Characterization of the surface aquifer in the coastal flat zone of Cervia Municipality

The territory of Cervia municipality represents a coastal flat zone and a strong rate subsidence area, often attributable to the winning uncontrolled gas and groundwater extractions. The increase of the urbanized areas, exploded in 1950 and that brought to 50% coverage of the land by buildings and paved surfaces, today it is still increased by the tourist activity.The monitoring data collection, implemented in GIS, allows the construction of maps of water table depth and of surface and deep salinity distribution. The freatimetric maps evidence a water talbe depth located a few centimetres above the mean sea level; the only areas placed above sea level are placed along the coastline and along the present canals, because of their influence on the water table. Consequently, most of the aquifer does not have a hydraulic head able to contrast the salt water intrusion at its base. Most of the aquifer is salt; the presence of fresh water in the aquifer in the form of bubbles floating over the salt water, placet along the coast line and along the dreinage canals.