Groundwater Thermal Trends Analysis in Support to Sustainable Use of Low-Enthalpy Resources: A Preliminary Monitoring Approach in Vicenza (Northern Italy)

Abstract

In the province of Vicenza, a study that takes into account the experimental data to verify the geothermal potential of the area is in progress. The studied area corresponds to the high plains where the processes of recharge of the aquifer system of the entire province and the surrounding area are active. It is a sensitive area as a source of water supply for most of the region. The study is useful for the purposes of developing a plan for geothermal use and for the protection of aquifers. The investigations involving temperature data that are acquired continuously at a limited number of wells and data that are measured at certain times of the year at a considerable wells network. In this way it is possible to verify the temperature distribution and identify areas with similar behavior and, in the same context, the trend of temperature in areas not yet affected by geothermal plants are analyzed.