Ricerc@Sapienza

In this study Cr(tot), Cr(VI), major and trace elements were determined in groundwater of northern sector of the Pollino Massif (southern Italy). The investigated area is characterized by ophiolitic rocks consisting of metabasites, shales and calcschists and fractured serpentinites. Two main hydro-facies were observed, reflecting low temperature water–rock interaction. The Mg-HCO3 hydrofacies is due to the weathering of serpentinites, Ca-HCO3 groundwaters are linked to the interaction with calcschist and metabasites.

Boron isotope composition was used to identify boron sources in groundwater in the eastern part of central Italy, on the west side of the lower alluvial plane of the Pescara river, a few kilometres from the coastline. This area was characterized by two possible boron sources: human activity and a geogenic source.

A geochemical assessment of groundwater beneath a municipal solid waste landfill site in Central Italy was carried out using a hydrogeochemical and isotopic approach. The aim of this study was to verify the quality of groundwater using major ions, trace elements and boron isotopes as tracers of contamination due to the presence of the landfill. Results obtained show that Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni and B present high values in groundwater located downgradient from the landfill. With boron isotopes, it is possible to identify whether a contamination source is anthropogenic and/or geogenic.

Elevated levels of arsenic (As) have been reported from clay peat and silt aquifer systems in the Bevera Valley Basin, Northern Italy. A sampling survey was carried out on 17 monitoring boreholes completed in the bedrock aquifer. All collected samples were analyzed for major ion concentrations and trace element chemistry. Parameters like pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), and redox potential (Eh) were also measured in situ using digital instruments.

Many areas in the Southern African Development Community are data-poor and poorly accessible. Water quality assessment in these areas therefore has to rely on the limited available data, coupled with restricted field sampling. This paper documents the first evaluation of the main geochemical processes and impact of anthropogenic and natural sources of contamination on the groundwater quality of the aquifer system used for domestic and agricultural purposes in Limpopo National Park, Gaza Province, Southern Mozambique.

Charcoal from vegetable wastes showed good adsorbent properties for lead-contaminated water. Adsorption capacity at equilibrium was about 10 and 20 mg/g at 50 and 100 mg/L Pb, respectively. Breakthrough curves highlighted longer operation times of column plant filled with charcoal mixed sand than with sand only.

Saline intrusion is one of the main problems in the drinking water quality management, especially for those coastal areas in which urbanization is seriously increasing. In fact, in some countries with an extensive coastline, such as Italy, the high drinking water demand can lead to an uncontrolled groundwater exploitation of coastal aquifers. During summer 2017, a severe drought event affected the entire Italian territory, including the study area located in the southern part of Latium Region.

The increasing occurrence of widespread drought phenomena is a global environmental emergency, especially for the effects of ongoing climate change on groundwater availability. Dry years and extreme temperatures are common drivers of current climate impacts all over the world, including, for example, the freshwater supply for drinking and agriculture purposes, ecosystems, forestry, health, etc. In this frame, to ensure temporal water availability in water-stressed areas, sustainable groundwater management is an increasing challenge.

Hydrogeological characterization is required when investigating contaminated sites, and hydraulic conductivity is an important parameter that needs to be estimated. Before groundwater sampling, well water level values are measured during low-flow purging to check the correct driving of the activity. However, these data are generally considered only as an indicator of an adequate well purging.