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Fertilizers mobilization in alluvial aquifer: laboratory experiments

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

In alluvial plains, intensive farming with conspicuous use of agrochemicals, can cause land pollution and groundwater contamination. In central Po River plain, paleo-channels are important links between arable lands and the underlaying aquifer, since the latter is often confined by clay sediments that act as a barrier against contaminants migration. Therefore, paleo-channels are recharge zones of particular interest that have to be protected from pollution as they are commonly used for water supply. This paper focuses on fertilizer mobilization next to a sand pit excavated in a paleo-channel near Ferrara (Italy). The problem is approached via batch test leaking and columns elution of alluvial sediments. Results from batch experiments showed fast increase in all major cations and anions, suggesting equilibrium control of dissolution reactions, limited availability of solid phases and geochemical homogeneity of samples. In column experiments, early elution and tailing of all ions breakthrough was recorded due to preferential flow paths. For sediments investigated in this study, dispersion, dilution and chemical reactions can reduce fertilizers at concentration below drinking standards in a reasonable time frame, provided fertilizer loading is halted or, at least, reduced. Thus, the definition of a corridor along paleo-channels is recommended to preserve groundwater quality.

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Acknowledgments

The work presented in this paper was made possible and financially supported by L.A.R.A. project, under OBIETTIVO 2 European fund (project FE-120). Professor Torquato Nanni coordinator of Groundwater Management subproject for L.A.R.A. is gratefully acknowledged for precious comments and suggestions. A special thank to Professor Paolo Billi for the accurate internal review. Umberto Tessari and Gianluca Bianchini are acknowledged for their technical and scientific support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Science, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    M. Mastrocicco

  2. Department of Biology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    N. Colombani & S. Palpacelli

Authors
  1. M. Mastrocicco
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  2. N. Colombani
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  3. S. Palpacelli
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. Colombani.

Appendix A

Appendix A

Results from all species for column Sand-75 and Sand-60 are shown in Tables 2 and 3

Table 2 Analytical results of column Sand-75
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Table 3 Analytical results of column Sand-60
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Table 2 near here (Analytical results of column Sand-75).

Table 3 near here (Analytical results of column Sand-60).

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Mastrocicco, M., Colombani, N. & Palpacelli, S. Fertilizers mobilization in alluvial aquifer: laboratory experiments. Environ Geol 56, 1371–1381 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1232-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1232-1

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