Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/2122/513
Authors: | Aiuppa, A.* Bellomo, S.* Brusca, L.* D'Alessandro, W.* Federico, C.* |
Title: | Natural and anthropogenic factors affecting groundwater quality of an active volcano (Mt. Etna, Italy) | Journal: | Applied Geochemistry | Series/Report no.: | 18(2003) | Publisher: | Elsevier | Issue Date: | 2003 | URL: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/ | Keywords: | Hydrogeochemistry water quality Mt. Etna |
Subject Classification: | 03. Hydrosphere::03.02. Hydrology::03.02.03. Groundwater processes 03. Hydrosphere::03.02. Hydrology::03.02.04. Measurements and monitoring 03. Hydrosphere::03.02. Hydrology::03.02.06. Water resources 03. Hydrosphere::03.04. Chemical and biological::03.04.03. Chemistry of waters |
Abstract: | New geochemical data on dissolved major and minor constituents in 276 groundwater samples from Etna aquifers reveal the main processes responsible for their geochemical evolution and mineralisation. This topic is of particular interest in the light of the progressive depletion of water resources and groundwater quality in the area. Multivariate statistical analysis reveal 3 sources of solutes: (a) the leaching of the host basalt, driven by the dissolution of magmaderived CO2; (b) mixing processes with saline brines rising from the sedimentary basement below Etna; (c) contamination from agricultural and urban wastewaters. The last process, highlighted by increased concentrations of SO4,NO3, Ca, F and PO4, is more pronounced on the lower slopes of the volcanic edifice, associated with areas of high population and intensive agriculture. However, this study demonstrates that natural processes (a) and (b) are also very effective in producing highly mineralised waters, which in turn results in many constituents (B, V, Mg) exceeding maximum admissible concentrations for drinking water. |
Appears in Collections: | Article published / in press |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | Existing users please Login |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aiuppa et al., Appl. Geochem. 2003.pdf | Main article | 769.52 kB | Adobe PDF | |
Redirect Elsevier.html | Redirect-Elsevier | 539 B | HTML | View/Open |
Page view(s) 10
379
checked on Mar 27, 2024
Download(s) 50
89
checked on Mar 27, 2024