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DatoValore
TitleA double pre-selection method for natural background levels assessment in coastal groundwater bodies
AbstractTo evaluate the chemical status of groundwater bodies (GWB) according to the European Groundwater Directive, EU Member States are required to take into account natural background levels (NBLs) where needed. Assessing the NBLs in coastal GWBs is complicated by seawater intrusion which can be amplified by groundwater withdrawals increasing the salinization of such groundwater systems. This paper proposes a new method for the NBLs assessment in coastal areas based on a double pre-selection (PS) with fixed/dynamic limits. A case study in the Apulia region, located in southeastern Italy, is proposed, where we investigated four adjacent GWBs which form the complex karst, fractured Murgia aquifer, hosted in the Jurassic-Cretaceous carbonate platform, bounded by two seas and sustained by saltwater of marine intrusion in the coastal areas. Data related to 139 monitoring stations (MSs) of the regional groundwater monitoring network were used. The first PS, "static", based on a fixed limit of anthropogenic contamination markers (NO and NH), allows for the elimination of MSs impacted by human activities. On these, the second PS, "dynamic", based on the identification of Cl anomalous values, allows for the identification of additional MSs affected by saline contamination. The residual dataset of MSs was used for the definition of NBLs of Cl, SO, F and B. A statistical comparison with historical Cl observations finally allowed us to verify if the salinity of current groundwater is representative of pristine conditions. The calculated NBLs of salinity parameters are higher for the two coastal GWBs, with chloride values between 0.8 and 2 mg/L. Conversely, fluorides always show very low NBLs. The double PS approach seems more effective for NBLs calculation in coastal aquifers affected by saline contamination, where the use of a fixed Cl limit fails. It may respond to the international needs for a standardized procedure for NBL assessment.
SourceEnvironmental pollution (1987) 313
KeywordsNatural backgroundPre-selectionChloridesNitratesMurgia aquiferSaline contamination
JournalEnvironmental pollution (1987)
EditorElsevier Applied Science Publishers, Barking, Regno Unito
Year2022
TypeArticolo in rivista
DOI10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120076
AuthorsParrone D.; Frollini E.; Masciale R.; Melita M.; Passarella G.; Preziosi E.; Ghergo S.
Text471790 2022 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120076 Scopus 2 s2.0 85137381962 Natural background Pre selection Chlorides Nitrates Murgia aquifer Saline contamination A double pre selection method for natural background levels assessment in coastal groundwater bodies Parrone D.; Frollini E.; Masciale R.; Melita M.; Passarella G.; Preziosi E.; Ghergo S. IRSA CNR, Water Research Institute National Research Council, Via Salaria Km 29.300, PB 10, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, IRSA CNR, Water Research Institute National Research Council, Via Salaria km 29.300, PB 10, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy, , Italy; IRSA CNR, Water Research Institute National Research Council, V.le Francesco de Blasio 5, Bari, 70132, IRSA CNR, Water Research Institute National Research Council, V.le Francesco de Blasio 5, 70132 Bari, Italy, , Italy To evaluate the chemical status of groundwater bodies GWB according to the European Groundwater Directive, EU Member States are required to take into account natural background levels NBLs where needed. Assessing the NBLs in coastal GWBs is complicated by seawater intrusion which can be amplified by groundwater withdrawals increasing the salinization of such groundwater systems. This paper proposes a new method for the NBLs assessment in coastal areas based on a double pre selection PS with fixed/dynamic limits. A case study in the Apulia region, located in southeastern Italy, is proposed, where we investigated four adjacent GWBs which form the complex karst, fractured Murgia aquifer, hosted in the Jurassic Cretaceous carbonate platform, bounded by two seas and sustained by saltwater of marine intrusion in the coastal areas. Data related to 139 monitoring stations MSs of the regional groundwater monitoring network were used. The first PS, static , based on a fixed limit of anthropogenic contamination markers NO and NH , allows for the elimination of MSs impacted by human activities. On these, the second PS, dynamic , based on the identification of Cl anomalous values, allows for the identification of additional MSs affected by saline contamination. The residual dataset of MSs was used for the definition of NBLs of Cl, SO, F and B. A statistical comparison with historical Cl observations finally allowed us to verify if the salinity of current groundwater is representative of pristine conditions. The calculated NBLs of salinity parameters are higher for the two coastal GWBs, with chloride values between 0.8 and 2 mg/L. Conversely, fluorides always show very low NBLs. The double PS approach seems more effective for NBLs calculation in coastal aquifers affected by saline contamination, where the use of a fixed Cl limit fails. It may respond to the international needs for a standardized procedure for NBL assessment. 313 Published version http //www.scopus.com/record/display.url eid=2 s2.0 85137381962 origin=inward Articolo in rivista Elsevier Applied Science Publishers 0269 7491 Environmental pollution 1987 Environmental pollution 1987 Environ. pollut. 1987 Environmental pollution 1987 danieleparrone PARRONE DANIELE eleonorafrollini FROLLINI ELEONORA marcomelita MELITA MARCO stefano.ghergo GHERGO STEFANO giuseppe.passarella PASSARELLA GIUSEPPE elisabetta.preziosi PREZIOSI ELISABETTA rita.masciale MASCIALE RITA