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Advective heat transport associated with regional Earth degassing in central Apennine (Italy)
Author(s)
Language
English
Obiettivo Specifico
1.2. TTC - Sorveglianza geochimica delle aree vulcaniche attive
2.4. TTC - Laboratori di geochimica dei fluidi
4.5. Studi sul degassamento naturale e sui gas petroliferi
Status
Published
JCR Journal
JCR Journal
Peer review journal
Yes
Title of the book
Issue/vol(year)
/373 (2013)
ISSN
0012-821X
Electronic ISSN
1385-013X
Publisher
Elsevier Science Limited
Pages (printed)
65–74
Issued date
2013
Abstract
In this work we show that the main springs of the central Apennine transport a total amount of heat of
∼2.2 109 J s−1. Most of this heat (57%) is the result of geothermal warming while the remaining 43% is
due to gravitational potential energy dissipation. This result indicates that a large area of the central
Apennines is very hot with heat flux values 4300 mWm−2. These values are higher than those
measured in the magmatic and famously geothermal provinces of Tuscany and Latium and about 1/3 of
the total heat discharged at Yellowstone. This finding is surprising because the central Apennines have
been thought to be a relatively cold area. Translated by CO2 rich fluids, this heat anomaly suggests the
existence of a thermal source such as a large magmatic intrusion at depth. Recent tomographic images of
the area support the presence of such an intrusion visible as a broad negative velocity anomaly in seismic
waves. Our results indicate that the thermal regime of tectonically active areas of the Earth, where
meteoric waters infiltrate and deeply circulate, should be revised on the basis of mass and energy
balances of the groundwater systems.
∼2.2 109 J s−1. Most of this heat (57%) is the result of geothermal warming while the remaining 43% is
due to gravitational potential energy dissipation. This result indicates that a large area of the central
Apennines is very hot with heat flux values 4300 mWm−2. These values are higher than those
measured in the magmatic and famously geothermal provinces of Tuscany and Latium and about 1/3 of
the total heat discharged at Yellowstone. This finding is surprising because the central Apennines have
been thought to be a relatively cold area. Translated by CO2 rich fluids, this heat anomaly suggests the
existence of a thermal source such as a large magmatic intrusion at depth. Recent tomographic images of
the area support the presence of such an intrusion visible as a broad negative velocity anomaly in seismic
waves. Our results indicate that the thermal regime of tectonically active areas of the Earth, where
meteoric waters infiltrate and deeply circulate, should be revised on the basis of mass and energy
balances of the groundwater systems.
References
Baldi, P., Bellani, S., Ceccarelli, A., Fiordelisi, A., Squarci, P., Taffi, L., 1995. Geothermal
Anomalies and Structural Features of Gosnold, W.D., 1990. Heat flow in the Great Plains of the United States. J. Geophys.
Res. 95, 353–374.
Ingebritsen, S.E., Sherrod, D.R., Mariner, R.H., 1989. Heat-flow and hydrothermal
circulation in the cascade range, North-Central Oregon. Science 243,
1458–1462.
Ingebritsen, S.E., Galloway, D.L., Colvard, E.M., Sorey, M.L., Mariner, R.H., 2001.
Time-variation of hydrothermal discharge at selected sites in the western
United States: implications for monitoring. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 111,
1–23.
Ingebritsen, S.E., Mariner, R.H., 2010. Hydrothermal heat discharge in the Cascade
Range, northwestern United States. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 196, 208–218.
International Organization for Standardization, 1975. Standard Atmosphere. ISO
2533:1975.
Lee, T.C., 1991. On terrain corrections in terrestrial heat flow. pure and applied
geophysics. Pure Appl. Geophys. 135, 1–13.
Loddo, M., Mongelli, F., 1978. Heat flow in Italy. Pure Appl. Geophys. 117, 135–149.
Longinelli, A., Selmo, E., 2003. Isotopic composition of precipitation in Italy: a first
overall map. J. Hydrol. 270, 75–88.
Manga, M., 1998. Advective heat transport by low-temperature discharge in the
Oregon Cascades. Geology 26, 799–802.
Manga, M., Kirchner, J.W., 2004. Interpreting the temperature of water at cold
springs and the importance of gravitational potential energy. Water Resour.
Res. 40, W05110.
Mastrolillo, L., Baldoni, T., Banzato, F., Boscherini, A., Cascone, D., Checcucci, R.,
Petitta, M., Boni, C., 2009. Quantitative hydrogeological analysis of the carbonate
domain of the Umbria region. Ital. J. Eng. Geol. Environ. 1, 137–155.
Minissale, A., Vaselli, O., 2011. Karst springs as “natural” pluviometers: constraints
on the isotopic composition of rainfall in the Apennines of central Italy. Appl.
Geochem. 26, 838–852.
Petitta, M., Primavera, P., Tuccimei, P., Aravena, R., 2011. Interaction between deep
and shallow groundwater systems in areas affected by Quaternary tectonics
(Central Italy): a geochemical and isotope approach. Environ. Earth Sci. 63,
11–30.
Regione Abruzzo, 2010. Carta idrogeologica, 15.5 Elaborato 1–5. In: Piano di tutela
delle acque, Regione Abruzzo, 〈www.regione.abruzzo.it/pianotutelaacque〉.
Smith, L., Chapman, D.S., 1983. On the thermal effects of groundwater flow 1.
Regional scale systems. J. Geophys. Res. 88, 593–608.
Tarquini, S., Isola, I., Favalli, M., Mazzarini, F., Bisson, M., Pareschi, M.T., Boschi, E.,
2007. TINITALY/01: a new Triangular Irregular Network of Italy. Ann. Geophys.
50, 407–425.
Tarquini, S., Vinci, S., Favalli, M., Doumaz, F., Fornaciai, A., Nannipieri, L., 2012.
Release of a 10-m-resolution DEM for the Italian territory: comparison with
global-coverage DEMs and anaglyph-mode exploration via the web. Comput.
Geosci. 38, 168–170.
Tiberti, M.M., Orlando, L., Di Bucci, D., Bernabini, M., Parotto, M., 2005. Regional
gravity anomaly map and crustal model of the Central-Southern Apennines
(Italy). J. Geodyn. 40, 73–91Southern Tuscany. World Geothermal
Congress, Florence, Italy, pp. 1287–1291.
Barchi, M.R., Minelli, G.R., Pialli, G., 1998. The CROP 03 profile: a synthesis of results
on deep structures of the Northern apennines. Mem. Soc. Geol. Ital. 52,
383–400.
Bodmer, Ph., Rybach, L., 1985. Heat flow maps and deep ground water circulation:
examples from Switzerland. J. Geodyn. 4, 233–245.
Bodri, B., Rybach, L., 1998. Influence of topographically driven convection on heat
flow in the Swiss Alps: a model study. Tectonophysics 291, 19–27.
Boni, C., Bono, P., Capelli, G., 1986. Schema idrogeologico dell'Italia centrale. Mem.
Soc. Geol. Ital. 35, 991–1012.
Bono, P., Gonfiantini, R., Alessio, M., Fiori, C., D'Amelio, L., 2005. Stable Isotopes
(δ18O, δ2H) and Tritium in Precipitation: Results and Comparison with
Groundwater Perched Aquifers in Central Italy, Isotopic Composition of
Precipitation in the Mediterranean Basin in Relation to Air Circulation Patterns
and Climate Final Report of a Coordinated Research Project 2000–2004. IAEA,
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna115–124, pp.
Brott, C.A., Blackwell, D.D., Ziagos, J.P., 1981. Thermal and tectonic implications of
heat flow in the eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho. J. Geophys. Res. 86,
11709–11734.
Brumm, M.,Wang, C.Y., Manga, M., 2009. Spring temperatures in the Sagehen Basin,
Sierra Nevada, CA: implications for heat flow and groundwater circulation.
Geofluids 9, 195–207.
Cataldi, R., Mongelli, F., Squarci, P., Taffi, L., Zito, G., Calore, C., 1995. Geothermal
ranking of italian territory. Geothermics 24, 115–129.
Čermak, V., Jetel, J., 1985. Heat flow and ground water movement in the Bohemian
cretaceous basin (Czechoslovakia). J. Geodyn. 4, 285–303.
Chiarabba, C., Bagh, S., Bianchi, I., De Gori, P., Barchi, M., 2010. Deep structural
heterogeneities and the tectonic evolution of the Abruzzi region (Central
Apennines, Italy) revealed by microseismicity, seismic tomography, and teleseismic
receiver functions. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 295, 462–476.
Chiarabba, C., Di Stefano, R., 2010. Seismicity and deep structure of the northerncentral
Apennines. In: Beltrando, M., Peccerillo, A., Mattei, M., Conticelli, S.,
Doglioni, C. (Eds.), The Geology of Italy: Tectonics and Life Along Plate Margins.
J. Virtual Explorer, Electronic Edition, Paper 13.
Chiarabba, C., Chiodini, G., 2013. Continental delamination and mantle dynamics
drive topography, extension and fluid discharge in the Apennines. Geology 41,
715–718.
Chiodini, G., Caliro, A., Cardellini, C., Frondini, F., Inguaggiato, S., Matteucci, F., 2011.
Geochemical evidence for and characterization of CO2 rich gas sources in the
epicentral area of the Abruzzo 2009 earthquakes. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 304,
389–398.
Chiodini, G., Valenza, M., Cardellini, C., Frigeri, A., 2008. A new web-based catalog of
Earth degassing sites in Italy. Eos 89, 341–342.
Chiodini, G., Cardellini, C., Amato, A., Boschi, E., Caliro, S., Frondini, F., Ventura, G.,
2004. Carbon dioxide Earth degassing and seismogenesis in central and
southern Italy. Geophys. Res. Lett. 31, L07615.
Chiodini, G., Comodi, P., Giaquinto, S., Mattioli, B., Zanzari, A.R., 1988. Cold
groundwater temperatures and conductive heat flow in the Mt. Amiata
geothermal area, Tuscany, Italy. Geothermics 17, 645–656.
Chiodini, G., Frondini, F., Cardellini, C., Parello, F., Peruzzi, L., 2000. Rate of diffuse
carbon dioxide Earth degassing estimated from carbon balance of regional
aquifers: the case of central Apennine, Italy. J. Geophys. Res. 105, 8423–8434.
Della Vedova, B., Bellani, S., Pellis, G., Squarci, P., 2001. Deep temperatures and
surface heat flow distribution. In: Vai, G.B., Martini, I.P. (Eds.), Anatomy of an
Orogen, The Apennines and Adjacent Mediterranean Basins. Kluwer Academic
Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands, pp. 65–76.
Desiderio, G., Ferracuti, L., Rusi, S., Tatangelo, F., 2005. Il contributo degli isotopi
naturali 18O e 2H nello studio delle idrostrutture carbonatiche abruzzesi e delle
acque mineralizzate nell'area abruzzese e molisana. G. Geol. Appl. 2, 453–458.
Di Stefano, R., Kissling, E., Chiarabba, C., Amato, A., Giardini, D., 2009. Shallow
subduction beneath Italy: three-dimensional images of the Adriatic–European–
Tyrrhenian lithosphere system based on high-quality P wave arrival times. J.
Geophys. Res. 114 (B05305).
Forster, C., Smith, L., 1989. The influence of groundwater flow on thermal regimes
in mountainous terrain: a model study. J. Geophys. Res. 94, 9439–9451.
Fournier, R.O., 1989. Geochemistry and dynamics of the Yellowstone National Park
hydrothermal system. Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 17, 13–53.
Frondini, F., Cardellini, C., Caliro, S., Chiodini, G., Morgantini, N., 2012. Regional
groundwater flow and interactions with deep fluids in western Apennine: the
case of Narni–Amelia chain (Central Italy). Geofluids 12, 182–196.
Gherardi, F., Bono, P., Fiori, C., Diaz Tejeiro, M.F., Gonfiantini, R., 2007. Modeling the
Altitude Isotope Effect in Precipitations and Comparison with the Altitude
Effect in Groundwater, Advances in Isotope Hydrology and its Role in Sustainable
Water Resources Management (IHS-2007). IAEA, Vienna, Austria269–278.
Anomalies and Structural Features of Gosnold, W.D., 1990. Heat flow in the Great Plains of the United States. J. Geophys.
Res. 95, 353–374.
Ingebritsen, S.E., Sherrod, D.R., Mariner, R.H., 1989. Heat-flow and hydrothermal
circulation in the cascade range, North-Central Oregon. Science 243,
1458–1462.
Ingebritsen, S.E., Galloway, D.L., Colvard, E.M., Sorey, M.L., Mariner, R.H., 2001.
Time-variation of hydrothermal discharge at selected sites in the western
United States: implications for monitoring. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 111,
1–23.
Ingebritsen, S.E., Mariner, R.H., 2010. Hydrothermal heat discharge in the Cascade
Range, northwestern United States. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 196, 208–218.
International Organization for Standardization, 1975. Standard Atmosphere. ISO
2533:1975.
Lee, T.C., 1991. On terrain corrections in terrestrial heat flow. pure and applied
geophysics. Pure Appl. Geophys. 135, 1–13.
Loddo, M., Mongelli, F., 1978. Heat flow in Italy. Pure Appl. Geophys. 117, 135–149.
Longinelli, A., Selmo, E., 2003. Isotopic composition of precipitation in Italy: a first
overall map. J. Hydrol. 270, 75–88.
Manga, M., 1998. Advective heat transport by low-temperature discharge in the
Oregon Cascades. Geology 26, 799–802.
Manga, M., Kirchner, J.W., 2004. Interpreting the temperature of water at cold
springs and the importance of gravitational potential energy. Water Resour.
Res. 40, W05110.
Mastrolillo, L., Baldoni, T., Banzato, F., Boscherini, A., Cascone, D., Checcucci, R.,
Petitta, M., Boni, C., 2009. Quantitative hydrogeological analysis of the carbonate
domain of the Umbria region. Ital. J. Eng. Geol. Environ. 1, 137–155.
Minissale, A., Vaselli, O., 2011. Karst springs as “natural” pluviometers: constraints
on the isotopic composition of rainfall in the Apennines of central Italy. Appl.
Geochem. 26, 838–852.
Petitta, M., Primavera, P., Tuccimei, P., Aravena, R., 2011. Interaction between deep
and shallow groundwater systems in areas affected by Quaternary tectonics
(Central Italy): a geochemical and isotope approach. Environ. Earth Sci. 63,
11–30.
Regione Abruzzo, 2010. Carta idrogeologica, 15.5 Elaborato 1–5. In: Piano di tutela
delle acque, Regione Abruzzo, 〈www.regione.abruzzo.it/pianotutelaacque〉.
Smith, L., Chapman, D.S., 1983. On the thermal effects of groundwater flow 1.
Regional scale systems. J. Geophys. Res. 88, 593–608.
Tarquini, S., Isola, I., Favalli, M., Mazzarini, F., Bisson, M., Pareschi, M.T., Boschi, E.,
2007. TINITALY/01: a new Triangular Irregular Network of Italy. Ann. Geophys.
50, 407–425.
Tarquini, S., Vinci, S., Favalli, M., Doumaz, F., Fornaciai, A., Nannipieri, L., 2012.
Release of a 10-m-resolution DEM for the Italian territory: comparison with
global-coverage DEMs and anaglyph-mode exploration via the web. Comput.
Geosci. 38, 168–170.
Tiberti, M.M., Orlando, L., Di Bucci, D., Bernabini, M., Parotto, M., 2005. Regional
gravity anomaly map and crustal model of the Central-Southern Apennines
(Italy). J. Geodyn. 40, 73–91Southern Tuscany. World Geothermal
Congress, Florence, Italy, pp. 1287–1291.
Barchi, M.R., Minelli, G.R., Pialli, G., 1998. The CROP 03 profile: a synthesis of results
on deep structures of the Northern apennines. Mem. Soc. Geol. Ital. 52,
383–400.
Bodmer, Ph., Rybach, L., 1985. Heat flow maps and deep ground water circulation:
examples from Switzerland. J. Geodyn. 4, 233–245.
Bodri, B., Rybach, L., 1998. Influence of topographically driven convection on heat
flow in the Swiss Alps: a model study. Tectonophysics 291, 19–27.
Boni, C., Bono, P., Capelli, G., 1986. Schema idrogeologico dell'Italia centrale. Mem.
Soc. Geol. Ital. 35, 991–1012.
Bono, P., Gonfiantini, R., Alessio, M., Fiori, C., D'Amelio, L., 2005. Stable Isotopes
(δ18O, δ2H) and Tritium in Precipitation: Results and Comparison with
Groundwater Perched Aquifers in Central Italy, Isotopic Composition of
Precipitation in the Mediterranean Basin in Relation to Air Circulation Patterns
and Climate Final Report of a Coordinated Research Project 2000–2004. IAEA,
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna115–124, pp.
Brott, C.A., Blackwell, D.D., Ziagos, J.P., 1981. Thermal and tectonic implications of
heat flow in the eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho. J. Geophys. Res. 86,
11709–11734.
Brumm, M.,Wang, C.Y., Manga, M., 2009. Spring temperatures in the Sagehen Basin,
Sierra Nevada, CA: implications for heat flow and groundwater circulation.
Geofluids 9, 195–207.
Cataldi, R., Mongelli, F., Squarci, P., Taffi, L., Zito, G., Calore, C., 1995. Geothermal
ranking of italian territory. Geothermics 24, 115–129.
Čermak, V., Jetel, J., 1985. Heat flow and ground water movement in the Bohemian
cretaceous basin (Czechoslovakia). J. Geodyn. 4, 285–303.
Chiarabba, C., Bagh, S., Bianchi, I., De Gori, P., Barchi, M., 2010. Deep structural
heterogeneities and the tectonic evolution of the Abruzzi region (Central
Apennines, Italy) revealed by microseismicity, seismic tomography, and teleseismic
receiver functions. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 295, 462–476.
Chiarabba, C., Di Stefano, R., 2010. Seismicity and deep structure of the northerncentral
Apennines. In: Beltrando, M., Peccerillo, A., Mattei, M., Conticelli, S.,
Doglioni, C. (Eds.), The Geology of Italy: Tectonics and Life Along Plate Margins.
J. Virtual Explorer, Electronic Edition, Paper 13.
Chiarabba, C., Chiodini, G., 2013. Continental delamination and mantle dynamics
drive topography, extension and fluid discharge in the Apennines. Geology 41,
715–718.
Chiodini, G., Caliro, A., Cardellini, C., Frondini, F., Inguaggiato, S., Matteucci, F., 2011.
Geochemical evidence for and characterization of CO2 rich gas sources in the
epicentral area of the Abruzzo 2009 earthquakes. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 304,
389–398.
Chiodini, G., Valenza, M., Cardellini, C., Frigeri, A., 2008. A new web-based catalog of
Earth degassing sites in Italy. Eos 89, 341–342.
Chiodini, G., Cardellini, C., Amato, A., Boschi, E., Caliro, S., Frondini, F., Ventura, G.,
2004. Carbon dioxide Earth degassing and seismogenesis in central and
southern Italy. Geophys. Res. Lett. 31, L07615.
Chiodini, G., Comodi, P., Giaquinto, S., Mattioli, B., Zanzari, A.R., 1988. Cold
groundwater temperatures and conductive heat flow in the Mt. Amiata
geothermal area, Tuscany, Italy. Geothermics 17, 645–656.
Chiodini, G., Frondini, F., Cardellini, C., Parello, F., Peruzzi, L., 2000. Rate of diffuse
carbon dioxide Earth degassing estimated from carbon balance of regional
aquifers: the case of central Apennine, Italy. J. Geophys. Res. 105, 8423–8434.
Della Vedova, B., Bellani, S., Pellis, G., Squarci, P., 2001. Deep temperatures and
surface heat flow distribution. In: Vai, G.B., Martini, I.P. (Eds.), Anatomy of an
Orogen, The Apennines and Adjacent Mediterranean Basins. Kluwer Academic
Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands, pp. 65–76.
Desiderio, G., Ferracuti, L., Rusi, S., Tatangelo, F., 2005. Il contributo degli isotopi
naturali 18O e 2H nello studio delle idrostrutture carbonatiche abruzzesi e delle
acque mineralizzate nell'area abruzzese e molisana. G. Geol. Appl. 2, 453–458.
Di Stefano, R., Kissling, E., Chiarabba, C., Amato, A., Giardini, D., 2009. Shallow
subduction beneath Italy: three-dimensional images of the Adriatic–European–
Tyrrhenian lithosphere system based on high-quality P wave arrival times. J.
Geophys. Res. 114 (B05305).
Forster, C., Smith, L., 1989. The influence of groundwater flow on thermal regimes
in mountainous terrain: a model study. J. Geophys. Res. 94, 9439–9451.
Fournier, R.O., 1989. Geochemistry and dynamics of the Yellowstone National Park
hydrothermal system. Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 17, 13–53.
Frondini, F., Cardellini, C., Caliro, S., Chiodini, G., Morgantini, N., 2012. Regional
groundwater flow and interactions with deep fluids in western Apennine: the
case of Narni–Amelia chain (Central Italy). Geofluids 12, 182–196.
Gherardi, F., Bono, P., Fiori, C., Diaz Tejeiro, M.F., Gonfiantini, R., 2007. Modeling the
Altitude Isotope Effect in Precipitations and Comparison with the Altitude
Effect in Groundwater, Advances in Isotope Hydrology and its Role in Sustainable
Water Resources Management (IHS-2007). IAEA, Vienna, Austria269–278.
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