The Maggiore Valley well field plays a fundamental role in supplying drinking water to a large territory of the Piedmont Region (northwestern Italy) and has been intensively exploited since the early twentieth century. This water resource is hosted in a deep, multilayered aquifer system. The main purpose of this study was to characterize the recharge processes of the deep aquifer through hydrochemical and isotopic assessments, as well as the water quality in the recharge and drainage areas. For this purpose, 128 physical–chemical analyses (major ions) and 50 isotopic analyses (δ 18 O and δ 2 H) were carried out on samples collected in shallow and deep aquifer complexes in two sampling campaigns in 2021. From the results, a hydrogeological conceptual model of recharge processes was developed. The chemical data confirm the presence of bicarbonate–calcium facies in most samples of the shallow and deep aquifer complexes. Clear hydrochemical differences were observed among the investigated sectors. The recharge areas were identified as (1) far zones, namely the shallow aquifer complex of the Cuneo Plain, and (2) the shallow and deep aquifer complexes with groundwater mixing in the riverside sector of Po Plain in the Turin area. The mixing of waters from the Cuneo Plain and Turin Plain was verified in the well field area. The isotopic values of the artesian well water also confirmed contributions from the Turin and Cuneo Alps. This study clarified the recharge processes, thereby defining potential pollutant pathways, and the results provide additional support for groundwater resource management and protection.
Assessment of the groundwater recharge processes of a shallow and deep aquifer system (Maggiore Valley, Northwest Italy): a hydrogeochemical and isotopic approach|对浅层和深层含水层系统（意大利西北部Maggiore山谷）的地下水补给过程进行评估：水文地球化学和同位素联合方法|Evaluation des processus de recharge d’un système aquifère peu profond et profond (vallée du Maggiore, nord-ouest de l’Italie): approche hydrogéochimique et isotopique|Valutazione dei processi di ricarica delle acque sotterranee di un sistema acquifero superficiale e profondo (Valle Maggiore, Italia Nord-occidentale): un approccio idrogeochimico ed isotopico|Avaliação dos processos de recarga das águas subterrâneas de sistemas de aquíferos rasos e profundos (Vale Maggiore, Noroeste da Itália): uma abordagem hidrogeoquímica e isotópica|Evaluación de los procesos de recarga de aguas subterráneas de un sistema acuífero superficial y profundo (Valle Maggiore, Noroeste de Italia): un enfoque hidrogeoquímico e isotópico
Marchina C.;Brombin V.;
2023
Abstract
The Maggiore Valley well field plays a fundamental role in supplying drinking water to a large territory of the Piedmont Region (northwestern Italy) and has been intensively exploited since the early twentieth century. This water resource is hosted in a deep, multilayered aquifer system. The main purpose of this study was to characterize the recharge processes of the deep aquifer through hydrochemical and isotopic assessments, as well as the water quality in the recharge and drainage areas. For this purpose, 128 physical–chemical analyses (major ions) and 50 isotopic analyses (δ 18 O and δ 2 H) were carried out on samples collected in shallow and deep aquifer complexes in two sampling campaigns in 2021. From the results, a hydrogeological conceptual model of recharge processes was developed. The chemical data confirm the presence of bicarbonate–calcium facies in most samples of the shallow and deep aquifer complexes. Clear hydrochemical differences were observed among the investigated sectors. The recharge areas were identified as (1) far zones, namely the shallow aquifer complex of the Cuneo Plain, and (2) the shallow and deep aquifer complexes with groundwater mixing in the riverside sector of Po Plain in the Turin area. The mixing of waters from the Cuneo Plain and Turin Plain was verified in the well field area. The isotopic values of the artesian well water also confirmed contributions from the Turin and Cuneo Alps. This study clarified the recharge processes, thereby defining potential pollutant pathways, and the results provide additional support for groundwater resource management and protection.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
