Role of high-elevation groundwater flows in the hydrogeology of the Cimino volcano (central Italy) and possibilities to capture drinking water in a geogenically contaminated environment

Piscopo, Vincenzo; Armiento, Giovanna; Baiocchi, Antonella; Mazzuoli, Maurizio; Nardi, Elisa; Piacentini, Simone Maria; Proposito, Marco; Spaziani, Fabio

doi:10.1007/s10040-017-1718-6

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Concentrations of As, F and 222 Rn in rocks from the study area show significant differences when the volcanic and the sedimentary domains are taken into account. High As contents characterize the volcanic rocks from the Roman Magmatic Province (up to 42 and 187 mg/kg in lavas and pyroclastic deposits, respectively; Vivona et al, 2007;Armiento et al, 2015;Piscopo et al, 2018). Noteworthy, these values are significantly higher than those reported for other Italian volcanic systems (ranging from 1 to 12 mg/ kg; Allard et al, 2000;Paone et al, 2001;Aiuppa et al, 2003).…”

Section: Geodynamic Evolution Hydrological and Petrological Settingsmentioning

confidence: 82%

Anomalous concentrations of arsenic, fluoride and radon in volcanic-sedimentary aquifers from central Italy: Quality indexes for management of the water resource

Cinti

Vaselli²,

Poncia³

et al. 2019

Environmental Pollution

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659 water samples from springs and wells in the Sabatini and Vicano-Cimino Volcanic Districts (central Italy) were analyzed for arsenic (As), fluoride (F À) and radon (222 Rn) concentrations. Waters mostly sourced from a shallow and cold aquifer hosted within volcanic rocks, which represents the main public drinking water supply. Cold waters from perched aquifers within sedimentary formations and thermal waters related to a deep hydrothermal reservoir were also analyzed. The highest concentrations of As and F À were measured in the thermal waters and attributed to their enhanced mobility during waterrock interaction processes at hydrothermal temperatures. Relatively high concentrations of As and F À were also recorded in those springs and wells discharging from the volcanic aquifer, whereas waters hosted in the sedimentary units showed significantly lower contents. About 60% (As) and 25% (F À) of cold waters from the volcanic aquifer exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations for human consumption. Such anomalously high levels of geogenic pollutants were caused by mixing with fluids upwelling through faulted zones from the hydrothermal reservoir. Chemical weathering of volcanic rocks and groundwater flow path were also considered to contribute to the observed concentrations. Cold waters from the volcanic aquifer showed the highest 222 Rn concentrations, resulting from the high contents of Rn-generating radionuclides in the volcanic units. Approximately 22% of these waters exceeded the recommended value for human consumption. A specific Quality Index (QI), comprised between 1 (very low) and 4 (very high), was computed for each water on the basis of As, F À and 222 Rn concentrations and visualized through a spatial distribution map processed by means of geostatistical techniques. This map and the specific As, F À and 222 Rn maps can be regarded as useful tools for water management by local authorities to both improve intervention plans in contaminated sectors and identify new water resources suitable for human consumption.

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Section: Geodynamic Evolution Hydrological and Petrological Settingsmentioning

confidence: 82%

Anomalous concentrations of arsenic, fluoride and radon in volcanic-sedimentary aquifers from central Italy: Quality indexes for management of the water resource

Cinti

Vaselli²,

Poncia³

et al. 2019

Environmental Pollution

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“…200 m and host a fresh water aquifer, referred to below as the Cimino-Vico, or shallow, volcanic aquifer (Battistel et al, 2016). The type of eruption and volcano-tectonic settings control the hydrostratigraphy of this aquifer, and create a complex groundwater circulation system with large variations in the hydrological properties over short distances (Piscopo, 2018). The Cimino-Vico volcanic aquifer is limited at its base by a 50200 m thick low-to semi-permeable sedimentary complex of Pliocene-Pleistocene conglomerates, sandstones, sands and clays, and an Upper Cretaceous-Oligocene flysch (Piscopo et al, 2006).…”

Section: Geological and Hydrogeological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From the ancient Etruscan times to today, the Cimino-Vico hydrothermal resources have facilitated private and public pools (Chiodini and Frondini, 2001;Piscopo et al, 2006) and in the last decade the geothermal potential of the area has been investigated for possible geothermal exploitation (Chiocchini et al, 2010;Procesi et al, 2013). However, the occurrence of As in the groundwater of the Cimino-Vico volcanic district poses a serious human health risk, since 170,000 local inhabitants use groundwater as source of drinking water (Piscopo et al, 2018;Spadoni et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Model-based interpretation of hydrogeochemistry and arsenic mobility in a low-enthalpy hydrothermal system

Battistel

Jessen

Rolle

et al. 2020

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

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“…Carbonate aquifers represent highly relevant water reservoirs worldwide, providing large volumes of high-quality drinking water (Chen et al 2017 ; Goldscheider et al 2020 ). Volcanic aquifers are also important reservoirs in volcanic islands (Herrera and Custodio 2008 ; Izquierdo 2014 ) and in the Tyrrhenian side of Central Italy (Capelli et al 2005 ; Manca et al 2017 ; Piscopo et al 2008 , 2018 ). In Italy, approximately 2 million inhabitants nowadays depend on volcanic water for drinking (Baiocchi et al 2011 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tracing groundwater circulation in a valuable mineral water basin with geochemical and isotopic tools: the case of FERRARELLE, Riardo basin, Southern Italy

Sacchi

Cuoco

Oster³

et al. 2021

Environ Geochem Health

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The Riardo basin hosts groundwater exploited for the production of high quality, naturally sparkling, bottled water (e.g., Ferrarelle water), and circulating in a system constituted by highly fractured Mesozoic carbonates, overlain by more impervious volcanic rocks of the Roccamonfina complex. The two formations are locally in hydraulic connection and dislocated by deep-rooted faults. The study aimed at elucidating groundwater origin and circulation, using isotopic tracers (δ18O, δ2H, δ11B and 87Sr/86Sr) coupled to groundwater dating (Tritium, CFCs and SF6). Besides recharge by local precipitation over the Riardo hydrogeological basin, stable isotope ratios in water indicated an extra-basin recharge, likely from the elevated surrounding carbonate reliefs (e.g., Maggiore and Matese Mts.). The mineralization process, promoted by the deep CO2 flux, controls the B and Sr contents. However, their isotopic ratios did not allow discriminating between circulation in the volcanic and in the carbonate aquifers, as in the latter the isotopic composition differed from the original marine signature. Groundwater model ages ranged from ~ 30 years for the volcanic endmember to > 70 years for the deep, mineralized end-member, with longer circuits recharged at higher elevations. Overall, the results of this study were particularly relevant for mineral water exploitation. A recharge from outside the hydrogeological basin could be evidenced, especially for the more mineralized and valuable groundwater, and an active recent recharge was detected for the whole Riardo system. Both findings will contribute to the refinement of the hydrogeological model and water budget, and to a sustainable development of the resource.

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Role of high-elevation groundwater flows in the hydrogeology of the Cimino volcano (central Italy) and possibilities to capture drinking water in a geogenically contaminated environment

Cited by 9 publications

References 37 publications

Anomalous concentrations of arsenic, fluoride and radon in volcanic-sedimentary aquifers from central Italy: Quality indexes for management of the water resource

Anomalous concentrations of arsenic, fluoride and radon in volcanic-sedimentary aquifers from central Italy: Quality indexes for management of the water resource

Model-based interpretation of hydrogeochemistry and arsenic mobility in a low-enthalpy hydrothermal system

Tracing groundwater circulation in a valuable mineral water basin with geochemical and isotopic tools: the case of FERRARELLE, Riardo basin, Southern Italy

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