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Hydrogeology of thermal waters in Viterbo area, central Italy

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Abstract

A conceptual hydrogeological model of the Viterbo thermal area (central Italy) has been developed. Though numerous studies have been conducted on its geological, geochemical and geothermal features, there is no generalized picture defining the origin and yield of the hydrothermal system. These latter aspects have therefore become the objectives of this research, which is based on new hydrogeological and geochemical investigations. The geological setting results in the coexistence of overlapped interacting aquifers. The shallow volcanic aquifer, characterized by fresh waters, is fed from the area around the Cimini Mountains and is limited at its base by the semiconfining marly-calcareous-arenaceous complex and low-permeability clays. To the west of Viterbo, vertical upflows of thermal waters of the sulphate-chloride-alkaline-earth type with higher gas contents, are due to the locally uplifted carbonate reservoir, the reduced thickness of the semiconfining layer and the high local geothermal gradient. The hot waters (30–60°C) are the result of deep circulation within the carbonate rocks (0.5–1.8 km) and have the same recharge area as the volcanic aquifer. The upward flow in the Viterbo thermal area is at least 0.1 m3/s. This flow feeds springs and deep wells, also recharging the volcanic aquifer from below.

Résumé

Un modèle conceptuel hydrogéologique de la région thermale de Viterbo (Italie centrale) a été réalisé. Malgré de nombreuses études menées concernant la géologie, la géochimie et la géothermie, il n’y a pas de schéma général expliquant le fonctionnement et le débit du système hydrothermal. Ces aspects sont ainsi devenus les objectifs de cette étude, laquelle est basée sur de nouvelles investigations hydrogéologiques et géochimiques. La structur géologique consiste en une superposition d’aquifères communiquant. Un aquifère volcanique de surface, caractérisé par des eaux douces, est alimenté à partir de l’aire située autour des montagnes Cimini et est limité à sa base par un complexe marne-calcaire-arène semi-perméable et des argiles à faible perméabilité. A l’ouest de Viterbo, des remontées d’eaux thermales, de type sulfatées-chlorées-alcalino-terreuses présentant des teneurs plus élevées en gaz, s’expliquent par un réservoir carbonaté localement élevé, par l’épaisseur moindre de la couche semi-perméable et par un gradient géothermal local élevé. Les eaux chaudes (30–60°C) sont issues d’une circulation profonde à travers les roches carbonatées (0.5–1.8 km) et originaires de la même aire de recharge que celle de l’aquifère volcanique. L’écoulement ascendant dans la région thermale de Viterbo est d’au moins 0.1 m3/s. Il alimente des sources et des puits profonds et recharge également l’aquifère volcanique.

Resumen

Se ha desarrollado un modelo conceptual hidrogeológico del área termal de Viterbo (Italia central). Aún cuando se han realizado numerosos estudios sobre sus características geológicas, geoquímicas y geotermales, no hay una visión generalizada de conjunto que defina el origen y rendimiento del sistema hidrotermal. Por lo tanto, estos últimos aspectos se han constituído en los objetivos de esta investigación, que está basada sobre nuevos estudios hidrogeológicos y geoquímicos. El marco geológico da como resultado la coexistencia de acuíferos interactivos traslapados. El acuífero volcánico poco profundo, caracterizado por aguas dulces, se alimenta desde el área circundante a las montañas Cimini y está limitado en su base por un complejo semiconfinante margoso-calcáreo-arenoso y arcillas de baja permeabilidad. Hacia el oeste de Viterbo, flujos verticales ascendentes de aguas termales, de tipo sulfatadas – cloruradas – alcalino térreas con altos contenidos de gas, se deben al reservorio carbonatado localmente levantado, la reducción del espesor del estrato semiconfinante y el elevado gradiente geotermal local. Las aguas calientes (30–60°C) son resultado de circulación profunda dentro de rocas carbonáticas (0.5–1.8 km) y tienen la misma área de recarga que el acuífero volcánico. El flujo ascendente en el área termal de Viterbo es, al menos, de 0.1 m3/s. Este flujo alimenta manantiales y pozos profundos, recargando también al acuífero volcánico desde abajo.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by MIUR (Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca), grant No. 2003049442-002. The authors would like to thank the Viterbo City Council and P. Ceron, Centro di Ricerca Geotermica ENEL, for supplying data. The authors are grateful to the anonymous reviewers and the editors for their much appreciated and constructive comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Ecologia e Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Via S. Giovanni Decollato 1, 01100, Viterbo, Italy

    V. Piscopo, S. Pistoni & E. Ruggi

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy

    M. Barbieri

  3. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Largo S. Marcellino 10, 80138, Napoli, Italy

    V. Monetti & D. Stanzione

  4. S.Te.G.A, Via Monte Bianco 5, 01100, Viterbo, Italy

    G. Pagano

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  1. V. Piscopo
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Correspondence to V. Piscopo.

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Piscopo, V., Barbieri, M., Monetti, V. et al. Hydrogeology of thermal waters in Viterbo area, central Italy. Hydrogeol J 14, 1508–1521 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0090-8

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