Interaction between the deep fluids and the shallow groundwaters on Vulcano island (Italy)

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the interactions processes between the fluids of deep origin and the shallow groundwaters of the Vulcano Porto area. During 1995, 13 well waters were sampled three times (May, July and November) and analysed for major and some minor elements (B, Br and NH4) and for dissolved gases. The close relationship of these waters with the deep magmatic source is highlighted by the composition of the dissolved gases. Furthermore, the areal distribution of dissolved species is controlled mainly by the gas fluxes from depth and by the presence of a deeper thermal aquifer. The distribution of major anomalies in the parameters measured in the groundwaters, in fact, overlaps the soil gas fluxes distribution that are related to the existence of preferential upflow routes of fumarolic fluids through weak structural lines in the volcanic edifice.