Hydrogeological Survey, Radiometric Analysis and Field Parametric Measurements: A Combined Tool for the Study of Porous Aquifers

The use of isotopic geochemistry for hydrogeological studies is growing internationally. The use of isotopic geochemistry methodologies on hydrogeological survey data, integrated with the use natural tracers, is helpful when defining the hydrogeological model of the aquifer. In particular, the use o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Enzo Cuiuli, Salvatore Procopio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-07-01
Series:Water
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/14/2173
Description
Summary:The use of isotopic geochemistry for hydrogeological studies is growing internationally. The use of isotopic geochemistry methodologies on hydrogeological survey data, integrated with the use natural tracers, is helpful when defining the hydrogeological model of the aquifer. In particular, the use of radioisotope concentration measurements as natural tracers and the detection of the temperature, redox potential and dissolved oxygen in groundwater in the field provide information on underground water circulation, which is useful for identifying recharge areas and groundwater drainage. Variations in these parameters in the aquifer allow for information about its hydrodynamics to be obtained. The application of this method in a sample area showed how the uranium and radon concentrations, temperature, redox potential and dissolved oxygen vary in the different sectors of the aquifer, depending on water mobility. This information, integrated with the results of a hydrogeological survey of the static levels, distinguished the recharge and drainage areas of the aquifer and the preferential directions in terms of water flow and allowed for information on the mobility of the aquifer in the various sectors to be obtained. The method presented in this paper was tested in a larger hydrogeological study in the southern sector of the shallow aquifer of the S. Eufemia Lamezia plain (Calabria, Italy).
ISSN:2073-4441