Groundwaters have a key role in the human life. In Europe 65% of drinking water and 25% of water for agricultural irrigation come from groundwaters. Within groundwaters, thermal and mineral waters have an important role in society, for well-being and for economic purposes. In the Alps precipitations generate a large amount of runoff with respect to groundwater, making water supply highly sensible to climate change. Despite the importance and the vulnerability of groundwaters in Alpine region, quantitative and qualitative studies that involve the entire Alpine region are rare, being difficult conducting studies in an area of more than 200,000 km2 including six countries (France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Slovenia). In this work we compiled a geo-database containing more than 3,000 chemical analyses (major ions) of spring waters coming from the literature (scientific publications, books, websites...) and from new fieldworks performed between 2011 and 2022. For less than 20% of spring waters, analysis of the isotopic composition of water and carbon were also included. We paid attention to include the database the data of the spring waters with highest flow rates, of the bottled mineral waters and of the thermal baths. For less than 15% of spring waters were recorded also the flow rate values. In this percentage were included the spring waters with highest discharge that represent less than 1% of database and contribute to more than 75% of total flow rate. Regarding thermal and mineral waters, they represent about 20% of the entire database. The geo-database was compared with a GIS-based hydrogeological map of Alps elaborated for the purpose. The map highlights the presence of an inner crystalline core north- and south-bounded by dominant carbonate rocks, while external to the chain are located basins mainly filled by sandstone-type rocks. The more productive springs are located in the calcareous complexes and, secondary, in the external basins. The mineral and thermal springs are mainly located in correspondence of the main tectonic lines and of the basins external to the chain. We maintain that our work constitutes a useful tool for estimating and monitoring the groundwater resources in the Alpine region, in line with the goal 6 "ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all" of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of United Nations (https://sdgs.un.org).
Hydrogeological asset of Alpine region: physical and chemical characteristics
Marco Donnini;Federica Fiorucci;
2023
Abstract
Groundwaters have a key role in the human life. In Europe 65% of drinking water and 25% of water for agricultural irrigation come from groundwaters. Within groundwaters, thermal and mineral waters have an important role in society, for well-being and for economic purposes. In the Alps precipitations generate a large amount of runoff with respect to groundwater, making water supply highly sensible to climate change. Despite the importance and the vulnerability of groundwaters in Alpine region, quantitative and qualitative studies that involve the entire Alpine region are rare, being difficult conducting studies in an area of more than 200,000 km2 including six countries (France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Slovenia). In this work we compiled a geo-database containing more than 3,000 chemical analyses (major ions) of spring waters coming from the literature (scientific publications, books, websites...) and from new fieldworks performed between 2011 and 2022. For less than 20% of spring waters, analysis of the isotopic composition of water and carbon were also included. We paid attention to include the database the data of the spring waters with highest flow rates, of the bottled mineral waters and of the thermal baths. For less than 15% of spring waters were recorded also the flow rate values. In this percentage were included the spring waters with highest discharge that represent less than 1% of database and contribute to more than 75% of total flow rate. Regarding thermal and mineral waters, they represent about 20% of the entire database. The geo-database was compared with a GIS-based hydrogeological map of Alps elaborated for the purpose. The map highlights the presence of an inner crystalline core north- and south-bounded by dominant carbonate rocks, while external to the chain are located basins mainly filled by sandstone-type rocks. The more productive springs are located in the calcareous complexes and, secondary, in the external basins. The mineral and thermal springs are mainly located in correspondence of the main tectonic lines and of the basins external to the chain. We maintain that our work constitutes a useful tool for estimating and monitoring the groundwater resources in the Alpine region, in line with the goal 6 "ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all" of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of United Nations (https://sdgs.un.org).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
