Differentiating natural and anthropogenic impacts on water quality in a hydrothermal coastal aquifer (Mondragone Plain, Southern Italy)

Abstract

Groundwater from the Mondragone Plain (Southern Italy) has been investigated by a monthly sampling regimen over the course of a hydrologic year in order to analyze geochemical signatures and has been experienced methods for detecting natural and anthropogenic contamination dynamics that affect resources for human water supply. The Mondragone Plain aquifer is characterized by (1) anthropogenic land uses, (2) varying degrees of hydrothermal interactions, and (3) the potential for seawater intrusion. Anomalies induced by anthropogenic pollution produce non-normally distributed time series and an alteration of the natural SO 4 2-background of groundwater. Variables depending on natural processes are related to water-rock interactions along groundwater flow path, i.e., the hosting aquifer lithology of hydrothermal systems, the recharging massifs of Mt. Petrino and Mt. Massico, and more recent volcanic and alluvial formations. Solute transport in groundwater affects the urban aquifer, both by mixing of thermal waters and by ions deriving from agricultural activity (NO 3 -, SO 4 2-, NH 4 ? ), compromising the quality of a resource largely used by locals. The two thermal systems in the studied area [Levagnole and Padule-San Rocco] are two different aquifers with an independent circulation and chemical composition. Seawater intrusion, both into thermal systems and into shallow aquifers, seems to be unlikely despite the detected increase of salinity in the LEV system close to the shoreline.

Fe and As geochemical self-removal dynamics in mineral waters: evidence from the Ferrarelle groundwater system (Riardo Plain, Southern Italy)

“…The volcanic activity ended with the third phase, which was mainly characterized by intracaldera activity and the emplacement of two latitic domes in the caldera summit (Giannetti, 2001). Nowadays, although the Roccamonfina volcano is extinct, CO 2 emissions are still present on the volcanic edifice and in the surrounding plains, often coupled with soda springs, thermal and/or mineralized aquifers (Corniello et al, 2015;Cuoco et al, 2015Cuoco et al, , 2017. The FGS is CO 2 hyper-saturated groundwater hosted in a fractured carbonate aquifer.…”

Shallow Groundwater Quality and Its Controlling Factors in the Su-Xi-Chang Region, Eastern China

“…Water temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and electric conductivity (EC) were measured in the field at the time of collection using a digital handheld multiparameter sampling instrument (YSI ProDSS) [3]. The samples were pretreated during field collection using a degassing filtration system (GM-0.33A, JINTENG) powered by vehicular electricity supply, accompanied with a 0.45 μm water-soluble filter membrane and acidified to pH ≤ 2 using ultra-pure HNO3 for the cation analysis [39,40]. Without the determination…”

“…Water temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and electric conductivity (EC) were measured in the field at the time of collection using a digital handheld multiparameter sampling instrument (YSI ProDSS) [3]. The samples were pretreated during field collection using a degassing filtration system (GM-0.33A, JINTENG) powered by vehicular electricity supply, accompanied with a 0.45 µm water-soluble filter membrane and acidified to pH ≤ 2 using ultra-pure HNO 3 for the cation analysis [39,40]. Without the determination of NOM (Natural Organic Matter) or TOC (Total Organic Carbon), such on-site pretreatment can effectively filter the particle impurities, suspended solids and complexes, and stabilize the cations in the water sample, avoiding subsequent disturbance so as to make the measured results of cations and anions more accurate and the instruments more reliable.…”

Assessment of Physicochemical Groundwater Quality and Hydrogeochemical Processes in an Area near a Municipal Landfill Site: A Case Study of the Toluca Valley

“…Both nitrate and phosphate are an environmental concern as they are potential sources of nutrient enrichment in rivers, lakes, and wetlands. The presence of nitrates (0.0-3.17 mg L −1 ), ammonia (0-0.6 mg L −1 ), and phosphates (0.65-9.9 mg L −1 ) in groundwater are related to contamination by anthropogenic activities or infiltration of residual water [36][37][38], and this can cause variations in pH [39]. Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen, while the origin of phosphate may be due to contamination by municipal wastewater, agriculture, anthropogenic activities, and the hydrological environment [40].…”