Unravelling the salinity origins in the coastal aquifer/aquitard system of the Volturno River (Italy)

To counteract the ongoing salinization of coastal aquifers, which poses a significant environmental and socioeconomic challenge to local communities, it is necessary to first understand the origin and mechanisms of this phenomenon. This study investigates the origins of salinity in the Volturno River lowland in Southern Italy and reveals that the primary source in the area is paleo-seawater entrapped within sediments that were subject to evapoconcentration processes. By systematically collecting sediment samples at variable depths and locations and extracting porewaters, a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between freshwater and saline water was gained, including complex patterns of vertical stratification of groundwater salinity. The study highlights the limitations of traditional methods that rely on salinity monitoring via integral depth sampling, particularly in capturing the vertical redox and salinity gradients characteristics of layered aquifer/aquitard systems. On the contrary, environmental tracers, like chloride and bromide, provide valuable insights into the sources of groundwater salinity, distinguishing between current seawater intrusion and other causes, such as paleoseawater and return flow from drained agricultural land. Results suggest that the majority of salinity does not originate from modern seawater intrusion or recent evaporation. Instead, it can be attributed to paleo-seawater affected by evapoconcentration processes. This study has broader implications for the sustainable management of coastal aquifers and the safeguarding of freshwater resources. While our findings are specific to the Volturno River coastal area, the methodologies and insights here presented can be reproduced in every coastal region facing similar salinity challenges.