Kinds of aquifer recharges in carbonate rocks

Aquifer supplies, supply factors, primary and secondary recharge, recharge contributions

Study of the Trends of Chemical–Physical Parameters in Different Karst Aquifers: Some Examples from Italian Alps

The results of a series of continuous characterizations of physical parameters (flow, temperature, water conductivity) and chemical analyses in water springs fed by karst aquifers located in the Piedmont region (northwestern Italy) are presented in this work. Rock masses in carbonate rocks, characterized by very different hydrogeological situations, linked to a different degree of karstification, fracturing, and development of the saturated zone, were examined. A series of data-loggers were installed, operating for several years, and different water sampling missions and subsequent chemical analyses (main ions, metals, and rare earth elements) under different hydrodynamic conditions were carried out. The results show very different trends of chemical–physical water parameters, particularly following significant infiltrative events. Aquifers characterized by a high karstification and reduced saturated zone highlight water mineralization decreases, even within a few hours, as a result of significant flow rate increases (prevalent substitution). Aquifers with a well-developed saturated zone, during an entire flood event, highlight an increase in mineralization linked to the remobilization of water present in the less permeable sectors of the aquifer (piston flow phenomenon). Lastly, aquifers fed by very fractured rocky masses and reduced karstification have a water flow rate with mild annual variations and constant chemical–physical parameters over time (homogenization phenomenon)

Subsidence hazards connected to quarrying activities in a karst area: the case of the Moncalvo sinkhole event (Piedmont, NW Italy)

Gypsum is an important raw material for constructions and other industrial sectors. In Piedmont (NW Italy), main gypsum bodies are located in the Monferrato area, where large open pits and underground quarries are present. The gypsum- bearing formation outcropping in this area shows typical geological, structural, and hydrogeological features, which affect the quarrying and the related interaction with natural phenomena, human activities, and land use. In particular, gypsum karst has considerable influence on mining operations, as well as mining operations can produce strong impact on gypsum karst. In Monferrato, a specific case of interaction between the quarrying activity and geological, hydrogeological, and territorial setting is represented by the event of water inrush that happened in the Moncalvo underground quarry in association with the development of a surface sinkhole phenomenon

Engineering geology challenges at the Politecnico di Torino

The Engineering Geology area studies the physical geography and geomorphology of the “Environment system”. In particular, Engineering Geology deals with the defense of the soil, territory and civil protection, with attention to landslides, hydrogeology, the study of underground water circulation, the geological-technical survey, geological exploration of the subsoil and thematic cartography, geological and hydrogeological risk; interpretation of aerial photos and satellite images, topographical analysis on digital models of the survey, study of climate changes and their influence on erosion, sedimentation and pedogenesis processes, the study of geothermal systems, the analysis of geological systems related to hydrocarbons and minerals. Research methods include field and laboratory experiments and appropriate numerical modeling software is often used. In conclusion, the aim of this paper should be a review of all engineering geology tematics analysed and studied by Applied Geology Group in Politecnico di Torino

Vegetation and Glacier Trends in the Area of the Maritime Alps Natural Park (Italy): MaxEnt Application to Predict Habitat Development

Climate change is significantly affecting ecosystem services and leading to strong impacts on the extent and distribution of glaciers and vegetation. In this context, species distribution models represent a suitable instrument for studying ecosystem development and response to climate warming. This study applies the maximum entropy model, MaxEnt, to evaluate trends and effects of climate change for three environmental indicators in the area of the Alpi Marittime Natural Park under the Municipality of Entracque (Italy). Specifically, this study focuses on the magnitude of the retreat of six glaciers and on the distribution of two different plant communities, Alnus viridis scrub and Fagus sylvatica forest associated with Acer pseudoplatanus and tall herbs (megaforbie), in relation to predicted increases in mean temperatures. MaxEnt software was used to model and observe changes over a thirty-year period, developing three scenarios: a present (2019), a past (1980) and a future (2050) using 24 “environmental layers”. This study showed the delicate climate balances of these six small glaciers that, in the next 30 years, are likely to undergo an important retreat (≈−33%) despite the high altitude and important snowfall that still characterize the area. At the same time, it is predicted that the two plant communities will invade those higher altitude territories that, not so long ago, were inhospitable, expanding their habitat by 50%. The MaxEnt application to glaciers has shown to be an effective tool that offers a new perspective in the climate change field as well as in biodiversity conservation planning

Itria Valley (Apulia, Italy): technological properties of a limestone used for traditional buildings

The “Trulli of Alberobello” are in the UNESCO world heritage list and those rural constructions, built in dry mode, are widely spread in the Itria Valley (Apulia, south of Italy). From a geological point of view Itria valley is mostly made up of limestone representing a durable and precious source for stone constructions. The aim of this work is to correlate the geological aspects of a portion of an Apulian territory named Itria Valley with their heritage sites. The most common rural stone constructions are “Trulli”, built with “Chiancarelle”, a limestone associated to Sannicandro level (Turonian age), between Bari and Altamura formation. “Chiancarelle”, locally extracted probably from temporary quarries in the vicinity of the rural buildings, were installed either in dry technique or by means a particular mortar based on lime and bolus (red earth). Nowadays the “Chiancarelle” needed for the restoration works of the “Trulli” have a different origin coming from quarries located in the Itria valley. The aim of this work is to compare the petrographic and physical-mechanical propertie sof the ancient stones used in “Trulli” with those of a limestone exploited as ornamental stone nearby