Papers by Domenico DE LUCA
Piezometric level variations as response of groundwater to climate change: the case study of Piedmont plain (NW Italy)
EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2019
How Climate Change influence groundwater temperature? A case study in the Piedmont Po Plain (NW Italy)
This study represents the first regional-scale investigation in the Piedmont Po plain about the r... more This study represents the first regional-scale investigation in the Piedmont Po plain about the relationship between groundwater temperature in the shallow aquifer (GWT) and climate variability. The aim of this investigation is to study and compare time trends in air temperature (AT) and GWT over a 10-year time period (between 2010 and 2019), and to evaluate possible relationships between the two parameters. For doing so we had used daily measures taken from 41 monitoring wells located in the shallow aquifer and 20 weather stations throughout the Piedmont Po plain area.Both AT and GWT showed an increase over the observed period with a more pronounced growth of the AT. With regard to AT all the weather stations had shown an increasing trend with a variation in the annual mean 1.7 and 2.2 ◦C/10 years; moreover, GWT annual mean generally shows a variation between −0.3 and 2.1 ◦C/10 years. This result allows to state that GWT is more resilient to climate change than AT. However, some monitoring wells in the study area showed a behaviour that partially deviated from the standard trend observed for the majority of the region: these wells were influenced by particular anthropic factors (for example the paddy fields) or natural elements (as the monitoring wells located downstream of melting glaciers, or the wells located close to Rivers). Further investigations will be conducted in future in Piedmont plain areas with different behaviour, in order to better understand their dynamics and the factors that may influence GWT and how they are affected by climate change.Moreover, this study wanted to stress the importance of the knowledge of the localization in wells of the instruments for the GWT measurement, to have the most accurate and comparable data. As already state in literature the GWT fluctuation in the bottom part of the aquifer was milder than the fluctuation observed in the most superficial part. Therefore, it has been possible to observe that in the study area when the depth of the instrument increased, the maximum and minimum peaks of the GWT shifted in time respect to the maximum and minimum peaks of the AT.Lastly, we are conducting a groundwater and heat flow simulation of the shallow aquifer of the Turin Plain area using a numerical model with Smoker Heatflow code. The calibration performed with the available hydrogeological setting information of the area and the GWT and AT data will allow us to model the future spatial distribution of GWT in the study area, according to the IPCC forecast scenarios.
Hydrochemical and isotopic study of Maggiore Valley deep aquifers (NW Italy): evaluation of the interactions with the Po River&#160
<p>The Maggiore Valley well field plays a fundamental role in supplying dri... more <p>The Maggiore Valley well field plays a fundamental role in supplying drinking water to a large territory of the Piedmont Region (north-western Italy) and has been intensively exploited since the early XX century. Due to the lack of other relevant sources of drinking water in this part of Piedmont region, this well field represents a drinking water reserve of regional importance.</p><p>This water resource  is host in a deep multi-layered aquifer system. The recharge area of the deep exploited aquifer is located towards the Po Plain, west (Turin Plain) and south (Cuneo Plain) of the study area. Most likely, the deep aquifer is recharged from west by Po river, that in this area is a losing river, due to the highly permeable Quaternary gravelly sand deposits in correspondence with the river.</p><p>The main purpose of this study was to confirm the interaction between deep aquifer and the Po River through a hydrochemical and isotopic assessment, and to characterize the different water resource quality in this areas (Po Plain, Poirino plateau, Maggiore Valley area).  </p><p>Two sampling campaigns were carried out both in the shallow and deep aquifers (March and June 2021) for a total of 128 samples. Physical-chemical analyzes of the main ions on all samples and isotopic analyzes (δ<sup>18</sup>O, δ<sup>2</sup>H) on 50 samples were conducted.</p><p>The processing of chemical data has confirmed the bicarbonate-calcium facies for the majority of the shallow and deep aquifers samples. Moreover, clear hydrochemical differences were observed between the investigated sectors; e.g. the shallow aquifer of the Poirino Plateau shows nitrate concentrations superior than the limits, unlike the deep aquifer of Maggiore Valley is characterized by low concentration of nitrate and other ions.  </p><p>The processing of isotopic data, combined with previous data, made it possible to identify a gradual increase in values of the isotopic composition along the flow direction into the Cuneo deep aquifer due to the progressive interaction with the shallow aquifer; moreover, isotopic data confirmed the interaction between the Po River (more negative values) and the shallow aquifer (more positive values) along the watercourse in the Turin Po Plain, resulting with a more negative isotopic composition in the shallow aquifer compared to nearby areas.</p><p>In the Maggiore Valley, the isotopic signals of the deep aquifer, flowing from the Turin plain and interpreted as potentially influenced by the Po River showed an isotopic composition highly similar to the watercourse, with to the least enriched waters of the area.</p><p>The isotopic signals of the deep aquifers in the Maggiore Valley flowing from the Cuneo plain (more positive) and Turin plain (more negative) were distinguished and the mixing between these converging aquifers in the well field area was verified.</p><p>In conclusion, the stable isotopes suggest an interaction between the Po River and the deep aquifer of the Maggiore Valley wells.</p><p>The study provides an additional tool for a better groundwater management and protection of a regional importance drinking water reserve.</p>
La grave carenza idrica del bacino di Sekota (Etiopia settentrionale): analisi delle problematiche e proposte di intervento
A working group of CNR-IGG and Earth Sciences Department of the University of Turin carried out a... more A working group of CNR-IGG and Earth Sciences Department of the University of Turin carried out a tridimensional model of the geologic structure and the geometry of deep aquifers contained in successions buried under the Piemonte Plain (NW Italy). This model has permit to suppose the surface separating fresh and salt waters in the deep aquifers analyzed. This results are important because allow to make preliminary hypothesis about the volume and the quantity of potentially exploitable deep aquifers permeated by fresh waters and about the possible use of deep successions permeated by salt waters like CO2 geological storage.
La portata unitaria nella valutazione della capacità di attenuazione per diluizione di un acquifero
Implementazione delle conoscenze del sistema acquifero nel territorio della Provincia di Torino ai fini della prevenzione dell'inquinamento delle falde idriche in materia di acque sorgive
Chemical and isotopic composition of precipitation in the Piedmont Po Plain (NW Italy): preliminary evaluation of impacts on the groundwater quality
<p>The precipitation constitutes one of the main sources of the groundwater resourc... more <p>The precipitation constitutes one of the main sources of the groundwater resources. The chemical composition of precipitation is influenced both by natural and anthropic sources. For this reason, it is essential to monitor rainfall potentially able to influence groundwater quality. The Po Plain sector (NW Italy) is one of the most urbanized, industrialized and air polluted area in Europe but few studies have been conducted in this area, particularly in the Piedmont Region.</p> <p>The main purpose of this study was: I) to provide a preliminary assessment of quality and isotopic composition of rainwater in the western Po Plain, II) to show the spatial and temporal differences of rain chemical composition between the monitoring points, and III) to define the influence of rain to groundwater chemistry.</p> <p>A long-term trends on the groundwater concentration of NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> and SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2–</sup> in the shallow aquifer on 227 monitoring points of the Regional Monitoring network database were conducted (2000-2020 period).</p> <p>In the last decades, in Europe a large effort was carried out to reduce sulphur and nitrogen emission in the atmosphere. This resulted in a sharp decrease in the deposition of SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2–</sup> and nitrogen compounds.</p> <p>The rain analysis of long-term trends in near regions, revealed a large proportion of significant decreasing trends in the concentration of both sulphate and nitrogen compounds.</p> <p>Actually also the analysis of groundwater long-term trends revealed a significant decreasing trends in the concentration of NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> and SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2–</sup> in the shallow aquifer.</p> <p>A sampling campaigns was carried out during one year (September 2021 – September 2022) in 4 monitoring points located in the western Po Plain. Rainfall collection occurred every 2 months, for a total of 20 samples. Physical-chemical analyzes of the main ions and isotopic analyzes (δ<sup>18</sup>O, δ<sup>2</sup>H) were conducted for all samples.</p> <p>The period  September 2021 – September 2022 was characterized by a rainfall deficit in the winter period in the NW Italy, recording a 62% reduction in rainfall (compared to the climatic average of the thirty year period 1981-2010).</p> <p>The processing of rainfall chemical data has shown different concentrations between the monitoring points and a temporal variability. High NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> and SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2–</sup> concentrations were observed.</p> <p>Rainfalls sampled after the winter dry period (March-April samples) show higher ions concentrations (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> 13 mg/L, SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2–</sup> 4 mg/L) respect to other periods. Differences in rainfall samples depend on the location of the monitoring point (urban or rural areas).</p> <p>Isotopic data has shown different spatial and temporal isotopic signals, linked to the location and elevation of the monitoring points. In the δ<sup>18</sup>O/δ<sup>2</sup>H diagram all isotopic signals are not placed on the Local Meteoric World Line, potentially linked to climate change.</p> <p>The isotopic signals are within the ranges of previous studies (δ<sup>18</sup>O: -12,6/-6,2; δ<sup>2</sup>H: -82,15/-35,1 ‰ (min/max)).</p> <p>In conclusion, the rain ions concentrations are influenced by anthropic pollution, they are affected by dry periods and they appears to influence the concentration in groundwater.</p>
Evaluation of risk to groundwater due to extractive waste in abandoned mine site: Case study of Gorno, NW Italy
Monitoring of urban growth and its related environmental impacts: Niamey case study
EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2016
This work is about particular type of springs surfacing in Po valley, called "fontanili". The rea... more This work is about particular type of springs surfacing in Po valley, called "fontanili". The reasons found that explain this phenomenon, can be hydrogeological, infact many springs are placed sediments characterized by low permeability, or morphological, for the surface decreasing. At the beginning the research consisted in a data-gathering, followed by the census of 51 water emergences in Torino plain, and the monitoring of ten of these for one year. Every month instant discharge was calculated to evaluate the ground water level discharge itself, and spring's water was analyzed to define chemical features. Compared to the library-research, many fontanili disappeared, especially for farming development and well overuse. This is an alarming situation, because they are part of the naturalistic and water resources and have ecological importance, and they have to be protected and safeguarded.
Remote sensing and hydrogeological methodologies for irrigation canal leakage detection: the Osasco and Fossano test sites (NorthWestern Italy)
The EGU General Assembly, Apr 1, 2013
ABSTRACT Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 15, EGU2013-5705, 2013, EGU General Assembly 2013
Environmental Issues Connected to the Quarry Lakes and Chance to Reuse Fine Materials Deriving from Aggregate Treatments
Springer eBooks, Aug 26, 2014
ABSTRACT Nowadays the number of quarries below water table is increasing due to the raising deman... more ABSTRACT Nowadays the number of quarries below water table is increasing due to the raising demand of aggregates. This kind of quarry implies an irreversible change of land use, since it forms artificial lakes which remain also when the activity is over. Quarry lakes are particularly numerous in alluvial plains, as we can find in Northern Italy, along the main streams of the Po plain. A quarry lake alters the pre-existent piezometric water table morphology and there is the possibility of a mixing between shallow aquifer and deep aquifers. Furthermore, a quarry lake creates an area of high vulnerability, especially because potential contaminants could reach the aquifer. The presence of a quarry lake can affect the local hydrological balance due to a high evaporation in the quarry.At last, the working activities connected to aggregate exploitation cause the production of fine materials (silt and clay) potentially employable in quarry rehabilitation. Most of time, these materials are used in quarry lake backfilling with a consequent hydrogeological alteration. This research deals with a study and an analysis of problems concerning quarry lakes in plain areas, their relationship with the hydrogeological setting and the issues connected to the production of fine waste. These problems are examined both from a theoretical point of view and from the analysis of real contexts, focusing on the legislation in force in Italy.
L’apporto dell’indagine idrogeologica alla soluzione della crisi idrica in un’area dell’Altopiano Etiopico
Contaminazione da nitrati nelle acque sotterranee della pianura torinese-cuneese: quadro generale e ruolo dei corsi d’acqua
Strategies for deep aquifers protection at local and regional scale: the Piedmont region example
Aquifer protection from overexploitation: example of actions and mitigation activities used in the Maggiore Valley (Asti Province, NW Italy)
In this paper a method for the assessment of nitrate vulnerability is proposed. This method analy... more In this paper a method for the assessment of nitrate vulnerability is proposed. This method analyzes the aquifer ability in reducing nitrate contamination through dilution process. The levels of analysis are three. The level 1 represents the possibility that nitrogen N-leaching reaches groundwater. N-leaching is the amount of nitrogen fertilizer that reaches the vadose zone. It depends also from soil hydraulic parameters and amounts of nitrogen fertilizers. Considering effective infiltration and time of travel, groundwater is "protected" or "not protected". When groundwater is protected, nitrate vulnerability is negligible; on the other side, when groundwater is not protected, nitrate vulnerability can be evaluated with subsequent analysis levels. The level 2 estimates the aquifer ability in reducing nitrate contamination by means of dilution process. This capacity can be measured through the volumetric flow rate per unit perpendicular to the flow direction (q u ): in fact q u is directly proportional to aquifer ability to operate a contaminant concentration reduction. The level 3 evaluates the "Effective Attenuation Ability" of an aquifer, and so the nitrate vulnerability. The effective attenuation ability represents the aquifer ability in reduce the nitrate concentration by means of dilution process, in order not to exceed the nitrate legislative limits of 50 mg/l in groundwater (D.L. 152/2006). This method considers the presence of a pre-existence contamination in groundwater. This capacity can be measured through the acceptable nitrogen leaching (NLA). This method was used in sample areas of Piemonte plain (Italy), showing satisfactory results.
Il ruolo dei corsi d’acqua nella attenuazione della contaminazione da nitrati nelle acque sotterranee: il caso della pianura torinese-cuneese (Piemonte)
Integrazione della rete di monitoraggio regionale in aree di fondovalle alluvionale (PRISMAS 3)
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Papers by Domenico DE LUCA