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Seasonal dynamic of a shallow freshwater lens due to irrigation in the coastal plain of Ravenna, Italy

Dynamique saisonnière d’une lentille d’eau douce sous l’effet de l’irrigationdans la plaine côtière de Ravenne, Italie

Dinámica estacional de una lente somera de agua dulce debido a la irrigación enla planicie costera de Ravenna, Italia

意大利Ravenna (拉文那) 沿海平原灌溉造成的浅层淡水透镜体季节性动态变化

Dinâmica sazonal de uma lente pouco profunda de água doce devido a rega naplanície costeira de Ravenna, Itália

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Abstract

Irrigation in low-lying coastal plains may enhance the formation of fresh groundwater lenses, which counteract salinization of groundwater and soil. This study presents seasonal dynamics of such a freshwater lens and discusses its influence on the salinity distribution of the unconfined aquifer in the coastal plain of Ravenna, Italy, combining field observations with numerical modeling (SEAWAT). The lens originates from an irrigation ditch used as a water reservoir for spray irrigation. The geometry of the freshwater lens shows seasonal differences because of freshwater infiltration during the irrigation season and upconing of deeper saltwater for the remainder of the year. The extent of the freshwater lens is controlled by the presence of nearby drainage ditches. Irrigation also results in a temperature anomaly in the aquifer because of the infiltration of warm water during the irrigation season. The surficial zone in the vicinity of the irrigation ditch is increased considerably in thickness. Finally, different irrigation alternatives and the influence of sea-level rise are simulated. This shows that it is necessary to integrate irrigation planning into the water management strategy of the coastal zone to have maximum benefits for freshening of the aquifer and to make optimal use of the existing infrastructure.

Résumé

L’irrigation dans les basses plaines côtières est susceptible de favoriser la formation de lentilles d’eaudouce, qui s’opposent à la salinisation de l’eau souterraine et des sols. Cette étude présente ladynamique saisonnière d’une telle lentille d’eau douce et discute de son influence sur la distribution desalinité dans l’aquifère à nappe libre de la plaine côtière de Ravenne en Italie, combinant desobservations de terrain avec une modélisation numérique (SEAWAT). La lentille provient d’un fosséd’irrigation utilisé comme réservoir d’eau pour l’irrigation par aspersion. La géométrie de la lentilled’eau douce montre des différences saisonnières à cause de l’infiltration d’eau douce durant la saisond’irrigation et des remontées d’eau salées pendant le reste de l’année. L’extension de la lentille d’eaudouce est contrôlée par la présence des fossés voisins. L’irrigation a aussi comme conséquence uneanomalie thermique dans l’aquifère du fait de l’infiltration d’eau à température ambiante pendant lasaison d’irrigation. L’épaisseur de la zone superficielle augmente considérablement au voisinage dufosse d’irrigation Enfin, diverses alternatives d’irrigation et l’influence de l’augmentation du niveau dela mer sont simulées. Elles montrent que l’intégration d’un schéma d’irrigation dans la stratégie degestion de l’eau en zone côtière est nécessaire pour obtenir les avantages maximum pour adoucir lanappe et faire une utilisation optimale de l’infrastructure existante.

Resumen

La irrigación en planicies costeras bajas puede favorecer la formación de lentes de agua subterráneadulce, las cuales contrarrestan la salinización del agua subterránea y del suelo. Este estudio presenta ladinámica estacional de una de tales lentes de agua dulce y discute su influencia en la distribución de lasalinidad del acuífero no confinado en la planicie costera de Ravenna, Italia, combinandoobservaciones de campo con modelado numerico (SEAWAT). La lente se origina a partir de unaacequia usada como un reservorio de agua para la irrigación por aspersión. La geometría de la lente deagua dulce muestra diferencias estacionales debido a que la infiltración de agua dulce durante de laestación de irrigación y el desplazamiento vertical de agua salina más profunda durante el resto delaño. La extensión de la lente de agua dulce está controlada por la presencia de acequias de drenajecercanas. La irrigación también produce una anomalía en la temperatura del acuífero debido a lainfiltración de agua cálida durante la estación de irrigación. La zona superficial en la vecindad de laacequia de irrigación incrementa considerablemente su espesor. Finalmente, se simulan las diferentesalternativas de irrigación y la influencia del ascenso del nivel del mar. Esto muestra que la integraciónde la planificación de la irrigación dentro de la estrategia de manejo del agua de la zona costera esnecesaria para obtener los máximos beneficios y para proveer de agua dulce al acuífero y hacer un usoóptimo de la infraestructura existente.

摘要

低洼沿海平原灌溉可增加地下淡水透镜体的形成, 从而抵消地下水和土壤的盐度。结合野外观测和数值模拟, 本研究展示了这样的淡水透镜体的季节性动态变化, 论述了淡水透镜体对意大利Ravenna (拉文那) 沿海平原非承压含水层盐度分布的影响。透镜体源自作为喷灌储水池的灌溉渠沟。由于灌溉期间的淡水渗透及其他时间内出现的深部咸水倒锥, 透镜体的几何结构显示出季节性差异。淡水透镜体的范围受附近排水沟的控制。由于灌溉季节温水的渗透, 灌溉也导致含水层温度异常。灌溉沟渠附近的表层带厚度增加非常大。最后, 模拟了不同的灌溉替代选择及海平面上升的影响。表明, 有必要制定综合的沿海地区水管理战略灌溉规划, 以获取含水层淡化的最 大效益及优化利用现有的基础设施。

Resumo

A rega em planícies costeiras de zonas baixas pode induzir a formação de lentes de água doce queimpedem a salinização da água subterrânea e do solo. Este estudo apresenta a dinâmica sazonal deuma destas lentes de água doce e analisa a sua influência na distribuição da salinidade do aquíferofreático na planície costeira de Ravenna, Itália, combinando campos de observação com modelaçãomatemática (SEAWAT). A lente forma-se a partir de um açude que é usado como reservatório de águapara rega por aspersão. A geometria da lente de água doce mostra diferenças sazonais devido àinfiltração de água doce durante o período de rega e ascensão de água salgada mais profunda durante oresto do ano. A dimensão da lente de água doce é controlada pela presença de valas de drenagempróximas. A rega também induz uma anomalia de temperatura no aquífero devido à infiltração de águaquente durante o período de rega. A zona superficial nas proximidades do açude de rega aumentousignificativamente de espessura. Finalmente, foram simuladas alternativas distintas de rega e ainfluência do aumento do nível do mar. Isto demonstra que a integração do planeamento da rega noâmbito da estratégia de gestão de água da zona costeira é necessária para obter o máximo rendimentoda introdução de água doce no aquífero e para fazer o melhor uso da infraestrutura existente.

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Acknowledgements

Alexander Vandenbohede is supported by the Fund for Scientific Research, Flanders (Belgium), where he is currently a postdoctoral fellow. Financial support was provided by the Regione Emilia-Romagna Geological Service and a large part of the hydrochemical data was collected within the framework of the Coastal Salt Water Intrusion project under contract with Eni Spa City of Ravenna, ENI, and the University of Bologna.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Geology and Soil Science, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281(S8), 9000, Gent, Belgium

    Alexander Vandenbohede

  2. Integrated Geoscience Research Group, University of Bologna, Via San Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy

    Pauline N. Mollema, Nicolas Greggio & Marco Antonellini

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  1. Alexander Vandenbohede
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  2. Pauline N. Mollema
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  3. Nicolas Greggio
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  4. Marco Antonellini
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Correspondence to Alexander Vandenbohede.

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Vandenbohede, A., Mollema, P.N., Greggio, N. et al. Seasonal dynamic of a shallow freshwater lens due to irrigation in the coastal plain of Ravenna, Italy. Hydrogeol J 22, 893–909 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-014-1099-z

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