Saltwater has invaded the coastal aquifer along the southern Adriatic coast of the Po Plain in Italy. The topography, morphology and land use of the region is complex: rivers, canals, wetlands, lagoons, urban, industrial and agricultural areas and tourist establishments all coexist in a small area. Water table and iso-salinity maps show that in four study areas (Ancona-Bellocchio, Marina Romea, San Vitale Forest, Cervia) out of five, the water tables are below sea level and saltwater has replaced freshwater in the aquifer. The fifth area (Classe Forest) has a relatively pristine freshwater aquifer thanks to an average water-table height of 2m above sea level, a lower hydraulic conductivity (< 7.7m/day) and a continuous dune system along the coast. Only in this area is the topography high enough to maintain freshwater heads that can counteract saltwater intrusion according to the Ghyben-Herzberg principle. Furthermore, the climate, with an average yearly precipitation of 606mm and an average temperature of 14.4°C, allows for little recharge of the aquifer. Ongoing subsidence, encroachment of sea water along rivers and canals, as well as drainage from agricultural land also enhance the salinization process.
Titolo: | Salt water intrusion in the coastal aquifer of the southern Po Plain, Italy | |
Autore/i: | ANTONELLINI, MARCO; Mollema P.; GIAMBASTIANI, BEATRICE MARIA SOLE; Bishop K.; CARUSO, LAURA; MINCHIO, ANDREA; Pellegrini L.; Sabia M.; ULAZZI, ELISA; GABBIANELLI, GIOVANNI | |
Autore/i Unibo: | ||
Anno: | 2008 | |
Rivista: | ||
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10040-008-0319-9 | |
Abstract: | Saltwater has invaded the coastal aquifer along the southern Adriatic coast of the Po Plain in Italy. The topography, morphology and land use of the region is complex: rivers, canals, wetlands, lagoons, urban, industrial and agricultural areas and tourist establishments all coexist in a small area. Water table and iso-salinity maps show that in four study areas (Ancona-Bellocchio, Marina Romea, San Vitale Forest, Cervia) out of five, the water tables are below sea level and saltwater has replaced freshwater in the aquifer. The fifth area (Classe Forest) has a relatively pristine freshwater aquifer thanks to an average water-table height of 2m above sea level, a lower hydraulic conductivity (< 7.7m/day) and a continuous dune system along the coast. Only in this area is the topography high enough to maintain freshwater heads that can counteract saltwater intrusion according to the Ghyben-Herzberg principle. Furthermore, the climate, with an average yearly precipitation of 606mm and an average temperature of 14.4°C, allows for little recharge of the aquifer. Ongoing subsidence, encroachment of sea water along rivers and canals, as well as drainage from agricultural land also enhance the salinization process. | |
Data prodotto definitivo in UGOV: | 2010-02-18 18:49:48 | |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 1.01 Articolo in rivista |