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Dominici, Rocco
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Dominici, Rocco
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- PublicationOpen AccessHydrogeological model of a complex coastal aquifers: the case of Sibari Plain (Southern Italy)(Leibniz-Institut für Angewandte Geophysik, Hannover, 2014-06)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;De Rosa, R.; Università della Calabria ;Romanazzi, A.; CNR-IRPI, Bari ;Apollaro, C.; Università della Calabria ;Cianflone, G.; Università della Calabria ;Vespasiano, G.; Università della Calabria ;Dominici, R.; Università della Calabria ;Molinari, P.; Agrinconsulting Roma ;Polemio, M.; CNR-IRPI, Bari; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;Wiederhold, H. ;Michaelsen, J. ;Hinsby, K.Nommensen, B.The increasing overexploitation of water resources is observed on a global scale in the previous decades; this trend involves the coastal regions of Mediterranean Basin (Van Beynen et alii, 2012). As an effect of increasing groundwater discharge from coastal aquifers, the phenomenon of seawater intrusion is becoming a serious problem for most of the coastal aquifers, especially in the Mediterranean area (COST, 2003; COST, 2005). The aim of this paper is to present the modeling of a coastal porous aquifer located in the complex plain of Sibari (Southern Italy), a plain deeply modified as an effect of reclamation works realized after thirties. The model was implemented using piezometric historical data (from thirties) to establish the effect of seawater intrusion when the well discharge was negligible (natural conditions), the modification in subsequent decades, to be used for forecasting purpose and for evaluate the evolution of groundwater resource. The area actually represents a landscape with anthropic equilibrium based on the works of a land reclamation project (1960s-1990s). Study area is about 365 km2 for a coastline of about 35 km, about which an hydrogeological conceptual model was defined. The area can be conceptualized into three hydrogeological complexes (from the top): sand complex, a clay complex and a sand and conglomerate complex, constituting the deep aquifer, the bottom of which is not well-defined. Shallow aquifer is predominantly fed by direct rainwater infiltration. Deep aquifer is fed by outflows of the mountainous aquifers as the case of limestone aquifer of Pollino Mount,and of shallow granitic aquifer of the Sila massif (Guerricchio and Melidoro, 1975). The maximum piezometric levels of the deep aquifer are equivalent to approximately 40 m asl, so in some areas it presents artesian feature. The computer codes selected for numerical groundwater modelling were MODFLOW (McDonald and Harbaugh, 1998) and SEAWAT (Guo and Langevin, 2002). This groundwater flow modelling is based on the concept of a equivalent homogeneous porous medium by which it is assumed that the real heterogeneous aquifer can be simulated as homogeneous porous media within cells or elements (Anderson, 2002). The modeled aquifer area was uniformly discretized, using Peclet number, into a finite difference grid of 97,735 cells of 240 m x 350 m. For the vertical discretization, model was divided into five layers of variable thicknesses, defined on the basis of a multi-methodological geological survey. Climatic, hydrological and agricultural data were processed to defines inputs for the numerical model based on the variable-density flow. An hydrological balance using monthly and annual of 13 thermo-pluviometric stations falling in the study area, in the time period 1930-1975, was done (Polemio and Casarano, 2008, Polemio et alii, 2013). The numerical model was calibrated with PEST code with a correlation coefficient equal to 0,90. Preliminary results of steady flow and of groundwater salinity spatial are now available and shows it is not sustainable in the case of shallow aquifer and it can be improved in the case of deep aquifer.309 1519 - PublicationOpen AccessLandslides and Subsidence Assessment in the Crati Valley (Southern Italy) Using InSAR Data(2018)
; ; ; ; ; ;; ; ; In this work, we map surficial ground deformations that occurred during the years 2004–2010 in the Crati Valley (Southern Italy). The valley is in one of the most seismically active regions of the Italian peninsula, and presents slope instability and widespread landslide phenomena. We measured ground deformations by applying the small baseline subset (SBAS) technique, a multi-temporal synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) methodology that is used to process datasets of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. Ground displacements are only partially visible with the InSAR technique. Visibility depends on the geometry of the acquisition layout, such as the radar acquisition angle view, and the land use. These two factors determine the backscattering of the reflected signal. Most of the ground deformation detected by InSAR can be attributed to the gravitational mass movements of the hillslopes (i.e., landslides), and the subsidence of the quaternary deposits filling the valley. The movements observed along the valley slopes were compared with the available landslide catalog. We also identified another cause of movement in this area, i.e., ground subsidence due to the compaction of the quaternary deposits filling the valley. This compaction can be ascribed to various sources, such as urban population growth and sprawl, industrial water withdrawal, and tectonic activity.432 42 - PublicationOpen AccessHydrostratigraphic Framework and Physicochemical Status of Groundwater in the Gioia Tauro Coastal Plain (Calabria—Southern Italy)(2021-11)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;; ; ;In this study, we analysed the Gioia Tauro Plain (Tyrrhenian coast, southern Italy) in terms of hydrostratigraphy and the physicochemical status of groundwater. We investigated the hydrostratigraphic framework of the area identifying a deep aquifer (made by late Miocene succession), an aquitard (consisting of Pliocene clayey and silty deposits) and a shallow aquifer (including Late Pleistocene and Holocene marine and alluvial sediments) using subsoil data (boreholes and geophysics). Our reconstruction showed that the structural geology controls the spatial pattern of the aquitard top and the shallow aquifer thickness. Furthermore, we evaluated the hydraulic conductivity for the shallow aquifer using an empirical method, calibrated by slug tests, obtaining values ranging from 104 to 105 m/s with a maximum of 103 m/s located close to inland dune fields. The piezometric level of the shallow aquifer recorded a significant drop between the 1970s and 2021 (35 m as the worst value). It is the effect of climate and soil use changes, the latter being the increased water demand for kiwi cultivation. Despite the overexploitation of the shallow aquifer, shallow groundwater is fresh (736 S/cm as mean electrical conductivity) except for a narrow coastal area where the electrical conductivity is more than 1500 S/cm, which can be due to the seawater intrusion. What was more complex was the physicochemical status of the deep aquifer characterised by high temperature (up to 25.8 C) and electrical conductivity up to 10,520 S/cm along the northern and southern plain boundaries marked by tectonic structures. This issue suggested the dominant role of the local fault system that is likely affecting the deep groundwater flow and its chemical evolution.161 30 - PublicationRestrictedInSAR Time Series Analysis of Natural and Anthropogenic Coastal Plain Subsidence: The Case of Sibari (Southern Italy)(2015-11-30)
; ; ; ; ;Cianflone, G.; Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, cubo 15B, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cs), Italy ;Tolomei, C.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione CNT, Roma, Italia ;Brunori, C. A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia ;Dominici, R.; Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, cubo 15B, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cs), Italy; ; ; We applied the Small Baseline Subset multi-temporal InSAR technique (SBAS) to two SAR datasets acquired from 2003 up to 2013 by Envisat (ESA, European Space Agency) and COSMO-SkyMed (ASI, Italian Space Agency) satellites to investigate spatial and temporal patterns of land subsidence in the Sibari Plain (Southern Italy). Subsidence processes (up to ~20 mm/yr) were investigated comparing geological, hydrogeological, and land use information with interferometric results. We suppose a correlation between subsidence and thickness of the Plio-Quaternary succession suggesting an active role of the isostatic compensation. Furthermore, the active back thrusting in the Corigliano Gulf could trigger a flexural subsidence mechanism even if fault activity and earthquakes do not seem play a role in the present subsidence. In this context, the compaction of Holocene deposits contributes to ground deformation. Despite the rapid urbanization of the area in the last 50 years, we do not consider the intensive groundwater pumping and related water table drop as the main triggering cause of subsidence phenomena, in disagreement with some previous publications. Our interpretation for the deformation fields related to natural and anthropogenic factors would be a comprehensive and exhaustive justification to the complexity of subsidence processes in the Sibari Plain.433 60 - PublicationRestrictedPreliminary study of the surface ground displacements in the Crati Valley (Calabria) by means of InSAR data(2015-01-01)
; ; ; ; ;Cianflone, G.; Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, cubo 15B - 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cs) ;Tolomei, C.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione CNT, Roma, Italia ;Brunori, C. A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia ;Dominici, R.; Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, cubo 15B - 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cs); ; ; We applied the multi-temporal Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) InSAR technique to investigate the ground displacements in the Crati Valley (Calabria, Southern Italy). The SBAS technique application to image data sets of the European Space Agency (ESA) Envisat satellite from 2003 to 2010, allowed us to obtain the displacement time series and the mean ground velocity map of the Crati Valley. We observed the existence of vertical displacements with velocity up to ~ -7 mm/yr in the central sector of the valley and the prevalence of horizontal deformation ranging from ~ -10 (eastward displacement) to ~10 mm/yr (westward displacement) along its sides. The subsidence processes have been correlated to tectonics and to the compaction of the recent sedimentary infilling of the valley with locally contribution due to the diffuse and fast urbanization. Along East and West sides the widespread landslides are considered the main responsible of the horizontal displacements.380 46 - PublicationOpen AccessThe NE-SW Sibari fault zone: A seismic hazard source in Ionian Northern Calabria (Italy)(2024-01)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;; ;A multidisciplinary approach including archaeological, geophysical, and geological/geomorphological surveys provided pieces of evidence that allowed us to identify the Sibari fault zone (SFZ) in Northern Calabria (Italy). The SFZ runs in a ~ NE-SW direction for a length of ~18 km from the Ionian coastline to Terranova da Sibari and has an oblique normal-dextral kinematics. The envelope of the SFZ is derived from several direct and indirect evidence resulting in subparallel and locally en-echelon fault traces over a maximum 500 m-wide band, running at different elevations across hills and flat lands. The SFZ was active since at least the Middle-Upper Pleistocene, producing faulting of alluvial deposits, marine terraces, drainage incisions, and the archaeological structures of Sybaris. Given the fault length and assuming a seismogenic behavior, the SFZ is a primary earthquake source possibly producing moderate to large earthquakes (M ≥ 6). We calculated the average slip rates along the SFZ based on the ages and on the accumulated displacements of offset streams and marine terraces. The estimates are of 0.05–0.18 mm/yr and 0.41–0.70 mm/yr for vertical and dextral slip, respectively. Based on both the measured (min. 30 cm) and the expected value (av. 40 cm) of lateral slip per event, we infer an average recurrence for surface faulting events on the SFZ of about 700–1000 yrs. The most recent surface faulting earthquake occurred on the fault is dated 1300–1100 yrs. ago, highlighting that the elapsed time approaches the estimated average recurrence. Considering these findings, the newly recognized SFZ should be included among the faults that contain a potential seismic hazard in this poorly known portion of the Ionian sector of northern Calabria.57 11 - PublicationOpen AccessDifferent Ground Subsidence Contributions Revealed by Integrated Discussion of Sentinel-1 Datasets, Well Discharge, Stratigraphical and Geomorphological Data: The Case of the Gioia Tauro Coastal Plain (Southern Italy)(2022-03)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Groundwater is the main water supply for agricultural and industrial needs in many coastal plains worldwide. Groundwater depletion often triggers land subsidence, which threatens manmade infrastructure and activities and aggravates other geohazards. We applied a multi-temporal interferometric synthetic aperture radar technique to Sentinel-1 datasets to detect ground motion in the Gioia Tauro plain (Calabria, Southern Italy) from 2018 to 2021. The InSAR data were analysed through the integrated use of groundwater head, stratigraphical and geomorphological data, and land use information to distinguish the potential subsidence divers. The results show that subsiding areas, with a mean rate of about 10 mm/yr, are in the middle of the plain, and their location is influenced by the spatial distribution of compressible sediments included in the shallow aquifer. Furthermore, the subsidence arrangement is spatially accordant with the main groundwater depression area, which can be ascribed to the ongoing and increasing water pumping for predominantly agricultural usage. We also observed that subsidence (up to 10 mm/yr) affects the western dock of the Gioia Tauro harbour, in front of which, in very shallow water, are two submarine canyon heads already affected by slides in the past.69 11 - PublicationEmbargoHydrogeochemical and isotopic characterization of the Gioia Tauro coastal Plain (Calabria - southern Italy): A multidisciplinary approach for a focused management of vulnerable strategic systems(2023)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;; ; ; ; ;This work pursues the hydro-geochemical and isotopic characterization of the complex groundwater system of the Gioia Tauro Plain, one of the most important industrialized and agricultural coastal areas of southern Italy. The anthropic pressure exposes the water resources at risk of depletion and quality degradation making the plain groundwater a system of high scientific and social interest. The plain is characterized by a shallow aquifer, mostly recharged by local rains and a deep aquifer apparently less influenced by local precipitation. Both aquifers are mainly Ca-HCO3 waters except for localized sectors where Na-HCO3, Na-Cl and Ca-SO4 waters are present. In deep aquifer, both prolonged interaction with sedimentary rocks, mainly deriving from the erosion of crystalline rocks, and direct cation exchange represent the primary factors controlling the formation of Na-HCO3 waters. Mixing processes between these waters and either connate brine and/or deep thermal waters contribute to the formation of isolated high salinity Na-Cl-rich waters. In shallow aquifer, inputs of N-rich sewage and agriculture-related contaminants, and SOx emissions in proximity of the harbor are responsible of the increasing nitrate and sulphate concentrations, respectively. The Cl/Br and NO3/Cl ratios highlight contamination mainly linked to agricultural activities and contribution of wastewater. Along the northern boundary, the warmest groundwater (Na-Cl[SO4]) were found close to a bend of the main strike-slip fault system, locally favouring the rising of B- and Li-rich deep waters, testifying the influence of geological-structural features on deep water circulation. Despite the high-water demand, a direct marine intrusion is localized in a very restricted area, where we observed an incipient groundwater-seawater mixing (seawater contribution ≤7 %). The qualitative and quantitative conditions of the shallow aquifer still have acceptable levels because of the relatively high recharge inflow. A reliable hydrogeochemical conceptual model, able to explain the compositional variability of the studied waters, is proposed.151 3 - PublicationRestrictedStudy of the ground subsidences in the Sibari Plain (Southern Italy) detected by InSAR data analysis(2015-01)
; ; ; ; ;Cianflone, G.; Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, cubo 15B - 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cs) ;Tolomei, C.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione CNT, Roma, Italia ;Brunori, C. A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia ;Dominici, R.; Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, cubo 15B - 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cs); ; ; We investigated surface ground deformations in the Sibari Plain (SP - Calabria, Southern Italy) by means of Small Baseline Subset multi-temporal InSAR technique (SBAS), applied to two SAR datasets acquired from 2003 up to 2013 by Envisat (ESA, European Space Agency) and COSMO-SkyMed (ASI, Italian Space Agency) satellites. The retrieved InSAR data show the existence of ground subsidence phenomena up to ~ -20 mm/yr. Our investigation is based on integration between InSAR data and geological, well-logs, land use and hydrogeological information. The results show a direct correlation among subsidence, the thickness of Plio-Pleistocene succession and thickness and lithology of the late Holocene deposits. We identified the fast urbanization of the coastal area during the last ~50 yr and the water table drop as incremental factors of subsidence phenomena. The second factor, due to intensive use of ground water for agriculture, is not the triggering cause of subsidence processes on contrary to the assumption of some previous publications. No evidence of tectonic contribution in the ground deformation pattern is observed.466 103