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The impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on groundwater quality in an active volcanic/geothermal system under semi-arid climatic conditions: The case study of Methana peninsula (Greece)
Author(s)
Language
English
Obiettivo Specifico
4V. Vulcani e ambiente
Status
Published
JCR Journal
JCR Journal
Peer review journal
Yes
Title of the book
Issue/vol(year)
/175 (2017)
ISSN
0375-6742
Publisher
Elsevier Science Limited
Pages (printed)
110-119
Issued date
April 2017
Alternative Location
Abstract
A comprehensive hydrogeochemical study of the cold and thermal groundwaters of the presently quiescent volcanic system at Methana was undertaken that involved collecting 71 natural water samples. Methana is a peninsula in Peloponnesus, Greece whose arid climate and hydrological situation is similar to that of the nearby small islands of the Aegean Sea. Similarly, the chemical and isotopic compositions of its water are dominated by the mixing of seawaterwith meteoric water both through direct intrusion and meteoric recharge. However, the simple mixing trends at Methana are modified by water–rock interaction processes, enhanced by the dissolution of endogenous CO2, which lead to strong enrichments in alkalinity, Ca, Ba, Fe and Mn. The thermal waters show very high salinity that is sometimes close to that of seawater [total dissolved solids (TDS)=8.5–40 g/l]. Although the cold groundwaters sometimes also show elevated TDS values (up to 6.3 g/l), their overall quality is acceptable due to the trace metal and nitrate contents mostly being below acceptable limits. While the saltiest groundwaters are not acceptable for human consumption, they are used for irrigation without exerting toxic effects on plants, which is probably due to the high permeability of the soils not supporting salt accumulation and salinity-resistant crops being cultivated.
Type
article
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JGeocExpl.D'Alessandro&al2.pdf
Description
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Size
2.25 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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