Modelling and groundwater management of a karstic coastal aquifer: the case of Salento (Apulia, Italy)

Abstract

The coastal karst aquifers are known to be highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and natural changes, and in particular to the overexploitation of groundwater resources. The high degree of vulnerability is due to their intrinsic characteristics, anthropogenic pollution, and the effects seawater intrusion. The progressive population concentration in coastal areas and the increasing discharge overlapped to peculiarities of karstic coastal aquifers constitute a huge worldwide problem, particularly relevant for coastal aquifers of the Mediterranean basin. In Italy, Apulia, with its coastline extending over 800 km, is the region with the largest coastal karst aquifers. The predominant karstic Apulian features make the region extremely poor of surface water resources and rich of high quality groundwater resources. These resources still allow the social and economic development of population, improving agricultural and tourist opportunities. The continuous increasing well discharge causes or contributes to the groundwater quality degradation, often making the groundwater unusable for irrigation and drinking (Polemio et al. 2009). The strategic importance of groundwater resources and its wise management for Apulian population is due to these risks (Cotecchia and Polemio 1998, Margiotta and Negri 2005). The aim of this study is to define the efficacy of existing management tools and to develop predictive scenarios to identify the best way to reconcile irrigation and drinking water demands with enduring availability of high quality groundwater. The Salento (Salentine Peninsula), was selected being the Apulian aquifer portion exposed to the highest risk of quality degradation due to seawater intrusion.