Water quality assessment of carbonate aquifers in southern Latium region, Central Italy: a case study for irrigation and drinking purposes

Abstract

In southern Latium region, Central Italy, groundwater and spring water resources in the carbonate aquifers are the major contributors of drinking and irrigation water supply. The aim of this study was to review hydrochemical processes that control the groundwater chemistry and to determine the suitability of springs and groundwater for irrigation and drinking purposes on the basis of the water quality indices. Physical (pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids) and hydrochemical characteristics (Na ? , K ? , Ca 2? , Mg 2? , HCO 3 -, Cl -, and SO 4 -) of springs and groundwater were determined. To assess the water quality, chemical parameters like sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), total hardness, Mg-hazard (MH), sodium percentage (Na %), salinity hazard, permeability index, and Kelly's ratio were calculated based on the analytical results. A Durov diagram plot revealed that the groundwater has been evolved from Ca to HCO 3 recharge water, followed by mixing and reverse ion exchange processes, due to the respective dominance of Na-Cl and CaCl water types. According to Gibbs's diagram plots, chemical weathering of rock forming minerals is the major driving force controlling water chemistry in this area. Groundwater and spring samples were grouped into six categories according to irrigation water quality assessment diagram of US Salinity Laboratory classification and most of the water samples distributed in category C2-S1 and C3-S1 highlighting medium to high salinity hazard and low sodium content class. The results of hydrochemical analyses and the calculated water quality parameters suggest that most of the water samples are suitable for irrigation and drinking purposes, except for the samples influenced by seawater and enhanced water-rock interaction. High values of salinity, Na %, SAR, and MH at certain sites, restrict the suitability for agricultural uses.

Groundwater quality assessment using geospatial and statistical tools in Salem District, Tamil Nadu, India

“…, and HAR were assigned weights between 2 and 5 depending on their importance in water quality determination (Vasanthavigar et al 2009; Tiwari et al Pakkanadu, Karuppur, Omalur, Gundakkal, Manathal, Olaipatti, Panaimadal, Vedukattampatti, Chinnagoundanur, and Muthunaickanpatti, fall under the C3S1 levels. The zones of C4S2 and C3S1 indicate high-to-very high salinity and low-to-medium alkali water, which are not suitable for soils with restricted drainage and it requires a special management for salinity control (Sappa et al 2014) Residual sodium carbonate (RSC) RSC is measured to indicate the sodium hazard in water. Irrigation water having [5 RSC value is considered as harmful to the growth of plants, whereas water having [2.5 RSC value is not considered suitable for irrigation, and \2.5 RSC value is considered as suitable for irrigation (Tiwari et al 2016b).…”

Identifying Karst Aquifer Recharge Areas using Environmental Isotopes: A Case Study in Central Italy

“…Groundwater samples in the study area present d-excess values in the range of +8.93 to 10.88 in June 1997 and of +17.21 to +20.90 in October 2002, with an average of 9.78 to 19.46 , respectively ( Table 2). These values include the range from 10, for global precipitation, to 22, for the eastern Mediterranean area, indicating the significance of the Mediterranean as a moisture source for Italy [15,44]. Most of the spring samples with high deuterium excess values (October 2002) suggest that the precipitation in the groundwater comes from the Mediterranean sector.…”

“…Most of these isotopes are either stable or unstable [5]. Naturally, occurring stable isotopes of water have been used extensively in hydrological investigations over the past few decades [13][14][15]. In particular, the traditional stable isotope ratios of hydrogen and oxygen ( 2 H/H and 18 O/ 16 O) are recognizable tracers that are related to the water cycle and have been widely used in hydrology and water resources for decades [16].…”

Identifying Karst Aquifers Recharge Area Using Environmental Isotopes: Case Study in Central Italy

“…Groundwater samples in the study area present d-excess values in the range of +8.93 and 10.88‰ in June 1997 and of +17.21 and +20.90‰ in October 2002, with an average of 9.78 and 19.46‰ respectively ( Table 2). These values include the range from 10 for global precipitation to 22 for the eastern Mediterranean area indicating the significance of the Mediterranean as a moisture source for Italy [15,41]. Most of the spring samples with high deuterium excess values (October 2002) suggest that the precipitation in the groundwater comes from the Mediterranean sector.…”

“…Most of these isotopes are either stable or unstable [5]. Naturally occurring stable isotope of water have been used extensively in hydrological investigations over the past few decades [13,14,15]. In particular, stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen ( 2 H/H and 18 O/ 16 O) are recognizable tracers that are related to the water cycle and have been widely used in hydrology and water resources for decades [16].…”