of a stressed carbonate
aquifer in the Mediterranean area: From passive withdrawals to active management, J Hydrol-Reg Stud, 32, 100749.
Saroli, M., Lancia, M., Petitta, M. 2019. The geology and hydrogeology of the Cassino plain (Central Italy): redefining the regional
groundwater balance. Hydrogeo J, 27, 1563-1579.

The full paper is published on: ancia, M., Petitta M., Zheng, C., Saroli, M. 2020. Hydrogeological insights and modelling for
sustainable use of a stressed carbonate aquifer in the Mediterranean area: From passive withdrawals to active management, J
Hydrol-Reg Stud, 32, 100749.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Batch experiments on nutrient leaching in sandy soils amended

with compost, zeolites, biochar, and graphene
Luigi Alessandrino1, Nicolò Colombani2, Dario Tedesco1, Micòl Mastrocicco1
1DiSTABiF - Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Campania
University “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy.
2SIMAU - Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Polytechnic University of Marche,
Via Brecce Bianche 12, 60131 Ancona, Italy

Key words: nutrients leaching, batch experiment, sandy soil, soil conditioner.

Sandy coastal soils are renowned for their low water holding capacity associated with a low fertility.
In view of the predicted climate change for the next decades, these peculiarities of sandy soils are
expected to have negative impacts on water resources availability and consequently on the
agricultural sector in many regions of the world. Moreover, the large infiltration capacity of sandy
soils can trigger a fast and consistent nutrient leaching. The overlapping of these processes could
generate serious water stresses and nutrients deficit in the topsoil and could worsen the
vulnerability of coastal aquifers to nutrient pollution. These issues lead to a significant increase in
the costs of crops managing related to irrigation and fertilization. The application of soil improvers,
organic and inorganic, can adjust the soil characteristics. In this study, traditional soil improvers
(compost, biochar, and zeolites) and graphene were tested in a leaching batch experiment on two
different sandy soils to assess their capacity to ameliorate soil properties. The experiments were
performed using the saturation soil extraction method. In the batches two different types of sand
were employed: a calcareous sand and a siliceous sand, with variable grain size from medium to
coarse sand, representative of the most common sandy soils along the Italian coast. Solid-liquid
volumetric ratio in the batches was 1:5. For each soil improver, two configurations were tested: a
minimum quantity of soil conditioner and a maximum quantity (with 3 replicates each). EC, pH and
Eh were monitored in continuum for 15 days in each batch and water samples were taken for the
analysis of DOC, ions, and metals. Results show an increase in pH and EC due to biochar addition,
an increase of Eh and NO3- due to compost addition, and the capacity of all improvers to increase
the available water content.

Colombani, N., Mastrocicco, M., Di Giuseppe, D., Faccini, B., & Coltorti, M. (2015). Batch and column experiments on nutrient leaching in
soils amended with Italian natural zeolitites. CATENA, 127, 64–71. doi:10.1016/j.catena.2014.12.022.
Schuwirth, N., and Hofmann, T. (2006). Comparability of and Alternatives to Leaching Tests for the Assessment of the Emission of
Inorganic Soil Contamination (11 pp). Journal of Soils and Sediments, 6(2), 102–112. doi:10.1065/jss2005.10.149.
Tingting X., and Lishan S. (2021) Water stress and appropriate N management achieves profitable yields and less N loss on sandy soils,
Arid Land Research and Management, DOI: 10.1080/15324982.2020.1868024.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Groundwater nitrate contamination mitigation through a Forested

infiltration Area (FIA) system in the Arborea Nitrate Vulnerable
Zone (Sardinia, Italy)
Alberto Carletti1,2, Mario Pirastru2, Mario Deroma2, Antonio Sessini3, Giorgio Ghiglieri1,3, Pier Paolo
Roggero1,2
1 Desertification Research Centre, University of Sassari, Sassari (Italy);
2 Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari (Italy);
3 Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari (Italy)

Key words: Groundwater nitrate contamination, Forested Infiltration Area, Non-conventional water
reuse.

After almost three decades of the Nitrates Directive (Directive 91/676/CEE) implementation, there is
no significant reduction in groundwater nitrate concentration which still frequently exceed the
threshold value of 50 mg L-1 (Carrey et al., 2020). The sandy phreatic aquifer (SHU) and the alluvial
aquifer (AHU) in the NVZ of Arborea (central-western Sardinia, Italy) are both characterized by
nitrate concentrations exceeding 250 mg L-1 (Ghiglieri et al., 2016). This research aims to test the
Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) technique based on Forested Infiltration Areas (FIA) (Mezzalira
et al., 2014) as a best practice to mitigate the groundwater nitrate contamination for the SHU aquifer.
This activity is being carried out within the MENAWARA “Non-Conventional WAter Re-use in
Agriculture in MEditerranean countries” project (2019-2022)
(http://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/menawara), funded by the EU under the 2014-2020 ENI CBC
“Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme” and coordinated by the Desertification Research Centre of
the Sassari University. The FIA system will be implemented in an area of around 0.4 ha and it will
consist of six parallel recharge trenches placed between rows of white poplar trees (Populus alba). It
will be supplied with non-conventional water (drainage water), pumped from an existing
dewatering pumping station, and treated before the recharge through an innovative Passive
Treatment System: a mixture of inert and organic materials, based on previous experiences in
Tunisia and Algeria, to attenuate organic and inorganic contamination and to prevent clogging
processes at the infiltrating surface. In order to define the quality baseline of drainage water and
groundwater, an ante operam monthly monitoring started in October 2020, which showed NO3
concentration from 2.5 mg L-1 to 175 mg L-1. An estimation of the infiltration rate in the sandy soils
based on preliminary surveys showed a potential recharge rate of around 0.7 hm3 year-1 per 0.4 ha
of FIA system.

Carrey, R., Ballesté, E., Blanch, A.R., Lucena, F., Pons, P., López, J.M., Rull, M., Solà, J., Micola, N., Fraile, J., Garrido, T., Munné, A., Soler,
A., Otero, N. 2020. Combining multi-isotopic and molecular source tracking methods to identify nitrate pollution sources in surface
and groundwater. Water Research.
Ghiglieri, G., Carletti, A., Da Pelo, S., Cocco, F., Funedda, A., Loi, A., Manta, F., Pittalis, D. 2016. Three-dimensional hydrogeological
reconstruction based on geological depositional model: A case study from the coastal plain of Arborea (Sardinia, Italy). Engineering
Geolo-gy 207, 103-114
Mezzalira, G., Niceforo, U., Gusmaroli, G. 2014. Aree forestali di infiltrazione (AFI): principi, esperienze, prospettive [Forested infiltration
areas (FIA): principles, experiences, perspecti-ves]. Acque Sotterranee - Italian Journal of Groundwater.

26
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Assessing spatial variability of groundwater evaporation rates at

controlled laboratory conditions
Mattia Gaiolini1, Nicolò Colombani1, Davide Fronzi1, Stefano Palpacelli1, Micòl Mastrocicco2,
Alberto Tazioli1
1SIMAU- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche,
Via Brecce Bianche 12, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
2 DiSTABiF - Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Campania

University “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy.

Key words: Continuous monitoring; numerical model; evaporation; bare soil; groundwater salinity.

A large tank filled with medium-coarse sand was employed to measure evaporation rates from
shallow groundwater at controlled laboratory conditions. Twelve piezometers were installed in a
semi regular grid and equipped with water level, temperature, and EC probes. In each piezometer,
six micro sampling ports were installed every 10 cm to capture vertical salinity gradients. Moreover,
TDR probes placed at 5, 20 and 40 cm depth measured water content, temperature, and EC in the
unsaturated zone. Before the experiment, the tank was characterized via grain size analyses, slug
tests, and a pumping test. The monitoring started in February 2020 and lasted for four months until
the groundwater drawdown became residual. The groundwater evaporation rate was measured
with the classical White’s method (White, 1932). SEAWAT 4.0 was employed to model groundwater
heads, temperature, and salinity variations. The calibrated model parameters were: maximum
evaporation rate (1.5-4.4 mm/d), extinction depth (0.9 m) and mineral dissolution rate (5e-6 mg/d).
As the water level decreased the groundwater salinity and temperature increased. Despite the
drawdown was uniformly distributed, the increase of groundwater salinity was rather uneven,
while the temperature increase mimicked the atmospheric temperature increase. Despite the
homogeneous drawdown, the White’s method produced values affected by large spatial variability.
This combined with the initial groundwater salinity controlled the evapoconcentration process in
groundwater. The sensitivity analysis showed that small changes in the effective porosity could lead
to very different concentrations’ distribution during the evapoconcentration process, thus the
influence of this parameter should be carefully characterized in future studies. This study shows
that evaporation from medium-coarse sand can be relevant in temperate environments if the water
table is near to the ground surface (0.5-1.0 m), with a measured extinction depth (0.9 m) higher than
the ones found in previous studies for sandy sediments (Shah et al., 2007).

Shah, N., Nachabe, M., Ross, M. 2007. Extinction depth and evapotranspiration from ground water under selected land covers.
Groundwater 45(3), 329–338. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2007.00302.x
White, W.N., 1932. Method of estimating groundwater supplies based on discharge by plants and evaporation from soil – Results of
investigation in Escalante valley. Tech. Rep., Utah –US Geological Survey. Water Supply Paper 659-A.

27
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Applying the Principal Component Analysis for a deeper

understanding of the groundwater recharge: case study of the
Bacchiglione Basin (Veneto, Italy)
Mara Meggiorin1, Pierluigi Bullo1, Valentina Accoto1, Giulia Passadore2, Andrea Sottani1, Andrea
Rinaldo2,3
1 Sinergeo Srl – Vicenza, Italy, [email protected]
2 Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Edile e Ambientale, Università di Padova
3 Laboratory of Echohydrology (ECHO/IIE/ENAC), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland

Key words: groundwater, Principal Component Analysis, recharge factors, Bacchiglione.

In hydrogeology, it is often difficult to fully understand the hydraulic factors affecting the recharge
of groundwater systems. Particularly, at a regional scale the groundwater system can have different
hydraulic drivers depending on the considered area: for example, it can be precipitation, river
dispersion, snow melting, irrigation, or a combination thereof. Chemicals or temperature can help
such understanding. However, information is usually sparse at the regional scale, whereas extended
groundwater piezometric head monitoring is more common. This study aims at exploiting these
longitudinal observations to validate (and possibly bring more insights into) the geological
structural model of the aquifer systems. Clustering the control points basing on the piezometric head
average annual variations can help the system conceptualization in two ways: (i) clusters can
geographically identify areas with a similar hydrogeological behavior; and (ii) the typical cluster
annual variation with its ups and downs can bring insights on the recharge in the area. Nevertheless,
visual clustering can be a long and subjective procedure, thus this study suggests the use of the
Principal Component Analysis to cluster the control points with similar average annual variation of
their recorded timeseries. This study supports the proposed analysis by applying it to the
monitoring data of the Bacchiglione basin. After hydrograph normalization, necessary to highlight
local seasonality and avoid clouding the analysis with the mean or the oscillation range, the Principal
Component Analysis well identifies the clusters depending on the number, moment and lengths of
groundwater level peaks and minima. Thus, through this work the typical cluster annual variation
can be compared and associated with one or a combination of recharging factors. Additionally, most
of the clusters well gather the control points in space, underpinning the groundwater hydrograph
dependence on the local water balance.

28
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Assessing the long-term sustainability of the groundwater

resource in the Bacchiglione basin (Veneto, Italy) with the Mann-
Kendall test: from controversial results to suggestions for a higher
reliability
Mara Meggiorin1, Giulia Passadore2, Silvia Bertoldo1, Andrea Sottani1, Andrea Rinaldo2,3
1 Sinergeo Srl – Vicenza, Italy, [email protected]
2 Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Edile e Ambientale, Università di Padova
3 Laboratory of Echohydrology (ECHO/IIE/ENAC), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland

Key words: quantitative sustainability, Mann-Kendall test, Sen’s slope estimator, groundwater level,
Bacchiglione.

The social, economic and ecological importance of the aquifer system within the Bacchiglione basin
(Veneto, IT) is noteworthy and considerable disagreement exists among previous studies over its
sustainable use. This study investigates the long-term quantitative sustainability of the groundwater
system. As a robust and widely used techniques’ combination, we apply the seasonal Mann-Kendall
test and the Sen’s slope estimator to the recorded groundwater level timeseries. The analysis is
carried out on a large and heterogeneous dataset gathering hourly groundwater level timeseries at
79 control points, acquired in the period 2005-2019. The test identifies significant decreasing trends
for most of the available records, unlike previous studies on the quantitative status of the resource
which covered the here investigated domain in a slightly different time period: 2000-2014. The
present study questions the reason for such diverging results by focusing on the method’s accuracy.
After carrying out a Fourier analysis on the longest available timeseries, this work suggests applying
the Mann-Kendall test to timeseries longer than 20 years (because otherwise the analysis would be
affected by interannual periodicities of the water cycle). A further analysis of two 60-years long
monthly timeseries between 1960-2020 supports the actual sustainable use of the groundwater
resource, the past deployment of the groundwater resources notwithstanding. Results thus prove
more reliable and meaningful inferences on the long-term sustainability of the groundwater system
are possible.

The full paper is published on: Meggiorin, M., Passadone, G., Bertoldo, S., Sottani, A., Rinaldo, A., 2021. Assessing the long-term
sustainability of the groundwater resource in the Bacchiglione basin (Veneto, Italy) with the Mann-Kendall test: from controversial
results to suggestions for a higher reliabilityt. Italian Journal of Groundwater (2021) - AS36 - 499: 35 - 48

29
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

The COPA+K method: an index-based approach for the karst

groundwater vulnerability assessment. The Valseriana springs
case (Northern Italy)
Andrea Citrini1, Corrado Camera1, Francesca Alborghetti2, and Giovanni Pietro Beretta1
1 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “Ardito Desio”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
2 Freelancer, Ono San Pietro, Brescia, Italy

Key words: Vulnerability maps; Karst groundwater systems; Nossana and Ponte del Costone
springs; EPIK and COP methods; COPA+K method.

Karst aquifers are highly productive from a water supply perspective as well as highly susceptible
to pollution. This is primarily due to significant lateral extension, shallow soils, and highly effective
recharge points such as sinkholes, sinking streams, and polje. Therefore, attention must be given to
the proper water management in these environments and the preservation of the natural state of the
water system. Intrinsic vulnerability maps are currently one of the most valuable tools for assessing
sensitivity to pollution of an area. Index-based methods allow for its evaluation even in cases where
large amounts of data are not available and without requiring intensive computational effort. The
main goal of this study was to evaluate and enhance index-based approaches for the assessment of
the intrinsic vulnerability, so to consider the peculiar characteristics of the Pre-Alps region and
highlight differences within catchments. The study focused on the Nossana and Ponte del Costone
Springs in the middle Valseriana (Italy, BG). After applying the classical methods for karst
environments (COP and EPIK), the integrative COPA+K method was developed using GIS software.
The COPA+K approach exploits the potentialities of the COP method with the addition of two
further factors: the influence of the main discontinuities on the water system according to their
distance from the spring (A factor), and the development of the karst network (K factor). In
comparison to EPIK and COP, COPA+K results showed a differentiation between the two studied
catchments more coherent to their know hydrogeological behavior (dominant drainage system
Nossana, dispersive system Ponte del Costone). The percentage difference between the most
vulnerable areas of Nossana and Ponte del Costone increased from 5.2% to 17.5%. COPA+K also
allowed a greater detail in the identification of the most vulnerable areas compared to COP (from
35.6% to 23.6% considering the whole area).

Doerfliger, N., Jeannin, P. Y., & Zwahlen, F. 1999. Water vulnerability assessment in karst environments: a new method of defining
protection areas using a multi-attribute approach and GIS tools (EPIK method). Environmental Geology, 39(2), 165-176.
Vías, J. M., Andreo, B., Perles, M. J., Carrasco, F., Vadillo, I., & Jiménez, P. 2006. Proposed method for groundwater vulnerability mapping
in carbonate (karstic) aquifers: the COP method. Hydrogeology Journal, 14(6), 912-925.
Zwahlen, F. (Ed.). 2003. Vulnerability and risk mapping for the protection of carbonate (karst) aquifers. Office for Official Publications of
the European Communities.

30
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Digitalization of groundwater management using an agile and

parsimonious approach based on open-source resources
Giovanna De Filippis1, Stefania Stevenazzi2, Corrado Camera2, Daniele Pedretti2, Marco Masetti2
1 AECOM URS Italia S.p.A., Milan (Italy);
2 Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan (Italy)

Key words: Groundwater management, Groundwater monitoring, Groundwater modelling,

Computer science, Free and Open Source Software.

Scientists have been experiencing an exponential growth of collected data, to face with groundwater
protection and sustainability. To manage large volumes of data, the increased use of digitalization
and ICTs is being promoted by national governments and international organizations. This requires
integrating the expert knowledge of groundwater scientists with computing and programming
skills, to digitize the groundwater management workflow consisting of the following steps: (1) data
collection, (2) data exploitation and analysis, (3) definition of hydrogeological conceptual models,
(4) mathematical modelling, (5) reporting. The present work demonstrates that simple and
inexpensive tools may be applied to create an agile and parsimonious methodology that connects
such steps. The proposed approach focuses on a suite which can be applied to:

• harmonize and manage data;

• facilitate the interaction between the available data and numerical models;

• automate and customize the reporting step;

• support groundwater management and governance, as any inconsistency in the time/space

trends of the collected data may be timely highlighted.

The suite consists of a structured database for field data storage and a Python script to manage and
process the available data. The proposed approach was demonstrated by applying it to a simple,
real-world case study, located east of Milan, where the infiltration mechanism through the
unsaturated zone is investigated. The proposed methodology is based on the use of commonly
available devices for data collection, commonly available standards for data management and Free
and Open Source Software, thus it can be easily reproduced and adapted for groundwater
management issues at any site. The content of this abstract uses materials of a short course held on
June 10th−11th, 2019, within the framework of the “Flowpath – National Meeting on Hydrogeology”
Italian congress. The short course was organized by the Italian Chapter of the Early Career
Hydrogeologists’ Network (ECHN-Italy). CAP Holding S.p.A., the water authority managing the
data used to test the suite, is kindly acknowledged.

The full paper is published on: De Filippis, G., Stevenazzi, S., Camera, C., Pedretti, D., Masetti, M. 2020. An agile and
parsimonious approach to data management in groundwater science using open-source resources, Hydrogeology Journal, 28(6),
1993-2008.
31
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Reactive Silica Traces Manure Spreading in Alluvial Aquifers

Affected by Nitrate Contamination: A Case Study in a High Plain
of Northern Italy
Edoardo Severini1 Marco Bartoli1,2 Monica Pinardi3 Fulvio Celico1
1 Department of Chemistry, Life Science and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma (Italy);
2 Marine Science and Technology Center, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda (Lithuania);
3 Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IREA), Milan

(Italy)

Key words: groundwater; nitrogen; silica; flood irrigation; agricultural practices.

In the northern sector of the Po River Plain (Italy), widespread intensive agriculture and animal
farming are supported by large amounts of water from Alpine lakes and their emissaries. Flood
irrigation and excess fertilization with manure affect both the hydrology and the chemical quality
of surface and groundwater, resulting in diffuse nitrogen pollution. However, studies analyzing the
mechanisms linking agricultural practices with vertical and horizontal nitrogen paths are scarce in
this area. We investigated groundwater quality and quantity in an unconfined, coarse-grained
alluvial aquifer adjacent to the Mincio River (a tributary of the Po River), where steep summer
gradients of nitrate (NO3−) concentrations are reported. The effects of manure on solutes’ vertical
transport during precipitation events in fertilized and in control soils were simulated under
laboratory conditions. The results show high SiO2 and NO3− leaching in fertilized soils. Similarly,
field data are characterized by high SiO2 and NO3− concentrations, with a comparable spatial
distribution but a different temporal evolution, suggesting their common origin but different
processes affecting their concentrations in the study area. Our results show that SiO2 can be used as
a conservative tracer of manure spreading, as it does not undergo biogeochemical processes that
significantly alter its concentrations. On the contrary, nitrate displays large short-term variations
related to aquifer recharge (i.e., flood irrigation and precipitation). In fact, aquifer recharge may
promote immediate solubilization and stimulate nitrification, resulting in high NO3− concentrations
up to 95.9 mg/L, exceeding the Water Framework Directive (WFD) thresholds. When recharge ends,
anoxic conditions likely establish in the saturated zone, favoring denitrification and resulting in a
steep decrease in NO3− concentrations.

The full paper is published on: Severini E, Bartoli M, Pinardi M, Celico F. Reactive Silica Traces Manure Spreading in Alluvial
Aquifers Affected by Nitrate Contamination: A Case Study in a High Plain of Northern Italy. Water. 2020; 12(9):2511.
https://doi.org/10.3390/w12092511

32
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Groundwater resource evaluation in Plio-Pleistocene arenaceous

aquifers (Central Italy)
Alessia Di Giovanni1, Diego Di Curzio1, Sergio Rusi1
1 Department of Engineering and Geology (InGeo), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara

Key words: arenaceous aquifers, water balance, recharge, urbanization.

The hilly landscape of the Periadric area in Central Italy is characterized by foredeep basin deposits
(Plio-Pleistocene age), which are mainly marly-clayey and show a thickness above 500 meters. In
fact, these lithotypes are generally considered aquicludes (Desiderio et al., 2011), if compared with
the regional limestone aquifers of Apennines. However, a coarsening upward trend characterizes
the upper portion of this stratigraphic sequence, with arenaceous deposits and even conglomerates
on the top. From a geomorphological viewpoint, 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, whereas these arenaceous bodies are actual aquifers.
In fact, a regular landscape, high position over the sea, and natural springs are the main reasons for
settlement in these plain areas since pre-history. Until the middle of the last century, contact springs
were the only water resource for every purpose. Groundwater was exploited by historical complex
systems of wells and drainage tunnels, nowadays abandoned (Martella, 1981).
Until now, hydrodynamics and hydrochemical features of this kind of aquifer have not been
investigated deeply, because they have always been considered a worthy water resource. However,
they could play a crucial role in an integrated water management, especially to cope with climate
changes and drought periods.
Considering these, the main purpose of this study is to investigate from a hydrogeological point of
view, and to assess the groundwater quantity and quality. Five examples throughout the Abruzzo
region have been considered. For each, 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.
First results indicate that groundwater quantity and quality proved to be suitable for multi-purpose
utilization.

Desiderio G., Folchi Vici C., Nanni T., Petitta M., Ruggieri G., Rusi S., Tallini M., Vivalda P. (2011). Schema idrogeologico dell’Italia centro
adriatica. CNR GNDCI L.4 U.O. 10N
Martella L. (1981) – Le fontane Atriane: Configurazione e formazione di un sistema idrico. Bollettino d’arte (BdA), LXVI, pp.49-84

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Groundwater chemical evolution in flysch supported by

geophysical and hydrochemistry investigation
Alessandro Aguzzoli1, Diego Arosio1, Vincenzo Critelli1, Marco Sabattini1, Marco Taruselli2,
Francesco Ronchetti1
1 Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche (Italia);
2 Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale (Italia)

Key words: Fractured aquifer; Flysch; Hydrochemistry; Isotopes; Geoelectrical survey.

The research aims to describe the water chemical evolution along the underground flow path that
connects the surface with the deep circulation in fractured flysch. The methods used in the research
are potentiometric groundwater level measurements, groundwater electrical conductivity and
temperature measurements in wells and springs, geoelectrical survey, water chemical (Ca, Mg, Na,
K, B, Sr, HCO3, SO4, Cl) and isotopic (δD, δ18O, T, 87Sr/86Sr) analyses. The potentiometric water
level measurements, the groundwater electrical conductivity and the geoelectrical survey highlight
a continuous recharge flow from a surface torrent and the subsurface flysch. Along this multiple
flow paths, the water chemical analyses show a chemical evolution from Ca-Carbonate to Na-
Carbonate type, preserving the δD and δ18O water composition, that is corresponding to the local
meteoric precipitation. During the chemical evolution, a variation is recorded in the T content and
the 87Sr/86Sr value. In detail, the T decrease from the Ca-Carbonate to Na-Carbonate type and at
the same time the 87Sr/86Sr value increases.

34
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Using multi-sensor capacitance probe for soil water management:

results from sandy soils in Central Italy
Lucio Di Matteo1, Sofia Ortenzi1
1 Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via Pascoli snc, 06123 Perugia

Key words: infiltration, sandy soils, electromagnetic methods, water resources sustainability.

The achieving of sustainable water management requires reliable soil moisture data, which are
essential for understanding processes in the unsaturated zone (e.g., infiltration, migration of
pollutants, etc.). The monitoring of soil water content contributes to reaching the United Nation
(UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [1]. In this framework, there is increasing interest in
instruments' performance for estimating water content by electromagnetic methods. A recent study
carried out in Central Italy [2] showed that the calibration and validation of an MCP (Multi-sensor
Capacitance Probe, PR2/6 of the Delta-T Device) are essential to obtain reliable data. Inaccurate
estimates of soil moisture data impact the evaluation of threshold value above which the runoff
significantly increases. The present work shows the results of infiltration experiments carried out at
laboratory scale (soil column) and in an experimental field characterized by sandy soils widely
outcropping in Central Italy. Reliable soil moisture data coupled with the modeling of unsaturated
parameters [e.g., 3], can accurately describe the dynamics of water in soils, contributing to water
resources sustainability.

[1] Keesstra, S.; Mol, G.; De Leeuw, J.; Okx, J.; De Cleen, M.; Visser, S. 2018. Soil-related sustainable development goals: Four concepts to
make land degradation neutrality and restoration work, Land, 7, 133. https://doi.org/10.3390/land7040133.
[2] Di Matteo, L.; Spigarelli, A.; Ortenzi, S. 2021. Processes in the Unsaturated Zone by Reliable Soil Water Content Estimation: Indications
for Soil Water Management from a Sandy Soil Experimental Field in Central Italy, Sustainability 13, 1: 227.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010227.
[3] Saxton, K.E.; Rawls, W.J.; Romberger, J.S.; Papendick, R.I. 1986. Estimating generalized soil water characteristics from texture, Trans.
Am. Soc. Agric. Eng., 50, 1031–1035.

35
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Is sustainable remediation possible? A real case of groundwater

remediation with no water consumption
Diego Donati1, Marianna Bonfanti1, Raffaele Pellegatta1, Camilla Gelli1
1 HPC Italia, Milano (Italy)

Key words: groundwater, sustainability, circular economy, water reuse.

This work presents an example of design and application of the principles of the circular economy
to the remediation of a contaminated site.
Located in the Piedmont plain, the site is a decommissioned industrial area with a total surface of
approximately 20 ha; groundwater is impacted by total chromium, hexavalent chromium and
chlorinated solvents.
For more than 10 years, a P&T system has been pumping water and discharging thousands cubic
meters of water into the sewer to ensure contamination containment: despite this huge effort, the
remediation goals have not been achieved yet.
Therefore, it was necessary to evaluate different solutions to optimize the time to achieve the
remediation goals. The new project, based on the principles of sustainability and
recovery/safeguarding of the groundwater resource, foresees an hydraulic control system obtained
through downstream water pumping and upstream water re-injection, creating a groundwater
recirculation cell, which isolates the source of contamination in the aquifer from the surrounding
groundwater and promotes the remediation objectives: containment of the plume and removal of
contamination, ensuring zero water consumption.
The Public Authorities approved the new project by accepting the remediation goals, calculated by
means of site-specific Risk Assessment, and after the field tests that validated the groundwater flow
model, in 2021 the system is going to be completed.
Moreover, as a further step, a pilot test based on the technology In Situ Chemical Reduction is going
to be implemented: in case of positive results, this additional technology could be deployed on site
to replace the hydraulic barrier with a reactive barrier, further reducing the impacts of groundwater
remediation at this site.
We believe that the combination of good design and great attention to the preservation and reuse of
resources can guarantee a better present for ourselves and a great future for the new generations.

36
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Assessment of combined effects of 2016 seismic sequence and

recharge variability on the groundwater storage and potentiality
of the Pescara del Tronto aquifer (Sibillini Mts., central Italy)
Francesca Banzato1, Marino Domenico Barberio1, Carlo Ianni2, Alessandro Lacchini1, Valeria
Lorenzi1, Massimo Tonelli2, Marco Petitta1
1 Sapienza University, Rome (Italy);
2 CIIP Spa, Ascoli Piceno (Italy)

Key words: groundwater resources management, seismic sequence, water budget analysis.

The long-term effects of the 2016 seismic sequence, that strongly affected the groundwater flow of
the Basal aquifer in the Mts. Sibillini area, have been investigated for the aquifer feeding the tapped
spring of Pescara del Tronto, host in the calcareous Scaglia and Maiolica complexes (southern sector
of the Sibillini Mts).
The water budget analysis, implemented starting from the discharge data and the evaluation of
seasonal and annual variability of the aquifer recharge, revealed that the progressive shortening of
the discharge of the tapped spring is a result of overlapping causes, attributable both to the seismic
sequence and to the recharge variability.
The baseflow recession analysis confirmed a transient enhancement in hydraulic conductivity after
the seismic sequence, although the latest data support the assumption of a gradual recovery of the
depletion coefficient α to the pre-seismic values. The main seismic events, by pore pressure
propagation, triggered a short-term general increase of the discharge of the studied spring resulted
in a water surplus of about 2 million m3, zeroing the dynamic reserves and requiring a contribution
from the static deep reserves too.
In conjunction, the study highlighted since 2017 a reduction of snow cover permanence, triggering
a decrease the meteoric recharge of the aquifer, which hinders the recovery of the spring discharge
to pre-seismic values. Further, as a result of the earthquakes, part of the groundwater previously
drained by the tunnel drainage, is now flowing out at lower altitudes.
Through the analysis of the recession coefficient α and of the recharge variability, future scenarios
have been carried out, previewing the discharge return to the pre-seismic conditions in a limited
number of years. Consequently, in the immediate future it would be recommended to use additional
sources (e.g. the new ones located at lower elevation), to ensure the requested drinking water
amount.

Fronzi D., Banzato F., Caliro S., Cambi C., Cardellini C., Checcucci R., Mastrorillo L., Mirabella F., Petitta M., Valigi D., Tazioli A. 2020.
Preliminary results on the response of some springs of the Sibilini Mountains area to the 2016-2017 seismic sequence. Italian Journal
of Groundwater, 32, 19-25, DOI: 10.7343/as-2020-450
Mastrorillo, L., Saroli, M., Viaroli, S., Banzato, F., Valigi, D., Petitta, M. 2020. Sustained post-seismic effects on groundwater flow in
fractured carbonate aquifers in Central Italy. Hydrological Processes (34) 1167– 1181. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13662
Valigi, D., Fronzi, D., Cambi, C., Beddini, G., Cardellini, C., Checcucci, R., Mastrorillo, L., Mirabella, F., Tazioli, A. 2020 Earthquake-
induced spring discharge modifications: the Pescara di Arquata spring reaction to the August–October 2016 Central Italy earthquakes.
Water 2020 (12), 767.

37
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Hydrogeochemical characterization and quality evaluation of the

water resources in the micro-basin of the Chibunga River
(Ecuador)
Luis Miguel Santillan Quiroga1, Domenico Antonio De Luca1, Enrico Destefanis1, Manuela
Lasagna1, Chiara Marchina 2
1 Earth Sciences Department, University of Turin, Turin (Italy)
2 Department of land, environment, agriculture and foresty, University of Padova (Italy)

Key words: stable isotopes, water resources, recharge, hydrogeochemistry, Ecuador.

A hydrochemical and isotopic characterization of water resources was performed in the micro-basin
of the Chibunga River (Ecuador). This area has suffered for years of social conflicts for the access to
water, due to an inadequate water resources management system. Moreover, there is a deficiency of
information about water quality and groundwater recharge.
The study area is about 14 km long from the Chimborazo volcano to the Chibunga River, it is the
border between the cantons Riobamba and Colta. It is a relatively flat agricultural and livestock area
of great importance in the local economy.
The multilayer aquifer system consists in volcanoclastic deposits, alternating pyroclastic and lava
layers. An unconfined shallow aquifer is located in the most superficial part, feeding the plain
springs. More in depth, confined and semiconfined aquifers are hosted in the more permeable layers,
and are used for drinking water purposes. The plain is bordered by volcanic formations, mainly of
andesitic rocks, characterised by a fractured low permeability. According to the literature, the
aquifer system is mainly recharged by melting glaciers from the Chimborazo volcano. However,
glaciers has been affected by a generalize retreat in the last decades that influences the waters
availability.
A sampling campaign was conducted to provide hydrogeochemical characterization of the surface
water and groundwater resources. The quali-quantitative state was determined through the analysis
of some elements (As, B, Sb) and metals (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn), trying to explain their
anthropogenic or natural origin. The isotopic analyses (δ18O and δ2H) in the different water
compartments have allowed, in combination with other data based on geology, hydrology,
groundwater hydrochemistry, to trace the source of water and its flow pathway.

Sosa, M. (2008). Water Conflicts in the Chimborazo Province, Ecuador. Pag. 1-4.
Mendoza, B., Straface, S., Chidichimo, F., (2014). Estimation of the groundwater supply coming from the melting of the Chimborazo
glacier (Ecuador). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312191894.
Madrigal-Solís H., Jiménez-Gavilán P., Vadillo-Pérez I., Fonseca-Sánchez A., Quesada-Hernández L., Sánchez-Gutiérrez R., Calderón-
Sánchez H., Pardo-Vargas C. (2020). Application of hydrogeochemistry and isotopic characterization for the assessment of recharge in a
volcanic aquifer in the eastern region of central Costa Rica. Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies, 1–19.
http://doi:10.1080/10256016.2020.1814277.

38
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Hydrogeochemical characterization as a tool to perform risk

assessment on wells, springs, and surface water intake in the
scope of the Water Safety Plan
Chiara Zanotti1, Letizia Fumagalli1, Marco Rotiroti1, Mariachiara Caschetto1, Davide Sartirana1,
Agnese Radaelli1, Michela Biasibetti2, Laura Mostarda2, Tullia Bonomi1
1 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 1, 20126 Milano,
Italy. Email: [email protected];
2 Acque Bresciane Srl, Via 25 Aprile, 18, 25038 Rovato BS

Key words: Water Safety Plan, Risk Assessment, Groundwater quality.

The most recent European (Directive (EU) 2020/2184) and Italian laws on drinking water include the
Water Safety Plan (WSP) approach as a requirement. The WSP approach is based on a detailed risk
assessment and management of all the steps in the drinking water supply chain from collection to
distribution (Lucentini et al., 2014). Although collection is the first and therefore a crucial step of the
supply chain, there is no standardized procedure to assess all the possible natural and anthropogenic
risks relating to water quality before any treatment. In this work, an integrated approach is
proposed, to support a water quality risk assessment over different geological contexts and
concerning different type of water collection (wells, springs and surface water intakes). This
approach combines hydrogeological, hydrochemical and hydrodynamical characterization to reach
a detailed understanding of the conceptual system, and the definition of the natural and
anthropogenic risks, using the ordinary monitoring data provided by Acque Bresciane Srl in the
scope of a scientific collaboration.
The study area is in northern Italy, covering 78 municipalities in the Brescia province. Water quality
data of ca. 300 collection sites were analysed through multivariate statistical analysis, to identify the
main hydrogeochemical phenomena occurring in different water bodies. A total of 36
hydrogeological cross-sections were elaborated, covering the morainic amphitheatres of the Lakes
Iseo and Garda and the high and low plain between Oglio and Chiese Rivers. Furthermore,
piezometric data were analysed, to understand flow directions, trends, and depth. The detailed
understanding of the systems reached through all these different analyses led to the identification
of the possible hydrogeochemical hazardous events, and to the parametrization of the different
exploited water bodies’ characteristics influencing the hydrogeochemical vulnerability of each water
extraction system in relation to each hazardous event.

Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on the quality of water intended for human
consumption [Online]. [Accessed 08 February 2021]. Available from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/
Lucentini, L., Achene, L., Fuscoletti, V., Nigro Di Gregorio, F., Pettine, P., 2014. Linee guida per la valutazione e gestione del rischio nella
filiera delle acque destinate al consumo umano secondo il modello dei Water Safety Plan, (Rapporti ISTISAN 14/21).

39
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Friuli Venezia Giulia Region: protection and management of the

Karst Aquifers
Chiara Calligaris1, Furio Finocchiaro1, Pietro Gutgesell1, Paolo Manca2, Maurizio Ponton1, Michele
Potleca2, Luca Zini1
1 Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università degli studi di Trieste, Trieste (Italy),
2 Servizio Geologico, Direzione centrale ambiente ed energia, Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trieste (Italy).

Key words: groundwater, karst, vulnerability, Slovene Approach.

The 40% of the whole Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (FVG) consists of carbonate aquifer and most of
these are highly karstified. Waters availability and their protection is still a priority in order to
sustain the always increasing water demand due to the growing population. To accomplish this aim,
the Department of Mathematics and Geoscience of the University of Trieste and the Geological
Service of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region have developed a multi-year project to identify the
regional and cross-border karst aquifers and to quantify their vulnerability. The first step of the
project was to identify and outline the karst areas and related aquifers. This was done preparing an
operative protocol based on three different criteria: the presence of karstifiable lithologies, the
individuation of epigean and hypogean karst features, and the karst springs location. The
lithological heterogeneity typical of the rocks present in the FVG, allowed to identify 124 different
karst aquifers: 70 in limestones/dolostones, 45 in evaporates, 7 flysch (alternations of sandstones,
marls and carbonatic megabed) and 2 in conglomerates. Thanks to the data available in literature,
hydrogeological maps have been realised for each aquifer. In light of protect and preserve the karst
groundwaters, a new phase of the project started with the aim to evaluate the vulnerability of 15
meaningful karst aquifers. Among the several available protocols, we decided to apply a modified
version of the Slovene approach, which in turn is a modified version of the Spanish COP method, in
order to adequate it to the geological context of the FVG. To approach the resource vulnerability, we
started with the area of Timau, a cross-border karst aquifer shared between Italy and Austria. This
area having its recharge in Austria and the outflows in Italy represent the most important water
supply of the high FVG mount region.

[1]: Ravbar, N., & Goldscheider, N. 2007. Proposed methodology of vulnerability and contamination risk mapping for the protection of
karst aquifers in Slovenia. Acta Carsologica, 36(3), 461-475.
[2]: Turpaud, P., Zini, L., Ravbar, N., Cucchi, F., Petrič, M., Urbanc, J. 2018. Development of a Protocol for the Karst Water Source
Protection Zoning: Application to the Classical Karst Region (NE Italy and SW Slovenia). Water Resour Manage, 32, 1953-1968
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-017-1882-4.

40
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Analysing long time-series of groundwater levels in a paddy field

area (Piedmont region, NW Italy): preliminary results
Elena Egidio1, Manuela Lasagna1, Susanna Mancini1, Domenico De Luca1
1 University of Torino (Earth Sciences Department)

Key words: water table, groundwater hydrodynamic behaviour, trend, paddy fields.

The analysis of the time-series of groundwater level is extremely important to observe the
behaviours of groundwater over time and to identify any critical situations (Lasagna et al., 2020).
The studied area is an agricultural district characterised by paddy fields, located in the eastern part
of Piedmont, on the border with Lombardy. In this area long time-series of groundwater level,
starting from the 1960s, have been collected in 20 wells.
Water table data have a good continuity (in the majority of the cases >90%).
Firstly, the groundwater hydrodynamic behaviour, based on water table levels, was investigated to
highlight the response of groundwater to the irrigation. A basic statistical analysis was performed
(mean, median, standard deviation, maxima, minima), and then trends of water table levels were
evaluated in order to better observe the long-term behaviour of groundwater.
Trends were performed on average and maxima annual data, and also on the minima annual data,
which are, most likely, the data less influenced by the watering of the paddy fields.
These analyses allowed to observe a groundwater hydrodynamic behaviour characterised by a
repeating annual pattern (minimum in February/March and maximum in August/September)
clearly linked to the phases of irrigation.
Moreover, trend analysis highlighted the presence of both wells with a decreasing water table (with
maximum lowering of 4.3 m in 60 years) and wells with an increasing water table (with maximum
rises of 2.8 m in 35 years). Furthermore, in most cases, it can be observed that all three trends
analysed agree on being positive or negative.
Future insights will be the comparison of these long time-series with the meteorological data, and
the investigation of other factors (e.g. anthropic withdrawal, variations of cultivation practices and
irrigation, geology of the subsoil) to better understand the causes of the water table fluctuations and
trends.

Lasagna, M., Mancini, S. & De Luca, D. A. Groundwater hydrodynamic behaviours based on water table levels to identify natural and
anthropic controlling factors in the Piedmont Plain (Italy). Sci. Total Environ. 716, 137051 (2020)

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

The path of water in relation to human communities: history of a

middle-age aqueduct in Apulia (southern Italy)
Mario Parise1,2, Roberto Bixio3, Isabella Serena Liso1
1Earth and Environmental Sciences Dept., University Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy;
2Institute of Research for Geo-Hydrological Protection, National Research Council, Bari, Italy; 3Centro Studi Sotterranei,
Genoa, Italy.

Key words: aqueduct, history, artificial cavities, Apulia.

Availability of freshwater has always played a crucial role in the foundation and establishment of
human communities. In regions characterized by arid or semi-arid climates, or in karst areas where
surface water is typically lacking or very scarce, this has often been a problem, forcing man to look
for water through detailed knowledge of the local hydrogeology. From these issues, the realization
of hydraulic works, frequently entirely or in part built underground, started in different epochs.
In the research here presented, starting from the outcomes of a project dedicated to ancient
underground pipelines in Italy, we describe the hydrogeological setting and the historical
framework of the “S. Angelo – Fontana della Stella” water supply system, one of the most
remarkable evidence in the territory of Gravina in Puglia (Apulia). As documented by historical
sources, the construction of the hydraulic work started in 1743. With an overall length of 3,500
meters, the aqueduct is one of the best preserved underground man-made structures for collection
and transport of water resources in southern Italy. It starts from an intake located some kilometers
north-west from the town, draining waters coming out at the contact between Plio-Pleistocene
calcarenites and the overlying clays. A system of underground galleries, connected to the surface by
a number of inspection wells, allowed the waters to flow to the town. The subterranean system ends
up at the right valleyside of the Gravina Torrent; to pass the deep canyon, and let the water reach
the final destination where, a bridge-channel was built across the torrent. As described from the
speleological explorations, and the historical researches as well, the “S. Angelo – Fontana della
Stella” water supply system is a very important heritage for the entire region, since it represents one
of the most significant ancient subterranean water systems in Apulia, also testifying the
hydrogeological knowledge reached at the time of its realization.

Bixio, R., Parise, M., Saj, S. & Traverso, M. 2007. L’acquedotto sotterraneo di Gravina in Puglia “Sant’Angelo – Fontane della Stella”. Opera
Ipogea, 1, 105-112.
Parise, M., Bixio, R., Burri, E., Caloi, V., Del Prete, S., Galeazzi, C., Germani, C., Guglia, P., Meneghini, M., & Sammarco, M. 2009. The map
of ancient underground aqueducts: a nation-wide project by the Italian Speleological Society. Proceedings 15th International Congress
of Speleology, Kerrville (Texas, USA), 19-26 July 2009, 3, 2027-2032.
Parise, M., Galeazzi, C., Bixio, R. & Dixon, M. 2013. Classification of artificial cavities: a first contribution by the UIS Commission. In:
Filippi M., Bosak P. (Eds.), Proc. 16th Int. Congr. Speleology, Brno, 21-28 July 2013, 2, 230-235.

42
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Hydrogeological impact of a railway tunnel. An application of

time series analysis.
Stefano Menichetti1, Stefano Tessitore1
1 ARPA Toscana - Direzione Tecnica, via N. Porpora 22, 50144, Firenze, Italia

Key words: hydrogeological, tunnel, time series decomposition.

In Tuscany are in progress the expansion of the A1 Highway Milan – Naples – Barberino di Mugello
– Florence North stretch. As part of the environmental monitoring of this project, various
investigations were carried out on the possible hydrogeological impact caused to a spring, with a
reduction in flow rate, by the tunnel “Santa Lucia” construction with an earth pressure balance
shielded tunnel boring machine (TBM – EPB). A first indication that the excavation involved the
groundwater drainage, was provided by the rapid, albeit transitory, decrease in level, before the
passage to the progressive of the source, in a control piezometer, located approximately in line with
the tunnel and equipped with datalogger.
To confirm this impact and its unsteady condition, in addition to the usual hydrogeological
assessments, a statistical analysis was carried out, conducted with the R software, applied to the
time series [1] of spring flow rate data and rainfall data, recorded on a reference raingage. The
analysis focused on the numerical "decomposition" of the three components: trend, seasonal and
random. The multi-year periodicities, highlighted by the trend component, were analyzed and valued
through the “autocorrelation” technique. Finally, the "cross-correlation" analysis was conducted on
the two variables rain and flow, linked by a cause-effect relationship.
Results of the analysis showed that the reduction in spring flow rate occurred in a dry
hydrogeological year. However, a transient response, in terms of anomalous reduction of the flow
rate, is indicated by the same statistical analysis of the components which show, at the passage of
the excavation to the progressive of the spring, the maximum subtraction of the outflow by the
random component.
An external event that could correspond to a perturbation to the system such as that of a drainage
induced by the excavation.

[1] Wuertz D., Setz T., Chalabi Y. (2017) – timeSeries: Rmetrics - Financial Time Series Objects -https://cran.r-
project.org/web/packages/timeSeries/index.html

43
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

3D model of Alpine Aquifers of Lombardy (Italy)

Stefania Stevenazzi1, Chiara Zuffetti1, Corrado Camera1, Alice Lucchelli1, Giovanni Pietro Beretta1,
Riccardo Bersezio1, Marco Masetti1
1 Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan (Italy)

Key words: geological modelling, hydrostratigraphy, hydrochemistry, forecasting scenarios,

groundwater resources.

The protection and management of groundwater resources, as well as the elaboration of forecasting
scenarios responding to climate changes, need reliable three-dimensional hydrostratigraphic and
hydrogeological models as support. In mountainous regions, building these models is particularly
challenging. They must reconstruct the complex geological-structural architecture of rock aquifers,
but they need to be simple enough to allow the set-up of a conceptual stratigraphic and structural
input model for further hydrostratigraphic parameterization and numerical computations.
We apply this approach to 3D modelling of the complex stratigraphic, structural, and
hydrogeological setting of the Lombardy Alps (N-Italy), a more than 10.000 km² wide study area.
The study aims to:
• evaluate the present ground- and surface water availability;

• evaluate future scenarios for groundwater availability, in the framework of local and global
climate changes;

• identify areas of specific interest for implementing groundwater monitoring networks;

• identify recharge areas of the most relevant springs, to implement protection strategies of
the resource.

Along the Insubric Line, the poly-deformed, fractured crystalline basement nappes of the Central-
Northern Alps join the Southalpine fold-thrust belt, which hosts the most productive porous
karstified carbonate aquifers, thrust over less pervious clastic and crystalline rocks. The
“IDROMONT” hierarchic Geodatabase was built ad-hoc, to store and integrate all the available 2-D
geological maps and cross-sections, hydrological, hydrochemical, and meteorological data. The
preliminary 3D geological model was computed based on the potential field interpolation method
(3DGeoModeller®).
After porosity - permeability parameterization, Hydrogeological Units (HU) were identified
through the hierarchy of tectono-stratigraphic units. Springs discharge and the available
hydrochemical facies were then related to the spatial distribution of the HU. The 3D model allows
comparing the outcomes of the hydrological balance computation with estimates of storable water
volumes, considering alternative scenarios of runoff, infiltration and aquifer saturation, and
checking the consistency of the expected groundwater storage.

44
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Investigating the feasibility of using precipitation measurements

from weather radar to estimate recharge in regional aquifers: the
Majella massif case study in central Italy
Diego Di Curzio1, Alessia Di Giovanni1, Sergio Rusi1,2, Raffaele Lidori 2, and Frank Marzano2,3
1 Department of Engineering and Geology (InGeo), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara
2 CETEMPS (Center of Excellence Telesensing of Environment and Model Prediction of Severe events)
3 Dept. of Information Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome

Keywords: Rainfall, Weather radar, Aquifer recharge, Water balance, Majella massif.

The measurement of precipitation, based on traditional rain gauges, exhibits many limitations due
to the spatial and temporal high variability of atmospheric precipitation. In the past decades, the use
of ground-based microwave weather radar has greatly improved the quantitative rainfall estimation
by providing spatially continuous estimates of rainfall, at high temporal (i.e., few minutes) and
spatial resolution (i.e., hundreds of meters). Furthermore, weather radar data have also proved to
be relatively reliable in mountainous areas (Vulpiani et al., 2012). These paramount features of radar-
derived precipitation data could definitely improve the estimation of recharge of aquifers, which
generally rely on geospatializations (e.g., Thiessen polygons) of rainfall data, collected by a sparse
rain gauge network. In regional aquifers, the rain gauge network is often lacking at high altitude
(i.e., recharge areas), introducing additional uncertainty in the inflow volumes. Indeed, weather
radar rainfall estimation is also affected by various sources of error, comprehensively discussed in
literature (Collier, 1996), that can be reduced by proper post-processing; however, uncertainties still
remain, especially for surface rain rate estimations.
Based on these considerations, this study is aimed at evaluating the feasibility of using radar-based
precipitation data to estimate aquifer recharge and calculate a detailed water balance in the areas
characterized by high elevations, such as the Majella massif (Nanni and Rusi, 2003). To address this
objective, the Majella aquifer water balance has been calculated in the 2017-2018 period using both
radar-based precipitation data and rain gauge data as well as adopting different methods (i.e., Turc,
and Thornthwaite). Although intrinsically uncertain, the radar-based precipitation data provided
robust results, pointed out by the comparison with water balance, obtained by rain gauge data, and
the Majella aquifer total discharge. This interdisciplinary work may pave the way for continuous
monitoring of aquifer recharge at very high temporal and spatial resolution.

Collier C.G. (1996) Applications of weather radar systems, A guide to uses of radar data in meteorology and hydrology. Wiley-Praxis,
ISBN 0-7458-0510-8, Chichester, UK.
Nanni T., Rusi S. (2003) Idrogeologia del massiccio carbonatico della Majella (Abruzzo). Boll. Soc. Geol. It. 122 (2), 173-202.
Vulpiani G., Montopoli M., Delli Passeri L., Gioia A., Giordano P., Marzano F. (2012) On the Use of Dual-Polarized C-Band Radar for
Operational Rainfall Retrieval in Mountainous Areas. Journal Of Applied Meteorology And Climatology, 51, 405-425.

45
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Transmissivity estimates by specific capacity data of fractured

carbonate aquifers (Umbria Region, Central Italy)
Daniela Valigi1, Costanza Cambi1, Roberto Checcucci2, Lucio Di Matteo1
1 Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via Pascoli snc, 06123 Perugia
2 Regione Umbria, Servizio Risorse Idriche e Rischio Idraulico, Piazza Partigiani 1, 06124 Perugia

Key words: pumping test, carbonate aquifers, transmissivity, specific capacity.

Transmissivity estimates can be obtained by different approaches, mainly analytical and empirical.
The application of analytical methods requires corrections for non-linear well losses due to
turbulence and vertical flow related to partial penetration. The empirical approach relates
transmissivity (T) values to specific capacity (Sc) data measured in the same well. Several studies in
the literature presented T = f(Sc) relationships for different aquifer types (fractured rocks, sandstones,
alluvial, etc.). Among these, Fabbri (1997), Mace (1997), and Hsu and Chou, (2019) analyzed
fractured and karst rocks. As reported by Mace (1997), the T = f(Sc) relationship for the carbonate
karst aquifer in Central Texas can be probably used for carbonate aquifers located in other regions.
In this framework, the present work collected about thirty T-Sc data from pumping test in limestone
aquifer hosted in limestone formations of Umbria-Marche Sequence. A new relationship to estimate
T by Sc data is proposed and compared with other relationships for similar aquifers worldwide.
Results can improve the knowledge of fractured-karst aquifers, considering also data from Central
Italy.

Fabbri, P. 1997. Transmissivity in the geothermal Euganean basin: a geostatistical analysis. Groundwater, 35(5), 881-887.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.1997.tb00156.x
Mace, R.E. 1997. Determination of transmissivity from specific capacity tests in a karst aquifer. Groundwater, 35(5), 738-742.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.1997.tb00141.x
Hsu, S.M., Chou, P.Y. 2019. Applicability of method to estimate transmissivity based on yield-drawdown analysis in mountainous
fractured-rock aquifers: A case study in Taiwan. Engineering Geology, 262, 105315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.105315

46
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

The hydrogeological role of some slip surface in a roto-

translational landslide: the case study of Case Pennetta (Northern
Apennines)
Petrella E.1, Valentino R. 1, Chelli A. 1, Diena M., Celico F.1
1 University of Parma, Italy

Key words: Roto-translational Slide; Hydrogeological Behaviour, Slip surface, Northern Apennines.

The hillslope of Northern Apennines is characterized by widespread occurrence of complex

landslides due to the specific geological setting. Several authors (e.g. Di Maio et al., 2020) recognized
the role of discontinuities, and particularly of sliding surfaces, as preferential flow and thus as a
factor predisposing the slope to failure.
The aim of this research is to analyse through hydrogeological and isotopic investigation the role of
slip band on groundwater circulation at “Case Pennetta” landslide. Piezometric data coming from
two multilevel monitoring systems show a different groundwater regime: piezometers located in
the landslide body show a fast infiltration of precipitation along preferential flow paths such as
macropore, cracks, ect. followed by less rapid infiltration processes along the joint and fracture
network in the matrix. In this portion of the landslide, variation over time of EC and δ 18O-δ2H
composition of springs, drains and groundwater is wide and strictly related to the mixing processes
between rain- and groundwater; the tritium content is not far from those found in rainfall.
Conversely, the piezometer registering the pore pressure along the slip surface shows only a
seasonal trend according to the rainfall regime, but is weakly related to the single precipitation
events. The smoothed groundwater level variations suggests well-organized flowpaths. Moreover,
the constant values over time of high EC and stable isotope composition, joined with the absence of
tritium content, underline that inside the sliding surface the groundwater flowpaths are long and
slow. Probably this is due to the continuous displacement along the slip surface that can cause
changing in the clay minerals, given a very low permeability characteristic of the band.
Thus, pore water pressure and geochemical/isotopic data demonstrate that, in this case study,
sliding surface behaves as an aquiclude where, differently to the finding of other Authors, the
groundwater shows ultra long lived transient condition.

Di Maio, C., De Rosa, J., Vassallo, R., Coviello, R., Macchia, G. 2020. Hydraulic conductivity and pore pressures in a clayey landslide:
experimental data, Geosciences 10 (3), 102 doi:10.3390/geosciences10030102

47
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

The application of the TFM-ext model for the evaluation of the

pesticide transport along the unsaturated zone.
Marialaura Bancheri1, Antonio Coppola2, Annachiara Colombi1 and Angelo Basile1
1 Institute for Mediterranean Agricultural and Forestry Systems (ISAFOM), National Research Council (CNR), Portici,
NA, Italy;
2 School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences (SAFE), Hydraulics Division, University of

Basilicata, Potenza, Italy

Key words: groundwater vulnerability assessment, extended transfer function model, pesticides, S-
DSS.

This work presents the extended transfer function model (TFM-ext) which allows to simulate the
spatio-temporal distribution of nonpoint-source pollutants, e.g., pesticides, along the unsaturated
zone (Bancheri et al., 2021). The model is based on the transfer functions approach (Jury and Roth,
1990), i.e., on the travel time probability density functions (TT pdfs). Despite the two important
assumptions on i) time-invariant TT pdfs and ii) steady-state input fluxes, the strength of TFM-ext
is that it derives the TT pdfs from a physical quantity, i.e., the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity
function k(θ). Where information on the hydraulic properties is not available, the model assumes a
lognormal travel time pdf, whose parameters are derived according to the generalized transfer
function model (Zhang R., 2000). In the case of reactive solutes, such as pesticides, it considers both
the mass decay and the retardation factor. The TFM-ext was validated using 4 large soil columns,
comparing the simulated and measured breakthrough curves of a non-reactive solute. Results were
really good, with the best agreement with R2=0.97, RMSE=0.11 and ME=-0.01. Moreover, forty-six
soil profiles sampled in Valle Telesina, Italy, completely characterized from the hydrological point
of view, were used to evaluate the mean travel times and the breakthrough curves at the
groundwater depth and then compared with the results of a physically based model, Hydrus 1D.
Results gave very high R2 (above 0.8), a MAE of around 40 days and a PBIAS of -16%. Eventually, a
comprehensive sensitivity analysis to evaluate to which parameters the TFM-ext is more sensitive,
was performed. Results shown that τ, n and θs parameters related to the slope of the k(θ) are those
affecting more the travel time. The model was implemented as an operative tool for the specific
groundwater vulnerability assessment within the geospatial Decision Support System developed
for LANDSUPPORT H2020 project.

Bancheri, M., Coppola, A., & Basile, A., 2021. A new transfer function model for the estimation of non-point-source solute travel times.
Journal of Hydrology, 598, 126157.
Jury, W.A., Roth, K., et al., 1990. Transfer functions and solute movement through soil: Theory and applications. Birkhäuser Verlag AG.
Zhang, R., 2000. Generalized transfer function model for solute transport in814heterogeneous soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal
64, 1595–1602.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

A comprehensive geodatabase to supporting the management of

the coastal carbonate aquifers of Adriatic and Ionian Seas
Giorgio De Giorgio1, Livia Emanuela Zuffianò1, Maurizio Polemio1
1 CNR-IRPI, National Research Council—Research Institute for Hydrogeological Protection, Bari (Italy)

Key words: Coastal Carbonate Aquifer, seawater intrusion, geodatabase, Ionian Sea, Adriatic Sea.

The increasing groundwater exploitation and contamination risks due to the progressive population
growth in coastal areas are emphasised in the case of carbonate coastal aquifers (CCAs), the
peculiarities of which, especially in the Mediterranean basin, constitute a scientific matter of
worldwide relevance.
The CCAs of the Adriatic and Ionian coasts not only ensure the socio-economic development of the
populations but feed with their spring waters valuable wetland and coastal environments with
relevant and highly positive effects on ecosystems. The groundwater resources of CCAs are highly
vulnerable, especially if affected by karstic phenomena, to the quality and quantity degradation
phenomena, not only for the increasing water demand and the decreasing recharge due to climate
changes but also in relation to the sea level changes and the pollutant loads due to the contamination
occurred in the whole hydrogeological basins.
The aim of this study is to offer a systematic and synoptic view, useful for knowledge, management
and forecast purposes, contributing to assure enduring availability of high-quality groundwater,
conciliating water demand satisfaction with the ecological needs of coastal Adriatic and Ionian
environments in which the role of groundwater is very important. A geodatabase, collecting
information for all carbonate aquifers present along the Adriatic and Ionian coast, have been created.
At the core, there is a Geographic Information System, in which are placed the spatial information
regarding the geology of aquifers, hydrogeological and geochemical features, together with specific
information concerning groundwater use of CCAs. The added value of this database is the
availability of a wide bibliography related to CCAs, together with a schematised summary of key
information realised considering available information in the whole geodatabase.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Analysing long time-series of groundwater levels in a paddy field

area (Piedmont region, NW Italy): preliminary results
Elena Egidio1, Manuela Lasagna1, Susanna Mancini1, Domenico De Luca1
1 University of Torino (Earth Sciences Department)

Key words: water table, groundwater hydrodynamic behaviour, trend, paddy fields.

The analysis of the time-series of groundwater level is extremely important to observe the
behaviours of groundwater over time and to identify any critical situations (Lasagna et al., 2020).
The studied area is an agricultural district characterised by paddy fields, located in the eastern part
of Piedmont, on the border with Lombardy. In this area long time-series of groundwater level,
starting from the 1960s, have been collected in 20 wells.
Water table data have a good continuity (in the majority of the cases >90%).
Firstly, the groundwater hydrodynamic behaviour, based on water table levels, was investigated to
highlight the response of groundwater to the irrigation. A basic statistical analysis was performed
(mean, median, standard deviation, maxima, minima), and then trends of water table levels were
evaluated in order to better observe the long-term behaviour of groundwater.
Trends were performed on average and maxima annual data, and also on the minima annual data,
which are, most likely, the data less influenced by the watering of the paddy fields.
These analyses allowed us to observe a groundwater hydrodynamic behaviour characterised by a
repeating annual pattern (minimum in February/March and maximum in August/September)
clearly linked to the phases of irrigation.
Moreover, trend analysis highlighted the presence of both wells with a decreasing water table (with
maximum lowering of 4.3 m in 60 years) and wells with an increasing water table (with maximum
rises of 2.8 m in 35 years). Furthermore, in most cases, it can be observed that all three trends
analysed agree on being positive or negative.
Future insights will be the comparison of these long time-series with the meteorological data, and
the investigation of other factors (e.g. anthropic withdrawal, variations of cultivation practices and
irrigation, geology of the subsoil) to better understand the causes of the water table fluctuations and
trends.

Lasagna, M., Mancini, S. & De Luca, D. A. Groundwater hydrodynamic behaviours based on water table levels to identify natural and
anthropic controlling factors in the Piedmont Plain (Italy). Sci. Total Environ. 716, 137051 (2020)

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

New ISPRA Permeability Map of Italy for Nationwide Water

Budget Estimation
Giovanni Braca1, Martina Bussettini1, Rossella Maria Gafa1, Gennaro Maria Monti1, Lucio
Martarelli1, Angelantonio Silvi1, Francesco La Vigna1
1 Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Rome (Italy)

Key words: groundwater, water budget, permeability map.

In the context of water resources management the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and
Research (ISPRA) has developed the automatic “Nationwide GIS-based hydrological budget on a
regular grid” procedure, named BIGBANG (Italian acronym of “Bilancio Idrologico GIS BAsed a
scala Nazionale su Griglia regolare”) (Braca and Ducci, 2018) currently at version 4.0, to evaluate the
water budget components at monthly and annual temporal scale and in spatially distributed
approach, from 1951 until 2019. The groundwater recharge component has been estimated as a
percentage (Coefficient of Potential Infiltration, CIP) of the term precipitation minus
evapotranspiration in function of the permeability of the outcropping hydrogeological units based
on Mouton map (Mouton et al., 1982).
In this study, the new and more detailed Permeability Map of Italy
(http://portalesgi.isprambiente.it/it), produced by ISPRA, is used to estimate the groundwater
recharge. In particular, the Permeability Map is available on the scale 1:100.000 and has been partly
derived from the official lithological cartography of Italy and partly obtained from the information
available in the Geological Map of Italy integrated with geological and hydrogeological knowledge.
The rock formations, at a first level of definition, have been divided into four classes of high to low
permeability. Within each class, the types of three permeability have also been distinguished:
primary and porosity permeability, fissuration and karst, and mixed type. Each class combination
has been assigned a guideline value for the coefficient of permeability and the CIP.

Braca, G. and Ducci, D., 2018, Development of a GIS based procedure (BIGBANG 1.0) for evaluating groundwater balances at National
scale and comparison with groundwater resources evaluation at local scale. In Groundwater and Global Change in the Western
Mediterranean Area (pp. 53-61). Springer, Cham.
Mouton J., Mangano F., Fried J.J., 1982, Studio delle risorse in acque sotterranee dell’Italia. Th Schafer GmbH. D. 3000 – Hannover

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Structuring of a database of Campania springs (southern Italy)

and regional hydrogeological analysis
Delia Cusano1, Massimiliano Vassallo2, Vincenzo Allocca1, Pantaleone De Vita1
1 Department of Earth, Environmental and Resources Sciences - University of Naples Federico II;
2 External collaborator

Key words: groundwater, climate change, spring, discharge.

The recognition and characterization of groundwater resources is an important task for a territorial
planning aimed at their proper management and protection of groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
This topic is particularly significant for the Campania region due the strong dependence of social,
economic and environmental conditions on groundwater resources. The hydrogeological
framework of the region comprises the most relevant aquifers of southern Italy, such as karst,
alluvial, volcanic and terrigenous ones, the latter including flysch and basin series aquitards and
aquicludes (De Vita et al., 2018). Therefore, this region is characterized by a high availability of
groundwater resources, which is threatened by climatic changes.
In such a framework, the collection of data on springs and discharge measurements is crucial point
for the assessment of groundwater availability and its temporal variability. A systematic recognition
of all springs was carried out in Italy only in the 1930s and 1950s of the last century by the ‘Ministero
dei Lavori Pubblici’, a technical government agency, and published in the volumes ‘Le sorgenti
italiane’ (Italian springs) series (Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici, 1941, 1942, 1952a, 1952b). After this
comprehensive recognition, only non-systematic discharge measurements were carried during
1970’s and 1980’s on major springs for their tapping. Moreover, data gathered in the first recognition
has not been yet analyzed, thus still representing a valuable source.
In this work, identity data collected for each spring (name and position) during the first recognition
in Campania region (Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici, 1942) were validated by a crosscheck with other
sources of data. Moreover, in order to assess the variation of the spring discharge over time, first
spring measurements were analyzed comparatively with those collected in the following years.
Finally, a statistical analysis of spring parameters in relationship to the aquifer type was carried out
allowing the characterization of groundwater circulation in different aquifers.
Results obtained represent new advances of hydrogeological knowledge of the Campania
groundwater resources and provide useful informations for planning their future use, not excluding
the discovery of new resources to be used in case of drought scenarios.

De Vita, P., Allocca, V., Celico, F., Fabbrocino, S., Mattia, C., Monacelli, G., Musilli, I., Piscopo, V., Scalise, A.R., Summa, G., Tranfaglia,
G., & Celico, P. (2018). Hydrogeology of continental southern Italy. Journal of Maps, 14(2), 230-241.
doi:10.1080/17445647.2018.1454352.
Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici (Consiglio Superiore). Sezione Idrografica di Napoli – Campania (1942). Le Sorgenti Italiane. Elenco e
descrizione. Pubblicazione N.14 del Servizio Vol. VII. Libreria Istituto poligrafico dello Stato Roma.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Hydraulic head in riverbed under influence of infiltration

intake. Case study from Oława River, SW Poland.
Marek Wcisło1, Marek Błachowicz1
1 Univeristy of Wroclaw, Poland

Key words: infiltration intake, riverbed hydraulic conductivity, surface- groundwater interaction.

Management of water resources has traditionally focused on surface water or groundwater as if they
were independent components. While, river-groundwater interactions should be at the core of
hydrogeological investigations. About main characteristics of this interaction decide: riverbed
thickness and hydraulic conductivity, heads differences (Hdif) between river and aquifer nearby.
There have been many studies on the hydraulic conductivity, focusing mainly on its spatial
variability or anisotropy. (i.a Ghysels at al. 2018, Chen 2000), while the hydraulic conductivity (K)
spot measurement methodology does not sufficiently focus on the Hdif. The encountered head
differences are a pivotal factor affecting the correctness of K assessment, and this determines the
potential additional resources of the riverbank infiltration intake or the assessment of its operating
conditions.
This article analyzes the riverbed head measurement in the Oława River, lowland river in SW
Poland, under the influence of an infiltration intake, in complex conditions: low riverbed
permeability, high water depth and significant Hdif.

Chen, X. (2000). Measurement of streambed hydraulic conductivity and its anisotropy. Environmental Geology, 39 (12), 1317–1324.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s002540000172
Ghysels, G., Benoit, S., Awol, H., Jensen, E.P., Tolche, A.D., Anibas, C., & Huysmans, M. (2018). Characterization of meter-scale spatial
variability of riverbed hydraulic conductivity in a lowland river (Aa River, Belgium). Journal of Hydrology, 559, 1013-1027.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.03.002

53
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Sharp & smooth inversion strategies of the AEM data to

reconstruct the geological context in granular aquifers and in
rocky aquifers useful to the predisposition of the flow model -
case study Province of Brescia, Italy
M. Gisolo1, L. Spagnoli1, G. Mainetti 1– M. Pelizzari2 – G. Sinatra3 – A. Viezzoli4, A. Menghini4, A.
Rapiti4, F. Dauti4
1A2A Ciclo Idrico S.p.A.,
2Ufficio d’Ambito di Brescia,
3Acque Bresciane s.r.l,

4Aarhus Geofisica s.r.l.

Key words: AEM Method, Smooth, Sharp, Hydraulic Transmissibility, Flow model.

In February 2021, the UdA of Brescia started a technical board with the water companies A2A Ciclo
Idrico and Acque Bresciane to investigated an area of approximately 146,4 km2 with the AEM
Method. This method has been chosen for studying major dephts and characterized stratigraphic
sequences of boreholes in the east part of the province of Brescia.
AEM survey has allowed us to investigate an area of 300 km2 in less than 20 days, acquiring 2,000
linear km of data equivalent to about 60,000 electromagnetic probes.
A fluvial deposition environment characterizes the study area; it is delimited to the east by glacial
deposits and to the west by the bedrock.
Data have been inverted with two different strategies: i) Smooth offers a solution that establishes a
gradual transition between two bodies defined by a contrast of electrical properties. This allowed
identifying the geometries and structures of the resistive bodies, which are supposed to represent
aquifers, and then to interpret the depositional model; ii) Sharp provides a 'blocky' solution, defining
the passage between two bodies characterized by a sharp contrast of electrical properties. This
allows to better define the limits of the electro-layers and to build easier the geological structure of
the area. This methodology has proved useful for the realization of the geological model.
Moreover, it has been carried an acquisition survey of hydraulic parameters of the boreholes of the
area. Thanks to them, it will be possible to extrapolate an empirical relationship between hydraulic
transmissibility and transverse electrical resistance obtained from geophysical models. This will
allow us to obtain a spatial hydraulic characterization of the water systems.
The findings of this study will be useful to implement a numerical flow model, which will help the
water companies to locate new productive wells.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Improvement of hydrogeological knowledge by means of

Airborne EM – A case study in Lower Sassony (Germany)
Antonio Menghini, Andrea Viezzoli

EMergo, Cascina (PI), Italy

Key words: Airborne EM, Geological modelling, Glacial aquifers, Buried valleys.

Airborne Electromagnetics (AEM) has become a mature technology to support hydrogeologists in

the groundwater mapping and geological-hydrogeological modelling. This project was leaded by
LBEG (Landesamt fur Bergbau, Energie und Geology) and involved two areas located in Lower
Sassony, close to the towns of Rotenburg and Zeven (Northern Germany). The AEM data were
acquired by Skytem Aps, while Aarhus Geofisica (now Emergo) was in charge of the data processing
and inversion. The advanced workflow we applied (Auken et al., 2009) started from the detailed
processing of navigation data (altimeter and tilt corrections) and the removal of decoupling, that
was necessary due to the high urbanization of the survey area. Then, a Spatially Constraint Inversion
(Viezzoli et al., 2008) and a sharp modelling (Vignoli et al., 2015) provided a 3D distribution of
resistivity that was subsequently interpreted from a geological point of view, by exploiting existing
knowledge of the subsurface. This was represented just by some geological cross-sections based on
sparse borehole stratigraphies and seismic lines. The comparison between the resistivity modelling
and the expected geology, showed many accordances: good resolution of the resistive buried glacio-
fluvial aquifers (generally located at the bottom of paleovalleys) and of the resistive sandy aquifers
within the Pliocenic substratum, in good agreement with the intercepted aquifers by the existing
wells. AEM also suggests that a) the geometry of most of the buried valleys would need a substantial
refinement, and b) the stratigraphic data are insufficient in number. The resolution capability of
AEM has been confirmed in the detection of those aquiclude-aquitards within the glacial cover.
The final geological model was used as a starting point to achieve a hydrogeological model that will
be used by LBEG for planning new productive wells and for a correct management of the
groundwater resources.

Auken, E., A. V. Christiansen, J. A. Westergaard, C. Kirkegaard, N. Foged, and A. Viezzoli. 2009. An integrated processing scheme for
high-resolution airborne electromagnetic surveys, the SkyTEM system. Exploration Geophysics, 40, 184-192
Viezzoli, A., A. V. Christiansen, E. Auken, and K. I. Sørensen. 2008. Quasi-3D modeling of airborne TEM data by Spatially Constrained
Inversion. Geophysics, 73 (3), F105-F113.
Vignoli, G., G. Fiandaca, A.V. Christiansen, C. Kirkegaard, and E. Auken. 2015. Sharp spatially constrained inversion with applications
to transient electromagnetic data. Geophysical Prospecting, 63, 243-255.

Acknowledgments

We wish thank Nico Deus from LBEG to allow the publication of the results.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Optimising groundwater monitoring to ensure the sustainable

exploitation of a coastal aquifer system
Manuel Sapiano1, Michael Schembri1, Julian Alexander Mamo1, Henry Debattista1, David
MacDonald2
1 Energy and Water Agency (Malta);
2 British Geological Survey (United Kingdom)

Key words: groundwater, coastal aquifer, interface, Ghyben-Herzberg.

The EU Water Framework Directive considers sustainable groundwater use as the “available
groundwater resource not being exceeded by the long-term annual average rate of abstraction” and
establishes the piezometric level as the metric through which the achievement of good status is
determined.
In coastal aquifer systems, changes to the piezometric surface are reflected in an amplified response
in the freshwater-saltwater interface. This is due to the floating nature of the groundwater body, as
outlined by the Ghyben-Herzberg Principle. Hence the development of the interface is considered
as a better metric for assessing changes in the status of these aquifer systems.
The piezometric level of the Malta Mean Sea Level aquifer has been monitored since the 1940’s, when
the aquifer was relatively unexploited. Available piezometric data show that by the 1990’s when
the aquifer system was extensively over-abstracted, the level had lowered by as much as 2m when
compared to the 1940’s. This had a significant impact on the quality of water being abstracted.
Monitoring of changes in the highly responsive interface is required to effectively understand the
status of coastal aquifers. Malta is implementing a significant enhancement of the existing
monitoring network which will enable the profiling of the freshwater column as it transitions to the
underlying saline waterbody. The distribution of monitoring sites over the whole island will also
enable a representation of the spatial variations of the freshwater column. The development of this
monitoring network is being undertaken with the support of the British Geological Survey and the
Geological Survey of Korea.
Through the network, the assessment of changes in the freshwater/saline interface will enable the
early identification of impacts on local groundwater status, helping the identification of corrective
management actions to ensure the continued sustainable utilization of groundwater in Malta.

Badon Ghijben, W. and J. Drabbe 1889. Nota in verband met de voorgenomen putboring nabij Amsterdam. Tijdschrift van het Koninklijk
Instituut voor Ingenieurs 1888-1889: 8
EC, 2000a. European Commission Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a
framework for Community action in the field of water policy (The EU Water Framework Directive).
EWA, 2015. Second Water Catchment Management Plan for the Malta Water Catchment District 2015-2021. Energy and Water Agency.
The Project for the upgrading of the National Hydrological Monitoring Infrastructure is co-funded by the European Union through the
Cohesion Fund – Project CF.10.096

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

A multi-method approach for estimating groundwater recharge of

a strategic karst aquifer in southern Apennines, Italy
R. Villani1, P. Marsiglia1, M. Di Natale3, D. Calcaterra1, P. De Vita1, G. Ruggieri2, A. Mottola2, V.
Allocca1
1 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e delle Risorse – University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
2 Regional Environmental Protection Agency Campania Region, Naples, Italy
3 GORI S.p.A.

Key words: Groundwater recharge, karst aquifer, southern Apennines.

Karst aquifers represent the main source of water supply in southern Italy, thus they play a strategic
role for the economic development and environmental conservation of groundwater-dependent
ecosystems. The modeling of the groundwater recharge, through the estimation of the water balance
at different space-time scales, is a fundamental prerequisite for the optimal management and
protection of groundwater resources.
The objective of this work was the estimation and modeling of groundwater recharge, on an average
monthly scale, by a multi-method approach implemented in a GIS environment for Mts. Avella karst
aquifer, a strategic groundwater resource for the Campania region.
The groundwater recharge estimate was carried out for the period 2000-2018, through the
application of the water balance equation, integrating terrestrial hydrogeological and hydrological
data with remote sensing information (MODIS data). The Thornthwaite-Mather (1951) and Penman-
Monteith methods (Penman, 1948) were used to estimate actual evapotranspiration and
subsequently the surplus water. In this way, six estimates of the groundwater recharge were
obtained, using different infiltration and runoff coefficients deriving from AGRC and Curve
Number methods (USDA, 1986), and integrating hydrogeological, slope, soil type, vegetation cover
and land use data. The results show an annual groundwater recharge values between 8.28 m3/s and
6.92 m3/s, with an average value of 7.77 m3/s. The comparison with the groundwater outflows of the
karst aquifer (on average equal to 8.6 m3/s) deriving from literature data, highlights, on the one hand,
the goodness of some estimates and, on the other hand, underlines the need to investigate the
potential scenario of imbalance in the water balance that could be envisaged for the karst aquifer
studied.

Thornthwaite, C.W., and Mather, J.R., 1951. The role of evapotranspiration in climate. Archiv für Meteorologie, Geophysik und
Bioklimatologie, Serie B 3.1 (1951): 16-39.
USDA, 1986. Urban hydrology for small watersheds. Technical release 55 (1986): 2-6.
Penman, H.L., 1948. Natural evaporation from open water, bare soil and grass. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A.
Mathematical and Physical Sciences 193.1032 (1948): 120-145.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Methodology for identifying groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDE)

and allowing the groundwater status assessment accordingly in Sardinia.
Cristina Buttau1, Stefania Da Pelo1, Antonio Funedda1, Maria Teresa Melis1, Claudio Arras1, Mario
Lorrai2, Maurizio Testa3, Paolo Botti2
1 Dipartimento di Scienze chimiche e geologiche, Università degli studi di Cagliari, Blocco A, 09042 Monserrato (Ca),
Italia
2 Regione Autonoma della Sardegna- Presidenza Direzione generale Agenzia regionale del Distretto Idrografico della

Sardegna Servizio tutela e gestione delle risorse idriche, vigilanza sui servizi idrici e gestione delle siccità, Via Mameli 88
- 09123 – Cagliari
3 Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Sardinia (ARPA Sardegna), via Contivecchi 7, 09122 Cagliari, Italy

Key words: groundwater body (GWB), surface water body (SWB), (GDE).
The Water Framework Directive (WFD; 2000/60/EC) aims to establish a framework for protecting
waters. Among the WFD’s objectives, the achievement of a good groundwater status is required,
including a good groundwater quantitative and chemical status. The ecosystems directly dependent
on groundwater (terrestrial and aquatic GWDE) can affect the status of a groundwater body (GWB),
where is causing significant damage to the GDE. In the framework of updating the River basin
management plan of Sardinia, a methodological approach for identifying (SWBs) and terrestrial
ecosystems directly dependent from GWB has been proposed. In the first step, a priority has been
assigned to the SWBs with a “not good” status or being at risk of failing to meet the objectives set
for each body under Article 4 according to their characterization (PdG, 2016). Springs and low-lying
coastal areas were considered as potential terrestrial ecosystems in Sardinia, as internal wetlands
are usually temporary and feed by rain (Bagella et al., 2010). The GIS-based methodology envisages
a cross-referencing procedure of various thematisms, according to the following work-flow:
1- Identify fresh perennial, intermittent and ephemeral and transitional SWB according to their
“not good” status or being at risk of failing to meet the objectives set for each body under
Article 4 (PdG, 2016).
2- Select springs
3- Use the Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Sites of Community Importance (SCIs), and Special
Areas of Conservation, SACs;
4- Use the Nature map (Camarda et al, 2015) to identify the Ecological data;
5- Select the groundwater (GW) with poor quantitative status.
6- Establish whether a connection between GWB and SWB occurs on the base of the
hydrogeological information.
According to the schema, the potential GDE will be identified. Remotely satellite acquired data,
morphometric and geological data, and field surveys will mainly support the identification,
particularly where hydrogeological information is missing.

Bagella S., Caria M.C., Zuccarello V. (2010) Patterns of emblematic habitat types in Mediterranean temporary wetlands. C. R. Biologies
333, 694–700.
Camarda I., Laurenti L., Angelini P., Capogrossi R. (2015) Sistema Carta della Natura della Sardegna. ISPRA.
PdG (2016) Riesame e aggiornamento del Piano di Gestione del Distretto Idrografico della Sardegna, 2° Ciclo di pianificazione.
Monitoraggio e classificazione delle acque superficiali. Regione Autonoma della Sardegna. Autorità di Bacino Regionale.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

IAH recommendations and emerging trends for groundwater

inflows and heat management in tunnels
Antonio Dematteis1, Marco Barla1, Daniela Blessent1, Francesco Cecinato1, Paolo Cerutti1,
Alessandro Boscaro1, Alessandro Gargini1, Maria Governa1, Fabrizio Grosso1, Alessandra Insana1,
Marco Masetti1, Maria Elena Parisi1, Daniele Pedretti1, Paolo Perello1, Luca Ranfagni1, Guido
Ruffinatto1, Riccardo Torri1, Sergio Vazzoler1, Valentina Vincenzi1.
1Working Group GESTAG (Sustainable Water Management in Tunnels), International Association of Hydrogeologists
(IAH)

Key words: sustainability, tunnels, groundwater inflow, energy geostructures.

This paper was developed by members of the Working Group GESTAG (Sustainable Water
Management in Tunnels) of the Italian Committee of the IAH. In 2020 the GESTAG published a
guideline, which can be downloaded for free from the IAH website. Given the interest in the
guideline, also international, the GESTAG decided to translate the guideline into English, to broaden
its dissemination. A wide panel of experts contribute to the guideline. Universities’, designers’,
contractors’, and public authorities’ representatives shared their experience on case histories to
provide a view on the essential elements and emerging trends for planning and managing water
and heat in tunnel projects and other geostructures. In the new English edition, the document has
been enriched with the results of the latest works by GESTAG, adding a new section on energy
recovery. All the phases prior to the tunnel construction, during construction and operation are
considered. The following topics are covered: the use of existing databases, the return of experience
from tunnels already excavated, the 3D geological and hydrogeological model development; the
predictive impacts models on the environment and on the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems; the
Risk Management Tools; the grouting and waterproofing technologies and the compatibility of the
grouting materials with the use of water; the recovering and enhancing the groundwater inflows
and the geothermal energy through the ground source heat pump technologies; and the monitoring
criteria and techniques suggested in the different underground conditions. The so-called non-
technical issues are also addressed, such as communication, the inclusive involvement of
stakeholder’s engagement, and social acceptability, with the aim of improving the design choices
and keeping time and cost under control. An overview of the environmental legislation is finally
given.

Dematteis, A, Barla, M, Boscaro A, Gargini, A, Governa, M, Grosso, F, Insana, A, Marchionatti, F, Parisi, ME, Perello, P, Ranfagni, L,
Ruffinatto, G, Torri, R, Vazzoler, S, Vincenzi, V. 2020. Linee guida per la gestione sostenibile delle venute d’acqua e del calore
geotermico nelle gallerie, Comitato Italiano IAH, allegato alla rivista Acque Sotterranee - Italian Journal of Groundwater Vol.9 n°162
DOI 10.7343/as-2020-486 (https://www.acquesotterranee.net/index.php/acque/article/view/ as-2020-486/398).
IAH_GESTAG: https://www.iahitaly.it/site/gruppi/gestag-studio-gestione-sostenibile-acque-gallerie.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Long-Term Annual Average Aquifer Recharge assessment for the

island of Sardinia (Italy)
Claudio Arras1, Giorgio Ghiglieri1, Stefania Da Pelo1, Cristina Buttau1, Mario Lorrai2, Maurizio
Testa3
1 Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences. University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Blocco
A – S.P. Monserrato-Sestu, km 0.700, Italy
2 Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, Servizio tutela e gestione delle risorse idriche, vigilanza sui servizi idrici e gestione

delle siccità, via Mameli 88, 09123 Cagliari, Italy

3 Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Sardinia (ARPA Sardegna), via Contivecchi 7, 09122 Cagliari, Italy

Key words: LTAAR, inverse water balance, residual kriging.

Evaluation of Long-Term Annual Average Recharge (LTAAR) is a challenge for sustainable

management of groundwaters. Despite many methods were developed based on different kind of
input dataset, inverse water balance is one of the most effective approach when long term climatic
data series are available. In this work, the inverse water balance for all the aquifers of the
Hydrographic District of Sardinia (Arras et al. 2019) is presented. The proposed model adopts a
geographically based integrated evaluation system. Daily precipitation and temperatures data from
the official weather stations network of Sardinia was collected for the periods 1981-2010 and 2009-
2018, while average precipitation and temperature maps, elaborated by the Sardinian Regional
Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPAS: Hydro-meteoclimatic Department), were used for
the period 1971-2000. Elevation data comes from the 10 m grid Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of
Sardinia, downscaled to a 40 meters grid. Daily measurements were used to calculate climate
Normal according to the World Meteorological Organization guidelines (WMO 2017). Spatial
interpolation of punctual Normal was performed through the application of the ordinary kriging of
residuals from linear regression between climatic data and elevation. The method provides good
results in terms of accuracy in reproducing missing data for both the climatic dataset, as
demonstrated in similar context (Di Piazza et al. 2015). The Turc modified method by Santoro (1970)
was used to calculate the actual evapotranspiration term. Based on literature data and field
measurements potential infiltration indexes were evaluated. Then, runoff was calculated as
difference between effective precipitation and effective annual aquifer recharge. Results have shown
that LTAAR for the whole hydrographic district of Sardinia ranges from 1600 (1971-2000) to 1540
(1981-2010) and 1690 (2009-2018) Mm3, representing 15% of the average annual precipitation; more
than 65% of the annual available water is lost through evapotranspiration; the remaining 20% occurs
as runoff.

Arras C., Balia R., Botti P., Buttau C., Cau P., Da Pelo S., Funedda A., Ghiglieri G., Loi A., Lorrai M., Melis M.T., Testa, M. (2019) Geological
criteria to the 3D delimitation of groundwater bodies (GWB) in the hydrographic district of Sardinia. In Flowpath, National Meeting
on Hydrogeology 12-14 June 2019 (p. 9). doi: 10.14672/55260121
Di Piazza A., Lo Conti F., Viola F., Eccel E., Noto L. V. (2015) Comparative analysis of spatial interpolation methods in the Mediterranean
area: Application to temperature in Sicily. Water, Volume 7, Pages 1866-1888. Doi: 10.3390/w7051866
World Meteorological Organization (2017) WMO Guidelines on the Calculation of Climate Normals (WMO-No. 1203). Geneva.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Interactions between loosing streams and coastal groundwater-

dependent ecosystem: a case study from the Torre Guaceto
natural reserve and the Canale Reale River (Brindisi)
Silvia Brigida, Rita Masciale and Ivan Portoghese

Water Research Institute, Italian National Research Council (IRSA-CNR)

Key words: wastewater effluent-fed river, wetland, coastal aquifer recharge, coastal aquifer
salinization, groundwater dependant ecosystem.

The Canale Reale River originates nearby Villa Castelli municipality and flows for 48 km through
the Brindisi plain, a flat area extending along a geological transition zone between two Apulian
structural and hydrogeological domains, Murgia at NW and Salento at SE. Besides rainwaters
drainage, the river collects effluents coming from four wastewater plants with a total discharge of
270 l/s and crosses the Torre Guaceto protected wetland before reaching the Adriatic Sea. The study
area shows a complex geological setting. The combined effect of faults, evidence of the Apennine
orogenesis during Pleistocene, karst processes following glacio-eustatic variations since Cretaceous
and sea level oscillations since Late Pleistocene, strongly affected the path of Canale Reale, its
catchment basin and the groundwater circulation both in the shallow aquifer and the deep carbonate
Mesozoic aquifer. A hydraulic connection between the river, the underlying shallow aquifer hosted
in Quaternary deposits and the coastal springs supporting the wetland system fed by the deep
aquifer, is allowed to be supposed. The water exchange between the two aquifers may naturally
occur through significant vertical discontinuities as suggested by the temperature distribution
within the saturated zone of the deep aquifer [1] or locally through the imperfect casing of the over
3,000 drilled wells, distributed along the Brindisi plain for agricultural needs. Aquifer recharge may
also occur through loosing stream infiltration, which is likely to be a source of groundwater recharge
especially in arid areas [2]; moreover, the discharge of treated effluents into surface water bodies is
becoming a widespread method for groundwater recharge [3]. Adopting a multi-disciplinary
approach, our study investigates the potential hydraulic connections between the effluent-fed
streamflow and the consequent saturated zone to possibly quantify the water volumes resulting
from streambed infiltration, and their effect in contrasting seawater intrusion in the groundwater-
dependent ecosystem of Torre Guaceto wetland.

1. Fidelibus MD.,Pulido-Bosch A. Groundwater temperature as an indicator of the vulnerability of karst coastal aquifers. Geosciences
2019;9 (1):23.
2. Shanafield M., Cook G.P., Transmission losses, infiltration and groundwater recharge through ephemeral and intermittent streambeds:
A review of applied methods, Journal of Hydrology, Volume 511, 2014; 518:529, ISSN 0022-1694.
3. Hamdhani, H, Eppehimer, DE, Bogan, MT. Release of treated effluent into streams: A global review of ecological impacts with a
consideration of its potential use for environmental flows. Freshwater Biology. 2020; 65: 1657– 1670.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Integrated hydrogeological modelling for sustainable

management of the Brindisi plain aquifer (Southern Italy)
Nicola Pastore1, Claudia Cherubini2, Emma Petrella3, Fulvio Celico3, Concetta I. Giasi1
1 Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Polytechnic of Bari,
via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari (Italy).
2 Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, via Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara (Italy).

3 Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Parma University, Parco Area delle Scienze,

157/A, 43124 Parma (Italy).

Key words: groundwater, hydrogeological model, Brindisi plain.

The sustainable management of groundwater resources is one the greatest challenges faced by
society today. Climate changes together with the increasing of the water demand impose a
sustainable management where the budget between water availability and demand is positively
closed.
An integrated hydrogeological modelling approach was developed in order to understand the
hydrological and hydrogeological dynamics in a semi – arid region of the Mediterranean basin. In
particular way, the present work focuses on the catchment areas of the Siedi, Foggia di Rau, Pigonati
and Palmarini channels of the Brindisi plain, Southern Italy.
In the last decades in the Brindisi plain catchment, the anthropization processes as well as the
industrial and agricultural development generated an intensive exploitation of both shallow and
deep groundwater resources as well as they qualitative deterioration.
The results evidence a sensitive anthropological – natural system where the variability of the rainfall
regime combined with the agricultural water withdrawal leads to a combined system that is
vulnerable to anthropogenic stresses and climate change.
The developed integrated hydrogeological model represents an important tool in order to evaluate
the effectiveness of cost-effective climate resilience actions for the management of the groundwater
resources with respect to land-use practices and socio-economic aspects.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Monitoring strategies to detect the impact of landfills activities

on groundwater
Elisabetta Preziosi1, Eleonora Frollini1, Stefano Ghergo1, Daniele Parrone1
1 Water Research Institute - National Research Council, Monterotondo, Italy

Key words: groundwater, landfills, monitoring, isotopes.

The management of modern urban landfills require appropriate monitoring practices to promptly
report first signs of inefficiency of the protective barriers against the pollution of soil and
groundwater. As regards groundwater, the approach is based on the comparison of the
concentration of a pollutant or a parameter against a standard, which does not fully describe the
geochemical and hydrogeological processes involved at the groundwater body scale. Innovative
indicators of pollution such as environmental isotopes, can provide a new perspective towards a
holistic approach.
The aim of this communication is to present some successful examples of isotope application to
resolve doubts about the origin of high levels of inorganic compounds in groundwater, as well as
traces of organic compounds, which are of concern as a possible sign of failure of the protective
barriers of the plant. In two urban landfills in central Italy, one currently active and one that is now
dismissed, traditional groundwater monitoring has been complemented with the analysis of
environmental isotopes including tritium and 13-carbon. Monitoring was conducted within the two
sites and in the surrounding territory. Tritium is an excellent tracer of landfills pollution because its
concentration is particularly high in both leachate and landfills gas. 13C originates from a variety of
inorganic carbon sources and may provide additional information on contamination processes.
Field parameters (T, EC, pH, DO, ORP) were measured with probes in a flow-through cell.
Ammonia, nitrite, sulfur and cyanide were measured in the field (UV-VIS). Lab analysis were
performed for major and trace elements, environmental isotopes (δ18O, δ2H, Tritium, δ13C), DOC,
VOC with standard procedures.
The integration of hydrochemical, hydrogeological and isotope data indicates a modest
groundwater contamination in the old plant, while in the active plant no indication of pollution was
found. Some anomalous data regarding sulfur and chloride were provisionally ascribed to a
geogenic origin.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Advanced automated integration of Airborne Electromagnetic

and drilling data
Gianluca Fiandaca1, Andrea Viezzoli2 and Frans Schaars3
1 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “A.Desio”, Università degli studi di Milano (Italy)
2 Emergo , Italy,
3 Artesia Water, The Netherlands

Key words: Airborne, electromagnetics, geophysics, drilling.

Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys are widely used for hydrogeological applications. In areas
that present large quantity of good auxiliary information (e.g., lithology, resistivity logs), integrating
the latter with the AEM data is a common goal. Whether done a-priori or a-posteriori, quantitative
integration is often hindered by locally conflicting information. That is, the airborne data and the
drilling data may not be reconciled everywhere. For example, some drillings may have been logged
imperfectly. Conversely, the AEM data may have a bias that makes it inaccurate.
In this study we propose to use a generalization of the minimum support norm, namely the
asymmetric generalized minimum support (AGMS) norm (Fiandaca et al., 2015), for defining the
data misfit in the objective function of an iterative reweighted least squared (IRLS) gauss-newton
inversion (Farquharson and Oldenburg, 1998). The AGMS norm in the data misfit puts a cap on the
weight of non-fitting data points, allowing for the inversion to focus on the data points that can be
fitted. Outliers (either boreholes or AEM data) can be identified after the AGMS inversion, excluded
and a classic L2 misfit can be applied to the final inversion model.
The applicability of this innovative approach is tested on both synthetic examples and large-scale
real case studies with AEM data and drilling information in the form of lithological logs translated
to resistivity. The AGMS uses the “good” drilling information to locally improve the sensitivity of
the AEM to some model parameters, whilst ignoring the “bad” drilling data. It also automatically
flags the bad borehole, for review.

Farquharson, C.G. & Oldenburg, D.W., 1998. Non-linear inversion using general measures of data misfit and model structure, Geophysics,
134, 213–227.
Fiandaca G., Doetsch J., Vignoli G. & Auken E., 2015. Generalized focusing of time-lapse changes with applications to direct current and
time-domain induced polarization inversions, Geophysical Journal International, 203, 1101-1112. 10.1093/gji/ggv350

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
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High resolution flow models at basin scale with the support of

airborne geophysics and multiple-point statistics
Alessandro Comunian1, Gianluca Fiandaca1, Andrea Viezzoli2, Daniele Pedretti1, Matteo Gisolo3
and Mauro Giudici1
1 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “A.Desio”, Università degli studi di Milano (Italy)
2 EMergo s.r.l. (Italy)
3 A2A Ciclo Idrico (Italy)

Key words: multiple-point geostatistics, airborne transient electromagnetic, heterogeneity.

High-resolution distributed models of regional aquifer systems based on a realistic representation

of the subsoil heterogeneity are valuable tools that can integrate models developed at local scale and
support water management systems. Nevertheless, at the present day, and in particular in Italy, very
few attempts were made to model fluid flow at the scale of big alluvial plains. This is probably due
to the complexity of the spatial distribution of the sediments hosting the main aquifers of the region.
Nowadays, a big part of the tools that can tackle this issue are there: high performance computing
flow simulation platforms, allow to run flow modeling on a computing cluster with the required
high-resolution grids [1]; in addition, airborne electromagnetic (AEM) geophysical systems, tailored
for hydrological characterization, provide large-scale high-resolution mapping capabilities and
recent researches opened the possibility to link the electrical properties retrieved from AEM data to
hydraulic properties making use of the Induced Polarization (IP) phenomenon [2]; finally, multiple-
point statistics allows to fill in the gaps left in the AEM maps and to reconstruct realistic
representations of subsoil heterogeneity [3]. In this work, a workflow based on these three
components is demonstrated on a synthetic study, set up for an area of about 10 km2 down to a
depth of 300 m, mimicking an alluvial aquifer. The use of a synthetic aquifer allows to compare the
results of flow and transport simulation performed on the “true” reference distribution of the
hydraulic properties against distributions deduced from AEM inversions, carried out either in terms
of electrical resistivity, either in terms of hydraulic conductivity through the use of petrophysical
relations, allowing to explore strengths and weaknesses of the two approaches. This study is carried
out within the project GeoPHydro – GeoPhysics for Hydrogeology, a research agreement among the
Earth Sciences dep. of the University of Milan and A2A ciclo idrico.

[1] de Graaf, I., Condon, L., and Maxwell, R. 2020. Hyper-Resolution Continental-Scale 3-D Aquifer Parameterization for Groundwater
Modeling, Water Resources Research, 56.
doi: 10.1029/2019WR026004.
[2] Fiandaca G., Maurya P.K., Balbarini N., Hördt A., Christiansen A.V., Foged N., Bjerg P.L., Auken E., 2018. Permeability estimation
directly from logging-while-drilling Induced Polarization data, Water Resources Research, 54 (4). doi: 10.1002/2017WR022411.
[3] Mariethoz, G.; Renard, P. & Straubhaar, J., 2010. The Direct Sampling method to perform multiple-point geostatistical simulations,
Water Resources Research, 46(11), doi: 10.1029/2008WR007621W11536

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

How to restore an overexploited aquifer… hints and insights

from coastal Tuscany (Italy)
Rudy Rossetto1, Esteban Rafael Caligaris1, Laura Ercoli1, Alessio Barbagli1, Alessandra Francini1,
Federico Lazzaroni2, Alessandra Pei2, Valentina Menonna2, Marco Masi2, Mirko Brilli3, Claudio
Benucci3, Franca Palumbo3, Roberta Maggiorelli3, Lorenzo Rotelli4, Alessandro Fabbrizzi4
1 Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy – email: [email protected];
2 Regione Toscana;
3 ASA S.p.A., Livorno;

4 Consorzio di Bonifica 5 Toscana Costa, Campiglia Marittima

Key words: sustainable groundwater management, aquifer restoration, managed aquifer recharge,
river restoration.

Several studies deal with description and causes leading to aquifer overexploitation, while relatively
few face the challenge of reverting unbalanced situations. The lower Cornia valley aquifer system
(Tuscany, Italy) provides the only source of water for drinking, irrigation, industrial purposes and
it also contributes to the water needs of the nearby Elba island. Since 60 years, intensive exploitation
of groundwater resulted in consistent head lowering and water balance deficit, subsidence,
reduction of groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems, and salinization of freshwater
resources. With this contribution, we present the main results achieved with the activities run within
the EU funded LIFE REWAT project (sustainable WATer management in the lower Cornia valley through
demand REduction, aquifer Recharge and river REstoration; http://www.liferewat.eu) aiming at
rebalancing the water budget of the Cornia river hydrologic system.
Five demonstration measures (river restoration works; Managed Aquifer Recharge; reuse of treated
wastewater for irrigation; high irrigation efficiency scheme; leakage management in water
distribution systems) are/have been in place for promoting sustainable groundwater resource
management, along with capacity building and participatory actions starting since 2018.
Results show an increase in recharge/storage of about 2.5 Mm3 per year, with noticeable effects
related to the increase in natural recharge from the Cornia riverbed to the aquifer (accounting for
about 1.5 Mm3/year) due to morphological restoration works. The experimental two-stage
infiltration basin of Suvereto guaranteed an increase in recharge of about 0.5 Mm3/year. Additional
storage increase is related to the reduction in leakage losses from drinking water network and thanks
to a more careful use of irrigation water in farming. In about two years, thanks also to favorable
hydrologic conditions, the groundwater head generally arose of about 2 to 3 m in the Cornia plain.
The results achieved so far provide a clear trend (even in 2021) towards the Cornia aquifer
restoration by means of low-impact and nature-based solutions along with a large involvement of
the main stakeholders in creating a shared knowledge on the value of the groundwater resource.

Acknowledgement

This contribution is presented within the framework of the LIFE REWAT project. The LIFE REWAT project
received funding from the European Union's Life Programme LIFE 14 ENV/IT/001290.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Update of the framework for the availability of groundwater

resources in the Norcia and Cascia Plains following the
earthquakes of 2016
Elena Cogo1, Nicola Quaranta1
1 GEO engineering s.r.l., Corso Unione Sovietica 560, 10135 Torino

Key words: groundwater, seismic, isotope, radiocarbon, anthropogenic tracers.

The study covered geographically the territories of Cascia and Norcia, in the province of Perugia
(Umbria). The focus of the project was to provide an update of the state of knowledge about the
areas, in the light of the framework of the availability of groundwater resources that changed over
the last decade, for climatic reasons and in relation to the seismic events that have affected the region.
This update was supported by a specific on-site survey programme, based on deep geophysical
prospections, isotope analysis and anthropogenic tracers, in addition to the classical hydrodynamic
and geochemical monitoring techniques.
In the Norcia Plain, the geophysical investigation has allowed to recognize the role of active
deformative structures and the high thickness power of the quaternary deposits. The local
recharging of the fan conoid system, open to anthropogenic tracers, imposes itself on genetically
older waters, with slowed outflow in the sequences of low permeability fluvio-lacustrine deposits,
interconnected with the coarser fan deposits of conoid.
In the study area of Cascia (Padule Plain) was found a condition of critical production at the water
system. The semi-confined aquifer in the marshy fluvio deposits expresses a marked dynamic
imbalance, attributable to a reduction of the recharge and to a drainage component of seismic origin,
with deep escape flows along the regional tectonic guidelines. The results of isotopic and dating
analysis suggest a local recharge height, a recent component open to anthropogenic tracers and a
radiocarbon age characteristic of a flow system with deep circulation components in medium-
moderate permeability media.
In the light of these results it was possible to provide the Water Service Manager a support for the
design of drinking water catchment works, in addition to the current equipment, able to meet a
medium-time requirementlong term, with an adequate safety factor against local climatic and
seismic variability.

Aringoli D., Bufalini M., Farabollini P., Giacopetti M., Materazzi M., Pambianchi G., Università degli Studi di Camerino – Sezione di
Geologia, Scalella G., Regione Marche: “Effetti geomorfologici e variazioni idrogeologiche indotti dai terremoti: esempi nell’area
epicentrale della sequenza sismica 2016-2017 del centro Italia”. Geologia dell’Ambiente • Supplemento al n. 1/2018. Pp. 239-248
Barberio M.D., Barbieri M., Billi A., Doglioni C. & Petitta M.: “Hydrogeochemical changes before and during the 2016 Amatrice-Norcia
seismic sequence (central Italy)”. www.nature.com/scientificreports. 15 september 2017. DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-11990-8.
Fronzi D., Banzato F., Caliro S., Cambi C., Cardellini C., Checcucci R., Mastrotrillo L., Mirabella F., Petitta M., Valigi D., Tazioli A.:
“Preliminary results on the response of some springs of the Sibillini Mountains area to the 2016-2017 seismic sequence”. Acque
Sotterranee - Italian Journal of Groundwater (2020) - AS32-450: 19 – 25

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Session 3

Geothermal, Urban and Contaminant Hydrogeology

Keynote Lecture

Groundwater resources in risk: Pollution threats under future stresses

Xavier Sanchez-Vila (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)

Conveners

Elisabetta Preziosi (IRSA – CNR)

Francesca Lotti (SYMPLE s.r.l. )

Diego Di Curzio (Università degli Studi "Gabriele d'Annunzio")

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

KEYNOTE LECTURE
Groundwater resources in risk: Pollution threats under future
stresses
Xavier Sanchez-Vila (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)

Climate and global changes will result in a multitude of effects upon groundwater resources. On one
hand, aquifer heads will deplete, and together with meteorological changes will produce strong
impacts in riverine ecosystems. Upon quantitative issues, we must superimpose the impact of
groundwater depletion plus the impact of stressors upon groundwater quality as a function of time.
In this talk we evaluate some of the (sometimes hidden) potential threats posed by groundwater, here
including bacterial pathogens, viruses, genes that are resistant to antibiotics, and potentially
carcinogenic emerging organic compounds (EOCs). We will present some of the present challenges
regarding the study of the fate of all these threating elements, as well as some modelling efforts, and
the open challenges for the future involving a formal evaluation of the risk of wells to provide unsafe
water and the way we can devise protocols to minimize it.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Soil conditioners effects on hydraulic properties, leaching

processes and denitrification on a silty-clay soil
Maria Pia Gervasio1,2, Nicolò Colombani3 , Giuseppe Castaldelli1 , Dario Tedesco2 , Micòl
Mastrocicco2
1 SVeB - Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
2 DiSTABiF - Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Campania
University “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy.
3 SIMAU - Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Polytechnic University of Marche,

Via Brecce Bianche 12, 60131 Ancona, Italy

Key words: fertilizer leaching, denitrification, clay swelling, aquifer recharge.

The continuous decrease of the environmental quality due to agricultural activities has become an
important issue worldwide, as fertilizers’ use could cause harmful nutrients leaching through soil,
reaching groundwater resources. Different agricultural practises are applied in agricultural
landscape to increase soil organic matter content and to reduce nutrients leaching. In this study an
experimental silty-clay soil column was monitored at laboratory condition to determine the amount
of nutrients and heavy metals leached after the simulation of a storm events. Urea, straw residuals,
and compost were applied on an undisturbed column in three different experiments. Column was
flushed for two pore volumes in each experiment, except for compost (where six pore volumes were
applied). All treatments presented aerobic condition and pH was circumneutral, while total
dissolved solids decreased during the experimental time due to simulated rainfalls. Leachate
samples were analysed to determine dissolved ions, heavy metals, and major gasses content
(Blicher-Mathiensen et al., 1998). Nitrate and nitrite were leached in the urea application followed
by compost and straw residuals. Denitrification rate was low and had a slightly increment after
straw residuals and compost addiction; also dissolved organic carbon slightly increase. Results
confirm that urea treatment showed incomplete denitrification due to the lack of labile organic
substrates, rather than to other inhibitors, as pH changes. Heavy metals concentrations were very
low, except for lead in the urea application and at the beginning of the compost experiment. Finally,
prolonged rainfall events caused the complete saturation of the column and the dispersion of
sodium present in the compost, so clay swelling (Warrence et al., 2002) appeared at the middle of
the column in the compost treatment after three pore volumes. Swelling factor calculation confirmed
this phenomenon, that influenced hydraulic properties: porosity and hydraulic conductivity
decreased, so the infiltration coefficient declined (Hanson et al., 1999).

Blicher-Mathiesen, G., McCarty, G.W., Nielsen, L.P., 1998. Denitrification and degassing in groundwater estimated from dissolved
dinitrogen and argon. J. Hydrol. 208 (1–2), 16–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(98)00142-5.
Hanson, B., Grattan, S.R., Fulton, A., 1999. Agricultural Salinity and Drainage. University of California Irrigation Program. University of
California, Davis.
Warrence, N.J., Bauder, J.W., Pearson, K.E., 2002. Basics of Salinity and Sodicity Effects on Soil Physical Properties. Department of Land
Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University-Bozeman, MT, pp. 1–29. DOI: 10.1.1.464.1745.

The full paper is published on: Colombani, N., Gervasio, M. P., Castaldelli, G., & Mastrocicco, M. (2020). Soil conditioners effects
on hydraulic properties, leaching processes and denitrification on a silty-clay soil. Science of The Total Environment, 733, 139342.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
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Formation of new solute plumes from buried industrial waste as a

consequence of the regional increase of aquifer head levels in the
Piana ad Oriente di Napoli
Daniele Pedretti1, Simone Varisco1
1 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “A. Desio”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

Key words: groundwater table rising; aquifer contamination; numerical modelling; MODFLOW;
MT3DMS.

The steady increase of groundwater head levels as a consequence of the closure of large well fields
is a common problem for many urban areas all over the world. While the socioeconomic effects of
groundwater head level rising on subsurface infrastructures have been well documented, the
environmental implications of groundwater head level rising remain less explored.
Little is known about the potential effects of groundwater head level rising on the formation of solute
plumes from contaminant sources that lie in the vadose zone and that groundwater head level rising
may mobilize with time.
In this presentation, we showed the main results of a recent research (Varisco et al., submitted) which
evaluates the mobilization of buried contaminant sources in a stratified highly heterogeneous
aquifer near Naples, Italy. A dismissed chemical factory caused a multicomponent solute plume
contamination which was hydraulically confined by a pumpand-treat (P&T) system. Since 2011,
concentrations of contaminants such as 1,1- dichloroethene (1,1-DCE) were found to exceed
regulatory maximum concentration levels in monitoring boreholes outside the P&T.
It has been hypothesized that such occurrence was linked to the groundwater head level rising, as
the P&T was correctly working before 2011. Using a combination of stratigraphic geological analysis,
time series of monitoring head levels and concentration records and a numerical flow and transport
analysis, the hypothesis was demonstrated as plausible. The model considers a contaminant source
located above the position of the water table in 2011. The source was progressively saturated by the
rising groundwater. This resulted in enhanced advective transport components at the source, which
generated a simulated solute plume that scales in space and time according to the field
measurements.
This work demonstrates the ability of the proposed methodology to quantify the potential
implication of groundwater head level rising in similar settings, a phenomenon which is expected
to become increasingly important in the future.

Varisco, S. et al. (in preparation) “Implication of groundwater rebound on contaminant transport in heterogeneous aquifers: model-based
analysis of a former industrial area near Naples (Italy)”, to be submitted to J. Contaminant Hydrology.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
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Adaptation of the Connected Linear Network Process for

borehole heat exchangers numerical modelling
Sara Barbieri1, Matteo Antelmi1, Luca Alberti1, Sorab Panday2
1 Politecnico di Milano, Milan (Italy);
2 University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska (USA)

Key words: borehole heat exchanger, CLN package, MODFLOW-USG, heat transport .

The Connected Linear Network (CLN) is a specific package included in the hydrogeological
software MODFLOW-USG reproducing one-dimensional hydrogeologic and hydrologic features
that requires flow connections separated from those of the aquifer (wells, fractures, rivers, karts
conduits, etc.; Panday, 2019). The study focuses on the adaptation of the CLN to simulate a borehole
heat exchanger (BHE) and compare the new approach to a detailed and complex approach consisting
of a model already validated by means of an analytical solution (Angelotti et al., 2014). Furthermore,
the introduction of unstructured grids in MODFLOW-USG allowed the analysis of the results
varying the spatial grid discretization through the innovative quadtree refinement technique. The
CLN adaptation provides a new tool for BHEs modelling, overcoming the limitations of the classical
approach adopted in the validated model (strong grid refinement) and allowing the simulation of
several BHEs in one model. This innovation gives access both to the evaluation of thermal
interference between BHEs belonging to the same GroundSource Heat Pump (GSHP) system and of
thermal disturbance induced downstream of large borefields (Antelmi et al., 2021). Moreover, the
new approach was applied to identify the thermal influence of a real GSHP system installed in
Milan, consisting of 60 BHEs, towards the extraction wells for drinking use located downstream of
it.

Angelotti, A., Alberti, L., La Licata, I., & Antelmi, M. (2014). Energy performance and thermal impact of a Borehole Heat Exchanger in a
sandy aquifer: Influence of the groundwater velocity. Energy Conversion and Management, 77, 700–708.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.10.018.
Antelmi M. Alberti L. Barbieri S. Panday S. (2021) Simulation of thermal perturbation in groundwater caused by Borehole Heat
Exchangers using an adapted CLN package of MODFLOW-USG. Journal of Hydrology, 596.
Panday S. (2019) USG-Transport Version 1.4.0: The Block-Centered Transport Process for MODFLOW-USG, GSI Environmental.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Natural and anthropogenic groundwater contamination in a

coastal volcanic-sedimentary aquifer in the archaeological site of
Cumae (southern Italy)
Luisa Stellato1, Silvio Coda2, Michele Arienzo2, Pantaleone De Vita2, Brunella Di Rienzo1, Antonio
D’Onofrio1, Luciano Ferrara3, Fabio Marzaioli1, Marco Trifuoggi3, Vincenzo Allocca2
1 Centre for Isotopic Research on Cultural and Environmental Heritage(CIRCE), Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica,
Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Lincoln 5, 81100 Caserta (Italy);
2 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e delle Risorse, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II,

Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, via Cintia, 80126 Naples (Italy);

3 Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S.

Angelo, via Cintia, 80126 Naples (Italy)

Key words: coastal volcanic-sedimentary aquifer, natural and anthropogenic contamination, water
isotopes, nitrate isotopes, Phlegraean Fields.

The archaeological site of Cumae extends for about 3.0 km2 along the Tyrrhenian coast of the
southern Italy, north-west of the active volcanic system of Phlegraean Fields, about 20 km north of
Naples bay. The coastal plain is characterized by a complex volcanic-sedimentary sequence formed
by sands, silts, silty clays and volcanoclastic sediments, resting on a substrate of yellow tuff and
trachytic laves, outcropping in the surrounding reliefs. The soil around the site is intensively
cropped with large use of pesticide and fertilizers. A multidisciplinary investigation was conducted
from December 2013 to February 2015. Thirteen domestic and agricultural wells were studied to
characterise the groundwater flow and quality. The natural and anthropogenic processes affecting
the hydrochemical and isotopic groundwater composition of the sedimentary aquifer and the spatial
and temporal variations of the contamination sources by anthropic activities were determined. This
might help to design proper management measures of the site avoiding any damage of the
archaeological artefacts by salinized groundwater. The data from the hydrostratigraphic and
piezometric survey confirmed the presence of a multi-layered aquifer, whereas the hydrochemical
(major ions and trace elements) and isotopic (  Rn − − and 11B) results
showed that the overall quality of the groundwater was affected by: i) aquifer lithologies and
localised rise of highly mineralized magmatic fluids, ii) freshwater-saltwater interactions (induced
by groundwater pumping) and iii) contamination from non-point agricultural sources.

The full paper is published on: Stellato, L., Coda, S., Arienzo, M., De Vita, P., Di Rienzo, B., D'Onofrio, A., Ferrara, L., Marzaioli,
F., Trifuoggi, M., Allocca, V., (2020). Natural and anthropogenic groundwater contamination in a coastal volcanic-sedimentary
aquifer: the case of the archaeological site of Cumae (Phlegraean Fields, southern Italy). Water, 12(12), 3463;
https://doi.org/10.3390/w12123463.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Application of multivariate statistical techniques for groundwater

spatio-temporal analysis: the case study of Milan metropolitan
Area.
Davide Sartirana1, Chiara Zanotti1, Mattia De Amicis1, Marco Rotiroti1, Letizia Fumagalli1, Tullia
Bonomi1
1 University of Milano Bicocca, Dep. of Environmental and Earth Sciences, Milan

Key words: cluster analysis, time series analysis, urban groundwater management, Lombardy.

Urbanisation is constantly increasing, and this requires an adequate knowledge and management
of the quality and quantity of groundwater resources. Parallelly, the amount of monitoring data
continuously increases, providing useful information if correctly investigated1. Multivariate
statistical techniques have been widely applied to interpret groundwater quality datasets2, but few
studies dealt with groundwater quantity3.
In this work, the use of hierarchical cluster analysis is tested on groundwater levels measured from
the monitoring network of the shallow aquifer in Milan with a double aim: to provide insights into
the general aquifer behaviour through space and time; to detect evidence of the impact of
underground infrastructures (public car parks and subway lines) on groundwater flow.
The dataset consists of groundwater levels from 2005 to 2019 over 153 piezometers and is unevenly
spaced over time. As a result, it was split in two subsets covering the periods a) 2005-2014, including
the total number of piezometers, to investigate general groundwater behaviour, and b) 2005-2019,
including fewer piezometers having the longest time-series, to investigate infrastructure impacts in
most recent years. In both cases, two measures per year have been considered: March and
September, the piezometric minimum and maximum, respectively.
Preliminary results enabled to detect a general different groundwater behaviour between the
northern and the southern sectors of the domain, allowing also to distinguish the local stresses
exerted by different land uses as agriculture, quarrying, etc. Indications of possible local impacts of
the most recent underground infrastructures were identified.
Applying these techniques confirmed already-known aspects of local hydrogeology and provided
new insights, proving their reliability also for the study of groundwater quantity. They could be
further used as a valid support for other municipal administrations and stakeholders in urban
groundwater management, detecting also critical areas to be analysed by groundwater numerical
models.

1. Fitch, P., Brodaric, B., Stenson, M. & Booth, N. Integrated groundwater data management. in Integrated groundwater management
667–692 (Springer, Cham, 2016).
2. Azzellino, A. et al. Groundwater diffuse pollution in functional urban areas: The need to define anthropogenic diffuse pollution
background levels. Sci. Total Environ. 656, 1207–1222 (2019).
3. Machiwal, D. & Singh, P. K. Understanding factors influencing groundwater levels in hard-rock aquifer systems by using multivariate
statistical techniques. Environ. Earth Sci. 74, 5639–5652 (2015).

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Modeling groundwater/surface-water interactions in an industrial

area (Mantua, Italy)
Tullia Bonomi1, Letizia Fumagalli1, Luca Toscani1, Davide Sartirana1, Gennaro A. Stefania1, Chiara
Zanotti1, Marco Rotiroti1, Fredy A. Pena Reyes2, Simone Bonomi2, Marco Spaggiari2, Alessandro
Bianchi2
1 University of Milano-Bicocca, Dep. of Environmental and Earth Sciences (DISAT), Milan, (IT)
2 Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell’Ambiente della Lombardia (ARPA), Milan, (IT)

Key words: heterogeneous aquifer, hydraulic barriers, 3D flow model, aquifer-river-lake water
balance

The city of Mantua has developed historically a complex surface water management system
allowing protection against flooding of the Mincio River. On the left side of lakes di Mezzo and
Inferiore, lies the SIN "Mantua Lakes and Chemical Pole".
A scientific collaboration between DISAT and ARPA was developed to realize a
groundwater/surface-water model for understanding the pumping well barriers (229
wells) effects on groundwater and its interaction with surface water within the SIN. To prepare the
model, a method based on sharing and transparency was used, establishing a technical committee:
all the local authorities and the companies within the SIN participated.
The aquifer system simulated consists of a multilayered aquifer characterized by an accumulation
of cyclic depositional sequences of alluvial deposits forming aquifers with variable spatial extension.
A total of 22 hydrogeological cross-sections were reconstructed and about 1800 well logs, loaded
into the CASPITA database, encoded into the TANGRAM database, were three-dimensionally
interpolated with GOCAD and converted in hydraulic conductivity and effective porosity values.
A transient numerical groundwater flow model (36 stress periods – 2016-2018) was built using
MODFLOW2005; the following packages were used to simulate the BCs: LAKE for the lakes, SFR2
(Streamflow-Routing) for natural and anthropic channels (19 network segments), HFB (Horizontal
Flow Barrier) for confinement barriers and defense systems between lakes and the city, WELL for
pumping systems, RCH for recharge settings. The model area was 12x13 km, about 80m deep (from
the ground level to -60m asl), with 25 layers of increasing thicknesses (< 2m near the surface, up to
12m); cells size ranges from 50x50m to 10x10m in the Industrial Area (SIN).
The model response was tested using 83 transient head targets (about 3000 data), with variable
depths, using a trial-and-error calibration methodology, reaching a final RMSE value of 3.6%. A
detailed water balance was developed by identifying gaining or losing river portions within the
simulated period. The model is now available for the ARPA Agency, to support a regional
water management of the SIN.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

An unorthodox method for deriving natural background levels of

arsenic at the meso-scale using site-specific datasets: the case of
Ferrara
Maria Filippini1, Vito G. Sacchetti1, Marco Rotiroti2, Chiara Zanotti2, Tullia Bonomi2, Alessandro
Amorosi1, Enrico Dinelli1
1 Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna
(Italy);
2 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy).

Key words: Natural Background Levels, arsenic, sites under remediation, site-specific data, Ferrara.

Arsenic is found in groundwater above regulatory limits in many countries and its origin is often
from natural sources, making the definition of Natural Background Levels (NBLs) crucial [1]. NBLs
are commonly assessed based on either dedicated small-scale monitoring campaigns or large-scale
national/regional groundwater monitoring networks that may not grab local-scale heterogeneities.
An alternative method is represented by site-specific monitoring networks in contaminated/polluted
sites under remediation representing a pervasive and extensive source of information on
groundwater chemical composition. As a main drawback, groundwater quality at these sites is most
likely affected by human activities. The current (recently published) work explores the potential for
groundwater data from an assemblage of site-specific datasets of contaminated/polluted sites to
define NBLs of arsenic (As) at the meso-scale (order of 1000 km2). Common procedures for the
assessment of human influence (e.g. preselection or component separation [2]) cannot be applied to
this type of dataset due to limited data homogeneity. Thus, an “unorthodox” method is applied
involving the definition of a consistent working dataset followed by a statistical identification and
critical analysis of the outliers. The critical analysis is based on a conceptual model that includes
information on geology, hydrogeology (type and depth of the aquifer involved, groundwater flow
direction), and contamination/pollution at each site (chemical species and compounds involved,
location of monitoring points with respect to the contamination/pollution sources). The study was
conducted in a highly anthropized area (Ferrara, N Italy), where As concentrations often exceed
national threshold limits in a shallow aquifer. Two different NBLs of 68 and 21 µg/L were defined
in the area, pertaining to two distinct geological settings. The results highlight that site-specific
datasets, if properly pre-treated, are an effective alternative for the derivation of NBLs when
“conventional” regional monitoring networks fail to catch local-scale geological and geochemical
variability.
Ravenscroft, P.; Brammer, H.; Richards, K. (2011). Arsenic pollution: A global synthesis; John Wiley & Sons: Chichester, UK; Vol. 94, ISBN:
978-1-405-18601-8.
Müller, D.; Blum, A.; Hart, A.; Hookey, J.; Kunkel, R.; Scheidleder, A.; Tomlin, C.; Wendland, F. (2006). D18: Final proposal for a
methodology to set up groundwater threshold values in Europe. BRIDGE project, Background Criteria for the Identification of
Groundwater Thresholds, 6th Framework Programme Contract, 6538.

The full paper is published on: Filippini, M.; Zanotti, C.; Bonomi, T.; Sacchetti, V.G.; Amorosi, A.; Dinelli, E.; Rotiroti, M., (2021).
Deriving Natural Background Levels of Arsenic at the Meso-Scale Using Site-Specific Datasets: An Unorthodox Method. Water, 13,
452. https://doi.org/10.3390/ w13040452.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Assessment and potential of the groundwater urban heat island

in the Milan metropolitan area
Alberto Previati1, Giovanni B. Crosta1
1 University of Milano-Bicocca, Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Milano, Italy

Key words: Groundwater heat island, Urban aquifers, Shallow geothermal energy, City-scale
modelling.

The natural thermal regime of groundwater resources beneath big cities is jeopardized by their
intense use as well as due to modifications of the surface/subsurface environment. This leads to the
development of Urban heat Islands (UHI) in the subsurface whose impact on the groundwater
quality and on the potential of shallow geothermal systems is of increasingly interest among
drinking water suppliers, control agencies and energy planners.
This study demonstrates a more than 3°C intense UHI in the Milan metropolitan area (northern
Italy), and through statistical analysis and modeling techniques aims to quantify the
hydrogeological and thermal processes that are relevant at the city scale. To this aim, a 3D FEM
groundwater flow and heat transport numerical model was developed. First, the variability of
hydraulic and thermal properties as from borehole logs was spatialized in the domain by means of
3D geostatistical techniques to account for aquifer heterogeneities. Complex thermal boundary
conditions were assigned to the model including the effects of the land covering, building
foundations, tunnels, shallow geothermal wells, and surface canals. The thermal transport model
was calibrated against time-lapse groundwater temperature profiles and continuous measurements
to reproduce the current thermal regime of the shallow aquifers.
The modelling results are a valuable tool to assess the impact of specific natural/anthropogenic heat
sources on the overall thermal regime and to test the long-term thermal potential of
ground/groundwater heat exchangers in the Milan UHI. The proposed approach can support the
sustainable development of densely populated areas and the optimization of low enthalpy
geothermal resources.

77
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Background contaminants values in groundwater: methodological

analysis in the case studies of Turin and Biella plains (NW Italy)
Daniele Cocca1, Manuela Lasagna1, Domenico Antonio De Luca1
1 Earth Sciences Department, University of Turin, Turin (Italy)

Key words: background values, diffuse pollution, chlorinated solvents, nickel.

Background Values (BVs) of diffuse pollutants in groundwater are a very important information to
the correct comprehension of contaminant phenomena and constitute an operative tool for local
authorities. The aim of the study was to highlight the criticalities of the SNPA (Sistema Nazionale
per la Protezione dell’Ambiente) BVs determination methodology in the Piedmont plain shallow
aquifer considering different chemical parameters. More specifically, chlorinated solvents and nickel
were considered at a local scale (two study areas in Biella and Turin provinces) and at a provincial
scale (Metropolitan City of Turin).
Following the SNPA method, the conceptual model was built considering geological data,
contaminants and contamination characterization. Then, a statistical procedure was applied for each
area by imposing different conditions such as the subdivision of the area and the dataset. The
concentrations data of the chemicals derived from the Regional Monitoring network (RMRAS) for
the Metropolitan City of Turin and from local analyzes of Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione
Ambientale (ARPA Piemonte) in the two local sites. The study highlighted numerous relevant
criticalities. The utilized SNPA method was resulted not exhaustive due to the non-attendance of
specific indications on various contaminants. Moreover, the “statistical informations” provided
were resulted sometimes incomplete and inapplicable. The use of the RMRAS monitoring points
was resulted inappropriate to define BVs in groundwater due to the low density of monitoring wells.
On the contrary, the analyzes in the local study areas made it possible to understand and
characterize correctly numerous specific aspects, recognizing the diffuse pollution and identifying
new potential punctual contamination despite the complex situation linked to historical and current
contaminations. In conclusion, the study made it possible to define the BVs in groundwater at a local
scale and to propose possible improvements of analysis methodology.

SNPA (2018) – Linea Guida per la determinazione dei valori di fondo per i suoli e per le acque sotterranee. Delibera del Consiglio SNPA.
Manuali e Linee Guida 174/2018. ISBN 978-88-448-0880-8.
Tedd K., Coxon C., Misstear B., Daly D., Craig M., Mannix A. & Williams H. (2017) - Assessing and developing natural background levels
for chemical parameters in Irish groundwater. Environmental Protection Agency Research Report. ISBN 978-1-84095-659-7.
Wendland F., Berthold G., Blum A., Elsass P., Fritsche J., Kunkel R. & Wolter R. (2008) – Derivation of natural background levels and
threshold values for groundwater bodies in the Upper Rhone Valley (France, Switzerland and Germany).

78
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Particles ending point location in constraining optimal pumping

rate estimation
Vincenzo Critelli1, Francesco Ronchetti1, Alessandro Corsini1
1 Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia (Italy)

Key words: inverse model, hydraulic barrier, pumping rate, optimization.

A constraining method is presented here as an alternative, simpler, way to estimate optimal

pumping rates for groundwater remediation, using flow model in conjunction with particle tracking
algorithm. Most of the research efforts concerning this topic (Sadeghfam et al. 2019; Becker et al.
2006), are based on genetic algorithm and differential dynamic programming or artificial neural
networks and require the use of flow and solute transport models. The method presented here
requires setting the variance of particles ending point locations as calibration target for the inverse
problem. The observed variance is readily determined from the actual variance of the well array
employed as hydraulic barrier. In order to test this method a synthetic model was developed using
MODFLOW for the flow model and MODPATH for the particle tracking algorithm. The inversion
was carried out using PEST (Doherty 2015). The flow field in the simulation was applied along the
northing direction in between two constant head boundary conditions, while the hydraulic barrier
was implemented in 12 nodes with specified flow in the lower part of the domain. The numerical
test takes place in two subsequent stages. During the first stage, a synthetic set of pumping rates was
chosen, and the backward tracking of the particles starting from the well nodes location was
performed. The ending point locations of the first stage were used as starting points for the next one
in forward tracking and employed for the inversion. The reliability of the method was than
evaluated by comparison between synthetic and estimated flow rates. This method led to a good
estimation for the cumulative flow rate while succeeding to let the barrier to capture all the particles.
Further analysis showed that the resulting estimate is sensitive to the spatial discretization, tracking
time constraints, number of particles involved, and perturbation factor used to approximate the
Jacobian matrix of the model.

Becker, David, Barbara Minsker, Robert Greenwald, Yan Zhang, Karla Harre, Kathleen Yager, Chunmiao Zheng, and Richard Peralta.
2006. “Reducing Long-Term Remedial Costs by Transport Modeling Optimization.” Ground Water 44 (6): 864–75.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2006.00242.x.
Doherty, John. 2015. Calibration and Uncertainty Analysis for Complex Environmental Models. Brisbane, Australia: Watermark
Numerical Computing LK - https://pesthomepage.org/.
Sadeghfam, Sina, Yousef Hassanzadeh, Rahman Khatibi, Ata Allah Nadiri, and Marjan Moazamnia. 2019. “Groundwater Remediation
through Pump-Treat-Inject Technology Using Optimum Control by Artificial Intelligence (OCAI).” Water Resources Management 33
(3): 1123–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-018-2171-6.

79
 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Multi-isotopic investigation at regional scale in Lombardy Region:

implication on groundwater management for Water Alliance stakeholders
Gorla Maurizio (1), Cristaldi Agata (1), Lacchini Alessandro (2), Lo Monaco Davide (1), Marinelli
Valentina (2), Righetti Chiara (1), Sbarbati Chiara (2), Simonetti Roberto (1), Petitta Marco (2),
Aravena Ramon (3)
1 CAP Holding S.p.A., Milan (Italy);
2 Earth Sciences Department, Sapienza University, Rome, (Italy);
3 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo (ON, Canada)

Key words: regional scale, groundwater quality, isotopes, renewability

Groundwater represents the main and safest source of water, for drinking purposes for urban and
rural communities all over the world. For this reason, a comprehensive knowledge of groundwater
flow system in terms of quality, vulnerability and renewability of this precious resource is
fundamental for a responsible use and management by different stakeholders. Thanks to the
contribution of different members of Water Alliance in synergy with the Hydrogeology lab of
Sapienza University, a multi-isotopic analysis at regional scale for a wide area of Lombardy region,
aimed to improve knowledge about groundwater flowpath, aquifer vulnerability and renewable
rate has been carried out. Based on results of a previous isotopic characterization performed at
regional scale during 2017, each Water Alliance supplier selected wells and springs for a total of 121
samples, intercepting different aquifer levels and distributed along a possible regional N-S flowpath.
Stable isotopes (18O and 2H) analyses on water were performed on all the monitoring points, and
tritium, nitrogen isotopes (15N and 18O in nitrates), sulfates isotopes (34S and18O) and 13C isotope in
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC), were analyzed in a subset of monitoring wells selected based on
previous data and major ions concentrations results. Groundwater isotopes and tritium highlighted
the direct influence of meteoric recharge, the interaction between the shallow and deep aquifer and
infiltration of surface water on different portions of the regional aquifer system. Nitrogen results
point out the possible anthropogenic origin of nitrate in groundwater and the role of attenuation
processes, while sulfates origin was ascribed both to marine origin and oxidation processes, partially
influenced by human activities. Through the analyses of 13C in DIC, a clear distinction between
shallow and aquifers was not confirmed, suggesting a possible interaction among different aquifer
levels. Therefore, results confirmed the key role of multi-isotopic approach in defining origin, ages,
vulnerability, and renewability of groundwater resources, offering a useful tool for improving the
sustainable management and the protection of tapped groundwater resources used by different
water suppliers.

Kendall, C. 1998. Tracing sources and cycling of nitrate in catchments. In: Isotope Tracer in Catchment Hydrology, pp.519-576. (Kendall C.
and McDonnell J.J. Eds). Amsterdam, Elsevier. doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-81546-0.50023-9
Aravena, R., Robertson, W.D. 1998. Groundwater 36:975–981. doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.1998.tb02104.x
Caschetto M., Robertson W., Petitta M., Aravena R. 2018. Science of the Total Environment 625 pp. 801-808.
doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.329
Carucci V., Petitta M., Aravena R. 2012. Applied Geochemistry 27, 266–280. doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.11.007

The full paper is published on: Sbarbati C, Gorla M, Lacchini A, Cristaldi A, Lo Monaco d, Marinelli V, Righetti C, Simonetti R,
Petitta M, Aravena R, (2021). Italian Journal of Groundwater - AS36 - 501: 23 – 33.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Opportunities and critical issues related to the use of

amendments as remediation techniques
Mara Dal Santo1, Giuseppe Alberto Prosperi1
1 Stantec Spa – Centro Direzionale Milano 2, Palazzo Canova 20054 Segrate (MI) – Italia

Key words: groundwater remediation management, amendments, aerobic bioremediation, ISCO,

surfactants.

This study aims to analyze the opportunities and criticalities related to the use of amendments as
remediation techniques. The performance of amendments (Aerobic Bioremediation, ISCO and
surfactants) was compared with the performance of other groundwater remediation technologies
(Air Sparging, Pump&Treat, Multi-Phase Extraction, Pump&Reinjection, Monitoring Natural
Attenuation) based on a dataset of 100 contaminated sites. The considered factors are: effectiveness
of the remediation as contaminant mass extraction; applicability based on hydraulic conductivity;
cost to remediate and operational time.
The occurrence and types of amendments-related issues were studied on the 40 sites where the
amendments had been applied. Issues occurred in 20% of the 40 analyzed cases and consisted of: a)
partial or total occlusion of the monitoring wells and by-product formation, for example heavy
metals (37.5%); b) uncontrolled increase in contaminant concentrations and potential downstream
migration (37.5%); c) by-product formation without well obstruction (25%). For each critical event,
a detailed analysis was conducted to understand the processes (pH-Eh variations, contaminant
desorption, hydraulic conductivity reduction), to highlight the design and procedural gaps (surplus
of amendment, injection method selection, contaminant removal by purge). However, the issues can
be avoided or mitigated with an accurate design, pilot tests performance, with the application of
delivery and monitoring protocols, and at least with a prompt response adopting a corrective action
plan, if necessary.
The use of amendments turns out to be an effective solution: in 60% of the analyzed sites it led to a
significative reduction of the contamination within one year from the application. The cost is about
one third if compared to other technologies. The operational time is about half the operational time
of other technologies. Based on the results of sustainability analysis the amendments technologies
reduce the production of waste, the energy and water use and they minimize air emissions.

Ishiguro, M.; Nakaishi, K.; Nakajima, T. Saturated hydraulic conductivity of a volcanic ash soil affected by repulsive potential energy in
a multivalent anionic system. Colloids Surf. A Physicochem. Eng. Asp. 2003, 230, 81–88.
Brookins, D. G. 1988. Eh-pH Diagrams for Geochemistry. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-73093-1

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
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Sustainable Development Goals, natural risks and best practices

for low enthalpy geothermal systems: Apulian experiences
Giorgio De Giorgio1, GiusepperMusicco2, Michele Chieco2, Vittoria Dragone1, Pier Paolo Limoni1,
Annarita Romanazzi1, Livia Emanuela Zuffianò1, Maurizio Polemio1
1 CNR-IRPI, National Research Council—Research Institute for Hydrogeological Protection, Bari (Italy);
2 Apulia Regional Council—Study and Support to Legislation and Guarantee of Rights Policies Department, Bari (Italy)

Key words: Sustainable Development Objectives, best practices, geothermal system, heat pumps,
Apulia.

The United Nations General Assembly of 2015 approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, which is based on the 17 sustainable development objectives (SDGs, Sustainable
Development Goals). These objectives were assumed as landmarks to define the route of the regional
decision, orienteering the legislative activity and the regional planning to the global context. The
described experience is focused on the objective 7, concerning the development of renewable energy
sources.
The use of low enthalpy geothermal systems is part of a regional strategy for mitigating and
adapting to climate change in Apulia. These systems allow reduction of energy consumption and
emission by fossil fuels, offering the best thermal comfort, and lend itself to integration with other
thermal renewable energy sources, using heat pumps. Many projects were developed as many
geothermal systems are operating in Apulia, some of which can be classified as best practices, which
deserve to be brought to the attention of the decision makers. At same time, as the diffuse realization
of these systems calls for a systematic definition of optimal technical criteria, defined considering
possible natural risks and potential negative effects.
The cooperation between the Apulian Regional Council and the CNR is part of an evidence-based
legislation process and is focused on two main scopes. At global scale, the selection for sharing
purposes of data and best practices at local, regional, national and international level, which are
functional to progress related to the long-term implementation of the SDGs, was pursued. At
detailed or regional scale, a research on optimal criteria to guide the approval of new geothermal
system was realized. Effects of system installation and use, including underground temperature
variations, are considered, assessing any kind of natural risks due to use of low enthalpy geothermal
system.

The full paper is published on: De Giorgio G., Chieco M., Limoni P.P, Zuffianò L.E., Dragone V., Romanazzi A., Pagliarulo R.,
Musicco G. and Polemio M., 2020. Improving Regulation and the Role of Natural Risk Knowledge to Promote Sustainable Low
Enthalpy Geothermal Energy Utilization. Water, Volume 12, Issue 10, Article number 2925, Pages 1-14. ISSN: 20734441.
DOI:10.3390/w12102925.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Seasonal variability of pesticides in surface and drinking water

wells in the annual cycle in western Poland, and potential health
risk assessment
Roksana Kruc-Fijalkowska1, Krzysztof Dragon1, Dariusz Drozdzynski2, Jozef Gorski1
1 Department of Hydrogeology and Water Protection, Institute of Geology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań,
Bogumiła Krygowskiego 12, 61‑680 Poznań, Poland;
2 Department of Pesticide Residue Research, Institute of Plant Protection-National Research Institute, Władysława

Węgorka 20, 60‑318 Poznań, Poland

Key words: pesticides, surface water, riverbank filtration, imidacloprid, risk assessment.

Drinking water wells on a riverbank filtration site are exposed to plant protection product
contaminations infiltrating from the contaminated river. At the Mosina-Krajkowo well field in
Poland pesticide contaminations of the Warta river and riverbank filtration water (wells and
observation wells) in annual cycle were examined. 25 of the 164 tested pesticides were detected. The
highest concentrations occurred in the river water and were reduced on the flow path from the river
to the wells. Only the most persistent substances were detected at the farthest points from the river.
During the study period, seasonal changes in pesticide concentrations, as well as, differences in the
occurring substances were noticed. The most substances and the highest concentrations were
detected in May 2018, the least substances and the lowest concentrations in February 2018. Based on
the research, periods of increased exposure of water to pollution (mainly spring) were indicated.
The periods were combined with increased chemical plant protection and more rainfall. The
dominant group of pesticides was herbicides, which is in the line with the worldwide trend. In the
highest concentrations in surface and riverbank filtration water occurred 7 pesticides: isoproturon,
nicosulfuron, imidacloprid, terbuthylazine, chlorotoluron, S-metalachlor, and prometryn, mainly
toxic and persistent. Some of the detected substances (isoproturon, prometryn and simazine are
banned in the European Union. Pesticides are widely used in the research area, so the potential
health risk assessment was performed. The values of hazard quotients (HQs) do not exceed 1, which
does not mean a significant risk for human health. The highest values of HQs noted for common
fungicide tebuconazole.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
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The Permeability Map of Italy

Rossella Maria Gafà1, Gennaro Maria Monti1, Lucio Martarelli1, Angelantonio Silvi1, Francesco La
Vigna1, Maria Pia Congi1, Renato Ventura1, Ines Marinosci1.
1 Geological Survey of Italy - Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) – Rome (Italy)

Key words: permeability map, Italy, land cover.

The Geological Survey of Italy (SGI) Department of ISPRA has prepared the Permeability Map of
Italy on a 1:100.000 scale (http://portalesgi.isprambiente.it/it), drawn on the basis of a considerable
amount of characterizing geological information.
The objective of the map is to provide a useful tool for the elaboration of hydrological and
hydrogeological balances on a regional or hydro(geo)logical basin scale.
Based on the data collected, the degree and type of permeability of the rocks has been defined. The
processed map is representative of but schematic, since the factors that influence the permeability
(stratification, fissuration, karst, and porosity) are never uniformly spatially distributed at the rock
formation scale.
The Permeability Map is based on the Geological Map of Italy at 1:100.000 scale which ensures
coverage of the entire Italian peninsula, although prepared between the nineteenth and twentieth
centuries and focused on the substrate, thus neglecting the Quaternary deposits. Subsequently,
information about lithotechnical characteristics, deriving from the Lithological Map of Italy at
1:100.000 scale was as well considered.
Four classes relating to relative permeability degree of lithotypes have been identified: highly
permeable rocks (1), intermediate permeable rocks (2), low permeable rocks (3) and very low
permeable rocks (4). According to the classification just mentioned, the degree of permeability is
substantially supported by the fissuration, stratification, porosity and karst features. Within each
class, three types of permeability have also been distinguished: primary and porosity permeability
(P), fissuration and karst (F) and mixed type (by fracturing and porosity) (M). Thus, 12 classes were
obtained; each class has been assigned to an indicative range of permeability values (K) which
expresses the infiltration speed (m/s) of the water through the rock formation.
Data from the ISPRA-SNPA National Land Consumption Map referred to 2019, which identifies
sealed artificial surfaces in the Italian territory, implemented the Permeability Map.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Urban Hydrogeology - The groundwater monitoring activities in

Rome (Italy)
Francesco La Vigna1, Claudio Papiccio2, Isidoro Bonfà2, Maria Pia Congi1, Rossella Maria Gafà1,
Lucio Martarelli1, Gennaro Maria Monti1, Mauro Roma1, Angelantonio Silvi1, Renato Ventura1,
Valerio Vitale1
1 Geological Survey of Italy - ISPRA, Rome (Italy);
2 Municipality of Rome, Dept. of Enviromental Protection, Rome (Italy)

Key words: urban groundwater, hydrogeology, monitoring network, Rome.

The Groundwater Monitoring Network of Rome (GMNR) was born on 2014 when the
Environmental Protection Department of Roma Capitale (Municipality of Rome) decided to dedicate
the more than 200 existing water wells (mainly developed for green areas irrigation) also to
monitoring purposes. The GMNR considerably contributed to the development of the new
Hydrogeological Map of Rome on 2015 (La Vigna et al. 2015, La Vigna and Mazza 2016) but after
the first two years of activity the monitoring has been interrupted for several managing reasons.
Recently, by an agreement between Roma Capitale and ISPRA (Geological Survey of Italy) the
monitoring activities started again; several new wells have been surveyed and all data are going to
be viewed and managed by a web-GIS system and an interactive map.
Each monitoring station visible on the interactive map will have a link to a graph showing the trend
over time of the measured parameters. In this regard, a system is being developed in order to allow
the collection and the entry to the central database of investigated data even in real time by means
of portable devices (tablet or smartphone), through a survey form. As a whole, this will allow the
field workers to quickly transmit the measured data - piezometric levels and in situ chemical-
physical parameters - from the hydrogeological data collection site to a single online central
database.
With the described agreement related to the GMNR, the survey activities will soon lead to a
systematic structuring of information relating to the groundwater of the city of Rome, probably
developing the first dedicated urban example in Italy, and contributing to enhance the local
groundwater resource knowledge and also to increase public awareness in this regard.

La Vigna, F., Mazza, R., Amanti, M., Di Salvo, C., Petitta, M., Pizzino, L., Pietrosante, A., Martarelli, L., Bonfà, I., Capelli, G., Cinti, D.,
Ciotoli, F., Ciotoli, G., Conte, G., Del Bon, A., Dimasi, M., Falcetti, S., Gafà, R.M., Lacchini, A., Mancini, M., Martelli, S., Mastrorillo,
L., Monti, G.M., Procesi, M., Roma, M., Sciarra, A., Silvi, A., Stigliano, F., Succhiarelli, C. 2016. Groundwater of Rome, Journal of Maps.
DOI: 10.1080/17445647.2016.1158669.
La Vigna, F., Mazza, R. (Eds) (2015) Carta Idrogeologica di Roma/Hydrogeological Map of Rome – Scala/Scale 1:50.000. Roma Capitale.
Roma

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Traditional phytoscreening coupled with PID analysis and

detector tubes: a rapid in situ assessment of VOCs concentrations
and plume delineation
Carlotta Leoncini1, Maria Filippini1, Emanuela Fabrizi2, Renata Emiliani2, Alessandro Gargini1
1University of Bologna, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Via Zamboni 67, Bologna;
2Agenzia Regionale per la prevenzione, l’ambiente e l’energia dell’EmiliaRomagna (Arpae) - Largo Caduti del Lavoro 6,
Bologna

Keywords: phytoscreening, CEs, PID, optimal conditions .

The technique behind this research is called phytoscreening. Parallel to the well-known
phytoremediation, it consists of exploiting the absorbing potential of trees to delineate volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) contamination plumes, especially chlorinated ethenes (CEs) (e.g., [1]).
CEs are prevalent contaminants in groundwater due to their persistence. Their fate and transport in
surface ecosystems, such as trees, are still poorly understood and constrain high variability. Besides,
commercial acceptance of tree-coring is still limited in many countries. Among the reasons for this
may be the lack of knowledge of the application opportunities. Tree-cores are analyzed with a
closed-system purge-and-trap process, followed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
analysis. It is also possible to measure the gaseous phase concentrations of CEs directly on-site,
inserting detector tubes in the tree-holes left by the coring tool [2]. We coupled the technique with
the assessment of VOCs gaseous concentrations through a photoionization detector (PID). We tested
the updated technique in six sites contaminated by CEs in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) to evaluate its
effectiveness in different hydrogeological and seasonal settings. A significant correlation exists
between tree-core and groundwater concentrations (r2>0.6) for most sites, being higher for sites with
shallower and thinner aquifers. Concurrently, the correlation between tree-core and PID measured
concentrations can be highly positive (r2>0.7), especially in sites with coarser aquifers. Conversely,
the analysis via detector tubes reveals inaccurate concentrations (r2<0.3) but is functional in
discriminating the occurrence of one solvent or another. The correlations were higher when
precipitation rates and relative air humidity were lower and air temperature and net solar radiation
were higher. These results indicate the opportunities of assessing in situ the occurrence, type, and
concentration of solvents directly from the stem of trees. This can reduce the costs of characterization
surveys, allowing rapid identification of hotspots and plume direction, optimizing the drilling of
boreholes.

[1] Larsen, M., Burken, J., Machackova, J., Karlson, U. G., Trapp, S. Using Tree Core Samples to Monitor Natural Attenuation and Plume
Distribution after a PCE Spill. Environ. Sci. Technol., 2008, 42 (5), 1711–1717. https://doi.org/10.1021/es0717055.
[2] Luchetti, L. & Dilgenti, A., 2018. Protocollo operativo per le attività di phytoscreening. ARTA Abruzzo, SNPA, 15 pp.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

A novel methodology for Groundwater Flooding Susceptibility

assessment through Machine Learning techniques in a mixed-
land use aquifer
Vincenzo Allocca1, Mariano Di Napoli2, Silvio Coda1, Francesco Carotenuto1, Domenico
Calcaterra1, Diego Di Martire1, Pantaleone De Vita1
1 Department of Earth, Environmental and Resources Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso
Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, Edificio 10, 80126 Naples, Italy.
2 Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genoa, Italy.

Key words: Groundwater Level rising, Groundwater Flooding Susceptibility, Machine Learning
algorithms, Ensemble methods, Metropolitan City of Naples.

Many areas around the world are affected by Groundwater Level rising (GWLr). One of the most
severe consequence of this phenomenon is Groundwater Flooding (GF), with serious impacts for the
human and natural environment. In Europe, GF has recently received specific attention with
Directive 2007/60/EC, which requires Member States to map GF hazard and propose measures for
risk mitigation.
In this paper a methodology has been developed for Groundwater Flooding Susceptibility (GFS)
assessment, using for the first time Spatial Distribution Models. These Machine Learning techniques
connect occurrence data to predisposing factors (PFs) to estimate their distributions. The
implemented methodology employs aquifer type, depth of piezometric level, thickness and
hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated zone, drainage density and land-use as PFs, and a GF
observations inventory as occurrences. The algorithms adopted to perform the analysis are
Generalized Boosting Model, Artificial Neural Network and Maximum Entropy. Ensemble Models
are carried out to reduce the uncertainty associated with each algorithm and increase its reliability.
GFS is mapped by choosing the ensemble model with the best predictivity performance and
dividing occurrence probability values into five classes, from very low to very high susceptibility,
using Natural Breaks classification.
The methodology has been tested and statistically validated in an area of 14,3 km2 located in the
Metropolitan City of Naples (Italy), affected by GWLr since 1990 and GF in buildings and
agricultural soils since 2007. The results of modelling show that about 93% of the inventoried points
fall in the high and very high GFS classes, and piezometric level depth, thickness of unsaturated
zone and drainage density are the most influencing PFs, in accordance with field observations and
the triggering mechanism of GF. The outcomes provide a first step in the assessment of GF hazard
and a decision support tool to local authorities for GF risk management.

The full paper is published on: Allocca, V., Di Napoli, M., Coda, S., Carotenuto, F., Calcaterra, D., Di Martire, D., De Vita, P.,
2021. A novel methodology for Groundwater Flooding Susceptibility assessment through Machine Learning techniques in a mixed-
land use aquifer. Science of The Total Environment, 148067.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Assessment of Chloroethenes Enhanced Biodegradation in

groundwaters by Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA)
Giulia Casiraghi1, Daniele Pedretti1, Marco Masetti1, Giovanni Pietro Beretta1
1 Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano (Italy)

Key words: chlorinated solvents, enhanced bioremediation, Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis,

Landfill.

Chloroethenes are a class of organic anthropogenic contaminants widespread in aquifers all over the
world. When these contaminants degrade, a shift in their carbon, chlorine and/or hydrogen stable
isotope composition can occur due to isotope fractionation, whose magnitude is related to the nature
and entity of the active degradation process(es). Compound Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) is an
analytical technique that permits the isotopic characterization of individual compounds and thus
detects their shifts in isotopic composition in time and/or along a flowpath. This results in a better
assessment of the performance of remediation activities, permitting a better evaluation of the
management options for a specific contaminated site.
The aquifer object of this study is located near a lagoon in Italy and subject to chloroethenes
contamination (concentrations up to several tens of mg/l) derived from landfill leachate. An
enhanced in situ bioremediation system is implemented in the site, which consists in two sequential
400 m long microbiological barriers (anaerobic and aerobic) designed to stimulate biodegradation
of higher and lesser chlorinated ethenes by anaerobic reductive dechlorination (RD) and aerobic
oxidation, respectively.
Carbon stable isotopes shifts in tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), cis-1,2-
dichloroethene (cis-1,2-DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) have been measured by CSIA on groundwater
samples collected along a 200-m long flowpath intersecting both barriers (a total of four sampling
points located upgradient and downgradient of each barrier) in order to provide evidence of the
ongoing degradation of the contaminants. A progressive increase of δ13C from PCE (-58.2±0.7‰) to
VC (-32.7±0.1‰) was observed at the first sampling point, suggesting ongoing RD even before the
anaerobic barrier. An enrichment of PCE (δ13C=3.0±0.9‰), TCE (δ13C=2.4±0.3‰) and cis-1,2-DCE
(δ13C=2.5±0.3‰) was observed after the anaerobic barrier proving ongoing degradation by RD. A
much more significant isotopic enrichment was observed in cis-1,2-DCE (δ13C=14.9±0.6‰) after
passing through the aerobic barrier, suggesting the onset of degradation by oxidation. Further
studies will be carried out in order to provide a more accurate interpretation of the data.

Tiehm, A. and Schmidt, K.R. 2011. Sequential anaerobic/aerobic biodegradation of chloroethenes—aspects of field application. Current
Opinion in Biotechnology, 22 (3), 415–421. DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2011.02.003.
Christopher Chibueze Azubuike, C.C, Chikere, C.B., Okpokwasili, G.C. 2016. Bioremediation techniques–classification based on site of
application: principles, advantages, limitations and prospects. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 32 (180). DOI
10.1007/s11274-016-2137-x
Filippini, M., Nijenhuis, I., Kümmel, S., Chiarini, V., Crosta, G. Richnow, H.H., Gargini, A. 2018. Multi-element compound specific stable
isotope analysis of chlorinated aliphatic contaminants derived from chlorinated pitches. Science of the Total Environment, 640–641,
153–162. DOI: /10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.285

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Evaluation of Chromium pollution into an industrial remediation

site, and its occurrence in reserve areas of deep aquifers
Nicola Quaranta1, Elena Cogo1, Adriano Simoni2
1GEO engineering s.r.l., Corso Unione Sovietica 560, 10135 Torino
2EGATO6, Ente di Governo dell’Ambito Territoriale Ottimale n°6 Alessandrino, Corso Virginia Marini 95, 15121
Alessandria

Key words: Chromium, vulnerability, groundwater age, stable isotopes.

An important industrial site with larges chemical plants, with several decades of production history,
has been involved in a remediation plan, with hydraulic barrier (pump and treat wells) and
monitoring of the Chromium concentrations in piezometers filtered on three different depth
intervals, into the fluvial deposits and in the upper unit of Villafranchiano fluvio-lacustrine
sequences.
Inside the distance of 1 km from this plant, a strategic reserve zone has been identified through pilot-
wells into a deep-seated (up to 180 meters below the ground) leaky to confined artesian aquifer; in
this aquifer traces of Chromium were found, according to background values already defined in the
same hydrogeological basin by the Regional Environmental Agency, due to dissolution of
Chromide-rich ultramafic rocks in the recharge zone (serpentinites, lherzolites).
A series of hydrogeological (piezometric) and geochemical investigations have been set up thanks
to the cooperation among the local water manager of the deep wells for drinking purpose, the public
authority for water infrastructure planning (EGATO) and the manager of the remediation program
of the chemical plant, including major ions analysis, radiocarbon (apparent) age and tritium content,
stable isotopes analysis, in addition to Chromium distribution in selected representative wells.
The degree of vulnerability of the multi-layer aquifer complex has been defined, crossing the stable
isotopic data with age estimation (both referred to “modern” and “ancient” age components).
Finally, the degree of natural protection of the deep aquifer has been confirmed, helping the public
decision-maker to define the security level of the future extraction center for drinkable use respect
to the hazard related to the Chromium diffusion around the remediation site. An optimization of
the monitoring piezometric network has been studied, in order to confirm the conclusions of the
study and reduce the residual level of pollution risk.

ARPA Piemonte, Struttura Specialistica Idrologia e Qualità delle Acque: “Verifica e aggiornamento dei Valori di Fondo Naturale definiti
per Nichel e Cromo esavalente nelle acque sotterranee ai sensi della DQA”, Febbraio 2020.
Quaranta, N., Cogo, E., Simoni, A., Sacchi, E., Caschetto, M., & Marchesi, M. (2020). Multi-Technique groundwater flow system analysis
and dating of deep aquifers in Alessandria Basin (Piedmont - IT). Acque Sotterranee - Italian Journal of Groundwater, 9(1).
https://doi.org/10.7343/as-2020-411
Irace A, Clemente P, Natalicchio M, Ossella L, Trenkwalder S, De Luca DA, Mosca P, Piana F, Polino R, Violanti D (2009) Geologia e idro-
stratigrafia profonda della Pianura Padana occidentale “Geology and deep hydro-stratigraphic pattern of West Po Plain”. © La
Nuova Lito Firenze 2009 ISBN 978-88-904554-0-7

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Identifying areas suitable for Sustainable Drainage Systems and

Aquifer Storage and Recovery to mitigate stormwater flooding
phenomena in Rome (Italy)
Lentini A.1, Meddi E.2, Galve J.P.1, La Vigna F.3, Papiccio C.4
1 University of Granada “UGR” - Science department (Spain),
2 University of Rome “Roma Tre” - Science department (Italy),
3 Geological Survey of Italy - ISPRA (Italy),

4 Municipality of Rome (ROMA CAPITALE) - Environmental Protection department, Italy

Key words: urban hydrogeology, SuDS, ASR, stormwater flooding management.

This study proposes a survey methodology for identifying areas for combined Sustainable Drainage
Systems (SUDS) and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) (Dearden et al. 2013, Sharp Jr., 1997); these
techniques exploit the hydrogeological and geomorphological characteristics of an area, to increase
the natural infiltration capacity of water into the ground.
The target area is the city of Rome and the aim of such techniques is to solve the problems related to
rainwater which, in case of extreme events, struggles to infiltrate the ground, overloads the
undersized hydraulic systems and floods the urban space.
The proposed method involves GIS geospatial analysis of various data: the permeability of
outcropping lithology, the piezometric level of the aquifer, hydrogeological units, geomorphology
and land use.
To identify the suitable areas, areas characterised by high permeability and a piezometric level that
would confer a volumetric capacity to possibly store even large quantities of water, without
triggering possible problems associated with fluctuations in the water table, were identified.
The data were divided into classes and indexed in order to compare and overlap them. Finally,
hydrogeological units were also taken into account (by analysing their depth trend) in order to
identify areas with similar characteristics of permeability with respect to depth. The latter will also
be compared with the previous data to identify the areas suitable for SUDS and ASR.
The final product of the suitable areas from a hydrogeological point of view, will be compared with
the land use map in order to exclude those areas that, for administrative and other legislative
reasons, cannot be destined to this kind of activity.

Dearden, R A, Marchant, A, and Royse, K. 2013. Development of a suitability map for infiltration sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).
Environmental Earth Sciences, Vol. 70(6), 2587–2602.
Sharp Jr, John M. 1997. Ground-water supply issues in urban and urbanizing areas. Proceedings of the XXVII IAH congress on
groundwater in the urban environment.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment in Areas with Intensive

Agricultural Activities Through a DRASTIC-like method
Fusco Francesco1, Allocca Vincenzo1, De Vita Pantaleone1
1Department of Earth, Environmental and Resources Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Campus Monte S.
Angelo, Strada Vicinale Cupa Cintia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy

Key words: groundwater vulnerability, DRASTIC-like method, groundwater quality protection.

Intense agricultural activities in developed countries commonly determine a progressive

degradation of the groundwater quality causing challenging management of groundwater
resources, especially in shallow aquifers. Agricultural practices, such as amendment of soils by
nitrate fertilizers or pesticides treatments, represent the principal origins of pollution in these areas.
These are well recognized as one of the most severe environmental emergencies, so much as to have
determined the issuing of specific European policies and legislations (European Parliament, 2000;
2006).
In the framework of the LANDSUPPORT project, a Horizon 2020 project funded by the European
Community, results of a research aimed at assessing groundwater vulnerability by DRASTIC-like
method are here proposed. Two representative areas with intensive agricultural activities were
considered: the Telesina Valley (southern Italy) and the Marchfeld Region (eastern Austria). High
spatial density and quality of available data allowed the reconstruction of detailed hydrogeological
maps and the application of the SINTACS-R5 method (Civita and De Maio, 2000). Geological,
hydrogeological, geomorphological, pedological, climatic and land use data were analyzed to define
each of the seven parameters considered by the method. For such a scope, extended bibliographic
research and consultations of unpublished archives of municipalities allowed to implement a
comprehensive geodatabase. Instead, for the attribution of multiplying weights related to the five
scenarios considered by the method, the following sources of data were taken into account: regional
map of agricultural land use; flooding-prone areas; areas with water table depth less than 2 m;
hydrogeological map and satellite images. The resulting groundwater vulnerability map of the
study areas showed intrinsic vulnerability to pollution ranging prevailingly between medium to
high classes. Furthermore, highest values of vulnerability resulted coinciding with alluvial plains,
where a shallower depth of the water table occurs. Results obtained were implemented in a
geoSpatial DSS (S-DSS; www.landsupport.eu), a comprehensive decision-support tool for the
planning of land use based on protection of groundwater quality.

Civita, M., & De Maio, M. (2000). SINTACS-R5 a new parametric system for the assessment and automatic mapping of groundwater
vulnerability to contamination. Pitagora Editrice Bologna, Italy, 1-226, ISBN 88-371-1231-9.
European Parliament (2000). Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a
framework for Community action in the field of water policy. OJ L327, 22.12.2000.
European Parliament (2006). Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the protection
of groundwater against pollution and deterioration. OJ, L372, 19-31.

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
1-3 December 2021 – Naples, Italy

Reconstruction of the vertical thermal disturbance induced by a

groundwater heat pump system (GWHPs): Potential of using a
temperature-measuring chain as a monitoring tool
Glenda Taddia1, Martina Gizzi1, Stefano Lo Russo1
1 Politecnico di Torino - Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI)

Keywords: Geothermal energy, Groundwater heat pump, Temperature-measuring chain, Thermally

affected zone, Injection system.

Social and environmental impact analyses related to energy production strategies based on fossil
fuels have favored an increase in the efforts aimed at the use of renewables and increasingly efficient
systems. The increased implementation of geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling buildings
is a reflection of that trend. Groundwater Heat Pumps (GWHPs) can offer substantial improvements
in terms of energy efficiency and reductions in CO2 emissions. However, system performances are
strongly dependent on the heating and cooling load, heat pump design and aquifer characteristics
(Lo Russo et al. 2016). Among the technical aspects associated with GWHPs that need to be
constantly controlled, there is the development of a thermally affected zone (TAZ) around injection
points. The environmental impact is strongly influenced by the re-injected water flow rates and
modalities. The process of setting up an adequate monitoring system is fundamental for the proper
reconstruction of TAZ propagation modes (Gizzi et al. in press). With the aim to identify the
stratigraphic intervals of the Turin shallow aquifer that are affected by the thermal disturbances
produced during each heat exchange period, a temperature-measuring chain (type TT164/Pt) was
installed in the 35m-deep piezometer of the Politecnico of Torino geothermal plant. The instrument,
composed of 12 different temperature sensors, was settled to monitor the aquifer between the depths
of 24 m and 38 m from the ground level. From the analysis of the water temperature data recorded,
it emerged how the continuous monitoring of the thermal perturbation generated in the superficial
levels during the days following the plant turning off remains fundamental. Besides, the
implementation of temperature data in a 3D-conceptual hydrogeological model, performed by
finite-element FEFLOW® 6.2 package, has allowed the understanding of the extent of the impact
that such vertical temperature variations can have on down-gradient located geothermal users.

Gizzi, M. Taddia, G. Lo Russo, S. in press. Use of a temperature-measuring chain for the reconstruction of the vertical thermal disturbance
induced by an open-loop groundwater heat pump system. Italian Journal of Engineering Geology and Environment
Lo Russo, S. Taddia G. Cerino Abdin, E. Verda, V. 2016. Effects of different re-injection systems on the Thermal Affected Zone (TAZ)
modeling for open-loop Groundwater Heat Pumps (GWHPs) Environmental Earth Sciences, vol.75 (48) pp.1-14, DOI:10.1007/s12665-
015-4822-8

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 Flowpath 2021 – National Meeting on Hydrogeology
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Numerical investigation on the performance and sustainability of

borehole heat exchanger system in fractured and karstic
limestone aquifer for resilient and smart cities
Nicola Pastore1, Claudia Cherubini2, Concetta I. Giasi1
1 Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Polytechnic of Bari,
via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari (Italy).
2 Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, via Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara (Italy).

Key words: borehole heat exchanger, fractured aquifer, numerical model.

Nowadays, the heating and cooling of water and air represent an important aspect of the energy
consumption of urban and industrial settlements with enormous economic, environmental and
social costs due to systemic inefficiencies.
In this work, a comprehensive numerical model was set up to analyze the efficiency of an innovative
borehole heat exchanger system (BHEs) in the coastal area of the fractured limestone aquifer of Bari
(Italy). The role of seawater intrusion on the BHE efficiency was investigated.
The geological surveys and aquifer tests were analyzed in order to determine the hydraulic
parameters of the aquifer. Novel borehole heat exchanger solutions were validated experimentally
through physical models.
The results show that that aquifer transmissivity and its variation along the depth play an important
role in the borehole heat exchanger efficiency. The variability of the aquifer transmissivity governs
the benefits due to the natural and forced heat convection which increases the heat exchange
between the borehole heat exchanger and the aquifer.

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Geophysical estimation of hydraulic conductivity at

contaminated sites and its integration into groundwater flow
modelling
Gianluca Fiandaca1, Alessandro Comunian1, Daniele Pedretti1, Matteo Gisolo2 and Mauro Giudici1
1 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “A.Desio”, Università degli studi di Milano (Italy)
2 A2A Ciclo Idrico (Italy)

Key words: hydraulic conductivity, geophysics, contamination.

The heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity (K) plays a significant role in transport processes at
contaminated sites. Traditionally, the spatial distribution of K is estimated by grain size analyses of
samples from drillings or with in situ slug tests in screened boreholes. These methods are expensive,
time consuming and punctual. As an alternative approach, geophysical methods have been
increasingly used for K mapping. Recently, Time-Domain Induce Polarization (TDIP) has been
successfully applied in the field for imaging Hydraulic Conductivity (Fiandaca et al., 2018), using
petrophysical relations derived in the laboratory without any calibration. This method has been
further developed and validated on different 2D datasets acquired in five different European
countries (Martin et al., 2021), with an average agreement between geophysical and hydrological K
estimates within one order of magnitude.
In this study, we present the results of TDIP K estimates along ten kilometers of 2D lines acquired
around the Vallosa landfill, near Ospitaletto (Brescia, Italy), within the framework of the project
GeoPHydro – GeoPhysics for Hydrogeology, a research agreement between the Earth Sciences dep.
of the University of Milan and the company A2A ciclo idrico. The 2D K maps obtained from
geophysics are used as training images to generate 3D multiple-point statistics simulations by
means of sequential 2D simulations and conditioning data (s2Dcd method, Comunian et al, 2012).
These 3D simulations are be used to populate the grid of flow and transport models for the
investigated area. To enlighten the advantages of the proposed reconstruction of the spatial
distribution of the hydraulic properties, the results of these models are finally compared against the
results obtained with a modeling approach that does not incorporate such a kind of geophysical soft
information.

Fiandaca G., Maurya P.K., Balbarini N., Hördt A., Christiansen A.V., Foged N., Bjerg P.L., Auken E., 2018. Permeability estimation directly
from logging-while-drilling Induced Polarization data, Water Resources Research, 54 (4), 2851-2870. DOI: 10.1002/2017WR022411
Tina Martin, Pieter S. Pauw, Marios Karoulis, Alfredo Mendoza, Thomas Günther, Line Meldgaard Madsen, Pradip Kumar Maurya,
Joseph Doetsch, Simon Reijkaer, Torleif Dahlin, Gianluca Fiandaca, 2021. Inversion of hydraulic conductivity from Induced
Polarisation, Part B: field examples from five countries, Near Surface Geoscience 2021, Extended Abstract, 1-4.
Comunian, A., Straubhaar, J., Renard, P. (2012), 3D multiple-point statistics simulation using 2D training images. Computers &
Geosciences 40 - DOI: 10.1016/j.cageo.2011.07.009

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Multidisciplinary Approach to Conceptual Modelling of

Hydrothermal Systems, Topusko - Croatia
Mirja Pavić1, Marco Pola1, Staša Borović1, Maja Briški1, Ivan Kosović1, Tihomir Frangen1, Kosta
Urumović1, Bojan Matoš2, Ivica Pavičić2
1 Croatian Geological Survey, Sachsova 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2 Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Key words: hydrothermal system, natural thermal spring, multidisciplinary research, Croatia.

Natural thermal water springs, with temperatures up to 65 °C, emerge at two dozen localities in the
Pannonian part of Croatia which has favourable geothermal characteristics. These waters have been
used for millennia, and in the past fifty years they were a basis for the development of tourism and
health care centres [1]. As their water demand increased, higher quantities were abstracted and
additional intake structures and wells were constructed. A system-level understanding of the factors
controlling these resources is necessary for their sustainable utilization. These thermal springs are
generally part of intermediate scale hydrothermal systems which include: recharge areas in the
mountainous hinterlands of the springs; geothermal aquifers mostly hosted in Mesozoic carbonate
rocks [2]; and discharge areas in places with favourable structural characteristics increasing the local
permeability field. In the scope of HyTheC project, funded by the Croatian Science Foundation, a
multidisciplinary approach is used for the characterization of Daruvar, Hrvatsko zagorje, and
Topusko hydrothermal systems in central and northern Croatia. Structural, hydrogeological,
geothermal, hydrogeochemical, and geophysical investigations and remote sensing will be used to
construct conceptual models. Their physical validity will be tested through numerical simulations
supported by 3D geological reconstructions and local hydrogeological and thermal parameterisation
of the hydrostratigraphic units. The emphasis is placed on the Topusko hydrothermal system with
very scarce initial data. The available conceptual model will be refined based on researches which
are currently underway.

[1] Borović, S. & Marković, I.2015 : Utilization and tourism valorisation of geothermal waters in Croatia. Renewable and Sustainable
Energy Reviews, 44, pp. 52-63.
[2] Borović, S., Marković, T., Larva, O., Brkić, Ž. & Mraz, V. 2016 : Mineral and Thermal Waters in the Croatian Part of the Pannonian
Basin. In: Papić, P., Ed., Mineral and Thermal Waters of Southeastern Europe. Cham: Springer, pp. 31-45.

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The particle size distribution as a key factor for hydrogeological

investigations
Kosta Urumović1, Marco Pola1, Staša Borović1, Ivica Pavičić2, Vedran Rubinić3
1 Croatian Geological Survey
2 Faculty of Mining, Geology and Oil Engineering, University of Zagreb
3 Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb

Key words: hydrogeology, permeability, particle size distribution, specific surface.

In the field of urban hydrogeology, it is often needed to define the permeability, as the most
important hydrogeological parameter for interpretation of impact of pollutant on groundwater
quality. Calculating permeability from grain size data is fast, relatively simple and cheap, and is
often used for stated purpose. Causeless modifications of original methods for determination of
hydraulic conductivity or permeability from grain size data have been, in the last three decades,
widely disseminated in scientific and expert articles and published in numerous scientific journals.
Modification of referential grain size, which is generally integrated in the calculations as square
value, is especially a sensitive issue. Such and similar modifications strongly affect the results
compromising the valuable utilization of grain size data for the permeability assessment in loose
deposits and similar porous materials. This problem was demonstrated in this research though the
presentation of original versions of four permeability calculation methods from grain size
distribution: Hazen’s, as a representative of extremely experimental method, USBR /USCRO
(Urumović et al., 2020) as empirical method, and Slichter’s and Kozeny – Carman (Urumović and
Urumović, 2016) method as theoretical methods. Validity and proposal for corrections were
demonstrated as their validity ceases to depend on the grading of the analyzed materials. This is
especially important for Kozeny – Carman method that integrates formulation of specific surface
area, making it widely applicable in soil science disciplines. In this research, samples of loess and
loess-like sediments (Pola et al., 2020) were analyzed in laboratory within the ISSAH project (funded
by Croatian Science Foundation), and later mathematically processed for hydraulic conductivity
calculation. Statistical analyses show high accuracy of mentioned methods when properly used,
opposed to recently (mis)used formulae.

Pola, M., Pavičić, I., Rubinić, V., Kosović, I., Galović, L., Borović, S., Wacha, L., Urumović, K. 2020. First results of multidisciplinary
investigations for the hydrogeological conceptual modelling of loess deposits in eastern Croatia. Acque Sotterranee - Italian Journal
of Groundwater, 9 (1), 43-49. doi:10.7343/as-2020-432.
Urumović K., Urumović K. Sr. 2016. The referential grain size and effective porosity in Kozeny-Carman model. Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.,
20, 1669-1680. doi:10.5194/hess-20-1669-2016.
Urumović, K., Borović, S., Urumović, K., Navratil, D. 2020. Validity range and reliability of the United States Bureau of Reclamation
(USBR) method in hydrogeological investigations. Hydrogeology journal, 28 (2), 625-636. doi:10.1007/s10040-019-02080-2.

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Session 4

Groundwater flow and hydrogeochemical features

in volcanic, karst and coastal plain aquifers

Keynote Lecture

Selected European research results, information products and map viewers of groundwater quality
and quantity developed by the four GeoERA groundwater projects: HOVER, RESOURCE, TACTIC
and VoGERA

Klaus Hinsby (Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, GEUS)

Conveners

Alfonso Corniello (Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II")

Lucio Martarelli (ISPRA)

Stefano Viaroli (Università degli Studi Roma Tre)

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KEYNOTE LECTURE
Selected European research results, information products and
map viewers of groundwater quality and quantity developed by
the four GeoERA groundwater projects: HOVER, RESOURCE,
TACTIC and VoGERA
Klaus Hinsby (Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, GEUS)

Selected research-based information products and highlights of the four GeoERA groundwater
projects: HOVER, RESOURCE, TACTIC and VoGERA, and their contribution to improve our
understanding of the evolution of groundwater quantity and quality at European and regional scale,
are briefly presented. The presentation include demonstration of on-line map viewers developed for a
common digital European subsurface information platform, the European Geological Data
Infrastructure (EGDI) illustrating e.g. groundwater quality and quantity issues such as nitrate
contents in the unsaturated zone moving towards European aquifers (incl. travel time through the
unsaturated zone), and a new European groundwater recharge map compiled based on satellite
measurements, national groundwater recharge studies and machine learning. Other information
products include map viewers of relevance for human health impact assessments (e.g. maps of arsenic
and fluoride distribution in European aquifers) or assessment of the volume of the available
groundwater resources across Europe. Finally, selected results from regional or local studies
published in research papers from the GeoERA projects e.g. investigating natural background levels,
DRASTIC vulnerability, groundwater age distributions and saltwater intrusion are also shown.
The provided data on groundwater quantity and quality in Europe contribute with valuable
information for managing and protecting Europe’s groundwater resources as well as groundwater
dependent or associated terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems towards pollution from the surface, over-
exploition and competing uses. The GeoERA groundwater projects thereby contribute with important
information for sustainable management of (ground)water and subsurface resources in general
according to EU and UN policies such as the Water Framework Directive, the European Deal, UN
SDGs and a new UN resource management system.

Please visit the GeoERA groundwater projects at: https://geoera.eu/

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Recharge assessment and water table variation over time in

different areas of the Castelporziano Presidential Estate: possible
implication on forest health
Alessandro Lacchini1, Chiara Sbarbati1, Marco Petitta1
1 Earth Sciences Department, Sapienza University, Rome, (Italy)

Key words: coastal aquifer, monitoring network, forest, Critical Zone.

The piezometric monitoring of the aquifer of the Castelporziano Presidential Estate is based on a
network measuring the water table and the main chemical-physical parameters. Water table changes
with time are limited, but different trends have been recognized in different areas of the aquifer, due
to the distribution of rainfall and infiltration and to the soil permeability. On coastal area seasonal
changes of the water table are limited and time trend shows a depletion. On central area oscillations
with time are evident and a negative trend is also affecting the aquifer. On the northern and eastern
areas, the recharge periods are able to hinder the depletion, resulting in a positive trend of water
table, probably enhanced by groundwater flow coming from the regional aquifer of Alban Hills [1].
A winter semester of aquifer recharge is usually followed by a summer period of groundwater
exhaustion. Increase of occurrence of drought years (like 2016-2017) caused an extension of the
exhaustion phase, which both decreases the water table and causes stress and water scarcity in soil
and unsaturated zone, in the so-called “Critical Zone”. Soils act as link among the rainfall, the forest
and the groundwater table. The water content in the first meter of soil has been monitored by CREA
Institute, recording different responses of outcropping sediments. In different periods of the year,
the soils have a fundamental role in capturing rainfall water in unsaturated zone, in allowing deep
recharge of the water table, but also in feeding the forest roots. These different conditions with time
and space can obviously influence the forest health and consequently changes in recharge regime of
the aquifer are to be considered one of the possible causes of critical stress shown by the forest during
last years in the Castelporziano Presidential Estate.

1. Banzato Francesca, Marino Domenico Barberio, Andrea Del Bon, Alessandro Lacchini, Valentina Marinelli, Lucia Mastrorillo,
Stefania Passaretti, Chiara Sbarbati, Marco Petitta 2019. Relationship between rainfall and water table in a coastal aquifer: the
case study of Castelporziano Presidential Estate Acque Sotterranee - Italian Journal of Groundwater.- AS28- 379: pp. 27-33 DOI:
10.7343/as-2019-379
.

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New insights on the groundwater-seismicity relationship:

experiences from the hydrogeological network in central-
southern Italy
Francesca Gori1, Marino Domenico Barberio1, Maurizio Barbieri1, Andrea Billi2, Carlo Doglioni1,
Stefania Franchini1, Marco Petitta1
1 Earth Sciences Department, Sapienza University of Rome (Italy); 2Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, IGAG, Rome
(Italy)

Key words: groundwater, earthquake-hydrology, monitoring, precursors, hydrosensitivity.

Earthquake-induced groundwater responses have been widely observed in seismogenic areas

worldwide, before, during and after the occurrence of seismic events. In order to deepen our
knowledge about the groundwater-seismicity relationship, since 2014 pilot sites for the research of
seismic precursors have been installed in the central-southern Apennines (Italy), with the main aim
of establishing new hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical, and gas-geochemical monitoring network.
Through these years, we collected on a monthly basis data of groundwater major and trace elements,
isotopic ratios and chemical-physical parameters. Additionally, we performed continuous
monitoring of groundwater Radon activity and groundwater level by using multiparametric probes.
Promising results were achieved and recently partially published. In detail, groundwater Radon
concentrations were continuously measured between April 2017 and December 2019 in two springs
emerging along active fault zones in the inner sector of the central-southern Apennines. We detected
significant groundwater Rn anomalies for all monitored seismic events that were expected to
influence the Rn concentration based on the strain radius of the effective precursory manifestation
zone. The recorded preseismic signals could be explained as the result of contraction and expansion
that fractured systems undergo. Besides, between July 2014 and December 2019 the groundwater
level was continuously recorded in a 100 m deep monitoring well in central Italy. Impulsive
groundwater level responses to worldwide Mw ≥ 6.5 earthquakes were observed, even over 18.000
km from the monitoring site. We interpreted the recorded groundwater level changes as oscillations
driven by the passage of Rayleigh seismic waves through the aquifer. Detecting the water table
variations induced by distant earthquakes is another step towards a correct identification of
(preseismic) changes in groundwater due to near-field seismicity. Overall, the results of our ongoing
research shed light on the hydrosensitivity of the study sites and on the characteristics of fractured
aquifer systems to strain variations.
Barberio, M. D., Barbieri, M., Billi, A., Doglioni, C., & Petitta, M. (2017). Hydrogeochemical changes before and during the 2016 Amatrice-
Norcia seismic sequence (central Italy). Scientific reports, 7(1), 1-12.

The full paper is published on: 1) Barberio, M. D., Gori, F., Barbieri, M., Billi, A., Casalati, F., Franchini, S., Lorenzetti, L., &
Petitta, M. (2020). Optimization of dissolved Radon monitoring in groundwater to contribute to the evaluation of the seismic activity:
an experience in central-southern Italy. SN Applied Sciences, 2(8), 1-12. 2) Barberio, M. D., Gori, F., Barbieri, M., Billi, A., Caracausi,
A., De Luca, G., Franchini., S, Petitta, M., & Doglioni, C. (2020). New observations in Central Italy of groundwater responses to the
worldwide seismicity. Scientific reports, 10(1), 1-10.

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Hydrogeochemistry and geothermometry of fractured carbonate

aquifers controlled by deep-seated faults: two study cases from
Central Italy
Marino Domenico Barberio1, Francesca Gori1, Maurizio Barbieri1, Tiziano Boschetti2, Antonio
Caracausi3, Giovanni Luca Cardello1,4, Marco Petitta1
1 Earth Sciences Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
2 Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Italy
3 National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Palermo, Italy

4 Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Italy

Key words: Groundwater mixing, Deep fluids, Earthquake-Hydrology, Isotope, Geochemistry.

Expanding knowledge about the origin and mixing of deep fluids and the water-rock-gas
interactions in aquifer systems can represent an improvement in the comprehension of crustal
deformation processes. Indeed, fractured carbonate aquifers probably constitute the most important
thermal water resources in non-volcanic areas. In this study we performed hydrogeochemical
screenings of springs in two study areas in Central Italy affected by mixing of shallow groundwater
flow with deep fluid rise: the San Vittorino Plain and the Pontina Plain. We carried out two
conceptual flow models for both shallow and deep fluids. The application of Na-Li
geothermometers, coupled with a comparison of major and trace elements and gas analyses allows
us to understand the geochemical and structural processes driving the uprising of deep sealed fluids.
The geothermometric approach has identified the greatest equilibrium temperature of the analyzed
groundwater (>150 °C) and consequently the maximum depth of groundwater flowpaths driven by
infiltration processes (by the application of local geothermal gradient). In addition, the gas-
geochemistry analysis confirms the mixing between shallow and deep fluids identifying the
presence of some traces of mantle derived He (≈1-2%). The obtained evidences in both study areas
suggest a common genesis of mixing processes, influenced by recent tectonics. The occurrence of
deep fluids is closely related to the presence of deep-seated faults which constitute pathways for the
hydrothermal circulation. The study highlights the criteria to identify the most suitable sites for
monitoring variations in groundwater geochemistry due to the deep fluids uprising modulated by
fault activity, to be further correlated with crustal deformation and possibly with seismicity.
Furthermore, for the management of water resources, changes in faults activity (e.g. increases of
deformation rates) can modify the uprising flow and consequently the geochemistry of regional
fractured carbonate aquifers with increases in dissolved heavy metal content (e.g. As, Fe, Cr).
Goldscheider, N., Mádl-Szőnyi, J., Erőss, A., & Schill, E. (2010). Thermal water resources in carbonate rock aquifers. Hydrogeology Journal,
18(6), 1303-1318.
Barberio, Marino D.; Gori, Francesca; Barbieri, Maurizio; Boschetti, Tiziano; Caracausi, Antonio; Cardello, Giovanni L.; Petitta, Marco.
2021. "Understanding the Origin and Mixing of Deep Fluids in Shallow Aquifers and Possible Implications for Crustal Deformation
Studies: San Vittorino Plain, Central Apennines" Appl. Sci. 11, no. 4: 1353. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041353.

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Groundwater salinization assessment in the coastal area of

Sozopoli (Northern Greece)
Maria Margarita Ntona1,2, Gianluigi Busico2, Micol Mastrocicco2, Dario Tedesco2, Nerantzis
Kazakis1, Konstantinos Voudouris1
1 Department of Geology, Lab. of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece, 2DiSTABiF - Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and
Technologies, Campania University “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, Caserta, 81100, Italy.

Key words: groundwater, seawater intrusion, ERT, SWIM.

In the last decades, groundwater level reduction and groundwater quality degradation has been
observed due to agricultural, residential and tourism development. The groundwater
overexploitation is worldwide considered as one of the main causes of the salinization phenomenon
(Kazakis et al., 2016; Mastrocicco et al., 2019). Additionally, the overuse of ammonium fertilizers in
agricultural areas has become a main global environmental issue (Kazakis et al., 2020). This study
deals with the pressures of agricultural activity on account of the uncontrolled use of fertilizers and
the non-rational management of groundwater in the coastal aquifer of Sozopoli area in Northern
Greece. The investigation of the seawater intrusion and groundwater chemical characteristics can
provide important information for the effective application of groundwater protection measures.
Therefore, a holistic analysis of groundwater samples, groundwater level measurements and
electrical resistivity tomographies (ERTs) has been carried out to determine the hydrochemical water
regime of the study area in regard to salinization phenomenon. A “Seawater Intrusion Map”
(SWIM) has been produced according to the results of ionic ratios (Na/Cl, SO4/Cl, Mg2+/(Mg2++Ca2+),
and Cl/HCO3) underlying the zones affected by salinization. Additionally, two ERTs have been
performed to confirm the seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifer. The ion ratio maps were classified
into two categories: i) affected or ii) not affected by salinization though a numerical index. The
results of the study revealed the correlation among seasonal water level fluctuation and
groundwater overexploitation which controls the aquifer’s recharge process. Moreover, the quality
of groundwater is controlled by salinization along the coast and by the use of fertilizers in
agricultural areas inland. The geoelectrical measurements (ERTs) verify the salinization front and
salinization layers in the study area while the combination of the classified ion ratios depicts how
groundwater is highly influenced by the salinization phenomenon.
Kazakis, N., Matiatos, I., Ntona, M. -., Bannenberg, M., Kalaitzidou, K., Kaprara, E., Mitrakas, M., Ionnidou, A., Vargemezis, G.,
Voudouris, K. (2020). Origin, implications and management strategies for nitrate pollution in surface and ground waters of
Anthemountas basin based on a δ15N-NO3− and δ18O-NO3− isotope approach. Science of the Total Environment, 724 doi:
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138211.
Kazakis, N., Pavlou, A., Vargemezis, G., Voudouris, K., Soulios, G., Pliakas, F., Tsokas, G. 2016. Seawater intrusion mapping using
electrical resistivity tomography and hydrochemical data. An application in the coastal area of eastern Thermaikos Gulf, Greece.
Science of Total Environment, 543, 373-387. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.041.
Mastrocicco, M., Busico, G., Colombani, N., Vigliotti, M., Ruberti, D. 2019. Modelling actual and future seawater intrusion in the Variconi
coastal wetland (Italy) due to climate and landscape changes. Water (Switzerland), 11(7) doi: 10.3390/w11071502.

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Hydrogeological Behaviour and Geochemical Features of Waters

in Evaporite-Bearing Low-Permeability Successions: A Case
Study in Southern Sicily, Italy
Pietro Rizzo1, Chiara Cappadonia2, Edoardo Rotigliano2, Paola Iacumin1, Anna Maria
Sanangelantoni1, Giulia Zerbini1 and Fulvio Celico1
1 Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle
Scienze 157/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
2 Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 22, 90123 Palermo, Italy.

Key words: conceptual model; evaporites; bacterial community; stable isotopes; tritium.

Knowledge about the hydrogeological behaviour of heterogeneous low-permeability media is an

important tool when designing anthropogenic works (e.g., landfills) that could potentially have
negative impacts on the environment and on people’s health. The knowledge about the
biogeochemical processes in these media could prevent “false positives” when studying
groundwater quality and possible contamination caused by anthropogenic activities. In this
research, we firstly refined knowledge about the groundwater flow field at a representative site
where the groundwater flows within an evaporite-bearing low-permeability succession. Hydraulic
measurements and tritium analyses demonstrated the coexistence of relatively brief to very
prolonged groundwater pathways. The groundwater is recharged by local precipitation, as
demonstrated by stable isotopes investigations. However, relatively deep groundwater is clearly
linked to very high tritium content rainwater precipitated during the 1950s and 1960s. The
deuterium content of some groundwater samples showed unusual values, explained by the
interactions between the groundwater and certain gases (H2S and CH4), the presences of which are
linked to sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic archaea detected within the saturated medium
through biomolecular investigations in the shallow organic reach clayey deposits. In a wider,
methodological context, the present study demonstrates that interdisciplinary approaches provide
better knowledge about the behaviour of heterogeneous low-permeability media and the meaning
of each data type.

The full paper is published on: Rizzo, P., Cappadonia, C., Rotigliano, E., Iacumin, P., Sanangelantoni, A. M., Zerbini, G., & Celico,
F. (2020). Hydrogeological Behaviour and Geochemical Features of Waters in Evaporite-Bearing Low-Permeability Successions: A
Case Study in Southern Sicily, Italy. Applied Sciences, 10(22), 8177.

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Hydrogeological Map of the Sibillini Mts. (Central Italy)

Stefano Viaroli1, Francesco Mirabella2, Lucia Mastrorillo1, Serafino Angelini3, Daniela Valigi2
1 Department of Sciences – University of Roma Tre, Largo S. L. Murialdo 1, 00146 Rome, Italy
2 Department of Physics and Geology - University of Perugia, Via A. Pascoli snc, 06123 Perugia, Italy
3 GeoSoul Italia S.r.l., Via Mutilati ed Invalidi del Lavoro 29, 63100 Ascoli Piceno, Italy

Key words: Hydrogeological map, fractured aquifers, hydrogeological sections, tectonics, regional
hydrogeology.

The results of regional hydrogeological studies are, usually, outlined in hydrogeological maps. The
interpretation of geological units and tectonic elements, according to their hydrodynamic roles,
supports the understanding of groundwater flow conceptual models, especially at regional scale.
Collection, standardization, and interpretation of the geological, tectonic, and hydrogeological data
from literature, led to the realization of the hydrogeological map (1:50,000 scale) of the Sibillini Mts.
carbonate system (Central Italy). The aim of the map is to illustrate a detailed pre-seismic
hydrogeological conceptual model of the Sibillini Mts area which was struck by a prolonged seismic
sequence up to Mw 6.5 in 2016, becoming reference for the comparison between the pre-seismic and
the new hydrogeological conditions emerging from the post-seismic research.
With specific different colors the Map presents a classification of the hydrogeological complexes
based on the effective infiltration rate. The Map, also, shows the location of the springs having a
mean discharge equal or higher than 30 L/s and the tectonic elements with regional significance,
selected by a careful review of the structural data known.
The hydrogeological map is supported in a pseudo-3D conceptual model defined by eleven
hydrogeological sections at 1:50,000 scale. Eight sections are perpendicular (SW-NE) and three are
parallel (NNW-SSE) to the main regional structural lineaments. The realization of the
hydrogeological cross sections requested simplifications of the complexity of the structural elements
and the thickness variability of each hydrogeological complex. This simplification highlighted the
specific hydrodynamic roles of the considered tectonic elements. Generally, the thrust faults act as
hydraulic barriers, whereas the normal faults do not necessarily correspond to a groundwater flow
seal, because their permeability is controlled by the fracture network properties (connectivity,
density, orientation, and length distribution of the fractures) of the fault zone.
Boni, C., Baldoni, T., Banzato, F., Cascone, D., & Petitta, M. (2010). Hydrogeological study for identification, characterization and
managementof groundwater resources in the Sibillini Mountains NationalPark (Central Italy). Italian Journal of Engineering Geology
and Environment,2, 21–39. https://doi.org/10.4408/IJEGE.2010-02.O-02
Pierantoni, P., Deiana, G., & Galdenzi, S. (2013). Stratigraphic and structural features of the Sibillini Mountains (Umbria-Marche
Apennines, Italy). Italian Journal of Geosciences 132, 497–520. https://doi.org/10.3301/IJG.2013.08

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Groundwater resources and legacy mining: the usefulness of

integrated approaches to investigate complex carbonate aquifer
systems
Stefano Natali1,2,3, Matteo Nigro2, Linda Franceschi2,3, Marco Doveri3, Roberto Giannecchini2,3,
Matia Menichini3
1 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy
2 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy
3 IGG-CNR, Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy

Key words: groundwater protection, karst aquifers, thallium, drinking water, Apuan Alps

Safeguarding and protection of groundwater resources is a major challenge for the present and
future human society. Carbonate aquifers represent an essential source of water supply worldwide,
although they generally have a high intrinsic vulnerability to contamination and short-term climatic
fluctuations. An optimal management of complex karst systems is fundamental for their sustainable
exploitation and protection from contaminants. This objective can be met through detailed surveys
based on multidisciplinary approaches, in order to define groundwater flowpaths in terms of origin
and evolution, including processes affecting the water resource quality. This work addressed the
critical issues tied to the coexistence of abandoned mining activities and valuable karst groundwater
in a past-mining district of the Apuan Alps (northwestern Tuscany, Italy), by means of an integrated
approach based on hydrodynamics, hydrochemistry, and water isotopes. The local carbonate
aquifers, hosting groundwater resources, are threatened by acid mine drainages and contaminated
stream from potentially toxic elements (e.g. thallium) (Perotti et al. 2017; Ghezzi et al. 2019). The
research focused on three major springs, outflowing in a restricted area adjacent to the stream-bed,
among which only one is currently tapped for drinking use. Nine sampling fields were carried out
on the contaminated stream and spring water from September 2017 to December 2018, along with a
continuative monitoring of hydrologic-physical–chemical parameters. Chemical (major and trace
elements) and isotopic analysis (δ18O and δ2H) were performed on collected samples. Despite the
proximity of the three springs, we recognized two different groundwater flow systems (Doveri et
al. 2021). The first one is shallower and shows evidences of hydraulic connection with the
contaminated stream, threating the quality of groundwater resources. The second one, feeding the
tapped spring, shows characteristics of a deeper and longer groundwater flow, which seems to be
isolated from the former and protected from contamination.
Ghezzi, L., D’Orazio, M., Doveri, M., Lelli, M., Petrini, R., Giannecchini, R., 2019. Groundwater and potentially toxic elements in a
dismissed mining area: Thallium contamination of drinking spring water in the Apuan Alps (Tuscany, Italy). J. Geochemical Explor.
197, 84–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2018.11.009
Perotti, M., Petrini, R., D’Orazio, M., Ghezzi, L., Giannecchini, R., Vezzoni, S., 2017. Thallium and Other Potentially Toxic Elements in the
Baccatoio Stream Catchment (Northern Tuscany, Italy) Receiving Drainages from Abandoned Mines. Mine Water Environ. 37, 431–
441. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0485-x

The full paper is published on: Doveri, M., Natali, S., Franceschi, L., Menichini, M., Trifirò, S., Giannecchini, R., 2021. Carbonate
aquifers threatened by legacy mining: hydrodynamics, hydrochemistry, and water isotopes integrated approach for spring water
management. J. Hydrol. 593, 125850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.125850.

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Defining dissolved species background levels in a complex

heterogenic area through stochastic approach
Francesco Rufino1, Gianluigi Busico1, Maurizio Sirna1, Micol Mastrocicco1, Dario Tedesco1.
1Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania
“Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy

Key words: background levels, sequential Gaussian simulation, groundwater pollution

The aim of the study was the determination of the background levels of three pollutants potentially
harmful for human health (NO3, F and As), dissolved in different groundwater bodies of the
Campania plain (southern Italy). To achieve this purpose, the gaussian sequential simulation
algorithm (sGs) was performed to process three hundred ninety-eight water samples collected
during many field campaigns over the last two decades from springs and water wells (urban and
agricultural). For the present study, one hundred simulations were realized for NO3, F and As and
then post-processed to obtain two statistic rasters showing: (i) the median values of the simulated
cumulative distribution, and (ii) the probability of exceeding a fixed threshold limits (WHO
threshold) along the study area. The hydrogeological background was in agreement with previous
characterization (Busico et al. 2018; Rufino et al. 2019), Subsequently, the Median values predicted
by sGs were extracted for defining the background levels of those groundwater bodies. The NO3
maps showed higher median values and higher probabilities of exceeding the WHO threshold (50
mg/L; WHO 2017) especially in those areas characterized by ignimbrite outcrops, while lower
median values and probabilities in carbonate systems and alluvial plains were calculated. The F and
As maps showed higher values and high probabilities of exceeding the WHO threshold limits (5
mg/L and 10 µg/L, respectively) especially in areas near volcanic edifices (Roccamonfina and Campi
Flegrei) or in alluvial plains characterized by the presence of volcanic material (lavas and ignimbrite)
and/or reworked volcanic material. The presence of peat lens and clay materials in the plain between
the Volturno river and the Regi Lagni seems to play an important role both in limiting NO 3
concentration and in As releasing through the whole plain.
Busico G, Kazakis N, Colombani N, Mastrocicco M, Voudouris K, Tedesco D (2017) A modified SINTACS method for groundwater
vulnerability and pollution risk assessment in highly anthropized regions based on NO3− and SO42− concentrations. Sci Total Environ
609:1512–1523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.257
Rufino F, Busico G, Cuoco E, Darrah TH, Tedesco D (2019) Evaluating the suitability of urban groundwater resources for drinking water
and irrigation purposes: an integrated approach in the Agro-Aversano area of Southern Italy. Environ Monit Assess 191:768.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7978-y
WHO, World Health Organization, 2017 Guidelines for drinking water quality, 4th ed. Incorporating the first addendum. WHO, Geneva,
Switzerland, 145–220.

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Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in northern Sardinia –

Coupling geochemical data and geostructrural mapping and
modelling to enhance the understanding of groundwater flow
Cyrill Labry1, Luca Marcia1, Riccardo Biddau1, Rosa Cidu1, Stefania Da Pelo1, Antonio Funedda1
1
Università degli Studi di Cagliari (Italy)

Key words: NVZ, Sardinia, Isotopes, 3D-model

Nitrate concentration exceeding the European limit of 50 mg/L in groundwater requires detailed
investigation in order to delimitate Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ). The complex flow pattern in
groundwater originating from the geological structure often leads to difficult predictions of the main
flow paths and potential mixing of groundwater. The methodological approach consists in defining
a hydrogeological model based on geostructural mapping and modelling, supported by
hydrogeochemical and isotopic tools.
The Logudoro basin, within a Burdigalian half-graben in northern Sardinia, was considered as a test
site. The area includes mainly subhorizontal continental to marine deposits such as conglomerates,
sandstones, limestones and mudstones. The infill unconformably lies over an Oligo-Miocene
volcanic succession. Pleistocene basaltic flows unconformably overlie both volcanic and sedimentary
Miocene rocks.
The geological model was improved through detailed mapping (1:10.000). Outcrop geology and
boreholes were used to constrain cross-sections. The subsequently created 3D-model validated the
geological map and allowed to analyse water-volume potential, recharge areas and aquifers
interconnection.
Water samples were collected from 13 springs, 28 wells, 3 surface waters and untreated and clean
sewages. Geochemical features and isotopic analysis of δ2H - δ18O in water, δ11B, δ15N - δ18O in
dissolved nitrate, and δ34S - δ18O in dissolved sulphate were determined to investigate groundwater
recharge, processes occurring during flow path and identify nitrate origin. Groundwater show a
wide range of geochemical compositions. A weak variation of isotopic composition with depth was
observed. Piezometric contour lines combined with hydrogeochemical analysis allow to classify
water groups and identify interaction processes within aquifers.
Five hydrogeological units bounded by faults and aquitards, discontinuous in width and thickness,
were outlined by coupling geochemical and geological modelling. The applied approach improves
the groundwater flowpath comprehension leading to the delimitation of potential NVZ.

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Groundwater natural background levels in a densely populated

valley plain along the Ligurian coast
Marco Sabattini1, Vincenzo Critelli1, Gianpiero Brozzo2, Andrea Panzani3, Francesco Ronchetti1
1 Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche (Italia)
2 ACAM acque s.p.a., GRUPPO IREN (Italia)
3 Studio Alfa s.p.a. (Italia)

Key words: Coast; Porous aquifer; Hydrochemistry; Natural background levels; Ligurian coast;

The research aims to define the natural background levels (NBLs) (according to SNPA, Doc. 20/17)
of an alluvial valley and marine coastal groundwater body in a densely anthropic and tourist area
of the Levante Ligure, where Ophiolites rocks outcrops and may release heavy metals. The defined
NBLs will help to recognize future groundwater anthropogenic pollution phenomena from the
natural leaching of Ophiolites. The investigated area is the coastal alluvial plain of Levanto. It is
composed of coarse and fine alluvial deposits originated by Ghiararo stream and its minor
tributaries, and coastal marine deposits. The extension of the alluvial plain is a few square kilometers
and the maximum thickness of the deposits is 35 meters. The aquifer is a monolayer and it is
unconfined in the medium-high portion of the plain and confined or semi-confined near the coast.
In the plain, three group of wells are used for drinkable purpose. Levanto plain is densely populated
and it is a famous tourist hub (due to the proximity with the Cinque Terre). On the plain insist
different anthropogenic activities (e.g., agricultural, industrial infrastructural and residential) that
could potentially impact the groundwater quality. Historically, salt intrusion phenomenon isn’t
discovered in the aquifer and only two drinkable wells have been affected by a low presence of
contaminants.

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Multiple-step numerical modeling to assist aquifer

characterization: a case study from the south of Brazil
Fabrizio Rama1, Konrad Miotliński2
1 Syngenta, Jealott’s Hill International Research Centre, Warfield, Bracknell (UK)
2 Edith Cowan University, School of Science, Joondalup 6027 WA, Perth, (Australia)

Keywords: Groundwater flow, Coastal aquifer, FEFLOW, Conceptual model, Brazil

Management of coastal aquifers must take account of the complex hydrological processes and data
uncertainties associated with this environment. In such conditions, regular evaluation of
mechanisms, parameters and boundary conditions is required to understand groundwater flow and
to develop a robust conceptual model. Information on transient recharge, tide-driven fluctuations
of groundwater receptors (e.g. seas, rivers) and the activation status of drainage networks may need
to be updated recurrently, as they affect the evolution of groundwater balance over time. In coastal
tropical regions, due to the high intensity and variability of natural drivers (e.g. precipitation,
evapotranspiration), a comprehensive hydrogeological characterization can be even too expensive
or technically unfeasible. In those contexts, numerical models can be effectively applied at various
phases of a hydrogeological investigation to elucidate preliminary conceptual models and to guide
the field characterization. Models provide a quantitative framework for synthesizing field
information and verifying mechanisms, readily contributing to a cost-effective decision-making
process. Accordingly, this article presents a systematic hydrogeological characterization of a coastal
basin in a tropical region of southern Brazil that is affected by intensive rainfall and ocean tides.
Precipitation is the main process driving groundwater flow in the region, although high head
variations at the boundaries affect spatiotemporal distribution of the water table and groundwater
discharge. In the work, a set of numerical experiments is deployed to test the understanding of
natural processes and to assist additional field campaigns. The hierarchy of hydrogeological
processes is evaluated over different scales, to eliminate less sensitive mechanisms. By presenting
the detailed setup information on model development, the applications are demonstrated and
limitations are discussed in light of the available field data and specific research objectives. [Abstract
obtained from a published paper]

The full paper is published on: Rama, F., Miotliński, K. Multiple-step numerical modeling to assist aquifer characterization: a case
study from the south of Brazil. Hydrogeol J 28, 2747–2763 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02232-9.

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Hydrogeological properties of ignimbrites: two examples of

pyroclastic flow deposits in central Italy

Vincenzo Allocca1, Pasquale Colantuono1, Abner Colella1, Vincenzo Piscopo2

1 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e delle Risorse, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli
(Italy)
2 Dipartimento di Scienze Ecologiche e Biologiche, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo (Italy)

Key words: ignimbrite, hydraulic properties, volcanic aquifer

Ignimbrites are aquifers also used for the supply of drinking water in the volcanic regions of central
and southern Italy. However, little knowledge is available about these aquifers. This study reports
the results of some experiments carried out on two ignimbrites in central Italy: the Cimino
Ignimbrite of the Cimino Volcano (hereafter ICV) and the C Ignimbrite of the Vico Volcano (hereafter
CIV). The ICV, erupted 1.3 Ma, is trachytic in composition, covering an area of about 300 km2 with
a volume of about 15 km3 and variable thickness up to 150 m. The CIV, erupted 151 ka, is phonolitic
in composition, covering an area of about 1250 km2 with a volume of about 10 km3 and variable
thickness from a ten of meters up to 60-80 m.
Using a multi-scale approach, the hydraulic properties of the two ignimbrites were investigated
through: i) laboratory measurements of porosity and hydraulic conductivity on rock samples, ii)
discontinuity measurements of rock masses on some significant outcrops, and iii) pumping tests on
a single well and in some cases also with observation wells.
The hydraulic conductivity measured in the laboratory on rock samples varies between 10-6 and 10-
7 m/s, depending on the porosity and welding degree of the two ignimbrites. The transmissivity

determined by pumping tests varies in a wider range of values (10-3 to 10-5 m2/s), depending on the
fracturing degree of welded facies and the frequency of intercalations of non-welded facies, coarse
lapilli deposits and agglomerate layers. A more developed fissure network characterizes the more
densely welded ignimbrite, i.e. the ICV, compared to the less densely welded one, i.e. the CIV. All
these factors have a significant influence on well yields (ranging from 0.5 to 5 L/s) and on the trend
of the drawdown over time found during the pumping tests.

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Numerically enhanced conceptual modelling (NECoM) applied to

the Malta Mean Sea Level Aquifer
Francesca Lotti1,2,3, Iacopo Borsi1, Enrico Guastaldi4,5,6, Alessio Barbagli4,5,7, Paolo Basile8, Lorenzo
Favaro8, Adrian Mallia9, Rachel Xuereb9, Michael Schembri10, Julian Alexander Mamo10, Manuel
Sapiano10
1 TEA SISTEMI S.p.A., Pisa (Italy); 2 Kataclima S.r.l., Vetralla (Italy); 3 SYMPLE S.r.l., Vetralla (Italy); 4 Center for
GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, San Giovanni Valdarno (Italy); 5 GeoExplorer Impresa Sociale S.r.l., Arezzo
(Italy); 6 CGT SpinOff S.r.l., Arezzo (Italy); 7 Department of Physics and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, Ferrara
(Italy); 8 STEAM, Pisa (Italy); 9 Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd, San Gwann (Malta); 10 Government of
Malta - Energy and Water Agency, Ħal Luqa (Malta)

Key words: Data gap, Numerical modelling, Groundwater management, Seawater intrusion, Malta

Conventional hydrogeological practice is used for data to be collected to formulate a conceptual

model, which often provides a basis for construction of a numerical model. The numerical model is
then used to test groundwater management strategies before they are implemented in the field.
A new workflow is proposed employing the numerically enhanced conceptual model (NECoM) of
the mean-sea-level aquifer (MSLA) in the island of Malta.
The Malta MSLA is affected by overexploitation and is under constant threat of salinization. In
development of a conceptual/numerical model of the island, data of many different types, including
heads, chloride concentrations, EC logs, tidal tests and qualitative data were assimilated into a fast-
running numerical model. Simultaneously, strategies for optimal acquisition of further data were
examined through the modelling process.
The model was delivered to the Energy and Water Agency, together with suggestions for flexible
model deployment. These workflows will, hopefully, spawn improvements in the model through
further revision of the concepts on which it is based. At the same time, the model provides the
Agency with an ability to make predictions whose uncertainties are quantified and reduced through
data assimilation as soon as new data is available.
The proposed NECoM approach can be generalized since it bases model usage on the premise that
modelling should make maximum use of existing data by assimilating its information content,
highlighting the uncertainties of decision-critical predictions that remain because of data
insufficiency. Through pursuing this strategy, the presently disjointed process of modelling on the
one hand, and data acquisition on the other can become better aligned with each other. Conceptual
and numerical model development are seen as parallel, rather than as sequential, activities.
Together, they endow the modelling process with an ability to make predictions of future system
behaviour whose bias is reduced, and whose uncertainties can be quantified.

The full paper is published on: Lotti, F., Borsi, I., Guastaldi, E., Barbagli, A., Basile, P., Favaro, L., ... & Sapiano, M. (2021).
Numerically enhanced conceptual modelling (NECoM) applied to the Malta Mean Sea Level Aquifer. Hydrogeology Journal, 29(4),
1517-1537.

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Study for the realization of an expert system for continuous

monitoring of turbidity in the water bodies of the Apuan area
Stefania Biagini1, Gian Marco De Rosa2, Licia Lotti3, Giovanni Menga4, Stefano Menichetti1,
Gabriele Nassini3,
1 ARPAT Agenzia Regionale di Protezione Ambientale della Toscana Direzione Tecnica
2 Esperto Scienze Ambientali
3 ARPAT Dipartimento di Massa

4 ARPAT Dipartimento di Lucca

Key words: marble powder, karst system, continuous monitoring.

Apuan area in north Tuscany is affected by intense marble mining, which continued since the middle
age up to the present day. In the last 30-40 years the advent of new methods of cutting and
processing of stone materials has produced a significant increase in the number of quarries,
extraction rate and, consequently, of the produced waste.
The finest fraction, a marble powder known as “marmettola”, has significant impact in a large
groundwater karst system that acts as drinking water reservoir of the highest quality.
Tuscany Region giving a mandate to the Tuscany Environment Agency (ARPAT) to promote
necessary actions to improve the monitoring of the impact of marmettola and among various
activities undertaken by ARPAT, focus was on river and springs of area through the creation of a
network for continuously detection of discharge, turbidity, temperature, conductivity,
chemical/physical parameters of environmental interest.
The OMNIA expert system, (Operative Monitoring Instant Alert) analyses data collected
extrapolating attention and alarm thresholds for turbidity as a function of rains occurred.
OMNIA is a non-physically based system, an attempt has been made to build a valid method that
can frame the natural characteristics from limited input series, less than two years. However,
OMNIA has already proved to be of valuable support in the monitoring activity, following
successful investigation by the authorities. When turbidity is higher than expected, the system warns
and to confirm this conductivity was considered , a parameter closely related to meteoric events [1].
Increasing in turbidity, without changes in conductivity, confirming the anomalous nature.
Monitoring results are displayed on interactive maps, clicking on station icon will open the graph
for the last seven days
The color of the icon indicates whether there has been overshoot in the last 24 hours compared to
attention and alarm thresholds identified for station. Monthly graphics for the archive are produced.

[1] Drysdale R., Pierotti L., Piccini L., Baldacci F. Suspended sediments in karst spring waters near Massa (Tuscany), Italy Environmental
Geology (2001) 40:1037–1050.

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A coupled hydrogeological and multi-isotopic approach to

investigate saltwater intrusion in a coastal groundwater (Sardinia,
Italy)
Chiara Porru1, Stefania Da Pelo1*, Riccardo Biddau1, Francesca Lobina1, Rosa Cidu1, Claudio Arras1,
Cristina Buttau1, Mario Lorrai2, Maurizio Testa3, Paolo Botti2
1 Department of chemical ang Geological Science – University of Cagliari – Campus of Monserrato, Building A,
* [email protected]
2 Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, Servizio tutela e gestione delle risorse idriche, vigilanza sui servizi idrici e gestione

delle siccità, via Mameli 88, 09123 Cagliari, Italy

3 Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Sardinia (ARPA Sardegna), via Contivecchi 7, 09122 Cagliari, Italy.

Key words: groundwater, saltwater intrusion, isotopes

Saltwater intrusion is a crucial environmental issue in the Muravera coastal plain (south-eastern
Sardinia). Since the early fifties, the natural hydrodynamic equilibrium between groundwater,
surface-water and seawater has been deeply modified by construction of dams across the
Flumendosa river and the development of agriculture, tourism and aquaculture activities along the
coast. The aim of this work is to analyze the different salinization mechanisms and hydrogeological
inputs in order to implement an integrated and sustainable management system aimed at slowing
saltwater intrusion and, on the other hand, to meet human needs.
A total of 52 points were sampled among groundwater from different aquifers and surface water.
Chemical and isotope analyses of δ18OH2O e δ2HH2O were carried out. To deepen the knowledge of
salinization mechanisms and water evolution, analyses of δ11B, δ87Sr, and δ3H were carry out at
selected sampling sites.
The monitoring of water level and fresh-salt water interface in wells has been carried out in order to
provide information on the groundwater response to the water level fluctuation inducted both by
withdraw and natural phenomena. Influence of the tide was also investigated.
This combined approach of environmental isotopes, chemical analyses and hydrogeological
indicators is expected to provide useful information about the mechanisms and geochemical
processes affecting groundwater in the plain and to plan measures for the correct management and
protection of water resources from saltwater intrusion.

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Karst springs along the Murge Adriatic coastline (Apulia,

southern Italy)
Isabella Serena Liso1,2, Rita Masciale2, Costantino Masciopinto2, Giuseppe Passarella2, Mario
Parise1,3

1 Earth and Environmental Sciences Dept. University Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
2 Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
3 Institute of Research for Geo-Hydrological Protection, National Research Council, Bari, Italy

Key words: karst, hydrogeology, coastal spring, Apulia

Apulia is an almost entirely karst region in southern Italy, being characterized by several thousand-
meter-thick Mesozoic carbonate succession, diffusely outcropping in the Gargano (north), Murge
(center) and Salento (south) areas.
It is surrounded by Adriatic and Ionian seas for most of its extent, with over 850 km of coasts and a
significant, but not yet quantified, amount of freshwater gushing out along coastline or offshore.
Mainly the coastal sectors of Apulian aquifers are then strongly exposed to seawater intrusion
phenomena for both natural causes, due to the presence of fractures and karst forms, or human
induced causes, such as sea level rise and over-exploitation.
Focusing on Murge area, the groundwater discharge to the sea typically occurs in a diffuse way,
through groundwater fractures; locally it is concentrated where karst conduits reach the sea or
coastal zones, that is where the hydraulic function of karst conduits for freshwater transfer prevails.
Many thermal anomalies have been detected in the past thanks to multi-spectral aerial surveys
(visible, infrared and thermal infrared), due to differences in temperatures between spring water
and seawater.
In this work, we describe the Adriatic coast between the city of Monopoli and the Torre Canne place:
in this area, the main known springs show average discharges ranging from 300-400 to 600 l/s, with
maximum peaks slightly lower than 1.200 l/s. This is the coastal stretch where most of the thermal
anomalies have been recognized as submarine springs. In addition, at several other locations, in the
immediate proximity and along the coasts, there are proofs of water emergencies. To provide a
contribution aimed at improving the knowledge about hydrogeology of this sector of Murge, we
present new data on the karst coastal springs and a first attempt to link them with those coming out
from the main inland recharge area.

Cotecchia, V. 2014. Le acque sotterranee e l’intrusione marina in Puglia: dalla ricerca all’emergenza nella salvaguardia della risorsa. Mem.
Descr. Carta Geol. d’Italia, 92, 1228 pp.
Pisano, L., Zumpano, V., Liso, I.S. & Parise, M. 2020. Geomorphological and structural characterization of the “Canale di Pirro” polje,
Apulia (Southern Italy). Journal of Maps, 16 (2), 479-487. doi: 10.1080/17445647.2020.1778550.

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Groutability of a rock mass evaluated by means of geo-structural

surveys and in-situ tests
Paolo Budetta1 Claudio De Luca2
1 Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples ‘‘Federico II’’, Naples (Italy)
2 Home worker (External consultant), Salerno (Italy)

Key words: hydraulic conductivity; jet grouting; sea arch; Campania

In order to strengthen rocks involved in engineering structures such as dams, tunnels or rocky cliffs,
sometimes jet grouting is needed. In this regard, it is necessary to know the hydraulic conductivity
(K) along the joint sets affecting rock masses to assess the most suitable grouts. This paper aims to
describe the assessment of hydraulic properties of the joint network characterizing the Natural Arch
of Palinuro (Campania): a geotope of high environmental and landscape value (Budetta et al., 2019).
Due to wave motion and gravity, the marine arch experienced several rock falls that progressively
thinned the structure, making its complete collapse likely within a few decades. Based on
photogrammetric and geo-structural surveys the reconstruction of the geo-structural and geo-
mechanical setting was performed in detail. The aim was to detect the rock mass permeability in
order to evaluate its groutability by means of cements or chemical resins. According to Scesi and
Gattinoni (2012), hydraulic conductivity was evaluated on the basis of geo-structural data completed
by results of injection tests performed in 10 horizontal boreholes located on both arch façades. The
study highlighted the presence of three main joint sets which group the bedding planes as well as
tectonic discontinuities with different orientation whose overall K values range between 10-3 and 10-
2 m/s. Even though the strengthening could be performed by means of cement grouts, it was deemed

more appropriate the use of silica gel slurries because the aggressiveness potential of the sea water
could favor reactions such as carbonation of cements. Lastly, the study also allowed to assess that
the strengthening of the marine arch cannot be obtained only by grouting, as the uncertain stability
also needs reinforcement by means of fiberglass or carbon fiber bars.
Budetta, P. De Luca, C. Simonelli, M.G. Guarracino, F. 2019 Geological analysis and stability assessment of a sea arch in Palinuro, southern
Italy Engineering Geology, Vol. 250, pp. 142-154, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.01.009
Scesi, L. Gattinoni, P. 2012 Methods and Models to Determine the Groundwater Flow in Rock Masses: Review and Examples. Springer,
ISBN: 978-1-61942-690-0, pp. 1-165.

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Analysis and mapping of the salinity distribution and water table

level of the Emilia-Romagna coastal phreatic aquifer.
Beatrice Maria Sole Giambastiani1 Assaye Kidanemariam2 Nicolas Greggio1 Marco Antonellini1
Luciana Bonzi3 Lorenzo Calabrese3 Paolo Severi3
1 BiGeA–Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Via S. Alberto 163, 48123 Ravenna Campus, University of
Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
2 Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering, 314 Shire Campus, Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia

3 Geological, Seismic and Soil Survey – Emilia-Romagna Region, Viale della Fiera, 8, 40127 Bologna, Italy

Key words: coastal aquifer, freshening, water table, salinization, geostatistical analysis.

Freshwater in coastal areas is crucial for life, but its availability at a sustainable quality and quantity
is challenged by impacts from climate change, land subsidence, coastal erosion, land loss, saltwater
intrusion, and environmentally damaging land use practices. This research assesses the distribution
of water level and salinization at regional scale in the coastal aquifer of the Emilia-Romagna. Data
from 35 wells distributed across the entire regional coastal area are used to establish temporal trends,
as well as correlations between salinity, water table level, and rainfall during the period 2009-2018.
The results show that the freshwater presence is mainly controlled by strong seaward-directed
hydraulic gradients, good connectivity between aquifer and high discharge rivers, as well as by
presence of a coastal dune systems without pine forests. The lowest water table level occurs in the
western and northern parts of the study area, because of the semi-confined behavior of the aquifer.
The existence of water table level below sea level and high salinity at the bottom of the aquifer
suggest that the aquifer is in unstable hydrodynamic conditions and strong vertical seepage of
saltwater from the bottom towards the aquifer top occurs. The limited rainfall, along with fine
overbank deposits and heavy drainage result into small effective recharge of the coastal aquifer.
Only in the northernmost and southernmost parts of the study area the groundwater remains fresh
due to the Po and Marecchia river aquifer recharge, respectively. In the rest of the region, the
freshwater lenses thickness, where present, is less than 4.5m. This study is the first to provide a
regional overview of the state of groundwater level and salinization within the coastal aquifer of
the Emilia-Romagna region. Overall, the aquifer salinization has not increased in the 10-year period
under examination and there are some local encouraging signs of freshening.

The full paper is published on: Giambastiani, B. M. S., Kidanemariam, A., Dagnew, A., & Antonellini, M. (2021). Evolution of
Salinity and Water Table Level of the Phreatic Coastal Aquifer of the Emilia Romagna Region (Italy). Water, 13(3), 372.
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Hydrochemical, isotopic and microbiota characterization of telese

mineral waters (Southern Italy)
Alfonso Corniello1, Marco Guida2, Luisa Stellato3, Marco Trifuoggi4, Federica Carraturo2, Elena Del
Gaudio1, Carmela Del Giudice2, Giovanni Forte1, Antonella Giarra4, Marina Iorio5, Fabio Marzaioli3,
Maria Toscanesi4
1 Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Univ. Federico II, P/le Tecchio 80, Napoli, Italy
2 Department of Biology, Univ. Federico II, Via Cupa Nuova Cintia, 21, Napoli, Italy
3 Department of Mathematics and Physics, Univ. Vanvitelli, Viale Lincoln, 5, Caserta, Italy

4 Department of Chemical Sciences, Univ. Federico II, Via Cupa Nuova Cintia, 21, Napoli, Italy

5 Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR), Calata Porta di Massa, 80, Napoli, Italy

Key words: Telese springs, Italy, Mineral waters, Chemical and isotopic data, Microbiota

The study deals with the analyses of springs and wells at the base of Montepugliano Hill that
represents the SE edge of the wide carbonate Matese massif (Campania, southern Italy). At the base
of the hill, from west to east and for almost one kilometre, cold springs HCO3-Ca type (Grassano
springs, ̴ 4.5 m3/s; TDS: about 0.45 g/L) pass to hypothermal, HCO3-Ca type, sulphurous and CO2-
rich springs (̴1 m3/s with TDS <1 g/L). Some of the latter are widely used in Telese Spa and Centro
Relax Spa. Chemical and isotopic analyses carried out for this study support the hypothesis that all
these waters (mineral and non-mineral) have the same catchment area, which is located in the
Matese massif.
As regards the sulphurous springs, they receive both meteoric waters infiltration and uprising of
deeper waters rich in endogenous CO2 and H2S gases through important faults systems. Far from
these faults, the chemistry of groundwater is scarcely (or not at all) affected by these deep fluid
enrichment processes.
This scheme is very significant; in fact, when very important groundwater resources are present, it
is possible to use both mineral waters in Spa and, in areas far from the faults, those not yet
mineralized. Finally, at Montepugliano Hill, in the final stage of the flow path, groundwater is also
affected by change in the microbiome: this could provide a basis for comparison between various
mineral waters.

Chaudhuri, B., Chowdhury, T., & Chattopadhyay, B. (2017). Comparative analysis of microbial diversity in two hot springs of Bakreshwar,
West Bengal, India. Genomics Data, 12, 122–129.
Corniello, A., & De Riso, R. (1986). Idrogeologia e idrochimica delle sorgenti dell’Agro Telesino. Geologia applicata e Idrogeologia, 21,
53–84.
Goldscheider, N., Ma´dl-Sz}onyi, J., Er}oss, A., & Schill, E. (2010). Review: Thermal water resources in carbonate rock aquifers.
Hydrogeology Journal, 18, 1303–1318. https:// doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0611-3.

The full paper is published on: Corniello, A., Guida, M., Stellato, L., Trifuoggi, M., Carraturo, F., Del Gaudio, E., ... & Toscanesi,
M. (2021). Hydrochemical, isotopic and microbiota characterization of telese mineral waters (Southern Italy). Environmental
Geochemistry and Health, 1-22.

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The hydrological role of soil coverings on the groundwater

recharge of representative Mediterranean karst aquifer: the case
study of the Mt. Soprano-Mt. Vesole-Mt. Chianello aquifer
(Campania region, southern Italy)
Delia Cusano1, Vincenzo Allocca1 & Pantaleone De Vita1
1 Department of Earth, Environmental and Resources Sciences - University of Naples Federico II

Keywords: karst aquifer, groundwater recharge, soil coverings, southern Italy.

For many countries, karst groundwater is a fundamental source of water for human, and irrigation
uses as well as for sustaining natural groundwater-dependent ecosystems. In southern Italy, and
especially in the Campania region, karst aquifers represent strategic resources of drinking water
feeding several regional aqueduct systems. Therefore, the assessment of groundwater recharge and
of the main hydrological variables controlling it is a major scientific challenge, especially considering
the strategic relevance of karst aquifers for social and economic development in southern Italy.
The goal of this research is the assessment of effects of hydrological features and regime of soil
coverings on groundwater recharge of Mt. Soprano-Mt. Vesole-Mt. Chianello karst aquifer
(Campania region, southern Italy), coinciding with the groundwater catchment that feeds the
Capodifiume spring (Capaccio, Province of Salerno). In this study, soil physical features, thickness
and hydraulic unsaturated / saturated properties of soil coverings were characterized by field and
laboratory activities. As principal results obtained, thickness of soils of representative land cover
conditions, varying from wooded areas to bare ones with sparce outcropping rocks, were analyzed
and characterized by a statistical approach. Values of soil thickness up to 1.5 m were related to an
allochthonous origin derived by air fall deposition of pyroclastic soils erupted by the volcanic
centers of the Campania region (Phlegraean Fields and Somma-Vesuvius volcanoes).
The coupling of field recognitions and the land cover map, obtained by a supervised technique
applied to Google Earth orthophotos, allowed to assess the spatial distribution of soil thickness
covering the karst aquifer. Moreover, Soil Water Retention Curves were determined by laboratory
tests permitting the estimation of field capacity and allowable water content.
Finally, the installation of soil moisture sensors allowed to initiate a monitoring activity of soil
moisture which is revealing the main patterns of soil hydrological regime that affects the
groundwater recharge.
Data and characterizations obtained will be used in the assessment of the role of soil coverings on
hydrological balance and then on groundwater recharge of karst aquifer. The approach proposed is
conceived as being exportable to other karst aquifers of the southern Italy and of the world in all
cases in which soil covering exert a relevant role on hydrological regime and groundwater recharge.

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Study of dilution processes of sulfidic aquifer hosted by the

“Fiume-Vento” karstic complex, Frasassi (Marche Region, Central
Italy)
Riccardo Nicolini1, Francesco Frondini1, Sandro Galdenzi2, Fabio Baldoni3, Daniela Valigi1
1 Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via Pascoli snc, 06123 Perugia
2 Viale Verdi 10, 60035 Jesi, Italy
3 Saipem

Key words: Cave Frasassi, Karst aquifer, Sulfidic springs, dilution processes

This study update and deepen the hydrogeological and geochemical knowledge about the complex
underground water circulation system of the Frasassi karst area (Tazioli et al., 1990; Galdenzi et al.
2008; Galdenzi et al., 2017), especially about the dilution processes of the sulfidic aquifer hosted by
the “Fiume-Vento” karstic complex, and the formation of freshwater layers above it. The mainly
horizontal development of underground spaces and passages allows reaching the water table in the
lower section of the cave, outcropping in the form of lakes, permitting the sampling and the study
of its surface. From the chemical analysis emerged that each sampled lake, except Lago Verde, is
superficially characterized by a layer of bicarbonate water of variable thickness, floating on the
sulfidic one. Through the geochemical characterization of this water, and those coming from the
Sentino river, the sulfidic springs and dripping, it was possible to attribute to the dripping water the
responsibility of this phenomenon. It has not been excluded a possible feeding of the aquifer by the
stream during flooding events in the outermost portions of the complex, before the touristic entrance
of the Frasassi Caves. On the contrary, flow measurement carried out during a low discharge period
along the Sentino river, excluded water leaks towards the internal karts aquifer downstream the
sulfidic springs emerging along the water course not far from the caves entrance. On the contrary, a
flow increase in the stream sector downstream the caves entrance has been recorded, testifying that
in the easternmost part of the gorge the internal aquifer feeds the stream. This was also confirmed
by the results of the geochemical study.
Galdenzi, S., Cocchioni, M., Morichetti, L., Amici, V., Scuri, S. 2008. Sulfidic ground-water chemistry in the Frasassi caves, Italy. Journal
of Cave and Karst Studies, 70(2), 94-107.
Galdenzi, S., Jones, D. S. 2017. The Frasassi caves: a “classical” active hypogenic cave. In: Hypogene Karst Regions and Caves of the World
Springer, Cham, 143-159.
Tazioli, G.S., Coltorti, M., Dramis, F., Cocchioni, M., Mariani, M. 1990. Circolazione idrica e chimismo delle acque sotterranee dell'area
carsica di Frasassi nelle Marche. Mem. Ist. It. Spel. 4(II), 93-108.

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First results of infrared thermography applied to the evaluation

of hydraulic conductivity in rock masses
Giovanna Pappalardo1
1 Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (Italy)

Key words: hydraulic conductivity, rock masses, infrared thermography

An innovative methodological approach using infrared thermography (IRT) provides a potential

contribution to the indirect assessment of hydraulic conductivity of jointed rock masses. The
hydraulic conductivity of a rock mass is a difficult parameter to define because it is a function of
numerous factors (e.g. orientation, persistence, spacing, opening, shape and roughness of
discontinuities) and of the uncertainty in rock mass properties (Silliman 1989). Numerous Authors
suggested a methodology to empirically calculate the hydraulic conductivity of fractured rock
masses using mathematical formulas, whose terms can be derived through a detailed mapping of
the fractures.
Recently, some researchers have tested infrared thermography (IRT) for the study of rock masses,
proving that their cooling behavior is related to their degree of fracturing (Pappalardo et al. 2016).
With particular reference to rock masses, they established a Cooling Rate Index (CRI), which
describes the cooling speed of the rock after a natural heating, highlighting that an intensely jointed
rock mass cools down faster than a less fractured one. CRI correlates well to the main geomechanical
features of the rock mass, such as the rock quality designation (RQD) and the joint volumetric count
(Jv).
Inspired by such recent innovative outcomes achieved by IRT, which designate CRI as a suitable
potential index for the study of the rock fracturing, this paper aims at looking for a useful application
of CRI for the indirect estimation of rock mass hydraulic conductivity by means of IRT and the
empirical methods above mentioned.
This technique proved a suitable tool to evaluate the degree of fracturing of rock masses along with
their discontinuity systems, which expedite water flow within the rock mass itself. Such index was
correlated with the assessed hydraulic conductivity and satisfactory regression equations were
achieved. The interesting results show that hydraulic conductivity values are likely to be linked with
the cooling behavior of rock masses, which, in turn, is affected by spacing, aperture and persistence
of discontinuities.

Pappalardo G, Mineo S, Perriello Zampelli S, Cubito A, Calcaterra D 2016. InfraRed thermography proposed for the estimation of the
Cooling Rate Index in the remote survey of rock masses. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 83:182–196.
Silliman SE 1989. An interpretation of the difference between aperture estimates derived from hydraulic and tracer tests in a single
fracture. Water Resour Res 25:2275–2283

The full paper is published on: Pappalardo, G. (2018). First results of infrared thermography applied to the evaluation of hydraulic
conductivity in rock masses. Hydrogeology journal, 26(2), 417-428.

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Hydrogeological characterization of Naples city’s coastal

volcanic-marine aquifer (southern Italy)
Paola Petrone1, Vincenzo Allocca1, Anna Claudia Angrisani1, Domenico Calcaterra1, Silvio Coda1,
Gianluca Minin2, Pantaleone De Vita1
1 Department of Earth, Environmental and Resources Sciences - University of Naples Federico II
2 Ingeo Srl

Keywords: coastal volcanic-marine aquifer, urban hydrogeology, seawater-freshwater interaction

The Historic Center of Naples, one of the oldest (about 2800 years) and the largest (about 17 km2) of
Europe, has been declared since 1995 an UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the universal value of
its urban fabric, which comprises a multitude of archaeological, cultural, historical-architectural
values and geo-environmental beauties to be protected and enhanced.
By a hydrogeological point of view, it is part of a coastal volcanic-marine aquifer, characterized by
a complex stratigraphic, geomorphological and structural settings, whose groundwater resources
have been used from historic times until the end of the 19th century. In such a framework, advancing
the knowledge on the hydrogeological features of this unique area is fundamental to assess the
potential of groundwater resources, even for low-enthalpy geothermal uses, and to mitigate risks
related to groundwater rising and flooding that can affect the socio-economic development of the
city and prevent the fruition of its heritages and public utility services.
As part of the SNECS (Social Network delle Entità dei Centri Storici) and PAUN (Parco Archeologico
Urbano di Napoli) research projects, developed by DATABENC District S.c.a.r.l. (High Technology
Consortium for Cultural Heritage), various research activities were focused in recent years on the
hydrogeological, hydrodynamic, hydrogeochemical and hydrogeothermal study of test areas
located within the Historic Center of Naples. This study shows the main results of the
abovementioned projects, which were based on the analysis of geological, stratigraphic and
hydrogeological data found in the literature and collected by public and/or private bodies, as well
as new hydrogeological surveys. Specifically, it was aimed at the production of thematic maps and
the reconstruction of a 3D hydrogeological model that allowed to define a hydrostratigraphic and
multitemporal groundwater flow models as well as to analyse the interactions between groundwater
circulation, seawater intrusion and anthropic-archaeological structures, along the coastal sector.
The results obtained from hydraulic, hydrodynamic, hydrogeochemical and hydrogeothermal
investigations have advanced the knowledge on groundwater circulation, chemical-physical
response of the aquifer to the hydrodynamic stimulation and on the chemical-physical and thermal
features of the hydrogeological system at the local scale, which are the basis for the design of low-
enthalpy geothermal plants.

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Groundwater management through Forested Infiltration Area

and hydrogeological numerical modeling of Arborea coastal
plain (Sardinia, Italy)
Sessini Antonio M.1, Ghiglieri G. 1, Schäfer G.3, Lincker M.3, Cau P.4, Carletti A. 2
1 Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università degli studi di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italia
2 Desertification Research Centre (NRD), University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39, 07100 Sassari, Italy
3 Institut Terre et Environnement de Strasbourg (ITES) UMR 7063 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, France

4 Center for Advanced Studies, Research and Development in Sardinia (CRS4), Loc. Piscina Manna, Building 1, 09010

Pula (Ca), Italy

Keywords: 3D Hydrogeological numerical modeling, MAR, Forested Infiltration Area, Nitrate.

This research aims at developing an innovative approach and tools for groundwater management
to mitigate nitrate contamination due to agro-zootechnical sources. The system will be tested
in the 60 km2 farming district of Arborea in central-western coast of Sardinia, Italy. This area is one
of the most productive agricultural sites in the region, based on intensive dairy cattle farming, and
on fodder production.
The Arborea district has been declared a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) in 2005, following the
Nitrate Directive 91/676/CEE caused by high level of nutrients found in the groundwater (Biddau et
al., 2018).
According to the 3D hydrogeological conceptual model of the area, two main aquifers have been
identified: the upper unconfined one which is hosted in sandy sediments and the lower multi-layer
aquifer hosted in alluvial sediments. The occurrence of discontinuous clay layers
and lagoon deposits, up to 10m thick, causes varying degrees of communication between the multi-
layer hydrogeological units. (Ghiglieri et al., 2016).
One aim of the research (conducted within the frame of two European funded projects
MENAWARA - http://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/menawara and Prima Sustain-COAST -
https://www.sustain-coast.tuc.gr/en/home), is to test nitrate mitigation strategies for the sandy
phreatic aquifer, especially through dilution processes, by implementing a Managed Aquifer
Recharge (MAR) system based on Forested Infiltration Area (FIA) . A second objective is to
understand aquifer dynamics, evaluate the dilution effect of FIA and simulate aquifer response to
different groundwater management strategies using a 3D Groundwater Numerical Model.
The model implementation will consider various information including drainage and irrigation
schemes, recharge volumes, climate, groundwater withdrawal, land use, and data acquired during
field surveys to assess the hydrogeological setting and groundwater quality, quantity, and flow
paths prior and after FIA implementation.

Biddau, R., Cidu, R., Da Pelo, S., Carletti, A., Ghiglieri, G., Pittalis, D., (2018): Source and fate of nitrate in contaminated groundwater
systems: Assessing spatial and temporal variations by hydrogeochemistry and multiple stable isotope tools. Science of The Total
Environment. 647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.007
Ghiglieri, G., Carletti, A., Da Pelo, S., Cocco, F., Funedda, A., Loi, A., Manta, F., Pittalis, D. (2016). Three-dimensional hydrogeological
reconstruction based on geological depositional model: A case study from the coastal plain of Arborea (Sardinia, Italy). Engineering
Geology, 207, 103-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.04.014

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Ecosystem preservation of the Doberdò lake (Classical Karst)

Chiara Calligaris1, Fabio Gemiti, Daniela Iervolino2, Daniele Luis3, Paolo Manca4, Philippe
Turpaud1, Luca Zini1
1 Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze (DMG), Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste (Italy)
2 Servizio gestione risorse idriche, Direzione centrale difesa dell’ambiente, energia e sviluppo sostenibile, Regione
Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trieste (Italy)
3 Consorzio di Bonifica Pianura Isontina, Ronchi dei Legionari (Italy)

4 Servizio geologico, Direzione centrale difesa dell’ambiente, energia e sviluppo sostenibile, Regione Autonoma Friuli

Venezia Giulia, Trieste (Italy)

Key words: groundwaters, karst lake, sustainability, temporary thresholds, hydrogeology.

The karst lake of Doberdò, in the western sector of the Classic Karst (NE Friuli Venezia Giulia
Region, NE Italy) represents a unique ecosystem for a territory where the absence of surface water
is the distinctive feature. The typical hydrogeological context of a mature karst with sudden
variations in groundwater levels has favored the development of plant associations that represent a
unicum in the whole Dinaric Karst, so much that the territory has become a Nature Reserve and a
Site of Community Interest. However, in recent decades, the progressive shortage of water due to
both anthropic (drainages, withdrawals, dams, etc.) and natural (global warming and climate
changes) factors, together with the lack of vegetation maintenance are leading the lake to a gradual
burial with the consequent disappearance of the ecosystem. The Water Resources Management
Survey and Geological Survey of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region jointly with the Department of
Mathematics and Geoscience of the Trieste University have developed a project aimed at saving this
ecosystem. The hydrogeological studies carried out clarified the importance of the karst aquifer
recharge by the Soča/Isonzo River leakages and highlighted how Doberdò waters in turn feed the
Slovenian and Italian water supply systems. Analysis of the historical data demonstrated that in the
past the lake remained full of water even during summer times, while in recent years only a small
stream connects the spring system to the swallow hole area. To counteract the emptying of the lake,
temporary thresholds around the swallow holes were installed. The experiment succeeded with
thresholds having only 60 cm of elevation. With this new limit the lake was flooded for more than a
third of its surface without changing its hydrogeology and the neighboring spring systems.

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2002-2021: Twenty Years of Groundwater Quality Monitoring in

Campania (Italy)
Vincenzo Barbuto1, Adolfo Mottola1, Giuseppe Onorati1, Giovanni Ruggeri1
1 ARPAC (Environmental Protection Agency of the Campania region), Naples (Italy)

Key words: groundwater, monitoring, Campania, nitrates.

In 2002 ARPAC carried out a study about groundwater quality, aiming at the creation of a regional
monitoring network. About 400 sampling sites were examined and the chemical- physical
parameters, requested by the Italian and European Union regulations (D.Lgs. n.152/99 All.1 EU
Directive 2060/2000), were taken into account. The monitoring started in autumn 2002, sampling
points, including major springs and significant wells were chosen looking at hydrogeological setting
and priorities envisaged by River Basin Authorities. The network consisted of 120 monitoring sites
for 40 major regional GWBs. The number of sampling points increased reaching 183 for 46 GWBs in
2012. Since 2012, according to Dlgs. 152/2006, the network revision started, and in 2015 the Campania
Region has been partitioned in 80 significant GWB: 10 % volcanic, 25 % alluvial, 30 % karstic and 35
% mixed with low-moderate permeability. Today about 200 sampling points are monitored. GWB
quality data are processed in order to calculate the annual chemical status classification (D.lgs.
30/2009 and D.M. Env. 6 July 2016). During the evaluation and classification of the GWBs large
variations in chemical composition occurred. The best quality has been recorded for carbonate
massifs fractured aquifers of the Apennine chain, where water recharge occurs mostly in national
and regional parks. Spectacular springs, with a flow exceeding 1-2 m3/s outpour from these zones
and represent the most relevant portion of drinking water of the region. On the contrary, the
Tyrrhenian coastal plains are affected by severe contamination, mostly by nitrates. Near the Sarno
river and in the Regi Lagni basin nitrate concentrations sometimes exceed 200 mg/l, with local rising
trend reaching 2-3 mg/l year, and hazardous substances have been detected. In volcanic GWBs, As
and F of natural origin often exceed the drinking water and environmental thresholds.
Ducci D., Della Morte R., Mottola A., Onorati G., Pugliano G. 2020. Evaluating upward trends in groundwater nitrate concentrations: an
example in an alluvial plain of the Campania region (Southern Italy). Environmental Earth Sciences, 79 (13), 319.
https://doi:10.1007/s12665-020-09062-8
Onorati G., Di Meo T., Bussettini M., Fabiani C., Farrace M.G., Fava A., Ferronato A., Mion F., Marchetti G., Martinelli A., Mazzoni M.
2006. Groundwater Quality Monitoring in Italy for the Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive. Physics and Chemistry
of the Earth, Parts A/B/C 31(17) 2006, 1004-1014.

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