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A three-dimensional hydrogeological–geophysical model of a multi-layered aquifer in the coastal alluvial plain of Sarno River (southern Italy)

Modèle hydrogéologique et géophysique tri-dimensionnel de l’aquifère multicouches de la plaine alluviale côtière de la Rivière Sarno (Italie du Sud)

Un modelo hidrogeológico geofísico tridimensional para un acuífero multicapa en la planicie costera aluvial del Río Sarno (Sur de Italia)

(意大利南部)Sarno河沿海冲积平原中多层含水层三维水文地质-地球物理模型

Um modelo hidrogeológico–geofísico tridimensional de um aquífero multicamada na planície aluvial costeira do rio Sarno (sul de Itália)

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Abstract

The coastal alluvial plain of Sarno River (Campania Region, southern Italy) is a very rich environment that has experienced a long history of changes due to both natural phenomena such as eustatic sea-level variations and deposition of volcanoclastic sediments, and human civilizations who populated this area since historical times. As a result, it is characterized by complex stratigraphic sequences and groundwater flow systems. The architecture of the multi-layered aquifer system in a sample area, located in a densely urbanized sector at the mouth of Sarno River, was reconstructed. Starting from the analysis of stratigraphic log data and laboratory geotechnical measurements, the lithostratigraphical-unit sequence was retrieved and a realistic three-dimensional (3D) model of the hydrogeological heterogeneity was obtained. The results of a detailed 2D electrical resistivity tomography survey were used to support the analysis of the spatial heterogeneity of the aquifer system in a sector characterized by lack of log data. The integration of hydrogeological and geophysical data allowed for the reconstruction of a 3D hydrogeophysical model of the multi-layered system, which electrically characterizes and geometrically identifies two aquifers. Finally, piezometric-level measurements validated the hydrogeological–geophysical model and showed the effectiveness of the methodology.

Résumé

La plaine alluviale côtière de la Rivière Sarno (Campanie, Sud de l’Italie) est un milieu très riche qui a une longue histoire de transformations dues à la fois à des phénomènes naturels, tels les variations eustatiques et le dépôt de sédiments pyroclastiques et aux civilisations qui ont occupé cette zone depuis des temps historiques. Il en résulte des séquences stratigraphiques et des systèmes d’écoulement souterrain complexes. L’architecture du système aquifère multicouche a été reconstituée dans une zone test, localisée dans un secteur densément urbanisé à l’embouchure de la Rivière Samo. Partant de l’analyse de données de logs stratigraphiques et de mesures géotechniques en laboratoire, on a reconstitué la séquence lithostratigraphique unité et abouti à un modèle 3D réaliste des hétérogénéités hydrogéologiques. Les résultats d’une campagne de tomographie détaillée de la résistivité électrique 2D ont été utilisés pour conforter l’analyse de l’hétérogénéité spatiale du système aquifère dans un secteur caractérisé par un manque de données stratigraphiques. L’intégration des données hydrogéologiques et géophysiques a permis la restitution d’un modèle 3D du système multicouche, qui caractérise électriquement et identifie géométriquement deux aquifères. Finalement, des mesures de niveaux piézométriques ont validé le modèle hydrogéologique et géophysique et montré l’adéquation de la méthodologie.

Resumen

La planicie costera aluvial del Río Sarno (Región de Campania, sur de Italia) es un ambiente muy rico que ha experimentado una larga historia de cambios debido tanto a fenómenos naturales, tales como variaciones eustáticos del nivel del mar y depositación de sedimentos volcánicos, como a las civilizaciones humanas que poblaron esta área desde tiempos históricos. Como resultado, se caracteriza por secuencias estratigráficas y sistemas de flujo de aguas subterráneas complejos. Se reconstruyó la arquitectura del sistema acuífero multicapa en un área de muestreo, localizada en un sector densamente urbanizado en la boca del Río Sarno. Comenzando por el análisis de datos de registros estratigráficos y medidas geotécnicas de laboratorio, se recuperó la secuencia de unidades litoestratigráficas y se obtuvo un modelo realístico tridimensional de la heterogeneidad hidrogeológica. Los resultados de un relevamiento tomográfico de resistividad eléctrica 2 D fueron usados para apoyar el análisis de la heterogeneidad espacial del sistema acuífero en un sector caracterizado por la carencia de datos de registros. La integración de datos geofísicos e hidrogeológicos permitió la reconstrucción de un modelo hidrogeológico 3D del sistema mulitcapa, el que caracteriza eléctricamente y identifica geométricamente dos acuíferos. Finalmente, medidas de niveles piezométricos validaron el modelo hidrogeológico–geofísico y mostraron la efectividad de la metodología.

摘要

(意大利南部Campania地区)Sarno河沿海冲积平原是一个非常富有的地区,由于海面升降变化和火山碎屑沉积物沉积及人类从很早以来就居住在此地,本地区经历过长期的变化。因此,地层序列和地下水系统非常复杂。重建了位于Sarno河口密集城市化地区样区中多层含水层系统的构造。从分析地层记录数据和实验室岩土测量数据入手,获取了岩性地层单元序列,得出了逼真的水文地质不均匀性三维模型。详细的二维电阻率断层摄影调查结果用来支持缺乏录井数据地区含水层系统的空间不均匀性分析。水文地质和地球物理数据的整合可以重建多层含水层的三维水文地质模型,这个模型电学上可以描述两个含水层,几何学上可以确定两个含水层。最后,测压水位测量结果验证了水文地质-地球物理模型,显示了方法的有效性。

Resumo

A planície costeira aluvial do rio Sarno (Campânia, sul de Itália) é um ambiente muito rico que foi alvo de uma longa história de alterações devidas a fenómenos naturais, tais como variações eustáticas do nível do mar e a deposição de sedimentos vulcaniclásticos, e civilizações humanas que povoaram esta área desde tempos históricos. Em resultado disso, caracteriza-se por sequências estratigráficas e por sistemas de escoamento de águas subterrânea complexos. Foi reconstruída a arquitetura do sistema aquífero multicamada numa área-amostra localizada numa zona densamente urbanizada na foz do rio Sarno. Partindo da análise de dados de diagrafias estratigráficas e de resultados geotécnicos laboratoriais foi concebida a sequência de unidades litoestratigráficas e foi obtido um modelo realístico tridimensional (3D) da heterogeneidade hidrogeológica. Foram usados os resultados de um levantamento tomográfico detalhado 2D de resistividade elétrica para apoiar a análise da heterogeneidade especial do sistema aquífero num sector caracterizado pela ausência de dados de diagrafias. A integração de dados hidrogeológicos e geofísicos permitiu a reconstrução de um modelo hidro-geofísico 3D do sistema multicamada, o qual caracteriza elétrica e geometricamente dois aquíferos. Finalmente, as medições de nível piezométrico validaram o modelo hidrogeológico–geofísico e mostraram a eficácia da metodologia.

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Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to Pasquale Paduano for his very friendly collaboration. Authors wish to thank Roberto Balia and an anonymous reviewer for their useful suggestions and comments, which helped improve the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Environment and Resources, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

    R. Di Maio, S. Fabbrocino & E. Piegari

  2. Structural and Geotechnical Dynamics Laboratory StreGa, University of Molise, Termoli, Italy

    G. Forte

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  1. R. Di Maio
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Di Maio, R., Fabbrocino, S., Forte, G. et al. A three-dimensional hydrogeological–geophysical model of a multi-layered aquifer in the coastal alluvial plain of Sarno River (southern Italy). Hydrogeol J 22, 691–703 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-013-1087-8

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