Chemical analyses of spring waters and factor analysis to monitor the functioning of a karstic system. The role of precipitations regimen and anthropic pressures

Abstract

An approach is presented to study the functioning of a karstic massif and assess the adverse effects of the anthropogenic pressure by monitoring some water chemical and physical parameters of its main springs. The approach has been applied to the Sette Comuni Plateau (Veneto Region, Italy) hosting a well developed karstic system, whose aquifer presents high vulnerability and undergoes a relevant anthropogenic pressure. The Oliero springs, amongst the largest karstic springs in Europe, are the main water output of the plateau. Electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved O 2 , hardness, alkalinity, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, ionic species (NH 4 + , NO 3 À , NO 2 À , PO 4 3À , SO 4 2À , Cl À , F À ), elements (Cr III , Cr VI , Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, Pb), and some chlorinated solvents were monitored for one year. This study presents the application of a factor analysis on the water parameters enabling the identification of the dominant chemical and biological processes and pollution sources affecting the karstic system. Results show four factors which are interpreted as karstification, photosynthesis, storm flow pollution and anions. Finally, by associating metals, chemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids with the amount of rainfall in the 48 h before samplings, further detailed information to the fast response of the aquifer to precipitation events was detected and interpreted according to the factor analysis results. The proposed approach, by providing information on the functioning of the aquifer, may help the management of the karstic plateau and is easily adaptable to similar environments.

Herbicides in river water across the northeastern Italy: occurrence and spatial patterns of glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid, and glufosinate ammonium

“…The mountain chains (Alps and Prealps) are mainly composed of sequences of sedimentary rocks (mainly limestone and dolomite) on metamorphic basements with magmatic extrusions. Springs of major rivers (e.g., Piave, Brenta, Adige) are located in the Alps, while other rivers flow (Livenza) or join tributaries (e.g., Brenta) flowing from karstic systems (Capraro et al 2011). Other major rivers (e.g., Bacchiglione, Dese, Sile, Zero) born in the "risorgive" area from springs fed by aquifers catching water across the Prealps area.…”