Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Volcanic System
A geochemical investigation was undertaken at Mt. Etna Volcano to better define groundwater characteristics of its aquifers. Results indicate that the Na–Mg ± Ca–HCO3− ± (SO42− or Cl−) type accounts for more than 80% of the groundwater composition in the volcano. The remaining 20% is characterized b...
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MDPI AG
2015-06-01
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| Series: | Resources |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/4/2/358 |
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| author | Carmelo Bellia Adrian H. Gallardo Masaya Yasuhara Kohei Kazahaya |
| author_facet | Carmelo Bellia Adrian H. Gallardo Masaya Yasuhara Kohei Kazahaya |
| author_sort | Carmelo Bellia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A geochemical investigation was undertaken at Mt. Etna Volcano to better define groundwater characteristics of its aquifers. Results indicate that the Na–Mg ± Ca–HCO3− ± (SO42− or Cl−) type accounts for more than 80% of the groundwater composition in the volcano. The remaining 20% is characterized by elevated Ca2+. Waters along coastal areas are enriched in SO42− or Cl−, mainly due to mixing with seawater and anthropogenic effects. The majority of the samples showed values between −4‰ to −9‰ for δ18O and −19‰ to −53‰ for δ2H, suggesting that precipitation is the predominant source of recharge to the aquifers, especially in the west of the study area. The analysis of δ13C and pCO2 shows values 1 to 3 times higher than those expected for waters in equilibrium with the atmosphere, suggesting a partial gas contribution from deep sources. The diffusion of gasses is likely to be controlled by tectonic structures in the volcano. The ascent of deep brines is also reflected in the CO2 enrichment (up to 2.2 bars) and enriched δ2H/δ18O compositions observed in the salt mounts of Paternò. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T00:55:22Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-9276 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T00:55:22Z |
| publishDate | 2015-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-532c81bb6e104d0da3fb331535c7dee92022-12-22T02:21:37ZengMDPI AGResources2079-92762015-06-014235837710.3390/resources4020358resources4020358Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Volcanic SystemCarmelo Bellia0Adrian H. Gallardo1Masaya Yasuhara2Kohei Kazahaya3National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Geological Survey of Japan, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8561, JapanArgentina National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), FCFMyN, Department of Geology, San Luis National University, Ejercito de los Andes 950, San Luis 5700, ArgentinaNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Geological Survey of Japan, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8561, JapanNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Geological Survey of Japan, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8561, JapanA geochemical investigation was undertaken at Mt. Etna Volcano to better define groundwater characteristics of its aquifers. Results indicate that the Na–Mg ± Ca–HCO3− ± (SO42− or Cl−) type accounts for more than 80% of the groundwater composition in the volcano. The remaining 20% is characterized by elevated Ca2+. Waters along coastal areas are enriched in SO42− or Cl−, mainly due to mixing with seawater and anthropogenic effects. The majority of the samples showed values between −4‰ to −9‰ for δ18O and −19‰ to −53‰ for δ2H, suggesting that precipitation is the predominant source of recharge to the aquifers, especially in the west of the study area. The analysis of δ13C and pCO2 shows values 1 to 3 times higher than those expected for waters in equilibrium with the atmosphere, suggesting a partial gas contribution from deep sources. The diffusion of gasses is likely to be controlled by tectonic structures in the volcano. The ascent of deep brines is also reflected in the CO2 enrichment (up to 2.2 bars) and enriched δ2H/δ18O compositions observed in the salt mounts of Paternò.http://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/4/2/358groundwatergeochemistrywater qualityisotopesMt. Etna |
| spellingShingle | Carmelo Bellia Adrian H. Gallardo Masaya Yasuhara Kohei Kazahaya Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Volcanic System Resources groundwater geochemistry water quality isotopes Mt. Etna |
| title | Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Volcanic System |
| title_full | Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Volcanic System |
| title_fullStr | Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Volcanic System |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Volcanic System |
| title_short | Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Volcanic System |
| title_sort | geochemical characterization of groundwater in a volcanic system |
| topic | groundwater geochemistry water quality isotopes Mt. Etna |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/4/2/358 |
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