Distributional analysis for understanding geochemical processes affecting ground and surficial waters in different geological conditions

Caterina Gozzi (1) & Antonella Buccianti (2)
(1) Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Santa Maria, 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy. (2) Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy. Corresponding author e-mail: caterina.gozzi@dst.unipi.it.

The aim of this contribution is to investigate whether the study of frequency distribution, representing chemical reactions or geochemical processes, is able to provide useful information on the dynamics affecting ground and surficial waters. To reach this goal we started to explore the behaviour of the main solutes and common contaminants, by means of distributional analysis. In fact, the shape of the frequency distribution in geochemical variables reveals important information about the governing dynamics of the system that gave birth to the distribution. Moreover, the distribution shape, when plurimodality is pointed out, can be used to approximate the shape of different basins of attraction of the concentration values and this allows us to make helpful observations about the resilience of the system taken into account. Two application examples are presented, the first one for Perchloroethylene (PCE) concentration in groundwater of Firenze-Prato-Pistoia (Tuscany Region) alluvial plain and the second one for the chemistry of the surficial waters of the Alpine region.

geochemical data, water chemistry, distribution analysis, resilience.