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Hydrogeological mapping of the highly anthropogenically influenced Peligna Valley intramontane basin (Central )

Article in Journal of Maps · June 2012 DOI: 10.1080/17445647.2012.680778

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Desiderio G. Torquato Nanni Università degli Studi G. d'Annunzio Chieti e Pescara Università Politecnica delle Marche

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Sergio Rusi Università degli Studi G. d'Annunzio Chieti e Pescara

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The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. 1 2 2 1 G. DESIDERIO , C. FOLCHI VICI D'ARCEVIA , T. NANNI , S. RUSI GEOLOGICAL SCHEME (SCALE 1:100,000) From Miccadei et al., 1998, modified)

Eluvial and colluvial deposits (Holocene) 21 D HYDROGEOLOGICAL SKETCH OF THE PELIGNA VALLEY Recent fluvial deposits (Holocene)

D INTRAMONTANE BASIN (CENTRAL ITALY) 6 Detritic deposits (Tirrenian - Present)

E Travertine (Tirrenian) SCALE 1:25,000 9 1: Dipartimento di Geotecnologie per l'Ambiente e il Territorio, Università G. D'annunzio Chieti-Pescara. 2 2: Dipartimento di Scienze e Ingegneria della Materia, dell'Ambiente ed Urbanistica, Università Politecnica delle Marche - Ancona. 3 Fluvial deposits of the "Low terrace" (Tirrenian)

Fluvial deposits of the "Upper Sulmona terrace" (Sicilian-Tirrenian) 8 C SPRING HYDROGRAPHS 2 9 Lacustrin and marshy deposits (Sicilian) 4 3 5 7 - Noce della Corte dec. 1999/may. 2001 16 - Acqua Chiara jan. 2000/may. 2001 18 - Badia apr. 2000/may. 2001 Hydrogeological Complexes Aquifers E 3 ALLUVIAL FAN HYDROGEOLOGICAL COMPLEX Recent alluvial aquifer Alluvial fan deposits (Calabrian-Holocene) This complex is constituted by the alluvial fans that are This aquifer is constituted of recent alluvial deposits and is underlain by the lacustrine and marshy A 1 hydrogeological complex. The thickness varies between 10 and 25 m and it is a single level aquifer. located at the base of the limestone mountains that border The morphology of the water table is strongly influenced by the hydraulic connections between A3 the Peligna Basin. These alluvial fans are more extensive to the aquifer and the superficial runoff drainage network and by the paleo-river beds. The depth to 9 Limestones (Mesozoic-Cenozoic) 22 the west at the base of Mt. Morrone and to the south near the water table varies from 10 m to just below 1 m. The hydraulic gradient varies from 12‰ to 2‰ D . The alluvial fans originating from Mt. Prezza while average water levels vary approximately by 0.9 m. The highest water levels are recorded in 9 have a smaller area, at least at outcrop. The entire complex spring while the lowest water levels are recorded in summer. The electrical conductivity (20 °C) 2 9 has an area of 50 Km and is characterised by extremely varies between 400 and 700 µS/cm while temperature trends follow those of the ambient air. The Alluvial fan heterometric and heterogeneous deposits that are mainly groundwater has a bicarbonate-calcium hydrochemistry. Recharge to the aquifer is from the major A C streams and rivers and to a lesser degree from rainfall, from infiltration due to irrigation and from limestone, breccias and gravels with a sandy-silty matrix and 2 with silty levels. Thicknesses at outcrop vary between 10 and anthropogenic discharges. Thrusts 100 m. The complex is extremely permeable due to primary 23 Eastern Aquifer porosity and hosts a single level aquifer. Multi-level aquifers 2 Blind thrusts and perched aquifers are locally present due to silty levels This aquifer occupies an area of approximately 35 Km and is constituted of the alluvial and river terrace (Terrazza Alta di Sulmona) hydrogeological complexes. This aquifer, which is a single level 2 25 and due to wedging with the lacustrine deposits of the basin. 2 aquifer, is underlain by silty lacustrine and marshy deposits. The hydraulic conductivity is between 3 4 The alluvial fan aquifers could be in hydraulic connection -4 -4 -2 -2 2 Faults 8 10 to 6 10 m/s while transmissivities vary between 1 10 e 3 10 m /s. The main discharge of with the limestone aquifers adjacent to the Peligna Basin, the aquifer is towards the springs of the River Velletta and toward diffuse issues that are located at especially where the alluvial fans a thick. The latter are also in lithological contact between the silty lacustrine and alluvial deposits. The hydraulic gradient is 25‰ Presumed faults hydraulic connection with the river terrace aquifer identified in the southern areas and 8‰ towards the north. Depth to the water table is between 5 and 40 m. by the “Terrazza Alta di Sulmona” complex. Artesian flowing Changes in water levels are approximately 0.9 m with maximum depths to the water table Rivers wells are located in the urban areas of , occurring during the spring or the late summer months. The main spring (Badia) has a variable Bagnaturo, Sulmona and . These wells intercept discharge ranging between 15 and 30 l/s. Springs with smaller discharge rates, both with perennial confined aquifers connected with the more permeable and seasonal discharge regimes, are found at the boundaries with the alluvial fans. These springs deposits of the complex of the lacustrine and marshy are used for irrigational purposes. Discharge rates vary from 0.2 l/s (F.te La Torre e F.te di Salle) to 3 precipitation (mm)* discharge (l/s) conductivity (µS/cm) temperature (°C) deposits. l/s (F.te San Giovanni) with maximum rates occurring in spring and in the autumn. Electrical conductivity (20°C) varies between 200 and 800 µS/cm while temperature trends closely follow those of the seasonal ambient air temperatures. The groundwater has a bicarbonate-calcium * pluviometer for n. 7, Bagnaturo pluviometer for nn. 16 and 18 "TERRAZZA ALTA DI SULMONA" ALLUVIAL COMPLEX ++, ++ - — hydrochemistry with occasional high concentrations of Ca Mg , NO e SO partially due to This complex outcrops in the western part of the Peligna 3 4 B Basin between the towns of Raiano, Prezza, the presence of clayey, sometimes peaty deposits at the base of the aquifer, other times due to contamination from agricultural activities. Recharge is mainly from rainfall although in the summer PIPER DIAGRAM TABLE OF SPRINGS AND INCREASES/DECREASES IN RIVERBED and and in the eastern part of the basin between the period irrigation has a role in the recharge to the aquifer. Legend towns of and Bagnaturo. Outcrops of this complex Type N. Name Elev. (m a.s.l.) Q (aver., l/s) χ (aver., µS/cm) T (aver., °C) Eastern and central western aquifer can also be identified in correspondence of the towns of Central-Western Aquifer Vittorito and Sulmona and in some areas at the edge of the 2 Recent alluvial aquifer Fonte S. Giovanni This aquifer occupies approximately 30 Km and is constituted of the alluvial fan and river terrace S5 D Introdacqua alluvial fan. The total area of the complex is (Terrazza Alta di Sulmona) hydrogeological complexes. It is underlain by silty lacustrine and marshy La Fontuccia 2 3 -4 -5 Lacustrine marshy aquifer almost 50 km . It is constituted of very heterometric deposits deposits. The hydraulic conductivity is between 4 10 to 6 10 m/s while transmissivities vary Fonte di Salle -3 -4 2 Acqua Chiara spring that range from gravels to conglomerates within a sandy-silty between 2 10 e 2 10 m /s. The alluvial deposits are wedged into the central-western terrace 1 Montesilvano matrix which is alternated with sitly-sand and silt/clay lenses deposits and the underlying silty lacustrine deposits. Thicknesses of the outcrops are approximately Springs for surficial limestone aquifers La Torre of varying thicknesses and areal extent. Levels of clay, peat 10 m. The main discharge route is from west towards the edges of the terrace. A groundwater Mineralized springs from limestone aquifers s divide can be identified within the aquifer which divides it into two separate zones. These two g Vaccanica and volcanic deposits are frequent. The thickness varies and n

A2 i zones discharge one along the Rio stream in the south and the other at the series of springs that are

r Noce della Corte is approximately 10 m at Bagnaturo, 10-20 m at Pratola

p located along the line connecting Raiano to Corfinio. The hydraulic gradient varies from 8‰ to

s Lavatorio Galli - Zugaro Peligna, 50-60 m near Raiano and 10-30 m near Prezza. The 28‰. The depth to the water table is between 10 and 30 m. Changes in water levels are on average x hydrogeological complex is extremely permeable and e Lavatorio Corfinio l 1.7 m with minimum water levels occurring in the summer-autumn period. The aquifer is in

p connected to primary porosity. It hosts a single level aquifer Costa della Fonte geometrical continuity with the limestone relief of Mt. Prezza although there is no continuity with

m that can occasionally be multi-level due to the presence of o S. Ippolito the main aquifer of this structure. In fact, the basal springs of Mt. Prezza which are at the lowest c

deposits that have a lower permeability. The hydraulic

l elevation (Raiano Group of Spring at 280 m asl) are approximately 30-40 m lower that the lacustrine

a Vicenna1 i properties are similar to those of the Alluvial Fan impermeable limit of the Central-Western Aquifer. The springs of the latter aquifer have a perennial v Vicenna2 0 1 2 km u Hydrogeological Complex which it often laterally wedges

l flow rate although variable. These are located on the contact with the impermeable lacustrine l Volubbro A into. The aquifer is well contained and thus unique. substrate where average discharge rates vary between 0.1 l/s (S. Martino) and 14.5 l/s (Noce della Fonte Grande Corte). The specific electrical conductivity at 20°C is between 300 and 800 µS/cm while the LACUSTRINE-MARSHY HYDROGEOLOGICAL COMPLEX temperature trends follow those of the ambient air temperature. The groundwater has a Acqua Chiara - ++ ++ + bicarbonate-calcium hydrochemistry with high concentrations of HCO , Ca , Mg e Na due to Colle S. Martino Outcrops of this complex are found in the area between 3 C the effects of the presence of silty and clayey/silty levels and lenses within the aquifer. In some and Vittorito and at the edges of the narrow valleys of -- Badia cases, high concentrations of SO and the presence of sulphurs are connected to the weathering the main water courses in the areas of Sulmona, Pratola 4 0 6 - Cerviello of the peaty deposits which are present in the substrate. Nitrate (NO ) concentrations exceed 40 Peligna, Raiano and Corfino. The total area of this complex is 3 Lavatorio Sulmona approximately 12 km2. It is mainly constituted of silts in a mg/l in the area located between Raiano e Corfinio. It is likely that these high concentrations are S. Callisto sandy and clayey matrix and has levels and lenses of sands, connected to the intense agricultural activities in the area. Recharge to the aquifer is mainly from rainfall although in the summer period irrigation has a role in the recharge. C e gravels, clays, peat and volcanic clasts. This complex is x S. Liberata n s 9 e l o g relatively impermeable given its low hydraulic permeability

t Capo Pescara

p The Introdacqua FAN Aquifer n s i

r and underlies the alluvial deposits. The hydrogeological e 2 m Acqua Solfa The aquifer is constituted of calcareous heterometric deposits, breccias and gravels with maximum

6 p

0 o m s complex prevents hydraulic connection between these i c Giardino thicknesses that exceed 100 m. It is in contact with the terrace deposits (Terrazza Alta di Sulmona) L 4 recent alluvial deposits and the “Terrazza Alta di Sulmona” in some areas. In the northern areas the aquifer is wedged into the silty lacustrine and marshy Capolaia deposits. It acts as a lateral impermeable barrier to the deposits and with the recent alluvial deposits. The geometry of the aquifer is that of a single level

s Vella River

e alluvial fan aquifer and limits cross-boundary transfers of aquifer and the underlying bedrock is that of the Mt. Genzana limestone structure in the southern s

a River groundwater with the aquifers in the limestone mountains areas of the aquifer. The water table is at approximately 320 m asl. The main spring of the aquifer is e

C d r that border the Peligna Basin. In some cases, the lacustrine- Acqua Chiara which has discharge rates between 117 and 226 l/s. The average electrical ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY SCHEME (SCALE 1:150,000) e

c River () b e conductivity (20 °C) is 413 µS/cm while the average temperature is 12.6 °C. The groundwater has a

r marshy aquifer complex hosts confined aquifers within the

d Sagittario R (Introdacqua) e / bicarbonate-calcium hydrochemistry. The Acqua Chiara spring hydrograph has two annual v s more permeable deposits. These aquifers are under pressure i Sagittario R. (Pratola P.) e r

minimum: the first occurs towards the end of spring; the second minimum occurs towards the end s and give rise to, occasionally significant, artesian conditions. n a

i Sagittario R. (Aterno) of summer. The first minimum corresponds to a shallow quick-draining circuit connected to the e The thickness of the complex is variable within the basin and r recharge from the superficial runoff network. The second minimum corresponds to a deeper and Hydrogeological complexes c Aterno River (Sagittario) reaches maximums values of a few hundred meters in the n I Aterno River (Popoli) central area. slower drainage circuit which has a greater regulating capacity. The recharge to the aquifer is mainly from rainfall, infiltration from the Gizio and Sagittario rivers and to some extent, from E infiltration due to irrigation. Recharge from adjacent limestone structures is not excluded (M.te RECENT ALLUVIAL HYDROGEOLOGICAL COMPLEX Genzana, M.te Prezza). Recent alluvial complex 2 This complex, which has an areal extent of approximately 17 13 2 D km , is located in correspondence of the valleys where the The Lacustrine-marshy aquifer main rivers of the Peligna Basin flow. The complex is This aquifer has acquired the name of the lacustrine-marshy hydrogeological complex that acts as "Terrazza alta di Sulmona" alluvial complex constituted of sandy and clayey silts with gravely and sandy C an aquiclude for the Eastern Aquifer, the Central-Western Aquifer, the Recent Alluvial Aquifer and lenses of varying extent. The overall thicknesses are modest for the adjacent limestone structures surrounding the basin. Borehole logs indicate that thicknesses 12 and vary between 10 m and 20 m. The permeability is can vary from 1 to 70 m. The substrate of the Lacustrine-Marshy aquifer is represented by the connected to primary porosity. Relative permeability is limestone deposits complex in some areas. Significant confined aquifers are hosted within the Lacustrine-marshy complex medium. The complex hosts an aquifer that is hydraulically gravely and sandy levels that have higher hydraulic conductivities. Occasionally, these levels are in interconnected with surface water features, with the alluvial hydraulic continuity, either at the surface or at depth, with the alluvial fans and with the basal aquifers of the limestone structures that are located on the boundaries on the basin. The specific l fan complex and in some cases with the aquifers of the Alluvial fan complex adjacent limestone structures. electrical conductivity (20 °C) are among the highest of the entire Peligna Basin with values ranging 10 from 600 µS/cm to beyond 2000 µS/cm. Seasonal temperature variations do not exceed 2-3 °C. Redox potential is often negative. The groundwater has a bicarbonate-calcium hydrochemistry with -- LIMESTONE COMPLEX high concentrations of SO due to deep circulation. Maximum nitrate concentrations are 4 Limestones complex This complex is constituted of the limestone structures that approximately 20 mg/l. 9 E bound the Peligna Basin. The main lithologies are limestones, marly limestones, and significant thicknesses of dolomites Limestone Aquifer that can vary from a few hundred to a few thousand meters. This aquifer is constituted by the limestone deposits complex that has a variable thickness, ranging

3 The degree of relative permeability is high. Permeability is E from just a few meters to over 1000 m. Intense and non-homogeneous fracturing characterises the Electrical isoconductivity areas (at 20 °C)

0 mostly due to fracturing/fissuring and conduit flow. This aquifer. Micro and macro karstic weathering of the limestone give the aquifer a high, although 0

3 complex hosts significant aquifers that have a huge water variable, hydraulic permeability. The hydrogeological complex is an ideal aquifer as well as a zone 1

7 3 supply potential. There are several springs that source from that quickly transmits infiltrated rainfall to the underlying basal aquifer. The limestone deposits > 800 µS/cm 0

3 aquifer could be discharging to the springs at low elevations by means of a deep circulation circuit,

A1 0 the main aquifer which discharge in the Peligna Basin. Often 3 these springs are located where the Limestone Complex is in similarly to that proposed for the Acqua Chiara spring. These springs have a high vulnerability

4 which is connected to both the hydrogeological characteristics of the aquifers sourcing the springs

E 0 contact with the Lacustrine-Marshy Complex which has

3 and the geomorphological conditions of the areas where the springs are discharging. The potential 600 - 800 µS/cm

2 lower permeability. Hydraulic interconnection with the 5 for contamination of the spring waters is very low and is connected to the rare urbanised areas and 2 8

7 0 alluvial deposits cannot be excluded, especially in the 5 the non-intensive grazing of animals. 5 northern areas of the basin. 400 - 600 µS/cm l Hydrogeology < 400 µS/cm 4 Piezometry m a.s.l. Increases/decreases in riverbed Equidistance of 10 m S4 increases 0.1 - 100 l/s > 100 l/s Lake Distance smaller than 10 m D Main groundwater flow Geological section trace 24 Monitoring station 6 Springs < 1 l/s 1 - 10 l/s 10 - 100 l/s 100 - 1000 l/s > 1000 l/s 2 l Well 9 0 5 l l l l l Hydrograph pattern

3 2

5

3l D B 0 40 Km

Geolithological scheme of the region P e li Alluvial deposits (Holocene) 0 1 2 km gn a va ll Clay deposits (Plio-Pleistocene) ey 17 C Marly-clay, evaporitic and calcarenitic deposits (Miocene) Varicolor clay deposits (Cretaceus - Miocene) Limestones (Mesozoic-Cenozoic) Thrusts 19 3

3

5 Faults

30 0 INTRINSIC VULNERABILITY SCHEME (SCALE 1:100,000)

Hydrogeological complexes

3 Recent alluvial complex 40

D "Terrazza alta di Sulmona" alluvial complex

Lacustrine-marshy complex

Alluvial fan complex

E Limestones complex

Vulnerability

Very high

ANTHROPIC SYSTEM High D Sagittario R. Moderate Cauto spring

Anversa degli A. F. Aterno

G3 C

E

Raiano S3 Gizio R. D Acquachiara spring B B Vittorito Pratola Peligna Legend

Feeding and Artificial lake dewatering channel Spring Velletta R. Rio R. Sewage Hydroelectric discharge plant

Wastewater River treatment plant

V2 0 1 2 km Capolaia spring

Introdacqua G2

B D S2 V1

Giardino spring

Pescara - Liberata springs D

Popoli POLLUTION HAZARD SCHEME (SCALE 1:100,000) D S1 D D Real and potential producers of aquifer pollution n n j n Cemetery n n n n n tn tnn Petrol station Gizio R. n n n n Quarries n t nnn t Wastewater treatment plant n nn nn n n Industries nn Road network G1 n t Vella R. n n nn Land use B n n Uncultivated land Pacentro E

n Wineyard n j n n Wooded sown

j n n t nn n n n j Wooded n n t n E n n nn n n n n t Industrial districts t n n E nn n s t n n n nn n n n n n n Town n nnn n n n n n n j n n ntn n n n nn n n t n n j nn n n n n n Sagittario r. n n tn n Sulmona n n D n t n n n n nn

n t n n nn n n n t Genzana mt. n nnn n n t n A nn Introdacqua fan aquifer ' j n n Introdacqua Central wester aquifer t n n t n nn Eastern aquifer n n t n n Vella river n n n n Gizio river Rio river nn n n Acqua Chiara spring n nnt n n n Recent alluvial aquifer n j n 0 1 2 km n n

Sagittario river Aterno river n j n m a.s.l. n m a.s.l. j Legend Presumed groundwater Recent alluvial deposits Alluvial fan deposits Limestones flow direction Lacustrine-marshy Groundwater Ancient alluvial deposits deposits Piezometric level flow direction m a.s.l. m a.s.l. m a.s.l. m a.s.l.

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