Vulnerability mapping of groundwater contamination based on 3D lithostratigraphical models of porous aquifers

Ducci, Daniela; Sellerino, Mariangela

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.12.090

Cited by 31 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…In fact, it can be conceived as advancing the others focused on the estimation of pollutant travel time through the unsaturated zone by a physically-based model based on the simplistic assumption of the lack of vertical gradients of soil pressure head and the applicability of the Darcy law in the unsaturated zone [50] or constant rainfall and evapotranspiration conditions [40]. In addition, the proposed approach can simplify the assessment of groundwater vulnerability in complex stratigraphic settings of alluvial aquifers, characterized by high 3D spatial variability [66], whose distributed modeling of UZT and pollutant concentrations at the water table would require the setting of complex process-based models (e.g., MT3D-MODFLOW [83]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through a first analysis of the borehole data, principal stratigraphic settings were recognized as mainly formed by typical and complex interfingering between alluvial deposits and pyroclastic soils erupted by the Phlegraean Fields and Somma-Vesuvius Volcanoes and generally characterized by alternating fine to coarse ashes and pumiceous lapilli horizons [54,66]. Starting from these data, 1D representative hydro-stratigraphic models were reconstructed down to the depth of 20 m, considering both homogeneous and heterogeneous stratigraphic conditions, with soil horizons varying in grain size from sand to silt.…”

Section: Modeling Of Nitrate Pollutant Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Quantitative Assessment of Specific Vulnerability to Nitrate Pollution of Shallow Alluvial Aquifers by Process-Based and Empirical Approaches

Fusco

Allocca

Coda

et al. 2020

Water

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Shallow aquifers of coastal and internal alluvial plains of developed countries are commonly characterized by the challenging management of groundwater resources due to the intense agricultural and industrial activities that determine a high risk of groundwater contamination. Among the principal origins of pollution in these areas are agricultural practices based on the amendment of soils by nitrate fertilizers, which have been recognized as one of the most severe environmental emergencies for which specific policies and regulations have been issued (e.g., EU Directive 2006/118/EC). In such a framework, the results of research aimed at assessing the specific vulnerability of shallow alluvial aquifers to nitrate fertilizer pollutants by coupled process-based and empirical approaches are here proposed. The research focused on assessing the specific vulnerability to nitrate pollution of a shallow alluvial aquifer of the Campania region (southern Italy), which was selected due to its representativeness to other recurrent hydrogeological settings occurring in alluvial plains of the region and worldwide. In this area, 1D hydro-stratigraphic models of the unsaturated zone were reconstructed and applied for simulating the transport of nitrate pollutants at the water table and estimating the associated travel times. Numerical modeling was carried out by the finite differences VS2TDI code and considered a 10-year time series of rainfall and evapotranspiration as well as typical local farming practices of nitrate fertilizer input. Results of the travel time calculated for the 1D hydro-stratigraphic models considered and at different depths were recognized as a proxy to assess the specific vulnerability to nitrate fertilizer pollution. Among the principal outcomes is an empirical multiple correlation between the travel time of the nitrate fertilizer pollutant, water table depth, and equivalent saturated hydraulic conductivity of the unsaturated zone or hydraulic resistance, which was used to assess the travel time at the distributed scale over the whole area studied as well as the related specific vulnerability. Given such results, the coupled process-based and empirical approach is proposed as generally applicable for assessing and mapping groundwater vulnerability in shallow aquifers, for which detailed stratigraphic and piezometric data are available.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Modeling Of Nitrate Pollutant Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative Assessment of Specific Vulnerability to Nitrate Pollution of Shallow Alluvial Aquifers by Process-Based and Empirical Approaches

Fusco

Allocca

Coda

et al. 2020

Water

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“…3), built with grid-modeling techniques (Lemon and Jones 2003;Turner 2006;Ducci and Sellerino 2013), is a very useful tool for the implementation of numerical flow models (Ducci et al 2012). By using the 3D model, it is possible to obtain a reliable reconstruction of the geometry of the aquifer and of the extension of the hydrostratigraphic units, even in such a complex structure where there are lenses of peat which can locally confine the aquifer; moreover, the 3D model facilitates the assignment of hydrodynamic parameters, as explained in the following § 3.2.…”

Section: D Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater Mass Balance in Urbanized Areas Estimated by a Groundwater Flow Model Based on a 3D Hydrostratigraphical Model: the Case Study of the Eastern Plain of Naples (Italy)

Ducci

Sellerino

2015

Water Resour Manage

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Since 2001, a rising water table occurred in the eastern part of the city of Naples (Italy), leading to flooding of the foundations of many buildings and of the underground infrastructures (garages, subway tracks, etc.). This resulted from the reduction in the exploitation of water for industrial use and drinking water in the central part of the groundwater body of the eastern plain of Naples: the groundwater withdrawal decreased from up to 3 m3/s in 1990 to a few hundred litres per second in 1998. The variation of piezometric levels led to flooding of foundations of many buildings and of underground infrastructures, this is a big amount of water lost by the aquifer system and that should be evaluated. In order to assess aquifer hydraulic features and the groundwater quantitative status, a 3D hydrostratigraphic model reconstruction was developed to support groundwater flow modeling and the evaluation of the groundwater balance. \ud The 3D hydrostratigraphic model reconstructed the subsoil of the study area: layers of tuff and lenses of peat, which play an important hydrogeologic role as aquitard and aquiclude, are faithfully defined. Indeed, the model allows the depiction of the horizontal extension and of the thickness of each hydrofacies, even if strongly heteropic. \ud The groundwater flow model was defined using the 3D hydrostratigraphic model in the construction of the geometry and assignment of hydrodynamic parameters. The calibration and sensitivity analysis prove the goodness of the assigned hydraulic conductivity values. \ud \ud The model, together with a detailed computation of the paved areas with reduced infiltration, evaluated the recharge in 0.101 m3/s. The model calibration assessed an evaporation rate lower than the prefixed value, probably due to the absence of vegetation that restricts the phenomenon almost exclusively to evaporation. Moreover, the calibration of the model confirmed: - the assumed groundwater flow towards the sea in 0.313 m3/s; - the hypothesized amount of the subsurface inflow from upstream in 0.504 m3/s. A considerable amount of water lost by the aquifer system, about 0.315 m3/s, could be used by Municipality for different public uses

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“…In free flow aquifers, this potential is higher due to the rapid recharge of the geological unit (IRITANI; EZAKI, 2009). Vulnerability indicates the potential for contamination of groundwater resources according to natural and manmade activities (AL HALLAQ; ELAISH, 2012;BETANCUR et al, 2013;DUCCI;SELLERINO, 2013;EDET, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-criteria potential groundwater contamination and human activities: Araras watershed, Brazil

Piga

Tão

Ruggiero

et al. 2017

RBRH

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Assessment of groundwater contamination potential using geological, hydrological and hydrogeological attributes, is an efficient mechanism of sub-surface water resources protection and conservation. However, usually this method does not take into consideration the potentially polluting human activities, either in punctual or diffuse sources, or because the relative importance of the attributes are not considered. The paper proposes a multi-criteria approach as a way of solving this gap, reducing subjectivity and considering land use/cover due human actions influence in the process. The study was developed in Araras river watershed (Paraná Basin, Brazil) using rock, groundwater, relief, soils, and land use/land cover classification, employing multi-criteria analysis and data of contamination sources. The potential contamination classification showed the predominance (54% of the area) of very high and high potential, especially due to geological environment conditions (exploitation areas and groundwater recharge of the Itararé Aquifer -clastic sedimentary and free flow). The contaminant sources analyzed are located mainly in higher potential contamination areas. Keywords:Groundwater; Water quality; Water contamination; Multi-criteria analysis. RESUMOA avaliação do potencial de contaminação da água subterrânea a partir dos atributos geológicos, hidrológicos e hidrogeológicos, é reconhecida como um mecanismo eficiente de proteção e conservação dos recursos hídricos de subsuperfície. No entanto, tal método por vezes apresenta como deficiências a desconsideração das atividades humanas que são potencialmente contaminantes, seja na forma de fontes pontuais ou difusas, ou por não considerar a importância relativa dos atributos na análise. Visando contribuir para a solução dessa lacuna, o presente trabalho se valeu de análise multicritério como forma de reduzir a subjetividade dessa análise e de informações de uso e cobertura do solo e de fontes de contaminação para tratar os efeitos da ação humana no processo. O trabalho foi desenvolvido na Bacia Hidrográfica do rio das Araras (Bacia do Paraná, Brasil) a partir do tratamento dos dados de substrato rochoso, hidrografia, relevo, solos, classificação de uso e cobertura do solo usando análise multicritério e dados de fontes de contaminação. A classificação do potencial de contaminação mostrou a predominância (54% da área) de áreas classificadas como potencial muito alto e alto, especialmente em função do ambiente geológico (áreas de explotação e recarga do Aquífero Itararé, sedimentar clástico e livre). As fontes contaminantes analisadas se localizam principalmente nessas áreas com maiores potenciais de contaminação. Multi-criteria potential groundwater contamination and human activities: Araras watershed, Brazil Palavras

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Vulnerability mapping of groundwater contamination based on 3D lithostratigraphical models of porous aquifers

Cited by 31 publications

References 23 publications

Quantitative Assessment of Specific Vulnerability to Nitrate Pollution of Shallow Alluvial Aquifers by Process-Based and Empirical Approaches

Quantitative Assessment of Specific Vulnerability to Nitrate Pollution of Shallow Alluvial Aquifers by Process-Based and Empirical Approaches

Groundwater Mass Balance in Urbanized Areas Estimated by a Groundwater Flow Model Based on a 3D Hydrostratigraphical Model: the Case Study of the Eastern Plain of Naples (Italy)

Multi-criteria potential groundwater contamination and human activities: Araras watershed, Brazil

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