Methane seepage dynamics and ground heating phenomena in the southern Po Valley: the case study of Santa Maria Nuova (Italy)

IF 3.4 3区地球科学 Q1 GEOCHEMISTRY & GEOPHYSICS

Applied Geochemistry Pub Date : 2025-09-10 DOI:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2025.106565

G. Capelli Ghioldi , G. Tamburello , A. Sciarra , D. Rouwet , T. Ricci , R. Civico , F. Tassi , P. Severi , M. Liuzzo , M. Coltorti , A.L. Rizzo

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Abstract

Natural reservoirs that release CH₄ can substantially increase atmospheric greenhouse gas levels, posing environmental and safety risks. Degassing phenomena in the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) have been documented across a variety of fluids and reservoir types, with a focus on their origin and evolution. This study combines ground measurements and satellite data analysis to explore the relationships between CH₄ seepage, thermal anomalies, and vegetation stress at the Santa Maria Nuova (SMN) site in southern Po Valley. The explosion of a CH₄-saturated water well in July 2021 prompted a two-year investigation in the adjacent cultivated field (1.5 ha), revealing significant spatial and temporal variations in diffuse CH₄ fluxes (ranging from 0 to 917 g m⁻² d⁻¹) and corresponding CO₂ fluxes (1.9–466 g m⁻² d⁻¹). Soil temperature measurements and thermal imaging identified localised ground heating, attributed to methanotrophic exothermic oxidation of CH₄ to CO₂. These hotspots correspond to areas of visibly stressed vegetation, marked by reduced vitality and barren areas. Satellite-derived Ratio Vegetation Index (RVI) data confirmed persistent vegetation stress over the anomaly site from 2017 to 2024. Geochemical analysis of soil gases indicated a primarily biogenic origin of CH₄, supported by isotopic signatures (δ¹³C–CH₄ values < −60 ‰ V-PDB) and the presence of shallow Pleistocene carbonate deposits beneath the site, which can generate CH₄ seepage. These findings demonstrate the utility of integrating ground-based and remote sensing techniques for monitoring CH₄ seepage and its environmental impacts.

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波河河谷南部甲烷渗流动力学与地面加热现象——以意大利圣玛丽亚新瓦为例

释放甲烷的天然储层会大大增加大气中的温室气体水平，造成环境和安全风险。Emilia-Romagna地区（意大利）的脱气现象已被记录在各种流体和储层类型中，重点是它们的起源和演化。本研究结合地面测量和卫星数据分析，探讨了波谷南部Santa Maria Nuova （SMN）站点CH4渗流、热异常和植被应力之间的关系。2021年7月，一口CH4饱和水井爆炸，促使对邻近耕地（1.5公顷）进行了为期两年的调查，揭示了CH4扩散通量（0 - 917 g m−2 d−1）和相应的CO2通量（1.9-466 g m−2 d−1）的显著时空变化。土壤温度测量和热成像确定了局部的地面加热，这归因于甲烷营养放热氧化成二氧化碳。这些热点对应于明显受到压力的植被区域，其特征是活力下降和贫瘠地区。卫星衍生的植被比指数（RVI）数据证实，2017年至2024年，该异常地点持续存在植被应力。土壤气体地球化学分析表明CH4主要是生物成因的，同位素特征（δ13C-CH4值<；−60‰V-PDB）支持了CH4的主要成因，并且在基地下存在更新世浅层碳酸盐沉积，可以产生CH4的渗流。这些发现证明了地面和遥感技术在监测CH4渗流及其环境影响方面的应用价值。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Applied Geochemistry 地学-地球化学与地球物理

CiteScore

6.10

自引率

8.80%

发文量

272

审稿时长

65 days

期刊介绍： Applied Geochemistry is an international journal devoted to publication of original research papers, rapid research communications and selected review papers in geochemistry and urban geochemistry which have some practical application to an aspect of human endeavour, such as the preservation of the environment, health, waste disposal and the search for resources. Papers on applications of inorganic, organic and isotope geochemistry and geochemical processes are therefore welcome provided they meet the main criterion. Spatial and temporal monitoring case studies are only of interest to our international readership if they present new ideas of broad application. Topics covered include: (1) Environmental geochemistry (including natural and anthropogenic aspects, and protection and remediation strategies); (2) Hydrogeochemistry (surface and groundwater); (3) Medical (urban) geochemistry; (4) The search for energy resources (in particular unconventional oil and gas or emerging metal resources); (5) Energy exploitation (in particular geothermal energy and CCS); (6) Upgrading of energy and mineral resources where there is a direct geochemical application; and (7) Waste disposal, including nuclear waste disposal.