Application of Geostatistical Tools to the Geochemical Characterization of the Peloritani Mts (Sicily, Italy) Aquifers

Marianna Cangemi,Rocco Favara,Paolo Madonia,Valentina Censi

doi:10.3390/w13223269

Marianna Cangemi, Rocco Favara + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/w13223269

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Abstract

Sources of groundwater contaminants in inhabited areas, located in complex geo-tectonic contexts, are often deeply interlocked, thus, making the discrimination between anthropic and natural origins difficult. In this study, we investigate the Peloritani Mountain aquifers (Sicily, Italy), using the combination of probability plots with concentration contour maps to retrieve an overall view of the groundwater geo-chemistry with a special focus on the flux of heavy metals. In particular, we present a methodology for integrating spatial data with very different levels of precision, acquired before and during the “geomatic era”. Our results depict a complex geochemical layout driven by a geo-puzzle of rocks with very different lithological natures, hydraulically connected by a dense tectonic network that is also responsible for the mixing of deep hydrothermal fluids with the meteoric recharge. Moreover, a double source, geogenic or anthropogenic, was individuated for many chemicals delivered to groundwater bodies. The concentration contour maps, based on the different data groups identified by the probability plots, fit the coherency and congruency criteria with the distribution of both rock matrices and anthropogenic sources for chemicals, indicating the success of our geostatistical approach.

Highlights

We present and discuss a methodology for integrating data characterized by very different spatial precisions, which is of general interest for applications requiring the merging of new information with “pregeomatic” datasets
The complex and highly fragmented geotectonic setting of the Peloritani Mts, accomaccompanied by the widespread presence of punctual and diffused source panied by the widespread presence of punctual and diffused sources of anthropogenic anthropogenic pollutants, requires a rigorous geostatistical approach for discrimina pollutants, requires a rigorous geostatistical approach for discriminating among the different origins for chemicals dissolved in groundwater
The Peloritani Mts area is a paradigmatic example of how important applying “objective” geostatistical tools is for discerning among different sources of chemicals for groundwater in complex geo-tectonic settings hosting civil and industrial settlements variably distributed in these territories

Summary

Introduction

The global water demand has increased as the population has grown six-fold during the past 100 years [2] as a consequence of the economic progress and of the change of the main water usages [3]. It is estimated that water demand will continue to increase in economically emerging countries [3], both for industrial (20%) and domestic (10%) practises, even if agriculture remains the largest consumer (70%) [3,4]. Groundwater is one of the most important sources for drinking water: its consumption covers over a third of the global demand [5]; in arid and semi-arid regions, characterized by limited precipitation and high evapotranspiration, it is often the most important water resource [6]

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