Integrated analysis of roca vecchia solution pipes (Eastern Salento, Italy)|Studio integrato dei camini di dissoluzione carsica di roca vecchia (SALENTO ORIENTALE)

A study on the solution pipes occurring at Roca Vecchia locality (eastern Salcnto, Apulia) has been carried out by integrating geomorphological and geophysical analyses. Solution pipes formed by crypto-karst processes; they show a cilindrical shape and are about 2 m deep. The diameter of pipes transverse section ranges between 0.5 and 1 m. The integrated study points out that solution pipes distribution is not random but areas marked by pipes with about the same features can be recognized. In particular, the geophysical survey detects a diffuse scattering of radar signal along some alignments which has been interpretated as effect of the anysotropy of rock body. However, the occurrence of numerous solution pipes marked by a circular horizontal section would suggest the isotropic condition of the bedrock during the time interval when crypto-karst solution processes have been active (from the end of the Middle Pleistocene to the beginning of the Upper Pleistocene). During this period, the infiltration of surface waters through joints have been impeded by the calcitic filling which sealed them. This condition promoted crypto-karst solution processes and the diffuse development of solution pipes.