http://hdl.handle.net/2122/165 2013-05-25T06:54:39Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8676 Title: Intermediate-field hydrogeological response induced by L'Aquila earthquake: the Acque Albule hydrothermal system (Central Italy) Authors: La Vigna, F.; Università degli Studi Roma Tre; Carucci, V.; Università degli Sudi dell'Aquila; Mariani, I.; Università degli Studi Roma Tre; Minelli, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Pascale, F.; Università degli Studi Roma Tre; Mattei, M.; Università degli Studi Roma Tre; Mazza, R.; Università degli Studi Roma Tre; Tallini, M.; Università degli Sudi dell'Aquila Abstract: The intermediate-field hydrological response to the 6th April 2009 L’Aquila earthquake (Mw 6.3) has been studied using groundwater level data that were recorded by six piezometers in the Acque Albule Basin (Tivoli travertine quarry area) and in the Cornicolani Mountains (Pozzo del Merro shaft). The hydrogeological setting of the Tivoli area is characterised by two superimposed aquifers: a deep aquifer in carbonate and a shallow aquifer in travertine. At the time of the L’Aquila earthquake, the groundwater level at five piezometers located in the travertine quarry area began to decrease, while the water level slightly increased in the Pozzo del Merro karst lake that is located in the carbonate aquifer. To explain these variations, a possible conceptual model is proposed that assumes that ground - water-level variations are caused by a change in aquifer permeability principally due to the dynamic stress associated with the passing of the earthquake’s seismic waves. 2011-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8157 Title: Hydrogeochemistry of Alpine springs from North Slovenia: Insights from stable isotopes Authors: Kanduc, T.; Department of Environmental Science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia; Mori, N.; National Institute of Biology, Department of freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems research, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Kocman, D.; Department of Environmental Science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia; Stibilj, V.; Department of Environmental Science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia; Grassa, F.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia Abstract: Springwater chemistry and carbon cycling in our study mainly depend on geological composition of the aquifer. The investigated Alpine springs in Slovenia represent waters strongly influenced by chemicalweathering ofMesozoic limestone and dolomite, only one spring was located in Permo-Carboniferous shales. The carbon isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and suspended organic carbon (POC) as well as major solute concentrations yielded insights into the origin of carbon in Alpine spring waters. The major solute composition was dominated by carbonic acid dissolution of calcite. Waters were generally close to saturation with respect to calcite, and dissolved CO2 was up to fortyfold supersaturated relative to the atmosphere. δ13 C of DIC indicates the portion of soil CO2 contributed in water and is related with soil thickness of infiltrating water in aquifer and could be therefore used as a tool for vulnerability assessment. The δ13 C of DIC ranged from−15.8‰ to −1.5‰ and indicated less and more vulnerable aquifers. Mass balances of carbon for spring waters draining carbonate rocks suggest that carbonate dissolution contributes from approximately 49% to 86% and degradation of organic matter from 13.7% to 51.4%, depending on spring and its relation with rock type, soil environment, and geomorphic position. Stable oxygen isotope composition of water (δ18OH2O), and tritium values range from −12.2 to −9.3‰and from6.4 to 9.8 TU, respectively and indicate recharge frommodern precipitation. According to active decay of tritiumand tritiumin modern precipitation the age of spring waters are estimated to be about 2.6 years for springs located in Julian Alps, about 5 years for springs located in Karavanke and about 5 years for springs located in Kamniško–Savinjske Alps. 2012-03-17T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/7951 Title: The role of near-surface cavities in the carbon dioxide cycle of karst areas: evidence from the Carburangeli Cave Natural Reserve (Italy) Authors: Madonia, P.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Belanca, A.; Dipartimento DiSTeM, Universita` di Palermo; Di Pietro, R.; Riserva Naturale ‘‘Grotta di Carburangeli’’,; Mirabello, L.; Dipartimento DiSTeM, Universita` di Palermo Abstract: Hydrological, chemical and meteorological data collected during the years 2006–2007 at Carburangeli Cave (Italy) have provided new insights on the nearsurface cycle of carbon dioxide, particularly concerning the role played by fractures and karst conduits. Carbon dioxide is trapped in the underground atmosphere essentially when its temperature is lower than the outer one. By contrast, convective air circulation disperses all the excess CO2 in the external environment when the thermal differential is inverted. The network of fractures and karst conduits then works, in the vadose zone, as a re-circulator of CO2 from the soil to the atmosphere. The total amount of CO2 fixed in the underground is controlled, during the wet season, by the amount of infiltrating waters, which act as the main carrier of CO2 in the subsoil. By contrast, during the dry season, gravitational drainage is responsible for the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the underground voids. The quantitative balance demonstrated that the degassed CO2 amounts are one order of magnitude higher than the dissolved CO2. In light of this, if the near-surface outgassing processes are not taken into account, CO2 budgets may be affected by significant errors. 2012-04-30T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/7472 Title: Geochemistry of groundwater from Graciosa Island (Azores): A contribution to the hydrothermal system conceptual model Authors: Carvalho, M.R.; 1Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciencias, Depart. Geologia/CeGUL, Portugal; Carreira, P.; Instituto Tecnologico e Nuclear, Lisboa, Portugal; Marques, J.M.; Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisboa, Portugal; Capasso, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Grassa, F.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Nunes, J.C.; Universidade dos Açores & INOVA Inst., Azores, Portugal Abstract: Graciosa island is located in the Azores Archipelago, along the so-called Terceira Rift, a major tectonic structure that makes the NE boundary of the Azores Plateau. In general terms, it includes a basaltic plataform on the NW and a silicic poligenetic volcano with caldera on the SE, the Graciosa Caldera Volcano. This volcano has produced significant tephra falls, pyroclastic flows, lahars, and lava flows, both of basaltic s.l. and trachitic s.l. composition. The hydrothermal system shows fumarolic emissions inside the volcano caldera and thermal springs located along the shoreline. This system is exploitated in a thermal building through shallow and deep (110 m) boreholes, near the coast. In Graciosa two types of Na-Cl groundwater systems can be identified: 1) a cold one emerging at springs and exploited by wells for public water supply, and 2) a hydrothermal system with temperatures around 40-44 °C. The cold groundwaters have pH higher than 7 and different degree of mineralization, according to the proximity to the sea. The thermal waters show mixing with seawater, pH varying between 6.20 and 6.94, 166 mg/L of SiO2, and significant concentration of metals, such as Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn. The thermal water mineralization varies strongly, showing EC from 8.87 mS/cm (shallow water) to 47.4 mS/cm (deeper water). The higher mineralized water is rich in CO2(g), with 2130 mg/L of total dissolved CO2. Geothermometers application reveals aquifer temperature around 167 °C and immature/mixed waters, not reaching complete equilibrium with reservoir rock. The geochemistry of the thermal waters indicates the occurrence of seawater/host rock interaction processes at high temperature and slightly acid conditions, favored by CO2(g) input, and a different degrees of mixing with cold and shallow groundwaters. 2011-08-13T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/7450 Title: Hypogean microclimatology and hydrology of the 800-900m a.s.l. level in the Monte Corchia Cave (Tuscany Italy) - preliminary consideration and implications for paleoclimatological studies Authors: Baneschi, I.; Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse – CNR, Pisa, Italia; Piccini, L.; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italia; Regattieri, E.; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italia; Isola, I.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Pisa, Pisa, Italia; Guidi, M.; Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse – CNR, Pisa, Italia; Lotti, L.; Agenzia Regionale per la protezione Ambientale della Toscana (ARPAT) – Dipartimento Provinciale di Massa, Massa, Italia.; Mantelli, F.; Agenzia Regionale per la protezione Ambientale della Toscana (ARPAT) – Dipartimento Provinciale di Firenze, Firenze, Italia.; Menichetti, M.; Dipartimento di Geologia e Tecnologie Chimiche Ambientali Università di Urbino, Urbino, Italy; Drysdale, R. N.; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; Zanchetta, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Pisa, Pisa, Italia Abstract: Ilaria Baneschi, Leonardo Piccini, Eleonora Regattieri, Ilaria Isola, Massimo Guidi, Licia Lotti, Francesco Mantelli, Marco Menichetti, Russell N. Drysdale & Giovanni Zanchetta: Hypogean microclimatology and hydrogology of the 800-900 m asl level in the Monte Corchia cave (Tuscany, Italy): Preliminary considerations and implications for paleoclimatological studies The Monte Corchia Cave is one of the most promising sites for studying the paleoclimate of the Mediterranean basin, but its hydrology and hydrogeochemistry are still poorly known. In this paper, we report some meteoclimatic and hydrochemical data for different parts of the cave. Conductivity and water level data from La Gronda channel show that this system reacts rapidly to external meteoric events, indicating the presence of a conductive epikarst. Data on two different drips indicate that the physicochemical parameters, such as conductivity, pH, δ13CDIC and drip rate depend on the local structural setting and water path length. The data presented show that Galleria delle Stalattiti (the focus of the paleoclimate research) has the most stable conditions in terms of temperature, and the dripwaters show constant pH, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium content and δ18O. Drip rate is not affected by rain events and displays long-term trends that require a longer period of monitoring for elucidating their nature. The preliminary data presented here corroborate the hypotheses suggesting Galleria delle Stalattiti as a good example of a “deep” hypogean system of Fairchild et al. (2007). 2010-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/7200 Title: The study of karstic aquifers by geodetic measurements in bus de la genziana station – cansiglio plateau (northeastern Italy) Authors: Grillo, B.; Dept. Geosciences, University of Trieste; Braitenberg, C.; Dept. Geosciences, University of Trieste; Devoti, R.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione CNT, Roma, Italia; Nagy, I.; Dept. Geosciences, University of Trieste Abstract: using tiltmeters and GPS observations. The study region is located in northeastern Italy, in the seismic area of the Cansiglio Plateau. The Zöllner type Marussi tiltmeters are installed in a natural cavity (Bus de la Genziana) that is part of an interesting karstic area of particular hydrogeologic importance. The Livenza river forms from a number of springs at the foothills of the karstic massif and flows through the Friuli-Veneto plain into the Adriatic Sea. Comparing the tiltmeter signal recorded at the Genziana station with the local pluviometrical series and the hydrometric series of the Livenza river, a clear correlation is recognized. Moreover, the data of a permanent GPS station located on the southern slopes of the Cansiglio Massif (CANV) show also a clear correspondence with the water runoff. Here we present the hydrologic induced deformations as observed by tiltmeter and GPS. After heavy rain events we record rapid deformations both by tiltmeters and GPS corresponding to the rainfall duration. In the following days a slow geodetic motion recovers the accumulated deformation with a distinctive pattern both in tilt and GPS data, which correlates with the runoff of the karstic aquifer. The purpose of this research is to open a new multidisciplinary frontier between geodetic and karstic systems studies to improve the knowledge of the underground fluid flow circulation in karstic areas. Furthermore a better characterization of the hydrologic effects on GPS and tilt observations will have the benefit that these signals can be corrected when the focus of the study is to recover the tectonic deformation. 2010-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/7159 Title: The impact on water quality of the high carbon dioxide contents of the groundwater in the area of Florina (N. Greece) Authors: D'Alessandro, W.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Bellomo, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Brusca, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Karakazanis, S.; University of Patras, Dept. Geology, Greece; Kyriakopoulos, K.; University of Athens, Dept. Geology and Geoenvironment, Greece; Liotta, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia Editors: Lambrakis, N.; University of Patras, Dept. of Geology, Greece; Stournaras, G.; University of Athens, Dept. of Geology and Geoenvironment, Greece; Katsanou, K.; University of Patras, Dept of Geology, Greece Abstract: Gas and water samples were collected at CO2-rich wells in the plain of Florina (N. Greece). Chemical and isotopic composition of the analysed gases reveals their main crustal origin even if a small but significant contribution of mantle derived gases can be recognized. As a consequence of CO2 dissolution, HCO3- is always the main dissolved anion while cationic composition allows us to distinguish at least two main groups characterized by Na or Ca as dominant dissolved cations. The water-rock interaction is strongly enhanced by the dissolution of CO2 and the consequent lowering of pH. Such a process increases the mobility of some trace elements whose concentrations very often exceed UE drinking water limits. This study confirms that the Florina basin represents a good natural analogue of carbon storage systems and underscores the fact that possible deterioration of water quality due to CO2 leaks of the reservoirs must be carefully taken in account. 2010-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/7157 Title: The structure of a hydrothermal system from an integrated geochemical, geophysical, and geological approach: The Ischia Island case study Authors: Di Napoli, R.; Dipartimento DiSTeM, Università di Palermo; Martorana, R.; Dipartimento DiSTeM, Università di Palermo; Orsi, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione OV, Napoli, Italia; Aiuppa, A.; Dipartimento DiSTeM, Università di Palermo; Camarda, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; De Gregorio, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Gagliano Candela, E.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Luzio, D.; Dipartimento DiSTeM, Università di Palermo; Messina, N.; Dipartimento DiSTeM, Università di Palermo; Pecoraino, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione OV, Napoli, Italia; Bitetto, M.; Dipartimento DiSTeM, Università di Palermo; De Vita, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione OV, Napoli, Italia; Valenza, M.; Dipartimento DiSTeM, Università di Palermo Abstract: The complexity of volcano-hosted hydrothermal systems is such that thorough characterization requires extensive and interdisciplinary work. We use here an integrated multidisciplinary approach, combining geological investigations with hydrogeochemical and soil degassing prospecting, and resistivity surveys, to provide a comprehensive characterization of the shallow structure of the southwestern Ischia's hydrothermal system. We show that the investigated area is characterized by a structural setting that, although very complex, can be schematized in three sectors, namely, the extra caldera sector (ECS), caldera floor sector (CFS), and resurgent caldera sector (RCS). This contrasted structural setting governs fluid circulation. Geochemical prospecting shows, in fact, that the caldera floor sector, a structural and topographic low, is the area where CO2-rich (>40 cm3/l) hydrothermally mature (log Mg/Na ratios < −3) waters, of prevalently meteoric origin (δ18O < −5.5‰), preferentially flow and accumulate. This pervasive hydrothermal circulation within the caldera floor sector, being also the source of significant CO2 soil degassing (>150 g m−2 d−1), is clearly captured by electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys as a highly conductive (resistivity < 3 Ω·m) layer from depths of ~100 m, and therefore within the Mount Epomeo Green Tuff (MEGT) formation. Our observations indicate, instead, that less-thermalized fluids prevail in the extra caldera and resurgent caldera sectors, where highly conductive seawater-like (total dissolved solid, TDS > 10,000 mg/l) and poorly conductive meteoric-derived (TDS < 4,000 mg/l) waters are observed, respectively. We finally integrate our observations to build a general model for fluid circulation in the shallowest (<0.5 km) part of Ischia's hydrothermal system. 2011-06-30T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/7078 Title: Tracing thermal aquifers of El Chichón volcano-hydrothermal system (México) with 87Sr/86Sr, Ca/Sr and REE Authors: Peiffer, L.; Instituto de Geofisica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; Taran, Y.; Instituto de Geofisica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; Lounejeva, E.; Instituto de Geologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; Solis-Pichardo, G.; Instituto de Geologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; Rouwet, D.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Bernard-Romero, R.; Instituto de Geofisica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Abstract: The volcano–hydrothermal system of El Chichón volcano, Chiapas, Mexico, is characterized by numerous thermal manifestations including an acid lake, steam vents and boiling springs in the crater and acid and neutral hot springs and steaming ground on the flanks. Previous research on major element chemistry reveals that thermal waters of El Chichón can be divided in two groups: (1) neutral waters discharging in the crater and southern slopes of the volcano with chloride content ranging from 1500 to 2200 mg/l and (2) acid-toneutral waters with Cl up to 12,000 mg/l discharging at the western slopes. Our work supports the concept that each group of waters is derived from a separate aquifer (Aq. 1 and Aq. 2). In this study we apply Sr isotopes, Ca/Sr ratios and REE abundances along with the major and trace element water chemistry in order to discriminate and characterize these two aquifers. Waters derived from Aq. 1 are characterized by 87Sr/86Sr ratios ranging from 0.70407 to 0.70419, while Sr concentrations range from 0.1 to 4 mg/l and Ca/Sr weight ratios from 90 to 180, close to average values for the erupted rocks. Waters derived from Aq. 2 have 87Sr/86Sr between 0.70531 and 0.70542, high Sr concentrations up to 80 mg/l, and Ca/Sr ratio of 17–28. Aquifer 1 is most probably shallow, composed of volcanic rocks and situated beneath the crater, within the volcano edifice. Aquifer 2 may be situated at greater depth in sedimentary rocks and by some way connected to the regional oil-gas field brines. The relative water output (l/s) from both aquifers can be estimated as Aq. 1/Aq. 2– 30. Both aquifers are not distinguishable by their REE patterns. The total concentration of REE, however, strongly depends on the acidity. All neutral waters including high-salinity waters from Aq. 2 have very low total REE concentrations (b0.6 μg/l) and are characterized by a depletion in LREE relative to El Chichón volcanic rock, while acid waters from the crater lake (Aq. 1) and acid AS springs (Aq. 2) have parallel profile with total REE concentration from 9 to 98 μg/l. The highest REE concentration (207 μg/l) is observed in slightly acid shallow cold Ca-SO4 ground waters draining fresh and old pyroclastic deposits rich in magmatic anhydrite. It is suggested that the main mechanism controlling the concentration of REE in waters of El Chichón is the acidity. As low pH results from the shallow oxidation of H2S contained in hydrothermal vapors, REE distribution in thermal waters reflects the dissolution of volcanic rocks close to the surface or lake sediments as is the case for the crater lake. 2011-08-14T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/7033 Title: A proposal for compiling quantitative hydrogeological maps Authors: Tarragoni, C.; Sapienza Università di Roma - Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 - Roma; Martarelli, L.; ISPRA - Dipartimento Difesa del Suolo/Servizio Geologico d’Italia, Via Curtatore, 3, 00185 - Roma; Pierdominici, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Roma, M.; Boni, C. F. Abstract: An innovative approach to hydrogeological mapping based on quantitative analysis is shown in this paper. It gives some cartographical solutions for an immediate evaluation of the groundwater resources and their spatial distribution. All relevant aquifers, springs and their regime, geological and structural setting and their hydraulic role should be shown in several understandable and clear hydrogeological maps where all hydrogeological information is reported in detail in the “Hydrogeological experimental Map” composed by a. “Hydrogeological Complexes and Natural Springs Map”, b. “Surface Hydrology Map”, c. “Conceptual Hydrogeological Model” and d. “Hydrogeological sections”. The cartographical solutions adopted for representing all these documents are proposed in this paper. Some graphical solutions have been proposed for improving the Italian official guidelines of hydrogeological mapping at scale 1:50.000, explain the legends symbols and illustrate the structure of a hydrogeological GIS database. An application of this approach has been carried out in north-western sector of Sibillini Mts. (Marche, Italy). 2010-12-31T23:00:00Z