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Water quality and relationship between superficial and ground water in Rome (Aniene River basin, central Italy)

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Abstract

Chemical, physical, and biological features of streams and ground water of the North-Eastern area of Rome are jointly analyzed in order to assess the status of water resources. Ground water was investigated with classical survey methods (pH, temperature, and electric conductivity). Microbiological pollution, faunal composition, and stream surrounding area conditions of surface waters were studied, in order to quantify the residual value of these ecosystems from both a human and an environmental point of view. Results show a general impairment of the system and the comparison between superficial waters and shallow ground waters makes it possible to detect the presence of a connection between the two levels. This relationship occurs as an exchange from superficial waters (streams and rivers) to the shallow aquifers. Where superficial waters are contaminated, as in the Tor Sapienza stream, pollutants move to the shallow aquifers too, due to the decreased pressure of the over-exploited aquifer. Moreover, uncontrolled drilling activity, diffused in urban areas, makes it possible the connection between shallow and deep ground water. Notwithstanding this, the mixing between superficial and deep ground water system in Rome is not very widespread and, apparently, limited to restricted areas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Sciences Department, Applied and Environmental Geology Lab, RomaTRE University, L.go S.Leonardo Murialdo 1, 00146, Rome, Italy

    Francesco La Vigna & Roberto Mazza

  2. Italian National Institute of Health—Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy

    Simone Ciadamidaro & Laura Mancini

  3. Department of Animal and Human Biology, “Sapienza”—University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Simone Ciadamidaro

Authors
  1. Francesco La Vigna
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  2. Simone Ciadamidaro
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  3. Roberto Mazza
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  4. Laura Mancini
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Correspondence to Francesco La Vigna.

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La Vigna, F., Ciadamidaro, S., Mazza, R. et al. Water quality and relationship between superficial and ground water in Rome (Aniene River basin, central Italy). Environ Earth Sci 60, 1267–1279 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-009-0267-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-009-0267-2

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