| Title | Microbiological and hydrogeological assessment of groundwater in southern Italy |
| Abstract | This study represents the first investigation of microbiological groundwater pollution as a function of aquifer type and season for the Apulia region of southern Italy. Two hundred and seven wells were randomly selected from those monitored by the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection for emergency use. Both compulsory (Escherichia coli, Total Coliform, and Enterococci) and optional (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., Heterotrophic Plate Count at 37 and 22 degrees C) microbiological parameters were assessed regularly at these wells. Groundwater from only 18 of the 207 (8.7 %) wells was potable; these all draw from karst-fissured aquifers. The remaining 189 wells draw from karst-fissured (66.1 %) or porous (33.9 %) aquifers. Of these, 82 (43.4 %) tested negative for Salmonella spp. and P. aeruginosa, while 107 (56.6 %) tested positive for P. aeruginosa (75.7 %), Salmonella spp. (10.3 %), or for both Salmonella spp. and P. aeruginosa (14 %). A logistic regression model shows that the probability of potable groundwater depends on both season and aquifer type. Typically, water samples were more likely to be potable in autumn-winter than in spring-summer periods (odds ratio, OR = 2.1; 95 % confidence interval, 95 % CI = 1.6-2.7) and from karst-fissured rather than porous aquifers (OR = 5.8; 95 % CI = 4.4-7.8). Optional parameters only showed a seasonal pattern (OR = 2.6; 95 % CI = 1.7-3.9). Clearly, further investigation of groundwater microbiological aspects should be carried out to identify the risks of fecal contamination and to establish appropriate protection methods, which take into account the hydrogeological and climatic characteristics of this region. |
| Source | Environmental monitoring and assessment (Print) 188 (11) |
| Keywords | GroundwaterMicrobiological pollutionDrinking waterApuliaItalyFecal contamination |
| Journal | Environmental monitoring and assessment (Print) |
| Editor | Kluwer Academic Publishers, London, Paesi Bassi |
| Year | 2016 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10661-016-5655-y |
| Authors | De Giglio, Osvalda; Barbuti, Giovanna; Trerotoli, Paolo; Brigida, Silvia; Calabrese, Angelantonio; Di Vittorio, Giuseppe; Lovero, Grazia; Caggiano, Giuseppina; Uricchio, Vito Felice; Montagna, Maria Teresa |
| Text | 389162 2016 10.1007/s10661 016 5655 y ISI Web of Science WOS 000388202300039 Groundwater Microbiological pollution Drinking water Apulia Italy Fecal contamination Microbiological and hydrogeological assessment of groundwater in southern Italy De Giglio, Osvalda; Barbuti, Giovanna; Trerotoli, Paolo; Brigida, Silvia; Calabrese, Angelantonio; Di Vittorio, Giuseppe; Lovero, Grazia; Caggiano, Giuseppina; Uricchio, Vito Felice; Montagna, Maria Teresa Univ Bari Aldo Moro; CNR; Azienda Sanit Locale Prov Bari This study represents the first investigation of microbiological groundwater pollution as a function of aquifer type and season for the Apulia region of southern Italy. Two hundred and seven wells were randomly selected from those monitored by the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection for emergency use. Both compulsory Escherichia coli, Total Coliform, and Enterococci and optional Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., Heterotrophic Plate Count at 37 and 22 degrees C microbiological parameters were assessed regularly at these wells. Groundwater from only 18 of the 207 8.7 % wells was potable; these all draw from karst fissured aquifers. The remaining 189 wells draw from karst fissured 66.1 % or porous 33.9 % aquifers. Of these, 82 43.4 % tested negative for Salmonella spp. and P. aeruginosa, while 107 56.6 % tested positive for P. aeruginosa 75.7 % , Salmonella spp. 10.3 % , or for both Salmonella spp. and P. aeruginosa 14 % . A logistic regression model shows that the probability of potable groundwater depends on both season and aquifer type. Typically, water samples were more likely to be potable in autumn winter than in spring summer periods odds ratio, OR = 2.1; 95 % confidence interval, 95 % CI = 1.6 2.7 and from karst fissured rather than porous aquifers OR = 5.8; 95 % CI = 4.4 7.8 . Optional parameters only showed a seasonal pattern OR = 2.6; 95 % CI = 1.7 3.9 . Clearly, further investigation of groundwater microbiological aspects should be carried out to identify the risks of fecal contamination and to establish appropriate protection methods, which take into account the hydrogeological and climatic characteristics of this region. 188 Postprint Articolo in rivista Kluwer Academic Publishers 0167 6369 Environmental monitoring and assessment Print Environmental monitoring and assessment Print Environ. monit. assess. Print Environmental monitoring and assessment. Print BRIGIDA SILVIA vitofelice.uricchio URICCHIO VITO FELICE angelantonio.calabrese CALABRESE ANGELANTONIO |
