Geochemistry and potential use of groundwater in the Rocca Busambra Area (Sicily, Italy)

In the Rocca Busambra area (mid-west Sicily,
Italy), from November 1999 to July 2002, 23 water points
including wells and springs were sampled and studied for
their chemical and isotopic compositions. Two rain gauges
were also installed at different altitudes, and rainwater was
collected monthly to determine the isotopic composition.
The obtained results revealed the Rocca Busambra carbonate
complex as being the main recharge area on account
of its high permeability value. From a chemical view point,
two main groups of water can be distinguished: calcium–
magnesium–bicarbonate-type and calcium–magnesium–
chloride–sulphate-type waters. The first group reflects the
dissolution of the carbonate rocks; the second group
probably originates from circulation within flyschoid sediments.
Three water wells differ from the other samples
due to their relatively high Na and K content, which
probably is to be referred to a marked interaction with the
‘‘Calcareniti di Corleone’’ formation, which is rich in
glauconite [(K, Na)(Fe3+, Al, Mg)2(Si, Al)4O10(OH)2]. In
accordance with WHO guidelines for drinking water
(2004), almost all the samples collected can be considered
drinkable, with the exception of four of them, whose NO3
-,
F- and Na+ contents exceed the limits. On the contrary, the
sampled groundwater studied is basically suitable for
irrigation.

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