Coastal hydrogeological system of Mar Piccolo (Taranto, Italy)

Abstract

The Mar Piccolo basin is an internal sea basin located along the Ionian coast (Southern Italy), and it is surrounded primarily by fractured carbonate karstic environment. Because of the karstic features, the main continental water inflow is from groundwater discharge. The Mar Piccolo basin represents a peculiar and sensitive environment and a social emergency because of sea water and sediment pollution. This pollution appears to be caused by the overlapping effects of dangerous anthropogenic activities, including heavy industries and commercial and navy dockyards. The paper aims to define the contribution of subaerial and submarine coastal springs to the hydrological dynamic equilibrium of this internal sea basin. A general approach was defined, including a hydrogeological basin border assessment to detect inflowing springs, detailed geological and hydrogeological conceptualisation, in situ submarine and subaerial spring measurements, and flow numerical modelling. Multiple sources of data were obtained to define a relevant geodatabase, and it contained information on approximately 2000 wells, located in the study area (1600 km(2)). The conceptualisation of the hydrogeological basin, which is 978 km(2) wide, was supported by a 3D geological model that interpolated 716 stratigraphic logs. The variability in hydraulic conductivity was determined using hundreds of pumping tests. Five surveys were performed to acquire hydro-geochemical data and spring flow-yield measurements; the isotope groundwater age was assessed and used for model validation. The mean annual volume exchanged by the hydrogeological basin was assessed equal to 106.93 10(6) m(3). The numerical modelling permitted an assessment of the mean monthly yield of each spring outflow (surveyed or not), travel time, and main path flow.

Monitoring and Management of Karstic Coastal Groundwater in a Changing Environment (Southern Italy): A Review of a Regional Experience

“…In addition to water demand problems, any modification of the quality and quantity of coastal karstic groundwater outflow can severely affect the hydrological and ecological equilibrium of a coastal water body, including highly vulnerable wetlands [9,10]. In addition to water demand problems, any modification of the quality and quantity of coastal karstic groundwater outflow can severely affect the hydrological and ecological equilibrium of a coastal water body, including highly vulnerable wetlands [9,10].…”

A Spatial Analysis to Define Data Requirements for Hydrological and Water Quality Models in Data-Limited Regions

“…However, the geodatabase and the monitoring activities developed in this study can be applied to The Mar Piccolo has lagoon features, and it is divided into two inlets; the first one has an area of 8.1 km 2 and a maximum depth of 13 m, and the second one has an area of 12.6 km 2 and a maximum depth of 8 m. It is connected with the open sea, i.e., the Mar Grande (literally "Big Sea"), in the Mar Ionio (i.e., Ionian Sea) through two channels. At the bottom of this marine basin, there are submarine springs (referred to locally as "citri") which discharge groundwater from the deep limestone aquifer located in the study area [19]. For this reason, the Mar Piccolo is the most important area for mussel farming in Italy [20].…”

The Compatibility of Geothermal Power Plants with Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems: The Case of the Cesine Wetland (Southern Italy)

“…To calculate the mixing ratio with saline water, an inland well of the deep aquifer, was used to sample a representative fresh groundwater (PFG), that was selected as a reference (Well 5 in [41]), to be compared with seawater.…”