Abstract
The impact of groundwater withdrawals on the interaction between multi-layered aquifers with different water qualities in the Viterbo geothermal area (central Italy) was studied. In this area, deep thermal waters are used to supply thermal spas and public pools. A shallow overlying aquifer carries cold and fresh water, used for irrigation and the local drinking-water supply. Starting with a conceptual hydrogeological model, two simplified numerical models were implemented: a steady-state flow model of the entire groundwater system, and a steady-state flow and heat transport model of a representative area, which included complex interactions between the aquifers. The impact of increased withdrawals associated with potential future development of the thermal aquifer must be considered in terms of the water temperature of the existing thermal sources. However, withdrawals from the shallow aquifer might also influence the discharge of thermal sources and quality of the water withdrawn from the shallow wells. The exploitation of the two aquifers is dependent on the hydraulic conductivity and thickness of the intervening aquitard, which maintains the delicate hydrogeological equilibrium. Effective methods to control this equilibrium include monitoring the vertical gradient between the two aquifers and the residual discharge of natural thermal springs.
Résumé
L’impact des prélèvements d’eau souterraine sur l’interaction entre un complexe d’aquifères comprenant différentes qualités d’eau dans la zone géothermique de Viterbo (Centre de l’Italie) a été étudié. Dans cette zone, les eaux thermales profondes sont utilisées pour alimenter des thermes et des piscines publiques. Un aquifère supérieur peu profond transporte des eaux douces froides, utilisées pour l’irrigation et pour l’alimentation en eau potable. A partir d’un modèle conceptuel hydrogéologique, deux modèles numériques simplifiés ont été mises en œuvre : un modèle d’écoulements en régime permanent pour la totalité du système aquifère, et un modèle en régime permanent pour les flux et le transport de chaleur d’une zone représentative, comprenant les interactions complexes entre les aquifères. L’impact de l’augmentation des prélèvements associée au développement potentiel futur de l’aquifère thermal doit être considéré en termes de température des sources thermales existantes. Cependant, les prélèvements de l’aquifère superficiel peut aussi influencer le débit des sources thermales et la qualité de l’eau prélevée au niveau des puits peu profonds. L’exploitation des deux aquifères est dépendante de la conductivité hydraulique et de l’épaisseur de l’aquitard intervenant, qui maintient l’équilibre hydrogéologique fragile. Des méthodes efficaces de contrôle de cet aquifère comprend le suivi du gradient vertical entre les deux aquifères et le débit résiduel des sources thermales naturelles.
Resumen
Se estudió el impacto de las extracciones de agua subterránea en la interacción entre acuíferos multicapas con diferentes calidades del agua en el área geotermal de Viterbo (Italia Central). En esta área, las aguas termales profundas son usadas para el abastecimiento de spas y natatorios públicos termales. Un acuífero somero suprayacente transporta agua fría y dulce, usada para irrigación y el abastecimiento local de agua potable. Comenzando con un modelo hidrogeológico conceptual, se implementaron dos modelos numéricos simplificados: un modelo de flujo en estado estacionario sobre la totalidad del sistema de agua subterránea, y un modelo en estado transitorio de flujo y transporte de calor de un área representativa, que incluyó las complejas interacciones entre los acuíferos. El impacto de las crecientes extracciones asociadas con un futuro desarrollo potencial del acuífero termal debe ser considerado en función de la temperatura del agua de las fuentes termales existentes. Sin embargo, las extracciones provenientes del acuífero somero podrían también influenciar la descarga de las fuentes termales y la calidad del agua extraída desde los pozos someros. La explotación de los dos acuíferos es depende de la conductividad hidráulica y espesor del acuitardo interviniente, el cual mantiene el delicado equilibrio hidrogeológico. Los métodos efectivos para controlar este equilibrio incluyen el monitoreo del gradiente vertical entre los dos acuíferos y la descarga residual de los manantiales naturales termales.
摘要
本文研究了地下水开采对viterbo地热区不同水质多层含水层之间相互作用的影响。在这一地区,深层地热水主要用于当地的温泉洗浴和公共泳池。上覆浅层含水层中的冷淡水主要用于灌溉和当地的饮用水供水。基于水文地质概念模型,两种简化的数值模型应用于本次研究,分别为整个地下水系统的稳定流模型和包含含水层间复杂相互作用的典型区稳定流和热运移模型。与潜在深层热含水层未来开发有关的地下水开采量增加影响必须从现有热源中地下水温度来考虑。然而,浅层地下水开采也可能影响热源的排泄量及浅层井中水的水质。上、下含水层的开采量主要取决于能使两个含水层形成微妙平衡的水文地质参数,即渗透系数和含水层间弱透水层的厚度。有效控制上述平衡的办法包括监测含水层间垂向水力梯度和天然热泉的剩余排泄量。
Resumo
Foi estudado o impacte das extrações de água subterrânea na interação entre aquíferos multicamada com diferentes qualidades de água na área geotérmica de Viterbo (Itália central). Nesta área, águas termais profundas são usadas para abastecimento de termas e piscinas públicas. Um aquífero livre superficial com água doce a temperatura normal é usado para rega e para o abastecimento doméstico local. Começando por um modelo hidrogeológico concetual, foram implementados dois modelos numéricos simplificados: um modelo de fluxo estacionário de todo o sistema hidrogeológico e um modelo de fluxo estacionário e de transporte de calor de uma área representativa que incluiu interações complexas entre os aquíferos. O impacte do incremento das extrações, associado ao potencial desenvolvimento futuro do aquífero termal, deve ser considerado em termos da temperatura da água das fontes termais existentes. No entanto, as extrações a partir do aquífero livre podem também influenciar a descarga das fontes termais e a qualidade da água extraída dos poços superficiais. A exploração dos dois aquíferos está dependente da condutividade hidráulica e da espessura do aquitardo, o qual mantém o delicado equilíbrio hidrogeológico. Métodos efetivos de controlo deste equilíbrio incluem a monitorização do gradiente vertical entre os dois aquíferos e da descarga residual das nascentes termais naturais.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Regione Lazio - Direzione Regionale Attività Produttive e Rifiuti, in the persons of Dr Mario Marotta, Eng Luigi Minicillo and Dr Patrizia Refrigeri, and Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (Project PRIN-2008 – 2008YYZKEE_02) for their financial support. The authors appreciate the review and suggestions made by Sue Duncan (Technical Editorial Advisor), Fabien Magri (Associate Editor), Micol Todesco and one anonymous reviewer.
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Baiocchi, A., Lotti, F. & Piscopo, V. Impact of groundwater withdrawals on the interaction of multi-layered aquifers in the Viterbo geothermal area (central Italy). Hydrogeol J 21, 1339–1353 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-013-1000-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-013-1000-5