The springs of the Mt. Accellica (southern Italy)

Abstract

At the foot of Mt. Accellica, along the rivers Tusciano and Torrente Isca della Serra (near the small town of Acerno), there are two important groups of springs (total discharge: about 900 L/s); the first one includes the springs Ausino, Ausinetto and Avella, the second one the springs Olevano and Nuova Olevano.The recharge area and the groundwater flow towards the springs have been identified using piezometric, hydrochemical and isotopic surveys. In detail the main results achieved are:• all data showed that the springs flow following different pathways from the same aquifer constituted by the dolomitic bedrock of the Acerno plain, buried by detritic-alluvial deposits;• the significant flow increase in the Tusciano river comes from the right bank of the river, opposite of what asserted by previous authors;• the limits of the groundwater basin feeding the spring groups have been outlined with the aid of the groundwater balance, carefully evaluated.