Influence of pyroclastic soil on epikarst formation: a test study in southern Italy

Celico, Fulvio; Naclerio, Gino; Bucci, Antonio; Nerone, Valentina; Capuano, Paolo; Carcione, Massimiliano; Allocca, Vincenzo; Celico, Pietro

doi:10.1111/j.1365-3121.2009.00923.x

Cited by 28 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Where the carbonate aquifers are juxtaposed with medium permeable Plio-Quaternary epiclastic and alluvial deposits, a groundwater exchange can exist. A subordinate perched groundwater flow also occurs in the surficial part of karst aquifers, where the different deepening of the epikarst (Celico et al, 2010), as well as stratigraphic and tectonic factors, can generate seasonal and ephemeral springs. The groundwater yield of the Campania's karst aquifers varies from 0.015 to 0.038 m 3 s −1 km −2 (Allocca et al, 2007(Allocca et al, , 2009.…”

Section: Climate and Hydrogeological Characteristics Of The Campania mentioning

confidence: 99%

Coupled decadal variability of the North Atlantic Oscillation, regional rainfall and karst spring discharges in the Campania region (southern Italy)

Vita

Allocca

Manna

et al. 2012

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract.Thus far, studies on climate change have focused mainly on the variability of the atmospheric and surface components of the hydrologic cycle, investigating the impact of this variability on the environment, especially with respect to the risks of desertification, droughts and floods. Conversely, the impacts of climate change on the recharge of aquifers and on the variability of groundwater flow have been less investigated, especially in Mediterranean karst areas whose water supply systems depend heavily upon groundwater exploitation.In this paper, long-term climatic variability and its influence on groundwater recharge were analysed by examining decadal patterns of precipitation, air temperature and spring discharges in the Campania region (southern Italy), coupled with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO).The time series of precipitation and air temperature were gathered over 90 yr, from 1921 to 2010, using 18 rain gauges and 9 air temperature stations with the most continuous functioning. The time series of the winter NAO index and of the discharges of 3 karst springs, selected from those feeding the major aqueducts systems, were collected for the same period.Regional normalised indexes of the precipitation, air temperature and karst spring discharges were calculated, and different methods were applied to analyse the related time series, including long-term trend analysis using smoothing numerical techniques, cross-correlation and Fourier analysis.The investigation of the normalised indexes highlighted the existence of long-term complex periodicities, from 2 to more than 30 yr, with differences in average values of up to approximately ±30 % for precipitation and karst spring discharges, which were both strongly correlated with the winter NAO index.Although the effects of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) had already been demonstrated in the long-term precipitation and streamflow patterns of different European countries and Mediterranean areas, the results of this study allow for the establishment of a link between a large-scale atmospheric cycle and the groundwater recharge of carbonate karst aquifers. Consequently, the winter NAO index could also be considered as a proxy to forecast the decadal variability of groundwater flow in Mediterranean karst areas.

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Section: Climate and Hydrogeological Characteristics Of The Campania mentioning

confidence: 99%

Coupled decadal variability of the North Atlantic Oscillation, regional rainfall and karst spring discharges in the Campania region (southern Italy)

Vita

Allocca

Manna

et al. 2012

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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“…Moreover, given their proximity to volcanic centers ( Fig. 1), these aquifers were singularly covered by variable thicknesses of ash-fall pyroclastic deposits (De Vita et al, 2006 that erupted during the Quaternary, whose presence influences the epikarst development (Celico et al, 2010). Regional hydrogeological studies carried out in the southern Apennines analysed groundwater circulation in main karst aquifers by understanding geological and structural constraints that control groundwater paths and assessing large groundwater bodies outflowing chiefly in basal springs, with mean annual discharges varying from 0.1 to 5.5 m 3 s −1 .…”

Section: Hydrogeology Of Karst Aquifers and Climatic Characteristics mentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating annual groundwater recharge coefficient for karst aquifers of the southern Apennines (Italy)

Allocca

Manna

Vita

2014

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

102

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Abstract.To assess the mean annual groundwater recharge of the karst aquifers in the southern Apennines (Italy), the estimation of the mean annual groundwater recharge coefficient (AGRC) was conducted by means of an integrated approach based on hydrogeological, hydrological, geomorphological, land use and soil cover analyses. Starting from the hydrological budget equation, the coefficient was conceived as the ratio between the net groundwater outflow and the precipitation minus actual evapotranspiration (P − ETR) for a karst aquifer. A large part of the southern Apennines, which is covered by a meteorological network containing 40 principal karst aquifers, was studied. Using precipitation and air temperature time series gathered through monitoring stations operating in the period 1926-2012, the mean annual P − ETR was estimated, and its distribution was modelled at a regional scale by considering the orographic barrier and rain shadow effects of the Apennine chain, as well as the altitudinal control. Four sample karst aquifers with available long spring discharge time series were identified for estimating the AGRC. The resulting values were correlated with other parameters that control groundwater recharge, such as the extension of outcropping karst rocks, morphological settings, land use and covering soil type. A multiple linear regression between the AGRC, lithology and the summit plateau and endorheic areas was found. This empirical model was used to assess the AGRC and mean annual groundwater recharge in other regional karst aquifers. The coefficient was calculated as ranging between 50 and 79 %, thus being comparable with other similar estimations carried out for karst aquifers of European and Mediterranean countries. The mean annual groundwater recharge for karst aquifers of the southern Apennines was assessed by these characterizations and validated by a comparison with available groundwater outflow measurements.These results represent a deeper understanding of an aspect of groundwater hydrology in karst aquifers which is fundamental for the formulation of appropriate management models of groundwater resources at a regional scale, also taking into account mitigation strategies for climate change impacts. Finally, the proposed hydrological characterizations are also supposed to be useful for the assessment of mean annual runoff over carbonate mountains, which is another important topic concerning water management in the southern Apennines.

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“…White (2004) considered that while the A and O soil horizons (the American soils classification system) should be excluded from the epikarst, normally the B horizon that fills the solutional voids, should be included. Celico et al (2010) concluded that epikarst formation can be reliant on soil thickness. Williams (2004) conceded that where soil is present, it would most likely moderate infiltration and provide further storage of water.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Snowmelt infiltration and storage within a karstic environment, Vers Chez le Brandt, Switzerland

Meeks

Hunkeler

2015

Journal of Hydrology

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Even though karstic aquifers are important freshwater resources and frequently occur in mountainous areas, recharge processes related to snowmelt have received little attention thus far. Given the context of climate change, where alterations to seasonal snow patterns are anticipated, and the often-strong coupling between recharge and discharge in karst aquifers, this research area is of great importance. Therefore, we investigated how snowmelt water transits through the vadose and phreatic zone of a karst aquifer. This was accomplished by evaluating the relationships between meteorological data, soil-water content, vadose zone flow in a cave 53 m below ground and aquifer discharge. Time series data indicate that the quantity and duration of meltwater input at the soil surface influences flow and storage within the soil and epikarst. Prolonged periods of snowmelt promote perched storage in surficial soils and encourage surficial, lateral flow to preferential flow paths. Thus, in karstic watersheds overlain by crystalline loess, a typical pedologic and lithologic pairing in central Europe and parts of North America, soils can serve as the dominant mechanism impeding infiltration and promoting shallow lateral flow. Further, hydrograph analysis of vadose zone flow and aquifer discharge, suggests that storage associated with shallow soils is the dominant source of discharge at time scales of up to several weeks after melt events, while phreatic storage becomes import during prolonged periods without input. Soils can moderate karst aquifer dynamics and play a more governing role on karst aquifer storage and discharge than previously credited. Overall, this signifies that a fundamental understanding of soil structure and distribution is critical when assessing recharge to karstic aquifers, particularly in cold regions.

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Influence of pyroclastic soil on epikarst formation: a test study in southern Italy

Cited by 28 publications

References 29 publications

Coupled decadal variability of the North Atlantic Oscillation, regional rainfall and karst spring discharges in the Campania region (southern Italy)

Coupled decadal variability of the North Atlantic Oscillation, regional rainfall and karst spring discharges in the Campania region (southern Italy)

Estimating annual groundwater recharge coefficient for karst aquifers of the southern Apennines (Italy)

Snowmelt infiltration and storage within a karstic environment, Vers Chez le Brandt, Switzerland

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