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In arid and semi-arid areas, human health and economic development depend on water availability, which can be greatly compromised by droughts. In some cases, the presence of natural contaminants may additionally reduce the availability of good quality water. This research analyzed the water resources and hydrochemical characteristics in a rural area of the central Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, particularly in the districts of Shashemene, Arsi Negelle, and Siraro. The study was developed using a census of the main water points (springs and wells) in the area and the sampling and physico-chemical analysis of the water, with particular regard to the fluoride concentration. In many cases, fluoride content exceeded the drinking water limits set by the World Health Organization, even in the absence of anthropogenic contamination. Two different aquifers were recognized: A shallow aquifer related to the eastern escarpment and highlands, and a deep aquifer in the lowland areas of the rift valley on the basis of compositional changes from Ca–Mg/HCO3 to Na–HCO3. The distribution of fluoride, as well as pH and EC values, showed a decrease from the center of the lowlands to the eastern highlands, with similar values closely aligned along an NNE/SSW trend. All these data contribute to creating awareness among and sharing information on the risks with rural communities and local governments to support the adequate use of the available water resources and to plan appropriate interventions to increase access to fresh water, aimed at the sustainable human and rural local development of the region.
Sabrina Bonetto; Chiara Caselle; Domenico de Luca; Manuela Lasagna. Groundwater Resources in the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley: An Overview for a Sustainable Development. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1347 .
AMA StyleSabrina Bonetto, Chiara Caselle, Domenico de Luca, Manuela Lasagna. Groundwater Resources in the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley: An Overview for a Sustainable Development. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (3):1347.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSabrina Bonetto; Chiara Caselle; Domenico de Luca; Manuela Lasagna. 2021. "Groundwater Resources in the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley: An Overview for a Sustainable Development." Sustainability 13, no. 3: 1347.
This research gives an overview of the status of water resources in the western Aosta Valley (Italy). Surface water, groundwater and precipitation were sampled during five sampling campaigns, and chemical analyses were performed and interpreted. Stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) were evaluated. This study highlights the relationships between water quality and quantity and local conditions (i.e., aquifer lithology, mixing into the aquifer, proximity to towns, contribution of snowmelt and ice melt to groundwater recharge, amount of rain, and season and altitude of the sampling location). A relationship between dust dispersed in the atmosphere as aerosols from the nearby Piedmont Region and the precipitation chemistry was identified, highlighting the presence of interregional conditions. Furthermore, isotopic analyses allowed the identification of aquifer feeding by both rainwater and glacial meltwater. Additionally, two origins for rainfall were identified: the Mediterranean Sea in winter and the Atlantic Ocean in summer. Finally, a local meteoric water line was calibrated for the study area. This research highlights the importance of implementing both traditional and isotopic techniques for water analysis to achieve optimal and sustainable management of water resources.
Barbara Grappein; Manuela Lasagna; Pietro Capodaglio; Chiara Caselle; Domenico Luca. Hydrochemical and Isotopic Applications in the Western Aosta Valley (Italy) for Sustainable Groundwater Management. Sustainability 2021, 13, 487 .
AMA StyleBarbara Grappein, Manuela Lasagna, Pietro Capodaglio, Chiara Caselle, Domenico Luca. Hydrochemical and Isotopic Applications in the Western Aosta Valley (Italy) for Sustainable Groundwater Management. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (2):487.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBarbara Grappein; Manuela Lasagna; Pietro Capodaglio; Chiara Caselle; Domenico Luca. 2021. "Hydrochemical and Isotopic Applications in the Western Aosta Valley (Italy) for Sustainable Groundwater Management." Sustainability 13, no. 2: 487.
The economic activities of South Sudan (East-Central Africa) are predominantly agricultural. However, food insecurity due to low agricultural production, connected with weather conditions and lack of water infrastructure and knowledge, is a huge problem. This study reports the results of a qualitative and quantitative investigation of underground and surface water in the area of Gumbo (east of Juba town) that aims to assure sustainable water management, reducing diseases and mortality and guaranteeing access to irrigation and drinking water. The results of the study demonstrate the peculiarity of surface and groundwater and the critical aspects to take into account for the water use, particularly due to the exceeding of limits suggested by the WHO and national regulation. The outcomes provide a contribution to the scientific overview on lithostratigraphic, hydrochemical and hydrogeological setting of a less-studied area, characterized by sociopolitical instability and water scarcity. This represents a first step for the improvement of water knowledge and management, for sustainable economic development and for social progress in this African region.
Manuela Lasagna; Sabrina Bonetto; Laura Debernardi; Domenico De Luca; Carlo Semita; Chiara Caselle. Groundwater Resources Assessment for Sustainable Development in South Sudan. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5580 .
AMA StyleManuela Lasagna, Sabrina Bonetto, Laura Debernardi, Domenico De Luca, Carlo Semita, Chiara Caselle. Groundwater Resources Assessment for Sustainable Development in South Sudan. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (14):5580.
Chicago/Turabian StyleManuela Lasagna; Sabrina Bonetto; Laura Debernardi; Domenico De Luca; Carlo Semita; Chiara Caselle. 2020. "Groundwater Resources Assessment for Sustainable Development in South Sudan." Sustainability 12, no. 14: 5580.
The present study proposes an analytical investigation of the natural resources and social framework of the Hodh el Chargui region (Mauritania), aiming to offer a useful instrument for planning and management to the local authorities. The situation of the region was evaluated by means of a participatory survey carried out among the local inhabitants. The obtained results include a collection of data about population, territorial organization, access to basic education and health services, infrastructure, main economic activities, and natural resources (in terms of water, both surface and groundwater, duration and intensity of rainfalls, soil types, and vegetal resources). The survey outcomes were completed with an integrated approach based on Earth Observation (EO) data supports, such as digital elevation models (DEMs) and Landsat8 imagery. The interdependence among the different data was evaluated and discussed, with regard to the influence of the availability of natural resources on the development of agricultural activities and on the general social welfare. The results are organized in the form of digital maps and a user-friendly webmap platform to facilitate access for all the technical and nontechnical actors involved in the project.
Chiara Caselle; Sabrina Bonetto; Domenico De Luca; Manuela Lasagna; Luigi Perotti; Arianna Bucci; Stefano Bechis. An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Sustainable Management of Territorial Resources in Hodh el Chargui, Mauritania. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5114 .
AMA StyleChiara Caselle, Sabrina Bonetto, Domenico De Luca, Manuela Lasagna, Luigi Perotti, Arianna Bucci, Stefano Bechis. An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Sustainable Management of Territorial Resources in Hodh el Chargui, Mauritania. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (12):5114.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Caselle; Sabrina Bonetto; Domenico De Luca; Manuela Lasagna; Luigi Perotti; Arianna Bucci; Stefano Bechis. 2020. "An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Sustainable Management of Territorial Resources in Hodh el Chargui, Mauritania." Sustainability 12, no. 12: 5114.
Rainfall and temperature variability causes changes in groundwater recharge that can also influence groundwater quality by different processes. The aim of this study is the analysis of the hydrogeochemical variations over time due to meteorological variability in two different study areas in Italy: an alluvial aquifer in the Piedmont Po plain and an alluvial-pyroclastic aquifer in the Campanian plain. The examined plains show groundwater with natural quality not satisfying the European drinking water standards, or anthropogenic contamination. The peculiar natural quality is due, in the Campanian plain, to the closeness of volcanic areas, and to the presence of reducing conditions. In Piedmont plain a test site is characterized by a point-source contamination by heavy metals, due to the presence of past industrial activities. In all the examined areas there is a diffuse nitrate contamination. The fluctuations of the ions As, F, Fe, Mn, Cr VI, NO3, and Cl were analyzed and compared, using statistical methods, with the variations over time in precipitation, temperature, and piezometric levels, sometimes significant. Results highlight the importance of the groundwater and meteorological monitoring and the key role of the recharge variation in the hydrogeochemical processes. The linking degree between rainfall/temperature variability and hydrogeochemistry is variable, in function of the typology of chemical species, their origin, and of the aquifer characteristics. The fluctuation of climate variables determines sudden changes in the geochemistry of shallow unconfined aquifers (e.g., in the Piedmont plain), while semiconfined or confined aquifers (e.g., in the Volturno-Regi Lagni plain) react with a greater delay to these variations. Moreover, natural quality is more affected by climatic variations than anthropogenic contamination, which is the result of multiple environmental and anthropic factors.
Manuela Lasagna; Daniela Ducci; Mariangela Sellerino; Susanna Mancini; Domenico Antonio De Luca. Meteorological Variability and Groundwater Quality: Examples in Different Hydrogeological Settings. Water 2020, 12, 1297 .
AMA StyleManuela Lasagna, Daniela Ducci, Mariangela Sellerino, Susanna Mancini, Domenico Antonio De Luca. Meteorological Variability and Groundwater Quality: Examples in Different Hydrogeological Settings. Water. 2020; 12 (5):1297.
Chicago/Turabian StyleManuela Lasagna; Daniela Ducci; Mariangela Sellerino; Susanna Mancini; Domenico Antonio De Luca. 2020. "Meteorological Variability and Groundwater Quality: Examples in Different Hydrogeological Settings." Water 12, no. 5: 1297.
Supply of resources, a growing population, and environmental pollution are some of the main challenges facing the contemporary world. The rapid development of mining activities has produced huge amounts of waste. This waste, found in abandoned mine sites, provides the potential opportunity of extracting raw material. The current study, therefore, focuses on testing the validation of a shared methodology to recover extractive waste from abandoned mines, and applies this methodology to a case study in Gorno, northwest Italy. The methods focused on: (1) analyzing the impact of tailings and fine fraction of waste rock (Lepidium Sativum) to assess usability of both as soil additive, and (2) recovering raw materials from tailings and coarse fraction (>2 mm) of waste rock, by means of dressing methods like wet shaking table and froth flotation. The results indicated that the fine fraction of waste rock and tailings did not have detrimental effects on seed germination; however, there was marked decrease in plant growth. As for the recovery of raw materials, the coarse waste rock samples, crushed to <0.5 mm, produced a recovery of Cd, Ga, and Zn—as much as 66%, 56%, and 64%, respectively—using the wet shaking table. The same samples when crushed to 0.063–0.16 mm and used for froth flotation produced a recovery of Cd, Ga, and Zn of up to 61%, 72%, and 47%, respectively. The flotation experiment on tailings showed a recovery of Cd, Ga and Zn at pH 7 of 33%, 6% and 29% respectively. The present investigation highlights the methodologies used for extracting raw materials from extractive waste.
Neha Mehta; Giovanna Dino; Iride Passarella; Franco Ajmone-Marsan; Piergiorgio Rossetti; Domenico De Luca. Assessment of the Possible Reuse of Extractive Waste Coming from Abandoned Mine Sites: Case Study in Gorno, Italy. Sustainability 2020, 12, 2471 .
AMA StyleNeha Mehta, Giovanna Dino, Iride Passarella, Franco Ajmone-Marsan, Piergiorgio Rossetti, Domenico De Luca. Assessment of the Possible Reuse of Extractive Waste Coming from Abandoned Mine Sites: Case Study in Gorno, Italy. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (6):2471.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNeha Mehta; Giovanna Dino; Iride Passarella; Franco Ajmone-Marsan; Piergiorgio Rossetti; Domenico De Luca. 2020. "Assessment of the Possible Reuse of Extractive Waste Coming from Abandoned Mine Sites: Case Study in Gorno, Italy." Sustainability 12, no. 6: 2471.
This paper aims at systemizing knowledge related to geodiversity assessment for water resources and its evaluation. The novel aspect connected to geodiversity of this paper is the analysis of the components of hydrological system, both at the superficial and underground level, in the territory of the Sesia Val Grande United Nations educational, scientific, and cultural organization (UNESCO) Global Geopark (Northwest Italy). More specifically, the research establishes a conceptual model and a specific procedure for the evaluation of geodiversity connected to water resources on a regional scale, by means of a qualitative-quantitative geographic information system (GIS) process, renamed here as hydro-geodiversity assessment. For these purposes, a targeted ecosystem approach is applied to consider the assets of the Geopark territory that has been derived from the interaction between water and other components of geodiversity, i.e., the hydro-geosystemic services. The element selection and processing operations led to the identification of areas characterized by greater values of hydrological geodiversity, in which the link between surface and underground hydrodynamics became closer and intense. The single geodiversity factor maps that were obtained from partial data aggregations were added together in map algebra operations, then subjected to weighing to formulate the hydro-geodiversity map of the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark. The results of the present study strengthen the strategic management of geological, geomorphological, and hydrological heritages of the study area by identifying different landscapes and local peculiarities determined by mutual influences between geology and hydrological dynamics.
Luigi Perotti; Gilda Carraro; Marco Giardino; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Manuela Lasagna; De Luca. Geodiversity Evaluation and Water Resources in the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Geopark (Italy). Water 2019, 11, 2102 .
AMA StyleLuigi Perotti, Gilda Carraro, Marco Giardino, Domenico Antonio De Luca, Manuela Lasagna, De Luca. Geodiversity Evaluation and Water Resources in the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Geopark (Italy). Water. 2019; 11 (10):2102.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuigi Perotti; Gilda Carraro; Marco Giardino; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Manuela Lasagna; De Luca. 2019. "Geodiversity Evaluation and Water Resources in the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Geopark (Italy)." Water 11, no. 10: 2102.
Alpine areas, with normally fissured bedrock outcrops, do not typically contain important hydrologic reservoirs, except for small aquifers located in Quaternary sediments. By contrast, mountainous areas affected by deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DSGSD), especially if covered by glacial sediments, contain large aquifers and are consequently promising for water exploitation. This last geological setting is observed, for example, in the lower Dora Baltea Valley (near the confluence with the Renanchio Basin) in which the Montellina Spring is located and exhibits a very high discharge. A multidisciplinary approach (detailed geological survey of the bedrock and Quaternary cover, as well as hydrogeological research based on tracer tests, hydrochemical analyses, and water balance studies) was used, allowing for a reconstruction of the geological and hydrogeological setting of the investigated area, also considering its environmental implications. The consequent hydrogeological model derives from the coexistence of some factors. In detail, the thick glacial cover, widespread in the intermediate sector of the slope, represents an important aquifer with a slow groundwater flow to the spring. The buried glacial valley floor, hosting this cover, can convey the groundwater from the high Renanchio Basin zone towards the low sector. The loosened bedrock of the low sector, consequent to DSGSD phenomena, favors the concentration of groundwater along the contact with the underlying normal fissured bedrock outcropping at the base of the slope. Finally, the flow until the spring essentially takes place through N100° trend open fractures and trenches. Part of the Montellina Spring discharge is also fed by the low Renanchio Stream, as highlighted by fluorescein tests, essentially using NE-SW oriented open fractures on the bedrock. The results of the investigation on the Montellina Spring can provide some insight regarding the hydrological potential of other alpine areas with a similar geological setting.
Domenico Antonio De Luca; Elena Cerino Abdin; Maria Gabriella Forno; Marco Gattiglio; Franco Gianotti; Manuela Lasagna. The Montellina Spring as an Example of Water Circulation in an Alpine DSGSD Context (NW Italy). Water 2019, 11, 700 .
AMA StyleDomenico Antonio De Luca, Elena Cerino Abdin, Maria Gabriella Forno, Marco Gattiglio, Franco Gianotti, Manuela Lasagna. The Montellina Spring as an Example of Water Circulation in an Alpine DSGSD Context (NW Italy). Water. 2019; 11 (4):700.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDomenico Antonio De Luca; Elena Cerino Abdin; Maria Gabriella Forno; Marco Gattiglio; Franco Gianotti; Manuela Lasagna. 2019. "The Montellina Spring as an Example of Water Circulation in an Alpine DSGSD Context (NW Italy)." Water 11, no. 4: 700.
An example of characterization of a tectonic zone by using underground temperature measurements is presented. A tectonic discontinuity, located in NW Italy, was investigated by precision temperature measurements by means of the analysis of thermal data recorded in a monitoring well along the northern part of Torrente Traversola Deformation Zone. Moreover, we investigated the lateral extension of the deformed zone by means of the analysis of thermal logs recorded in three control wells located at some distance from the tectonic structure. The monitoring well and the three control wells show completely different thermal pattern. The former exhibits advection and a thermal profile that can be well matched with a model of fluid flow within a sub-vertical fracture. The control wells instead reveal prevailing conductive thermal regime. This might be evidence that the deformation zone has little lateral extension. Our study showed that high-precision temperature logs can be a valuable tool for detecting fractured zones and delimit their lateral extent.
Diego Barbero; Arianna Bucci; Paolo Chiozzi; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Maria Gabriella Forno; Marco Gattiglio; Manuela Lasagna; Massimo Verdoya. Subsurface temperature measurements for detecting tectonic dislocations. ijthfa 2018, 1, 41 -45.
AMA StyleDiego Barbero, Arianna Bucci, Paolo Chiozzi, Domenico Antonio De Luca, Maria Gabriella Forno, Marco Gattiglio, Manuela Lasagna, Massimo Verdoya. Subsurface temperature measurements for detecting tectonic dislocations. ijthfa. 2018; 1 (1):41-45.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDiego Barbero; Arianna Bucci; Paolo Chiozzi; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Maria Gabriella Forno; Marco Gattiglio; Manuela Lasagna; Massimo Verdoya. 2018. "Subsurface temperature measurements for detecting tectonic dislocations." ijthfa 1, no. 1: 41-45.
Aquifer overexploitation is a common problem in drinking water management. This will become more and more important given the general reduction of water resources. To overcome overexploitation, one of the most adopted solutions is the relocation of extraction wells. To establish the positions of new wells, a precise knowledge of the hydrogeological setting is required. Specific surveys are therefore necessary to obtain information over wide investigation zones. Geophysical methods, particularly electromagnetic and electrical, can be useful with this aim. In the present paper a case history on the combined use of Electric Resistivity Tomography and Time Domain Electromagnetic soundings is reported. Surveys have been performed within the Maggiore and Traversola Valleys, to investigate the uppermost part of the Quaternary deposits, hosting the near surface aquifer. The electromagnetic data have been inverted with a spatially constrained approach by assuming a quasi 1D model of the subsurface. Geophysical surveys allowed for depicting the depth and lateral continuity of the supposed aquifer level in the surveyed area up to a depth of about 200 m and proposing potential positions for well relocation.
Domenico Antonio De Luca; Cesare Comina; Manuela Lasagna; Enrico Destefanis; Luciano Masciocco; Alberto Godio; Stefano Stocco. Effectiveness of geophysical surveys for water wells relocation in overexploited aquifers (the example of Maggiore and Traversola Valleys, Northwestern Italy). Environmental Earth Sciences 2018, 77, 19 .
AMA StyleDomenico Antonio De Luca, Cesare Comina, Manuela Lasagna, Enrico Destefanis, Luciano Masciocco, Alberto Godio, Stefano Stocco. Effectiveness of geophysical surveys for water wells relocation in overexploited aquifers (the example of Maggiore and Traversola Valleys, Northwestern Italy). Environmental Earth Sciences. 2018; 77 (1):19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDomenico Antonio De Luca; Cesare Comina; Manuela Lasagna; Enrico Destefanis; Luciano Masciocco; Alberto Godio; Stefano Stocco. 2018. "Effectiveness of geophysical surveys for water wells relocation in overexploited aquifers (the example of Maggiore and Traversola Valleys, Northwestern Italy)." Environmental Earth Sciences 77, no. 1: 19.
Diffuse nitrate pollution in groundwater is currently considered one of the major causes of water quality degradation. Determining the sources of nitrate contamination is an important first step for a better management of water quality. Thus, the isotopic composition of nitrate (δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3) and boron (δ11B) were used to evaluate nitrate contamination sources and to identify geochemical processes occurring in the shallow and deep aquifers of the Turin-Cuneo plain (NW Italy). The study area is essentially an agricultural zone, where use of synthetic nitrogenous fertilizers and organic manure is a common practice and the connection to sewer services is locally lacking. Also livestock farming are highly developed. A groundwater sampling campaign was performed on 34 wells in the shallow aquifer and 8 wells in the deep aquifers, to analyze nitrate, chloride, boron, δ15NNO3, δ18ONO3 and δ11B. Isotope data of nitrate indicate that nitrate contamination in the Turin-Cuneo plain originates from mixtures of synthetic and organic sources, slightly affected by denitrification, and manure or septic tank effluents. Moreover, boron isotopes were used to discriminate further among the main anthropogenic sources of pollution. The analyses results confirm that both animal manure and domestic sewage, especially under the city of Turin, can contribute to the nitrate contamination. The isotope analysis was also used for the evaluation of denitrification and nitrification processes: contrary to expectations, a significant denitrification phenomenon was assessed only in the shallow unconfined aquifer, especially in the Poirino Plateau, the most contaminated sector of the study area.
Manuela Lasagna; Domenico Antonio De Luca. Evaluation of sources and fate of nitrates in the western Po plain groundwater (Italy) using nitrogen and boron isotopes. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2017, 26, 2089 -2104.
AMA StyleManuela Lasagna, Domenico Antonio De Luca. Evaluation of sources and fate of nitrates in the western Po plain groundwater (Italy) using nitrogen and boron isotopes. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2017; 26 (3):2089-2104.
Chicago/Turabian StyleManuela Lasagna; Domenico Antonio De Luca. 2017. "Evaluation of sources and fate of nitrates in the western Po plain groundwater (Italy) using nitrogen and boron isotopes." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 26, no. 3: 2089-2104.
Diego Barbero; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Maria Gabriella Forno; Manuela Lasagna. Preliminary results on temperature distribution in the Quaternary fluvial and outwash deposits of the Piedmont Po Plain (NW Italy): a statistical approach. Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana 2016, 41, 272 -275.
AMA StyleDiego Barbero, Domenico Antonio De Luca, Maria Gabriella Forno, Manuela Lasagna. Preliminary results on temperature distribution in the Quaternary fluvial and outwash deposits of the Piedmont Po Plain (NW Italy): a statistical approach. Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana. 2016; 41 ():272-275.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDiego Barbero; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Maria Gabriella Forno; Manuela Lasagna. 2016. "Preliminary results on temperature distribution in the Quaternary fluvial and outwash deposits of the Piedmont Po Plain (NW Italy): a statistical approach." Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana 41, no. : 272-275.
Nowadays the number of quarries below water table is increasing due to the raising demand of aggregates. This kind of quarry implies an irreversible change of land use, since it forms artificial lakes which remain also when the activity is over. Quarry lakes are particularly numerous in alluvial plains, as we can find in Northern Italy, along the main streams of the Po plain. A quarry lake alters the pre-existent piezometric water table morphology and there is the possibility of a mixing between shallow aquifer and deep aquifers. Furthermore, a quarry lake creates an area of high vulnerability, especially because potential contaminants could reach the aquifer. The presence of a quarry lake can affect the local hydrological balance due to a high evaporation in the quarry. At last, the working activities connected to aggregate exploitation cause the production of fine materials (silt and clay) potentially employable in quarry rehabilitation. Most of time, these materials are used in quarry lake backfilling with a consequent hydrogeological alteration. This research deals with a study and an analysis of problems concerning quarry lakes in plain areas, their relationship with the hydrogeological setting and the issues connected to the production of fine waste. These problems are examined both from a theoretical point of view and from the analysis of real contexts, focusing on the legislation in force in Italy.
Sara Castagna; Giovanna Antonella Dino; Manuela Lasagna; Domenico Antonio De Luca. Environmental Issues Connected to the Quarry Lakes and Chance to Reuse Fine Materials Deriving from Aggregate Treatments. Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 5 2014, 71 -74.
AMA StyleSara Castagna, Giovanna Antonella Dino, Manuela Lasagna, Domenico Antonio De Luca. Environmental Issues Connected to the Quarry Lakes and Chance to Reuse Fine Materials Deriving from Aggregate Treatments. Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 5. 2014; ():71-74.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSara Castagna; Giovanna Antonella Dino; Manuela Lasagna; Domenico Antonio De Luca. 2014. "Environmental Issues Connected to the Quarry Lakes and Chance to Reuse Fine Materials Deriving from Aggregate Treatments." Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 5 , no. : 71-74.
Residual sludge coming from dimension stones working plants represents a problem for Stone Industries (cost connected to their landfilling); sludge as such can be used for environmental restoration of derelict land or in cement plants, according to Italian regulation. However it is also possible to think about their systematic treatment for the production of Secondary Raw Materials or “New Products”. To individuate possible different applications a geotechnical characterization was conducted on sludge as such and on different mixes. In detail the possibility of using them as products for dumps waterproofing and for land rehabilitation and reclamation is discussed.
Giovanna Antonella Dino; Paolo Clemente; Manuela Lasagna; Domenico Antonio De Luca. Residual Sludge from Dimension Stones: Characterisation for their Exploitation in Civil and Environmental Applications. Energy Procedia 2013, 40, 507 -514.
AMA StyleGiovanna Antonella Dino, Paolo Clemente, Manuela Lasagna, Domenico Antonio De Luca. Residual Sludge from Dimension Stones: Characterisation for their Exploitation in Civil and Environmental Applications. Energy Procedia. 2013; 40 ():507-514.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Antonella Dino; Paolo Clemente; Manuela Lasagna; Domenico Antonio De Luca. 2013. "Residual Sludge from Dimension Stones: Characterisation for their Exploitation in Civil and Environmental Applications." Energy Procedia 40, no. : 507-514.
Tracer tests were utilised in an area of northwester Italy, in order to evaluate the hydrogeological relationship between the drinking water Montellina Spring and the Renanchio Stream, likely feeding the spring. The project of a derivation from the stream for an hydroelectric plant could affect the water regime of the spring. So an analytical assessment of the connection existing between the stream and the spring was required. Moreover, a geological survey of the spring area was carried out, with the aim to reconstruct the geological and hydrogeological context. The large amount of groundwater in the basin is linked to a high permeability of the shallow rock mass. The concentration of supplies to the spring is due to morphological reasons and the occurrence of major fractures that carry also a part of the losses of the stream. The purposes of the study are the evaluation of: the losses (l/s) of stream feeding the spring, the percentage of water of the stream that reaches the spring and the percentage of the spring discharge supplied by the stream. The hydrogeological surveys consisted of sodium-chloride tracer tests for the measurement of the stream discharge and of the overflow of the spring, and tracer tests of the stream with fluorescent tracer. The surveys were conducted in three measurement campaigns for different flows of the stream. Findings indicate that, despite the large variation of stream discharge and stream losses, the discharge of spring remains fairly steady and scarcely supplied by the stream. The case study, besides increasing the knowledge about this area, unusual for the hydrogeological features, provides a methodological approach to the evaluation of the relationship between rivers and groundwater.
Manuela Lasagna; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Paolo Clemente; Giovanna Antonella Dino; M. Gabriella Forno; Marco Gattiglio; Franco Gianotti. Study on the water supply of the Montellina Spring by the Renanchio Stream (Quincinetto, Turin). Acque Sotterranee - Italian Journal of Groundwater 2013, 2, 1 .
AMA StyleManuela Lasagna, Domenico Antonio De Luca, Paolo Clemente, Giovanna Antonella Dino, M. Gabriella Forno, Marco Gattiglio, Franco Gianotti. Study on the water supply of the Montellina Spring by the Renanchio Stream (Quincinetto, Turin). Acque Sotterranee - Italian Journal of Groundwater. 2013; 2 (1):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleManuela Lasagna; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Paolo Clemente; Giovanna Antonella Dino; M. Gabriella Forno; Marco Gattiglio; Franco Gianotti. 2013. "Study on the water supply of the Montellina Spring by the Renanchio Stream (Quincinetto, Turin)." Acque Sotterranee - Italian Journal of Groundwater 2, no. 1: 1.
This paper discusses the effects of the dilution process on levels of aquifer contamination attenuation, developing analytical equations for application in theoretical and practical cases. The key finding is that, in aquifers, the dilution process causes a reduction of the contaminant concentration. Analytical equations for the assessment of the contaminant attenuation capacity, by means of the dilution process in an aquifer, are put forward. In particular, the attenuation of the contaminant concentration in an aquifer, and thus the dilution, is described by the volumetric flow rate per unit width perpendicular to the flow direction (q u). Moreover, a classification of q u was developed, considering six classes of attenuation capacity due to dilution. For the equations validation, nitrate contamination attenuation due to dilution was analysed in two sample areas in Piedmont (North-West Italy). The results confirmed the hypothesis, evidencing high nitrate concentrations in areas with low q u values, connected to low dilution rate of the contaminant in the groundwater; vice versa, low nitrate concentrations were evidenced in areas with high q u values, due to a high nitrate dilution rate.
Manuela Lasagna; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Laura Debernardi; Paolo Clemente. Effect of the dilution process on the attenuation of contaminants in aquifers. Environmental Earth Sciences 2013, 70, 2767 -2784.
AMA StyleManuela Lasagna, Domenico Antonio De Luca, Laura Debernardi, Paolo Clemente. Effect of the dilution process on the attenuation of contaminants in aquifers. Environmental Earth Sciences. 2013; 70 (6):2767-2784.
Chicago/Turabian StyleManuela Lasagna; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Laura Debernardi; Paolo Clemente. 2013. "Effect of the dilution process on the attenuation of contaminants in aquifers." Environmental Earth Sciences 70, no. 6: 2767-2784.
This paper is the result of a study which was carried out in order to verify if the traditional methods to evaluate the intrinsic vulnerability or vulnerability related parameters, are able to clarify the problem of nitrate pollution in groundwater. In particular, the aim was to evaluate limitations and problems connected to aquifer vulnerability methods applied to nitrate contamination prevision in groundwater. The investigation was carried out by comparing NO3− concentrations, measured in March and November 2004 in the shallow aquifer, and the vulnerability classes, obtained by using GOD and TOT methods. Moreover, it deals with a comparison between NO3− concentrations and single parameters (depth to water table, land use and nitrogen input). The study area is the plain sector of Piemonte (Northern Italy), where an unconfined aquifer nitrate contamination exists. In this area the anthropogenic presence is remarkable and the input of N-fertilizers and zootechnical effluents to the soil cause a growing amount of nitrates in groundwater. This approach, used in a large area (about 10,000 km2) and in several monitoring wells (about 500), allowed to compare the efficiency of different vulnerability methods and to verify the importance of every parameter on the nitrate concentrations in the aquifer. Furthermore it allowed to obtain interesting correlations in different hydrogeological situations. Correlations between depth to water table, land use and nitrogen input to the soil with nitrate concentrations in groundwater show unclear situations: in fact these comparisons describe the phenomenon trend and highlight the maximum nitrate concentrations for each circumstance but often show wide ranges of possible nitrate concentrations. The same situation could be observed by comparing vulnerability indexes and nitrate concentrations in groundwater. These results suggest that neither single parameters nor vulnerability methods (GOD and TOT) are able to describe individually the complex phenomena affecting nitrate concentrations in soil, subsoil and groundwater. In particular, the traditional methods for vulnerability analysis do not analyze physical processes in aquifers, such as denitrification and nitrate dilution. According to a recent study in the shallow unconfined aquifer of the Piemonte plain, dilution can be considered as the main cause for nitrate attenuation in groundwater.
Laura Debernardi; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Manuela Lasagna. Correlation between nitrate concentration in groundwater and parameters affecting aquifer intrinsic vulnerability. Environmental Earth Sciences 2007, 55, 539 -558.
AMA StyleLaura Debernardi, Domenico Antonio De Luca, Manuela Lasagna. Correlation between nitrate concentration in groundwater and parameters affecting aquifer intrinsic vulnerability. Environmental Earth Sciences. 2007; 55 (3):539-558.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLaura Debernardi; Domenico Antonio De Luca; Manuela Lasagna. 2007. "Correlation between nitrate concentration in groundwater and parameters affecting aquifer intrinsic vulnerability." Environmental Earth Sciences 55, no. 3: 539-558.
Slurry walls are non-structural barriers that are constructed underground to impede groundwater flow or manage groundwater control problems. The study area is in the Piemonte plain (Italy), close to the River Po. Quarrying works carried out below the piezometric surface created two big quarry lakes. The local groundwater system is characterized by a lower semi-confined aquifer, which is overlain by a semi-permeable bed of clayey peat (aquitard) and an upper unconfined aquifer. Locally, the peat fades away and the granulometry of this horizon becomes silty sandy. A planned enlargement of the quarry will increase the size and depth of the quarry lakes. So the aquitard bed between the two aquifers will be damaged, creating a mixing rate of groundwater. Such a procedure would not be compatible with the presence of two municipal wells upstream from the quarries. Consequently, the installation of a vertical diaphragm (slurry wall) is recommended to separate the aquifers and to act as a filter for the groundwater flowing from the unconfined to the semi-confined aquifer. To predict the consequences caused by the installation of the vertical diaphragm separating the unconfined aquifer and the semi-confined one, a specifically adjusted finite-difference model was used. The model showed a maximum rising of the water table equal to 12 cm, just upstream of the diaphragm and for a distance of about 100 m, and a maximum lowering of 2 cm just downstream of the diaphragm. However, the slurry wall would not cause any change in the piezometric head in the area where there are municipal wells and, hence, will not have any negative effect on the functionality of the municipal wells. Moreover, the migration of water from the unconfined aquifer through the vertical diaphragm will stimulate a series of attenuation and auto-depuration processes of eventual contaminants. These processes are due to the higher crossing time that the groundwater flow takes to go through the vertical barrier (t a = 96.5 days, whereas for the horizontal semi-permeable layer t a = 9.6 days). So, the vertical diaphragm can be a resolutive element, representing a mediation and separation factor between the unconfined and the semi-confined aquifers along the border of the quarrying areas, and a protective barrier for the water quality of the quarry lake and the semi-confined aquifer.
D. A. De Luca; M. Lasagna; A. Morelli Di Popolo E Ticineto. Installation of a vertical slurry wall around an Italian quarry lake: complications arising and simulation of the effects on groundwater flow. Environmental Earth Sciences 2007, 53, 177 -189.
AMA StyleD. A. De Luca, M. Lasagna, A. Morelli Di Popolo E Ticineto. Installation of a vertical slurry wall around an Italian quarry lake: complications arising and simulation of the effects on groundwater flow. Environmental Earth Sciences. 2007; 53 (1):177-189.
Chicago/Turabian StyleD. A. De Luca; M. Lasagna; A. Morelli Di Popolo E Ticineto. 2007. "Installation of a vertical slurry wall around an Italian quarry lake: complications arising and simulation of the effects on groundwater flow." Environmental Earth Sciences 53, no. 1: 177-189.