The study area is located in the coastal plain between the Burlamacca Canal and Bufalina Ditch (South of Viareggio, Northern Tuscany) and is bounded by the topographically depressed zones of the Massaciuccoli Lake to the East. Due to its peculiar physiographic, hydrogeological and anthropic features, this territory well represents a case study of the natural and human factors combination in the enhancing of the groundwater degradation caused by seawater intrusion. The hydrogeological-hydrogeochemical interdisciplinary approach of this study allowed to define the hydrostructural, piezometric and hydrochemical-isotopic characteristics of the phreatic aquifer as well as to assess the relationship between groundwater and superficial water and their seawater contamination. The hydrostratigraphic study let us to individuate a phreatic aquifer, 20-40 thick, characterized by sandy and sandy-silty deposits. A continuous clayey horizon is present beneath the last, acting as impermeable bedrock. Both in the low stage (October 2005) and in the high stage (May 2006), the piezometric surface shows two areas characterized by values under the sea level (along the coastline in the southern portion and close to the artificial lakes). As confirmed by chemical and isotopic data, such situations, linked to a over-exploitation of the water resource (mainly farms and bathing establishments), cause favorable conditions to drain seawater in aquifer. The surveys let us to assume an interpretative model of the preferential path of the seawater in the phreatic aquifer. The seawater intrusion in aquifer occurs by means both of advancing from the coastline of the seawater-fresh water interface, and of water drainage from the artificial canals system. In this case, the seawater may reach the lakes through the Burlamacca Canal.
Studio idrogeologico-geochimico dell’acquifero freatico nella zona compresa tra il Canale Burlamacca ed il Fosso della Bufalina (Viareggio, Toscana)
DOVERI M;GIANNECCHINI, ROBERTO;
2009-01-01
Abstract
The study area is located in the coastal plain between the Burlamacca Canal and Bufalina Ditch (South of Viareggio, Northern Tuscany) and is bounded by the topographically depressed zones of the Massaciuccoli Lake to the East. Due to its peculiar physiographic, hydrogeological and anthropic features, this territory well represents a case study of the natural and human factors combination in the enhancing of the groundwater degradation caused by seawater intrusion. The hydrogeological-hydrogeochemical interdisciplinary approach of this study allowed to define the hydrostructural, piezometric and hydrochemical-isotopic characteristics of the phreatic aquifer as well as to assess the relationship between groundwater and superficial water and their seawater contamination. The hydrostratigraphic study let us to individuate a phreatic aquifer, 20-40 thick, characterized by sandy and sandy-silty deposits. A continuous clayey horizon is present beneath the last, acting as impermeable bedrock. Both in the low stage (October 2005) and in the high stage (May 2006), the piezometric surface shows two areas characterized by values under the sea level (along the coastline in the southern portion and close to the artificial lakes). As confirmed by chemical and isotopic data, such situations, linked to a over-exploitation of the water resource (mainly farms and bathing establishments), cause favorable conditions to drain seawater in aquifer. The surveys let us to assume an interpretative model of the preferential path of the seawater in the phreatic aquifer. The seawater intrusion in aquifer occurs by means both of advancing from the coastline of the seawater-fresh water interface, and of water drainage from the artificial canals system. In this case, the seawater may reach the lakes through the Burlamacca Canal.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
