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The geochemical and isotopic composition of aquifer systems in the deltaic region of the Po River plain (northern Italy)

Caractérisation géochimique et isotopique des aquifères de la plaine deltaïque du Po (Italie du Nord)

Composición geoquímica e isotópica de sistemas acuíferos en la región deltaica de la llanura del Río Po (norte de Italia)

意大利北部Po河平原三角洲地区含水层系统的地球化学及同位素组成

Composição geoquímica e isotópica de sistemas aquíferos na região deltaica da planície do Rio Pó (norte de Itália)

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Abstract

The chemical and hydrodynamic characteristics of groundwater in deltaic regions are strongly influenced by the complex stratigraphy of these areas, caused by the continuously varying depositional environments associated with their recent hydrographic evolution. As a case study, the eastern sector of the Po River plain, northern Italy, has been investigated to understand the quality of the available groundwater resources. Based on the analysis of hydrochemical and isotopic data, the recharge characteristics, the groundwater residence time and the aquifer vulnerability are defined. The results show significant qualitative degradation of the unconfined aquifer due to the shallow depth to water, while in the underlying confined aquifer, a hydrochemical facies of Ca–HCO3 type prevails. The spatial variation and relationship between oxygen-18 and deuterium determine: firstly, hydraulic separation of the two hydrogeological units; secondly, direct infiltration of local precipitation to the unconfined aquifer; thirdly, the occurrence of waters originating in the Alps and locally from the Apennines, pervading the confined aquifer. The tritium results suggest local mixing between the superficial waters and the confined aquifer, occurring along the palaeo-river channels. This increases the pollution vulnerability of the confined hydrogeological unit within the plain, which is the only natural groundwater resource exploited for water supply.

Résumé

Les caractéristiques chimiques et hydrodynamiques des eaux souterraines des régions deltaïques sont fortement influencées par la complexité stratigraphique de ces zones, résultant d’environnements de dépôt en perpétuel changement et de leur récente évolution hydrographique. Dans ce contexte, le secteur Est de la plaine alluviale du Po, au nord de l’Italie, a été étudié afin de comprendre l’origine de la qualité des ressources en eaux souterraines. Les caractéristiques de la recharge, le temps de résidence ainsi que la vulnérabilité des aquifères ont été définis sur la base de données géochimiques et isotopiques. Les résultats montrent pour l’aquifère libre une forte dégradation de la qualité des eaux souterraines due à leur faible profondeur alors que l’aquifère captif sous-jacent est dominé par un faciès hydro chimique de type Ca–HCO3. Les relations entre l’oxygène 18 et le tritium, ainsi que leurs variations spatiales, indiquent (1) une discontinuité hydraulique entre les deux unités hydrogéologiques, (2) une infiltration directe des précipitations locales dans l’aquifère libre et (3) l’existence prépondérante d’eaux originaires des Alpes, voire localement des Apennins, dans l’aquifère captif. Les analyses du tritium suggèrent des mélanges ponctuels entre les eaux superficielles et profondes à la faveur de paléo chenaux fluviatiles. Cet état de fait augmente la vulnérabilité de l’aquifère captif qui constitue l’unique ressource souterraine en eaux potable, exploitée dans la plaine alluviale.

Resumen

Las características químicas e hidrodinámicas del agua subterránea en regiones deltaicas están fuertemente influenciadas por la estratigrafía compleja de estas áreas, causada por los diferentes ambientes deposicionales que varían continuamente asociados con su evolución hidrográfica reciente. Como un caso de estudio, el sector oriental de la llanura del Río Po, en el norte de Italia, ha sido investigado para entender la calidad de los recursos de agua subterránea disponibles. En base al análisis de datos hidroquímicos e isotópicos, se definieron las características de la recarga, el tiempo de residencia del agua subterránea y la vulnerabilidad del acuífero. Los resultados muestran una degradación cualitativa significativa del acuífero libre debido a la escasa profundidad al agua subterránea, mientras que en el acuífero confinado subyacente prevalece una facie hidroquímica del tipo Ca–HCO3. La variación espacial y la relación entre Oxígeno-18 y deuterio determina: primero, una separación hidráulica de las dos unidades hidrogeológicas; segundo, infiltración directa de precipitación local al acuífero libre; tercero, la ocurrencia de aguas originadas en los Alpes y localmente en los Apeninos, invadiendo el acuífero confinado. Los resultados de tritio sugieren mezcla local entre las aguas superficiales y el acuífero confinado, lo que ocurre a lo largo de paleocauces. Esto incrementa la vulnerabilidad a la polución de la unidad hidrogeológica confinada dentro de la llanura, la que constituye la única fuente de agua subterránea natural explotada para suministro de agua.

摘要

由与近期水文演化相关的连续变动的沉积环境所造成的复杂地层结构, 强烈影响着三角洲地区地下水的化学和水动力特征。作为案例研究, 本文对意大利北部Po河平原东部进行了调查, 以了解其可采地下水资源的水质。基于水化学和同位素分析, 确定了补给特征、地下水驻留时间和含水层脆弱性。结果表明, 潜水因埋深小, 水质显著恶化 ; 而下伏承压水的水化学相以Ca-HCO3型为主。根据氢氧稳定同位素的空间变化及其相互关系, 得出 : 首先, 两个水文地质单元的水力划分 ; 第二, 当地降水直接入渗潜水含水层 ; 第三, 源于阿尔卑斯山和局部源于亚平宁山脉的水遍及承压含水层。氚结果表明, 浅层水和承压水沿古河道发生局部混合。这增加了该平原承压水文地质单元的污染脆弱性, 而该单元是作为供水开采的唯一的天然地下水资源。

Resumo

As características químicas e hidrodinâmicas das águas subterrâneas nas regiões deltaicas são fortemente condicionadas pela estratigrafia complexa destas áreas, causada pelos ambientes de deposição continuamente variáveis associados à sua evolução hidrográfica recente. Como caso de estudo para compreender a qualidade dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos disponíveis, investigou-se o sector oriental da planície do Rio Pó, norte de Itália. Com base na análise de dados hidroquímicos e isotópicos, definiram-se as características de recarga, o tempo de residência das águas subterrâneas e a vulnerabilidade do aquífero. Os resultados mostram degradação qualitativa significativa do aquífero livre, devido à profundidade baixa à água, enquanto que, no aquífero confinado subjacente, prevalece uma fácies hidroquímica do tipo Ca-HCO3. A variação espacial e a relação entre o oxigénio-18 e o deutério determinam: primeiramente, separação hidráulica das duas unidades hidrogeológicas; em segundo lugar, infiltração directa da precipitação local no aquífero livre; em terceiro lugar, a ocorrência de águas com origem nos Alpes e localmente nos Apeninos, penetrando no aquífero confinado. Os resultados do trítio sugerem mistura local entre as águas superficiais e o aquífero confinado, ocorrendo ao longo dos canais do paleo-rio. Isto aumenta a vulnerabilidade à poluição da unidade hidrogeológica confinada dentro da planície, que é o único recurso hídrico subterrâneo natural explorado para abastecimento de água.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to Arpa Regione Emilia Romagna for hydrometric and piezometric data, and to the Ro Ferrarese agency for the pumping tests data and for permission to sample the wells. Thanks also to Dr. E. Zagana of the National Center for Marine Research of Greece for analytical support. Thanks are also due to G.M. Zuppi for useful discussions on isotopic data.

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  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, via Saragat 1, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    Dimitra Rapti-Caputo

  2. Arpa Emilia-Romagna, Reggio Emilia Section, via Amendola 2, 42100, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Giovanni Martinelli

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  1. Dimitra Rapti-Caputo
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Correspondence to Dimitra Rapti-Caputo.

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Rapti-Caputo, D., Martinelli, G. The geochemical and isotopic composition of aquifer systems in the deltaic region of the Po River plain (northern Italy). Hydrogeol J 17, 467–480 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-008-0370-6

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