Abstract
Knowledge of spring waters’ chemical composition is paramount for both their use and their conservation. Vast surveys at the basin scale are required to define the nature and the location of the springs and to identify the hydrochemical facies of their aquifers. The present study aims to evaluate the hydrochemical facies and the vulnerability to nitrates of 59 springs falling in the Sila Massif in Calabria (southern Italy) and to identify their vulnerability through the analysis of physicochemical parameters and the use of the Langelier–Ludwig diagram. A spatial analysis was performed by the spline method. The results identified a mean value of 4.39 mg NO3−/L and a maximum value of 24 mg NO3−/L for nitrate pollution in the study area. Statistical analysis results showed that the increase in electrical conductivity follows the increase in alkalinity values, a correlation especially evident in the bicarbonate Ca-Mg waters and linked to the possibility of higher nitrate concentrations in springs. These analyses also showed that nitrate vulnerability is dependent on the geological setting of springs. Indeed, the Sila igneous–metamorphic batholith, often strongly affected by weathering processes, contributes to not buffering the nitrate impacts on aquifers. Conversely, anthropogenic activities, particularly fertilization practices, are key factors in groundwater vulnerability.
Highlights
In spring waters, nitrogen is one of the principal biogenous elements
The present study aims to evaluate the hydrochemical facies and the vulnerability to nitrates of 59 springs falling in the Sila Massif in Calabria and to identify their vulnerability through the analysis of physicochemical parameters and the use of the Langelier–Ludwig diagram
The spring water samples can be classified as very low mineral content (TDS < 50 mg/L) and low mineral content (50 < Total dissolved solutes (TDS) < 500 mg/L), with a single sample that reaches the TDS value of 533 mg/L. These results indicate that the geochemistry of spring waters in the Sila Massif is strongly affected by the mineralogical composition of the local rocks and controlled by hydrolysis of sodium and/or calcium silicate minerals
Summary
Nitrogen is one of the principal biogenous elements. It naturally occurs in the environment or derives from anthropogenic input, commonly found in fertilizers and animal and human wastes. Nitrates have been demonstrated to be responsible for “blue baby syndrome” (methemoglobinemia) [19], especially in infants, whereby reduced intestinal acidity facilitates the proliferation of bacterial flora transforming nitrates into nitrites. The latter enter the blood and cause the modification of hemoglobin into methemoglobin, which is unable to transport oxygen to tissues, resulting in cyanosis. The “blue baby syndrome” occurs when methemoglobin levels exceed a 10% concentration in the blood [20]
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