Assessing anthropogenic and natural influences on water quality in a critical shallow groundwater system: Insights from the Metauro River basin (Central Italy)
Marco Taussi , Giovanni Vespasiano , Lorenzo Chemeri , Roberta Bonì , Barbara Nisi , Orlando Vaselli , Antonio Delgado-Huertas , Carmine Apollaro , Daniele Tardani , Daniele Farina , Alberto Renzulli
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This work aims at the hydro-geochemical and isotopic characterization of the water resource (surface water and shallow phreatic aquifer) of the Metauro River catchment (Marche, Central Italy). The waters of the Metauro River area represent a fundamental resource exploited daily for drinking, agricultural, and industrial uses. The anthropic pressure exposes the water resources to depletion and quality degradation risks, making the study area of high scientific and social interest. The hydro-geochemical approach revealed that the interaction between water and local lithologies led to Ca2+-HCO3- compositions, with less frequent Na+(K+)-Cl- and Ca2+-Cl- hydrofacies and variable salinity (up to 55 meq/L). Most waters showed natural (e.g., halite and evaporite contribution) and anthropogenic (sewage, septic tanks, manure, urban wastewater, and industrial effluents contribution) inputs confirmed by both Na+, Cl−, NO3−, and SO42− enrichments and high Cl/Br ratios. The anthropogenic contributions is further confirmed by the relatively high contents of TPTEs (Total Potentially Toxic Elements), even though these elements individually present values below the Italian Normative Legislative limit. Geochemical issues are mitigated during the year when the surface aquifer is recharged by the river, characterized by a better overall chemical quality. The occurrence of this relationship is of interest to the local authorities in charge of the water resource management. In fact, groundwater exploitation could be increased during specific periods, thus decreasing the anthropic pressure on the river waters, usually exploited for drinking purposes even during the summer seasons when the hydrometric levels drastically drop. The adopted multidisciplinary approach provides an effective tool for accurately determining groundwater processes and can be helpful in improving the balanced and sustainable management of water resources in coastal and non-coastal plains.
期刊介绍:
Groundwater for Sustainable Development is directed to different stakeholders and professionals, including government and non-governmental organizations, international funding agencies, universities, public water institutions, public health and other public/private sector professionals, and other relevant institutions. It is aimed at professionals, academics and students in the fields of disciplines such as: groundwater and its connection to surface hydrology and environment, soil sciences, engineering, ecology, microbiology, atmospheric sciences, analytical chemistry, hydro-engineering, water technology, environmental ethics, economics, public health, policy, as well as social sciences, legal disciplines, or any other area connected with water issues. The objectives of this journal are to facilitate: • The improvement of effective and sustainable management of water resources across the globe. • The improvement of human access to groundwater resources in adequate quantity and good quality. • The meeting of the increasing demand for drinking and irrigation water needed for food security to contribute to a social and economically sound human development. • The creation of a global inter- and multidisciplinary platform and forum to improve our understanding of groundwater resources and to advocate their effective and sustainable management and protection against contamination. • Interdisciplinary information exchange and to stimulate scientific research in the fields of groundwater related sciences and social and health sciences required to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for sustainable development.