Geochemical, geostatistical and time series analysis techniques as a tool to achieve the Water Framework Directive goals: An example from Piedmont region (NW Italy)

Raco, Brunella; Vivaldo, Gianna; Doveri, Marco; Menichini, Matia; Masetti, Giulio; Battaglini, Raffaele; Irace, Andrea; Fioraso, Gianfranco; Marcelli, Igor; Brussolo, Elisa

doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2021.106832

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Many foothill zones in the Alps and Apennines contain aquifer systems of strategic interest for water supply, especially for drinking purposes (Doveri et al, 2016). In this framework, the aquifer system extending in the foothill plain located between the western Alps and the Turin hills represents one of the most significant and studied groundwater bodies in the Piedmont region (Raco et al, 2021).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Aquifer recharge in the Piedmont Alpine zone: historical trends and future scenarios

Brussolo

Palazzi

Hardenberg

et al. 2022

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. The spatial and temporal variability of air temperature, precipitation, actual evapotranspiration (AET) and their related water balance components, as well as their responses to anthropogenic climate change, provide fundamental information for an effective management of water resources and for a proactive involvement of users and stakeholders, in order to develop and apply adaptation and mitigation strategies at the local level. In this study, using an interdisciplinary research approach tailored to water management needs, we evaluate the past, present and future quantity of water potentially available for drinking supply in the water catchments feeding the about 2.3 million inhabitants of the Turin metropolitan area (the former Province of Turin, north-western Italy), considering climatologies at the quarterly and yearly timescales. Observed daily maximum surface air temperature and precipitation data from 1959 to 2017 were analysed to assess historical trends, their significance and the possible cross-correlations between the water balance components. Regional climate model (RCM) simulations from a small ensemble were analysed to provide mid-century projections of the difference between precipitation and AET for the area of interest in the future CMIP5 scenarios RCP4.5 (stabilization) and RCP8.5 (business as usual). Temporal and spatial variations in recharge were approximated with variations of drainage. The impact of irrigation, and of snowpack variability, on the latter was also assessed. The other terms of water balance were disregarded because they are affected by higher uncertainty. The analysis over the historical period indicated that the driest area of the study region displayed significant negative annual (and spring) trends of both precipitation and drainage. Results from field experiments were used to model irrigation, and we found that relatively wetter watersheds in the northern and in the southern parts behave differently, with a significant increase of AET due to irrigation. The analysis of future projections suggested almost stationary conditions for annual data. Regarding quarterly data, a slight decrease in summer drainage was found in three out of five models in both emission scenarios. The RCM ensemble exhibits a large spread in the representation of the future drainage trends. The large interannual variability of precipitation was also quantified and identified as a relevant risk factor for water management, expected to play a major role also in future decades.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Aquifer recharge in the Piedmont Alpine zone: historical trends and future scenarios

Brussolo

Palazzi

Hardenberg

et al. 2022

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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“…The basic approach consists of using hydrochemical and geostatistical methods for processing data collected on groundwater in the Middle Moulouya basin. In addition, other objectives such as the classification of hydrochemical data (i.e., classification of groundwater samples into groups) as well as their interpretations require the use of leading hydrochemical software such as DIAGRAMMES 6 (Raco et al, 2021). With this in mind, a statistical analysis was carried out through the use of a database, drawn up from data relating to scattered water sites, which is structured around various variables (i.e., hydrogen ion concentration (pH), temperature (T °C), electrical conductivity (EC), potassium (K + ), calcium (Ca 2+ ), sodium (Na 2+ ), magnesium (Mg 2+ ), bicarbonates (HCO 3 -), sulfates (SO 4 2-), nitrates (NO 3 -), chlorides (Cl -), and suspended solids (mg/l).…”

Section: Data Processing Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of Hydrochemical Characteristics in the Middle Moulouya Basin of Morocco

Saadi,

Dimane,

Nouayti

et al. 2024

Ecol. Eng. Environ. Technol.

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This study analyzes the effects of dry land salinity, climate severity, and pollution on groundwater quality in the Middle Moulouya basin. Our research provides insights into certain pollutants and their sources and discusses the impact of saline soil and dry weather. A comprehensive understanding of these factors is essential for managing water resources and promoting sustainable resource use in the area. In fact, the use of a database relating to the major elements, viz. potassium (K + ), calcium (Ca 2+ ), sodium (Na 2+ ), magnesium (Mg 2+ ), bicarbonates (HCO 3 -), sulfates (SO 4 2-, nitrates (NO 3 -), chlorides (Cl -) has proved to be effective to assess the hydrochemical features of groundwaters and their suitability for both aims (i.e., irrigation and drinking). The Middle Moulouya basin's subterranean water is slightly acidic to basic, with a pH range of 6.8 to 7.66 and mild to brackish water at specific sites. Furthermore, in line with the hydrochemistry diagrams, groundwater can be classified into three main types: Ca-Cl, Ca-HCO 3 , and Ca-Mg-Cl type. Moreover, the results pertaining to the overall quality of groundwater regarding Moroccan control standards guidelines indicate that: (i) 32.43% of the groundwater samples are of excellent quality, (ii) 24.32% of the collected water points are of good quality, (iii) 32.43% have medium quality, (iiii) and only 10.82% are of poor and very poor quality (i.e., 5.41% for each class). Finally, based on the Wilcox method, a significant percentage of groundwater sites are suitable for farming.

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“…Some previous studies have been conducted to evaluate the temporal evolution of hydrochemical characteristics [57,60,69], while others have characterised the high nitrate contamination linked to intense agricultural activities [65,70,71]. The designation of nitratevulnerable zones (ZVN) of agricultural origin has evolved over time in the Piedmont Plain, with designation of new areas in 2002,2006,2008,2019 and 2020, corresponding to 47% of the entire regional agricultural area [72].…”

Section: Hydrochemical and Land-use Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The groundwater quality in the Piedmont Po Plain (NW Italy) shows a relevant temporal variability that is necessary to characterise due to the lack of a regional-scale assessment. Several studies have been conducted only at the local scale [55][56][57][58][59][60], and even fewer have been conducted in the alpine context [61,62].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater Chemical Trends Analyses in the Piedmont Po Plain (NW Italy): Comparison with Groundwater Level Variations (2000–2020)

Cocca,

Lasagna,

De Luca

2024

Water

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The concentrations of chemicals in the groundwater chemical values in the Piedmont Po Plain (NW Italy) show significant temporal variability and need to be characterised due to the lack of regional-scale assessments. The aim of this study was to analyse the trends (period 2000–2020) in the main physicochemical parameters and main ions in 227 wells in the shallow aquifer and to identify the potential causes. The identification of change points (points of sudden change) and comparisons with groundwater level variations were also performed. Results highlight general increasing trends for Na, Cl and HCO3, decreasing trends for SO4 and NO3, stationary conditions for pH and heterogeneous behaviours for electrolytic conductivity, Ca and Mg. Change points occurred in at least 50% of the monitoring wells, mainly during the 2008–2011 period. The comparison between groundwater levels and chemistry highlights a direct proportionality. Superimposed processes that induce an absence of proportionality are shown. The comparison of results with those of previous studies conducted under similar conditions revealed similar variations.. In conclusion, the potential responsible factors (e.g., road-salt dissolution and agricultural practices) and the relevant role of groundwater level variation were identified.

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Geochemical, geostatistical and time series analysis techniques as a tool to achieve the Water Framework Directive goals: An example from Piedmont region (NW Italy)

Cited by 8 publications

References 29 publications

Aquifer recharge in the Piedmont Alpine zone: historical trends and future scenarios

Aquifer recharge in the Piedmont Alpine zone: historical trends and future scenarios

Study of Hydrochemical Characteristics in the Middle Moulouya Basin of Morocco

Groundwater Chemical Trends Analyses in the Piedmont Po Plain (NW Italy): Comparison with Groundwater Level Variations (2000–2020)

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