Natural hydrogeological laboratories: a new concept in regional hydrogeology studies. A case history from central Italy

Abstract

The hydrogeological and hydrochemical features related to the geological-structural setting were studied in two important karst hydrogeological units of the Central Apennine belt. The studied areas are strategically important groundwater springs that discharge (up to 9 m 3 /s), and are relevant for the interactions between the stratigraphic-structural setting and groundwater circulation. In this paper, the importance of identifying these so-called``natural hydrogeological laboratories'' is highlighted; whereas these conditions may be applied to speci®c areas or hydrostructures, both new investigating techniques might be tested and constrained mathematical models might be examined.

CO2 Inflow and Elements Desorption Prior to a Seismic Sequence, Amatrice‐Norcia 2016, Italy

“…In the eastern sector, the low permeability limit is represented by the thrust zone between the Mt. Morrone unit (top) and the Laga siliciclastic flysch unit (bottom; Salvati, ); in the western sector, the Mt. Morrone active extensional fault partially isolates the deep carbonate aquifer from the local shallow aquifers located in the Plio‐Quaternary continental clastic deposits of the Sulmona intramountain basin (Figure ).…”

HydroQuakes, central Apennines, Italy: Towards a hydrogeochemical monitoring network for seismic precursors and the hydro-seismo-sensitivity of boron

“…In this area, groundwater is mainly of the calcium bicarbonate type due to the carbonate dissolution, but it is occasionally mixed with deep sulphate-calcium-bicarbonate waters. This deep contribution is increased by active faults and related deep rock deformation (Miccadei et al, 1992;Salvati, 2002;Petitta et al, 2011Petitta et al, , 2015Desiderio et al, 2012;Fiorillo et al, 2015;Carucci et al, 2012;Barberio et al, 2017Barberio et al, , 2018.…”

Diurnal and Semidiurnal Cyclicity of Radon (222Rn) in Groundwater, Giardino Spring, Central Apennines, Italy

“…Morrone carbonate unit (bottom), in the northern sector; (2) the thrust zone between the Mt. Morrone unit (top) and the Laga siliciclastic unit (bottom), in the eastern sector [50]; and (3) the Mt. Morrone active extensional fault, in the western sector, isolating the carbonate deep aquifer from local shallow aquifers in the Sulmona plain [51,52].…”