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Within a project between Italy and USA funded by Italian Ministry of Foreing Affairs and International Cooperation the General Consul dr Lorenzo Ortona invited me to the Italian Consolate in San Francisco for a presentation of the project and its results. He thanked me and expressed his appreciation for the research by a commendation letter
The Consul General of Italy in San Francisco
In a literature review of the recent advancements in mathematical hydrologic models applied in fractured karstic formations, we highlight the necessary improvements in the fluid dynamic equations that are commonly applied to the flow in a discrete fracture network (DFN) via channel network models. Fluid flow and pollutant transport modeling in karst aquifers should consider the simultaneous occurrence of laminar, nonlaminar, and turbulent fluxes in the fractures rather than the laminar flow by the cubic law that has been widely applied in the scientific literature. Some simulations show overestimations up to 75% of the groundwater velocity when non-laminar flows are neglected. Moreover, further model development is needed to address the issues of tortuosity of preferential saturated fluid flow in fractures suggesting adjustments of the size of the mean aperture in DFN models. During the past decade, DFN mathematical models have been significantly developed aimed at relating the three-dimensional structure of interconnected fractures within rocky systems to the specific fracture properties measurable on the rock outcrops with the use of reliefs, tracer/pumping tests, and geotechnical field surveys. The capabilities and limitations of previous reported hydrological models together with specific research advancements and findings in modeling equations are described herein. New software is needed for creating three-dimensional contour maps in fractured aquifers corresponding to the outputs of particle tracking simulations. Existing software based on the equivalent continuum or multiple-interacting continua cannot delineate the spread of pollutant migrations affected by the tortuous preferential flow pathways that occur in DFNs.
Costantino Masciopinto; Giuseppe Passarella; Maria C. Caputo; Rita Masciale; Lorenzo De Carlo. Hydrogeological Models of Water Flow and Pollutant Transport in Karstic and Fractured Reservoirs. Water Resources Research 2021, 57, 1 .
AMA StyleCostantino Masciopinto, Giuseppe Passarella, Maria C. Caputo, Rita Masciale, Lorenzo De Carlo. Hydrogeological Models of Water Flow and Pollutant Transport in Karstic and Fractured Reservoirs. Water Resources Research. 2021; 57 (8):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCostantino Masciopinto; Giuseppe Passarella; Maria C. Caputo; Rita Masciale; Lorenzo De Carlo. 2021. "Hydrogeological Models of Water Flow and Pollutant Transport in Karstic and Fractured Reservoirs." Water Resources Research 57, no. 8: 1.
Preferential pathways allow rapid and non-uniform water movement in the subsurface due to strong heterogeneity of texture, composition, and hydraulic properties. Understanding the importance of preferential pathways is crucial, because they have strong impact on flow and transport hydrodynamics in the unsaturated zone. Particularly, improving knowledge of the water dynamics is essential for estimating travel time through soil to quantify hazards for groundwater, assess aquifer recharge rates, improve agricultural water management, and prevent surface stormflow and flooding hazards. Small scale field heterogeneities cannot be always captured by the limited number of point scale measurements collected. In order to overcome these limitations, noninvasive geophysical techniques have been widely used in the last decade to predict hydrodynamic processes, due to their capability to spatialize hydrogeophysical properties with high resolution. In the test site located in Bari, Southern Italy, the geophysical approach, based on electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) monitoring, has been implemented to detect preferential pathways triggered by an artificial rainfall event. ERT-derived soil moisture estimations were obtained in order to quantitatively predict the water storage (m3m−3), water velocity (ms−1), and spread (m2) through preferential pathways by using spatial moments analysis.
Lorenzo De Carlo; Kimberlie Perkins; Maria Caputo. Evidence of Preferential Flow Activation in the Vadose Zone via Geophysical Monitoring. Sensors 2021, 21, 1358 .
AMA StyleLorenzo De Carlo, Kimberlie Perkins, Maria Caputo. Evidence of Preferential Flow Activation in the Vadose Zone via Geophysical Monitoring. Sensors. 2021; 21 (4):1358.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLorenzo De Carlo; Kimberlie Perkins; Maria Caputo. 2021. "Evidence of Preferential Flow Activation in the Vadose Zone via Geophysical Monitoring." Sensors 21, no. 4: 1358.
This study investigated the environmental contamination of groundwater as a consequence of the discharge of treated wastewater into the soil. The investigation focused on a wastewater treatment plant located in an area fractured by karst in the Salento peninsula (Apulia, Italy). Water samples were collected at four sites (raw wastewater, treated wastewater, infiltration trench, and monitoring well), monthly from May to December 2019 (with the exception of August), and were tested for 1) panel of bacteria; 2) enteric viruses; and 3) chemical substances. A gradual reduction in the concentration of bacteria, viruses and contaminants of emerging concern was observed across the profile of soil fissured by karst. All monitored bacteria were absent from the monitoring well, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pepper mild mottle virus and adenovirus were detected at all sampling sites. Personal care products and X-ray contrast media showed the greatest decrease in concentration from infiltration trench to the monitoring well, while the highest residual concentrations in the monitoring well were found for anticonvulsants (78.5%), antimicrobials (41.3%), and antipsychotic drugs (38.6%). Our results show that parameters provided by current law may not always be sufficient to evaluate the sanitary risk relating to the discharge of treated wastewater to the soil.
Maria Teresa Montagna; Osvalda De Giglio; Carla Calia; Chrysovalentinos Pousis; Francesco Triggiano; Sapia Murgolo; Cristina De Ceglie; Francesco Bagordo; Francesca Apollonio; Giusy Diella; Marcella Narracci; Maria Immacolata Acquaviva; Giusy Bonanno Ferraro; Pamela Mancini; Carolina Veneri; Silvia Brigida; Tiziana Grassi; Antonella De Donno; Claudio Di Iaconi; Maria Clementina Caputo; Rosa Anna Cavallo; Giuseppina La Rosa; Giuseppe Mascolo. Microbiological and Chemical Assessment of Wastewater Discharged by Infiltration Trenches in Fractured and Karstified Limestone (SCA.Re.S. Project 2019–2020). Pathogens 2020, 9, 1010 .
AMA StyleMaria Teresa Montagna, Osvalda De Giglio, Carla Calia, Chrysovalentinos Pousis, Francesco Triggiano, Sapia Murgolo, Cristina De Ceglie, Francesco Bagordo, Francesca Apollonio, Giusy Diella, Marcella Narracci, Maria Immacolata Acquaviva, Giusy Bonanno Ferraro, Pamela Mancini, Carolina Veneri, Silvia Brigida, Tiziana Grassi, Antonella De Donno, Claudio Di Iaconi, Maria Clementina Caputo, Rosa Anna Cavallo, Giuseppina La Rosa, Giuseppe Mascolo. Microbiological and Chemical Assessment of Wastewater Discharged by Infiltration Trenches in Fractured and Karstified Limestone (SCA.Re.S. Project 2019–2020). Pathogens. 2020; 9 (12):1010.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Teresa Montagna; Osvalda De Giglio; Carla Calia; Chrysovalentinos Pousis; Francesco Triggiano; Sapia Murgolo; Cristina De Ceglie; Francesco Bagordo; Francesca Apollonio; Giusy Diella; Marcella Narracci; Maria Immacolata Acquaviva; Giusy Bonanno Ferraro; Pamela Mancini; Carolina Veneri; Silvia Brigida; Tiziana Grassi; Antonella De Donno; Claudio Di Iaconi; Maria Clementina Caputo; Rosa Anna Cavallo; Giuseppina La Rosa; Giuseppe Mascolo. 2020. "Microbiological and Chemical Assessment of Wastewater Discharged by Infiltration Trenches in Fractured and Karstified Limestone (SCA.Re.S. Project 2019–2020)." Pathogens 9, no. 12: 1010.
The Darcy–Buckingham (DB) law, critical to the prediction of unsaturated flow, is widely used but has rarely been experimentally tested, and therefore may not be adequate in certain conditions. Failure of this law would imply that the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity is not constant for a given water content, as assumed in nearly all subsurface flow models. This study aims to test the DB law on unsaturated porous rock, complementing the few previous tests, all done on soils. Two lithotypes of calcareous porous rocks were tested. The quasi-steady centrifuge method was used to measure the flux density for different centrifugal driving forces while maintaining essentially constant water content, as required. Any deviations from the direct proportionality of the measured flux and the applied force would indicate a violation of the DB law. Our results show that, for the tested rocks and conditions, no physical phenomena occurred to cause a failure of the DB law.
Antonietta Turturro; Maria Caputo; Kim Perkins; John Nimmo. Does the Darcy–Buckingham Law Apply to Flow through Unsaturated Porous Rock? Water 2020, 12, 2668 .
AMA StyleAntonietta Turturro, Maria Caputo, Kim Perkins, John Nimmo. Does the Darcy–Buckingham Law Apply to Flow through Unsaturated Porous Rock? Water. 2020; 12 (10):2668.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonietta Turturro; Maria Caputo; Kim Perkins; John Nimmo. 2020. "Does the Darcy–Buckingham Law Apply to Flow through Unsaturated Porous Rock?" Water 12, no. 10: 2668.
In the test site of Castellana Grotte (Southern Italy), since 2016, around 2300 m3d−1 of tertiary treated wastewater has been alternatively spread in nine infiltration trenches, dug into fractured and karstified limestone. In one of these trenches, located upstream, seasonal variations in the infiltration rate were observed, with a lower infiltration rate during summer than in winter. This effect could be due to the occurrence of a bioclogging phenomenon in the warm season. In addition, time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was carried out in two different periods, corresponding to the wet and dry seasons, in order to investigate the infiltration process dynamics below the bottom of the trench. Remarkable variability was observed between the south and north sides of the trench—clearly related to the local-scale heterogeneity of the rock formation of the trenches. The results suggest that such an integrated approach should be considered of great interest in case of using infiltration trenches as managed aquifer recharge (MAR) plants. This methodology could provide useful information about the heterogeneities of the rock formation, supporting an alert system for the identification of clogging effects during the life cycle of the plant.
Lorenzo De Carlo; Maria Clementina Caputo; Rita Masciale; Michele Vurro; Ivan Portoghese. Monitoring the Drainage Efficiency of Infiltration Trenches in Fractured and Karstified Limestone via Time-Lapse Hydrogeophysical Approach. Water 2020, 12, 2009 .
AMA StyleLorenzo De Carlo, Maria Clementina Caputo, Rita Masciale, Michele Vurro, Ivan Portoghese. Monitoring the Drainage Efficiency of Infiltration Trenches in Fractured and Karstified Limestone via Time-Lapse Hydrogeophysical Approach. Water. 2020; 12 (7):2009.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLorenzo De Carlo; Maria Clementina Caputo; Rita Masciale; Michele Vurro; Ivan Portoghese. 2020. "Monitoring the Drainage Efficiency of Infiltration Trenches in Fractured and Karstified Limestone via Time-Lapse Hydrogeophysical Approach." Water 12, no. 7: 2009.
The hydrological monitoring of springs is an auxiliary and indispensable tool that goes alongside investigations in wells to reconstruct a conceptual phenomenological model of an aquifer–groundwater system and its interactions with surface waters. There are manifold ways to carry out this monitoring, but the choice of which way is significant for a correct qualitative and quantitative knowledge of spring systems. The present work focuses on the characterization of the thermo-saline and flow regimes of the Tara spring system along the northern coast of Taranto (southern Italy), where a karst groundwater basin is the major source of the Tara River and the surrounding coastal wetland. A series of measurements was carried out on the spring system to support a technical feasibility study on the possible use of the brackish water of this river to feed a future desalination plant. To estimate the flow rate, a comparison was made between different flow measurement methods in a derivation channel. Through an analysis of the available dataset, the response of the aquifer to the autumn–winter recharge, for which updated hydrologic measurements were not available, is highlighted.
Ivan Portoghese; Rita Masciale; Maria C. Caputo; Lorenzo De Carlo; Daniela Malcangio. Combined Discharge and Thermo-Salinity Measurements for the Characterization of a Karst Spring System in Southern Italy. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3311 .
AMA StyleIvan Portoghese, Rita Masciale, Maria C. Caputo, Lorenzo De Carlo, Daniela Malcangio. Combined Discharge and Thermo-Salinity Measurements for the Characterization of a Karst Spring System in Southern Italy. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (8):3311.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIvan Portoghese; Rita Masciale; Maria C. Caputo; Lorenzo De Carlo; Daniela Malcangio. 2020. "Combined Discharge and Thermo-Salinity Measurements for the Characterization of a Karst Spring System in Southern Italy." Sustainability 12, no. 8: 3311.
In agricultural practices the huge demand on fresh water for irrigation, together with water scarcity, encourages the reuse of wastewater as a water resource. Integrated management of water resources by considering the efficient use of wastewater could result in fresh water saving. A field experiment was conducted to compare the effects of two irrigation water sources, brackish secondary treated wastewater and surface canal fresh water, on maize crop. During the irrigation cycle, soil water content distribution was estimated by means of time-lapse mode electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), soil electrical resistivity being highly sensitive to soil moisture and water salinity. The effects of the two water sources on the spatial-temporal distribution of ERT-derived soil moisture values were assessed, and different roots’ behaviors observed. Results show a decreased root water uptake with brackish irrigation water with respect to fresh water. This result implies an increase in water savings due to reduced crop water requirement, which has significant implications for economic and environmental management.
Lorenzo De Carlo; Adriano Battilani; Domenico Solimando; Maria Clementina Caputo. Application of time-lapse ERT to determine the impact of using brackish wastewater for maize irrigation. Journal of Hydrology 2019, 582, 124465 .
AMA StyleLorenzo De Carlo, Adriano Battilani, Domenico Solimando, Maria Clementina Caputo. Application of time-lapse ERT to determine the impact of using brackish wastewater for maize irrigation. Journal of Hydrology. 2019; 582 ():124465.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLorenzo De Carlo; Adriano Battilani; Domenico Solimando; Maria Clementina Caputo. 2019. "Application of time-lapse ERT to determine the impact of using brackish wastewater for maize irrigation." Journal of Hydrology 582, no. : 124465.
In recent years, geophysics is increasingly used to study the flow and transport processes in the vadose zone. Particularly, when the vadose zone is made up of rocks, it is difficult to install sensors in the subsurface to measure hydrological state variables directly. In these cases, the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) represents a useful tool to monitor the hydrodynamics of the infiltration and to estimate hydraulic parameters and state variables, such as hydraulic conductivity and water content. We propose an integrated approach aimed at predicting water content dynamics in calcarenite, a sedimentary carbonatic porous rock. The uncoupled hydrogeophysical approach proposed consists in 4D ERT monitoring conducted during an infiltrometer test under falling head conditions. Capacitance probes were installed to measure water content at different depths to validate the estimations derived from ERT. A numerical procedure, based on a data assimilation technique, was accomplished by combining the model (i.e., Richards’ equation) with the observations in order to provide reliable water content estimations. We have used a new data assimilation method that is easy to implement, based on the ensemble Kalman filter coupled with Brownian bridges. This approach is particularly suitable for strongly non-linear models, such as Richards’ equation, in order to take into account both the model uncertainty and the observation errors. The proposed data assimilation approach was tested for the first time on field data. A reasonable agreement was found between observations and predictions confirming the ability of the integrated approach to predict water content dynamics in the rocky subsoil.
Lorenzo De Carlo; Marco Berardi; Michele Vurro; Maria Clementina Caputo. Geophysical and hydrological data assimilation to monitor water content dynamics in the rocky unsaturated zone. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2018, 190, 310 .
AMA StyleLorenzo De Carlo, Marco Berardi, Michele Vurro, Maria Clementina Caputo. Geophysical and hydrological data assimilation to monitor water content dynamics in the rocky unsaturated zone. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 2018; 190 (5):310.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLorenzo De Carlo; Marco Berardi; Michele Vurro; Maria Clementina Caputo. 2018. "Geophysical and hydrological data assimilation to monitor water content dynamics in the rocky unsaturated zone." Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 190, no. 5: 310.
Aquifer over-exploitation may increase coastal seawater intrusion by reducing freshwater availability. Fractured subsurface formations commonly host important freshwater reservoirs along sea coasts. These water resources are particularly vulnerable to the contamination due to seawater infiltration occurring through rapid pathways via fractures. Modeling of density driven fluid flow in fractured aquifers is complex, as their hydrodynamics are controlled by interactions between preferential flow pathways, 3D interconnected fractures and rock-matrix porosity distribution. Moreover, physical heterogeneities produce highly localized water infiltrations that make the modeling of saltwater transport in such aquifers very challenging. The new approach described in this work provides a reliable hydrogeological model suitable to reproduce local advancements of the freshwater/saltwater wedge in coastal aquifers. The proposed model use flow simulation results to estimate water salinities in groundwater at a specific depth (1 m) below water table by means of positions of the Ghyben-Herzberg saltwater/freshwater sharp interface along the coast. Measurements of salinity in 25 boreholes (i.e., salinity profiles) have been used for the model calibration. The results provide the groundwater salinity map in freshwater/saltwater transition coastal zones of the Bari (Southern Italy) fractured aquifer. Non-invasive geophysical measurements in groundwater, particularly into vertical 2D vertical cross-sections, were carried out by using the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in order to validate the model results. The presented integrated approach is very easy to apply and gives very realistic salinity maps in heterogeneous aquifers, without simulating density driven water flow in fractures.
Costantino Masciopinto; Isabella Serena Liso; Maria Clementina Caputo; Lorenzo De Carlo. An Integrated Approach Based on Numerical Modelling and Geophysical Survey to Map Groundwater Salinity in Fractured Coastal Aquifers. Water 2017, 9, 875 .
AMA StyleCostantino Masciopinto, Isabella Serena Liso, Maria Clementina Caputo, Lorenzo De Carlo. An Integrated Approach Based on Numerical Modelling and Geophysical Survey to Map Groundwater Salinity in Fractured Coastal Aquifers. Water. 2017; 9 (11):875.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCostantino Masciopinto; Isabella Serena Liso; Maria Clementina Caputo; Lorenzo De Carlo. 2017. "An Integrated Approach Based on Numerical Modelling and Geophysical Survey to Map Groundwater Salinity in Fractured Coastal Aquifers." Water 9, no. 11: 875.
Recently, in Italy, the interest for very low enthalpy geothermal resources (T < 20 °C) is growing. This is mainly because, these resources are widely available throughout the country and also unlike the other green energy sources (eg. solar and wind energy), and they do not need to be stored. Among the direct-use of geothermal resources, the open-loop groundwater heat pump (GWHP) system needs particular attention in terms of potential environmental impact. In coastal areas, that are generally densely populated, the installation of GWHP system is particularly appealing because the presence of shallow aquifers. This means significant savings of economic resources in terms of pumping energy and drilling costs. Nevertheless, vast areas of the Italian coastlines, as well as those of other Mediterranean countries, are often affected by seawater intrusion and hence are ruled by restrictive laws aimed to protect the groundwater quality and quantity. In this chapter the environmental impacts, associated with the exploitation of low enthalpy geothermal resources, were assessed. For the purpose, a costal karst area in Southern Italy affected by seawater intrusion was investigated. A detailed characterization of the area was achieved in terms of geological, hydrogeological, geochemical and meteorological parameters. Moreover, the influence of an open-loop geothermal systems on the sea water intrusion was also studied by means of a long-term pumping test. The investigated portion of aquifer was found to have a high hydraulic conductivity, as well as high and fast recharge rates, highlighting a good productivity of aquifer. The temperature of groundwater, reaching over 20 °C near the coast, was particularly useful for direct use especially for the space heating and cooling. The long pumping test, lasted for 16 days, not affected the lowering of the water table that naturally occurs in the dry period. On the contrary, the reinjection of the extracted groundwater into the surface water drainage network partially restored the water table. The test also not detected any quality degradation of groundwater induced by pumping. The quality of groundwater showed that the level of contamination in the investigated area was generally high both because of the presence of urban and industrial pollution and because of the presence of the seawater intrusion. The absence of a strong competition for use of groundwater makes them available for geothermal use. An extensive utilization of natural heat for the space cooling is also justified considering the local climate characteristics of the area that cause a peak of thermal energy demand in summer.
Rita Masciale; Lorenzo De Carlo; Maria Clementina Caputo; Giuseppe Passarella; Emanuele Barca. Groundwater Exploitation as Thermal Fluid in Very-Low Enthalpy Geothermal Plants in Coastal Aquifers. Emerging Issues in Groundwater Resources 2016, 383 -406.
AMA StyleRita Masciale, Lorenzo De Carlo, Maria Clementina Caputo, Giuseppe Passarella, Emanuele Barca. Groundwater Exploitation as Thermal Fluid in Very-Low Enthalpy Geothermal Plants in Coastal Aquifers. Emerging Issues in Groundwater Resources. 2016; ():383-406.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRita Masciale; Lorenzo De Carlo; Maria Clementina Caputo; Giuseppe Passarella; Emanuele Barca. 2016. "Groundwater Exploitation as Thermal Fluid in Very-Low Enthalpy Geothermal Plants in Coastal Aquifers." Emerging Issues in Groundwater Resources , no. : 383-406.
A reliable groundwater balance assessment is a fundamental tool for any effective resource exploitation plan. Nevertheless, some terms of the balance equation are, generally, very difficult to be estimated, even on average, especially when large and heterogeneous groundwater bodies are considered. In this work, a methodology for mutually calibrating groundwater balances carried out by means of different methods is proposed, also capable of providing an average estimation of the specific yield of the considered aquifer, as by-product. The method has been applied to the porous aquifer of the Tavoliere di Puglia located in Southern Italy. The plain is mostly exploited for agricultural uses and the aquifer represents the main source of the district water supply. A long time series of groundwater balances has been calibrated by assessing the average value of the term “inflow/outflow”, which had not been previously considered. Furthermore, the average value of the specific yield of the considered aquifer has been assessed.
Giuseppe Passarella; Rita Masciale; Donato Sollitto; Maria Clementina Caputo; Emanuele Barca. Assessment of Groundwater Balance Terms Based on the Cross-Calibration of Two Different Independent Approaches. Emerging Issues in Groundwater Resources 2016, 159 -186.
AMA StyleGiuseppe Passarella, Rita Masciale, Donato Sollitto, Maria Clementina Caputo, Emanuele Barca. Assessment of Groundwater Balance Terms Based on the Cross-Calibration of Two Different Independent Approaches. Emerging Issues in Groundwater Resources. 2016; ():159-186.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Passarella; Rita Masciale; Donato Sollitto; Maria Clementina Caputo; Emanuele Barca. 2016. "Assessment of Groundwater Balance Terms Based on the Cross-Calibration of Two Different Independent Approaches." Emerging Issues in Groundwater Resources , no. : 159-186.
Antonella Sciortino; Feike J. Leij; Maria Clementina Caputo; Nobuo Toride. Modeling Transport in Dual-Permeability Media with Unequal Dispersivity and Velocity. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering 2015, 20, 04014075 .
AMA StyleAntonella Sciortino, Feike J. Leij, Maria Clementina Caputo, Nobuo Toride. Modeling Transport in Dual-Permeability Media with Unequal Dispersivity and Velocity. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering. 2015; 20 (7):04014075.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Sciortino; Feike J. Leij; Maria Clementina Caputo; Nobuo Toride. 2015. "Modeling Transport in Dual-Permeability Media with Unequal Dispersivity and Velocity." Journal of Hydrologic Engineering 20, no. 7: 04014075.
The interest in the low-enthalpy geothermal resources is growing, owing to its wide availability, and the possibility of overcoming the problems related to energy storage. Among the low-enthalpy plants, the installation in coastal areas of the open-loop groundwater heat pump (GWHP) systems, that use groundwater as the geothermal fluid, is particularly attractive because of the presence of shallow aquifers. Nevertheless, these aquifers are often affected by seawater intrusion, so strict monitoring before GWHP installation is needed to check the feasibility of the plant. This work reports a detailed quali-quantitative characterization of a costal aquifer, in Southern Italy, for its exploitation as a very low enthalpy geothermal resource. The main groundwater parameters were monitored to assess the groundwater suitability to be used as geothermal fluid. A long-term pumping test, simulating the designed open-loop GWHP system, was performed to evaluate its potential impact on seawater intrusion. The results revealed that the open-loop GWHP plant do not affect the quali-quantitative equilibrium of the studied coastal aquifer. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that the used methodological approach is proper for the early assessment of the feasibility of the GWHP plant without affecting the seawater intrusion processes, and with minimum impact.
Rita Masciale; Lorenzo De Carlo; Maria Clementina Caputo. Impact of a very low enthalpy plant on a costal aquifer: a case study in Southern Italy. Environmental Earth Sciences 2015, 74, 2093 -2104.
AMA StyleRita Masciale, Lorenzo De Carlo, Maria Clementina Caputo. Impact of a very low enthalpy plant on a costal aquifer: a case study in Southern Italy. Environmental Earth Sciences. 2015; 74 (3):2093-2104.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRita Masciale; Lorenzo De Carlo; Maria Clementina Caputo. 2015. "Impact of a very low enthalpy plant on a costal aquifer: a case study in Southern Italy." Environmental Earth Sciences 74, no. 3: 2093-2104.
The water retention curve has a key role for the hydraulic characterization of porous media. Its experimental determination requires the accurate and detailed measurement of the matric potential and water content from saturation to oven dryness. The experimental data are fitted with a parametric model to calculate the analytic curve describing the hydraulic properties of the sample. We present a new method, based on differential evolution, for the determination of the characteristic parameters of the water retention models. This method allows to reduce the number of measurements necessary for obtaining accurate model parameters, decreasing the time needed to adequately characterize the sample. The method is applied to the calculation of water retention curves of sedimentary carbonatic rock of marine origin.
Maria Clementina Caputo; Sabino Maggi; Antonietta C. Turturro. Calculation of Water Retention Curves of Rock Samples by Differential Evolution. Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 5 2014, 643 -646.
AMA StyleMaria Clementina Caputo, Sabino Maggi, Antonietta C. Turturro. Calculation of Water Retention Curves of Rock Samples by Differential Evolution. Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 5. 2014; ():643-646.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Clementina Caputo; Sabino Maggi; Antonietta C. Turturro. 2014. "Calculation of Water Retention Curves of Rock Samples by Differential Evolution." Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 5 , no. : 643-646.
Two sets of soil lysimeters were amended with solid and liquid olive mill wastes and the composition of leachate was analysed. Five treatments were carried out using: olive mill wastewater (OMW) at two different rates (80 and 320 m(3)/ha); OMW pre-treated by catalytical digestion with MnO2; compost obtained by exhausted olive pomace; freshwater as the control. Electric conductivity, pH, potassium, total polyphenols and nitrates were monitored in the leachate as indexes of potential groundwater contamination. The study demonstrated that the impact of all the selected amendments on groundwater was the minimum. OMW was safely applied to soil even at four times the rate allowed by the Italian law, and pre-treatment by catalytical digestion was not necessary to further reduce the impact on groundwater. The application of olive pomace compost was equally safe.
Maria Clementina Caputo; Anna Maria De Girolamo; Angela Volpe. Soil amendment with olive mill wastes: Impact on groundwater. Journal of Environmental Management 2013, 131, 216 -221.
AMA StyleMaria Clementina Caputo, Anna Maria De Girolamo, Angela Volpe. Soil amendment with olive mill wastes: Impact on groundwater. Journal of Environmental Management. 2013; 131 ():216-221.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Clementina Caputo; Anna Maria De Girolamo; Angela Volpe. 2013. "Soil amendment with olive mill wastes: Impact on groundwater." Journal of Environmental Management 131, no. : 216-221.
Maria Clementina Caputo; Rita Masciale; Emanuele Barca. Calibration of a Novel Impedance Sensor for Water Content Measurement in Rocks. Vadose Zone Journal 2013, 12, 1 .
AMA StyleMaria Clementina Caputo, Rita Masciale, Emanuele Barca. Calibration of a Novel Impedance Sensor for Water Content Measurement in Rocks. Vadose Zone Journal. 2013; 12 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Clementina Caputo; Rita Masciale; Emanuele Barca. 2013. "Calibration of a Novel Impedance Sensor for Water Content Measurement in Rocks." Vadose Zone Journal 12, no. 4: 1.
Electrical resistivity methods are widely used for environmental applications, and they are particularly useful for the characterization and monitoring of sites where the presence of contamination requires a thorough understanding of the location and movement of water, that can act as a carrier of solutes. One such application is landfill studies, where the strong electrical contrasts between waste, leachate and surrounding formations make electrical methods a nearly ideal tool for investigation. In spite of the advantages, however, electrical investigation of landfills poses also challenges, both logistical and interpretational. This paper presents the results of a study conducted on a dismissed landfill, close to the city of Corigliano d'Otranto, in the Apulia region (Southern Italy). The landfill is located in an abandoned quarry, that was subsequently re-utilized about thirty years ago as a site for urban waste disposal. The waste was thought to be more than 20 m thick, and the landfill bottom was expected to be confined with an HDPE (high-density poli-ethylene) liner. During the digging operations performed to build a nearby new landfill, leachate was found, triggering an in-depth investigation including also non-invasive methods. The principal goal was to verify whether the leachate is indeed confined, and to what extent, by the HDPE liner. We performed both surface electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and mise-à-la-masse (MALM) surveys, facing the severe challenges posed by the rugged terrain of the abandoned quarry complex. A conductive body, probably associated with leachate, was found as deep as 40 m below the current landfill surface i.e. at a depth much larger than the expected 20 m thickness of waste. Given the logistical difficulties that limit the geometry of acquisition, we utilized synthetic forward modeling in order to confirm/dismiss interpretational hypotheses emerging from the ERT and MALM results. This integration between measurements and modeling helped narrow the alternative interpretations and strengthened the confidence in results, confirming the effectiveness of non-invasive methods in landfill investigation and the importance of modeling in the interpretation of geophysical results.
Lorenzo De Carlo; Maria Teresa Perri; Maria Clementina Caputo; Rita Deiana; Michele Vurro; Giorgio Cassiani. Characterization of a dismissed landfill via electrical resistivity tomography and mise-à-la-masse method. Journal of Applied Geophysics 2013, 98, 1 -10.
AMA StyleLorenzo De Carlo, Maria Teresa Perri, Maria Clementina Caputo, Rita Deiana, Michele Vurro, Giorgio Cassiani. Characterization of a dismissed landfill via electrical resistivity tomography and mise-à-la-masse method. Journal of Applied Geophysics. 2013; 98 ():1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLorenzo De Carlo; Maria Teresa Perri; Maria Clementina Caputo; Rita Deiana; Michele Vurro; Giorgio Cassiani. 2013. "Characterization of a dismissed landfill via electrical resistivity tomography and mise-à-la-masse method." Journal of Applied Geophysics 98, no. : 1-10.
This study investigated the modeling of variably saturated flow and Ni transport in fractured rocks at a site (Altamura, southern Italy) polluted in 2001 by unauthorized sludge waste disposal. Time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and infiltrometer experimental results were used to constrain near-surface boundary conditions in an unsaturated flow model. A plastic ring was used as an infiltrometer because its experimental setup is very versatile and adaptable to many different geological conditions, taking into consideration irregularities in the soil and rock surfaces. The proposed methodology allows switching from the tomography to the map of water pressure contour lines obtained by the model by making the time-lapse ERT an effective tool to reduce computational uncertainties. Simulation results predicted both the concentration and the residence time of the Ni in the vadose zone of the Altamura site. These results were used to successively investigate the horizontal Ni transport into the deep fractured aquifer. Simulations provided apparent Ni pathways in the groundwater and expected concentrations in a downstream well, placed 10.9 km from the contamination sources. The agreement of the results with the sampling data collected has confirmed that the groundwater was polluted for 16 mo by Ni. The contamination plume started during the winter of 2004 and moved in the groundwater toward the sea at an average velocity of 10 m/d. Copyright © 2011. Soil Science Society. Soil Science Society of America
Costantino Masciopinto; Maria Clementina Caputo. Modeling Unsaturated-Saturated Flow and Nickel Transport in Fractured Rocks. Vadose Zone Journal 2011, 10, 1045 -1057.
AMA StyleCostantino Masciopinto, Maria Clementina Caputo. Modeling Unsaturated-Saturated Flow and Nickel Transport in Fractured Rocks. Vadose Zone Journal. 2011; 10 (3):1045-1057.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCostantino Masciopinto; Maria Clementina Caputo. 2011. "Modeling Unsaturated-Saturated Flow and Nickel Transport in Fractured Rocks." Vadose Zone Journal 10, no. 3: 1045-1057.
A preliminary ecological characterisation of an open quarry that had been used for the disposal of pharmaceutical wastes from a factory producing antibiotics was performed. Pharmaceutical wastes and groundwater samples were collected and analysed in order to assess both the bacterial community structure and functioning, and the contamination by organic compounds, including antibiotics. Bacterial abundance measured using the epifluorescence direct count method, cell viability measured by using two fluorescent dyes, species diversity measured by assessing the bacterial community structure using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and soil microbial activity based on dehydrogenase activity were used as microbiological indicators to evaluate the ‘quality state’ of the area studied. The overall results show that groundwater has a low-quality state in terms of bacterial viability, activity and diversity, associated with trace contamination by antibiotics and chlorinated volatile organics.
Anna Barra Caracciolo; Paola Grenni; F. Falconi; Maria Clementina Caputo; V. Ancona; V. F. Uricchio. Pharmaceutical waste disposal: assessment of its effects on bacterial communities in soil and groundwater. Chemistry and Ecology 2011, 27, 43 -51.
AMA StyleAnna Barra Caracciolo, Paola Grenni, F. Falconi, Maria Clementina Caputo, V. Ancona, V. F. Uricchio. Pharmaceutical waste disposal: assessment of its effects on bacterial communities in soil and groundwater. Chemistry and Ecology. 2011; 27 (sup1):43-51.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Barra Caracciolo; Paola Grenni; F. Falconi; Maria Clementina Caputo; V. Ancona; V. F. Uricchio. 2011. "Pharmaceutical waste disposal: assessment of its effects on bacterial communities in soil and groundwater." Chemistry and Ecology 27, no. sup1: 43-51.
Up to now, field studies set up to measure field-saturated hydraulic conductivity to evaluate contamination risks, have employed small cylinders that may not be representative of the scale of measurements in heterogeneous media. In this study, a large adjustable ring infiltrometer was designed to be installed on-site directly on rock to measure its field-saturated hydraulic conductivity. The proposed device is inexpensive and simple to implement, yet also very versatile, due to its large adjustable diameter that can be fixed on-site. It thus allows an improved representation of the natural system’s heterogeneity, while also taking into consideration irregularities in the soil/rock surface. The new apparatus was tested on an outcrop of karstic fractured limestone overlying the deep Murge aquifer in the South of Italy, which has recently been affected by untreated sludge disposal, derived from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. The quasi-steady vertical flow into the unsaturated fractures was investigated by measuring water levels during infiltrometer tests. Simultaneously, subsurface electrical resistivity measurements were used to visualize the infiltration of water in the subsoil, due to unsaturated water flow in the fractures. The proposed experimental apparatus works well on rock outcrops, and allows the repetition of infiltration tests at many locations in order to reduce model uncertainties in heterogeneous media.
Maria Clementina Caputo; Lorenzo De Carlo; Costantino Masciopinto; John Robert Nimmo. Measurement of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity on fractured rock outcrops near Altamura (Southern Italy) with an adjustable large ring infiltrometer. Environmental Earth Sciences 2009, 60, 583 -590.
AMA StyleMaria Clementina Caputo, Lorenzo De Carlo, Costantino Masciopinto, John Robert Nimmo. Measurement of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity on fractured rock outcrops near Altamura (Southern Italy) with an adjustable large ring infiltrometer. Environmental Earth Sciences. 2009; 60 (3):583-590.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Clementina Caputo; Lorenzo De Carlo; Costantino Masciopinto; John Robert Nimmo. 2009. "Measurement of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity on fractured rock outcrops near Altamura (Southern Italy) with an adjustable large ring infiltrometer." Environmental Earth Sciences 60, no. 3: 583-590.