Alfonso Corniello

An Integrated Approach for the Environmental Characterization of a Wide Potentially Contaminated Area in Southern Italy

This paper deals with the environmental characterization of a large and densely populated area, with a poor reputation for contamination, considering the contribution of environmental features (air, soil, soil hydraulic and groundwater) and the potential effects on human health. The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) has made possible a georeferenced inventory and, by overlaying environmental information, an operational synthesis of comprehensive environmental conditions. The cumulative effects on environmental features were evaluated, taking into account superposition effects, by means of the Spatial MultiCriteria Decision Analysis (S-MCDA). The application of the S-MCDA for converging the combination of heterogeneous factors, related to soil, land and water, deeply studied by heterogeneous groups of experts, constitutes the novelty of the paper. The results confirmed an overall higher potential of exposure to contaminants in the environment and higher mortality rates in the study area for some tumours, but hospital admissions for tumours were generally similar to the regional trend. Besides, mortality data may be strictly dependent on the poor socioeconomic conditions, quality of therapy and a lack of welfare in the area relative to the rest of Italy. Finally, as regards the possible relationship between presence of contaminants in the environment and health conditions of the population no definite conclusions can be drawn, although the present study encourages the use of the new proposed methods, that increase the possibilities for studying the combined effect of more environmental factors.

Investigation of Groundwater Systems at different scale: the case study of the Volturno River Plain (Campania, Italy)

This hydrogeological study has been performed in the framework of a LIFE + project (LIFE11/ENV/IT/275 – ECOREMED ). The study area is a large flat area (> 1500 km2) located in Campania region (Southern Italy). In the first phase, completed in 2014, the study consisted in the synergetic approach among different scientists to attain to the environmental characterization of the whole area. The second phase, started in 2015, was focused on the hydrogeological characterization of small sites (from 3000 m2 to 4500 m2), and it included a detailed investigation survey, based on boreholes drilling, slug tests, pumping tests, hydrogeochemical monitoring, etc. The site-scale study showed the important role of small lenses of impervious materials together to the differences in the flowpath for groundwater above and under impervious materials and the flowpath at regional scale. Finally, the hydrogeochemistry gave important results about the groundwater quality and the contamination state.

Sessione S 30. Groundwater resource among human needs, reuse and environmental requirements

Abstract from 88th Congress of the Italian Geological Society, 2016-09-07 - 2016-09-09, NaplesAbstract from 88th Congress of the Italian Geological Society, 2016-09-07, 2016-09-09, Naplesbook Edited by D. Calcaterra, S. Mazzoli, F.M. Petti, B. Carmina & A. Zuccari doi: 10.3301/ROL.2016.79

The springs of the Mt. Accellica (southern Italy)

At the foot of Mt. Accellica, along the rivers Tusciano and Torrente Isca della Serra (near the small town of Acerno), there are two important groups of springs (total discharge: about 900 L/s); the first one includes the springs Ausino, Ausinetto and Avella, the second one the springs Olevano and Nuova Olevano.The recharge area and the groundwater flow towards the springs have been identified using piezometric, hydrochemical and isotopic surveys. In detail the main results achieved are:• all data showed that the springs flow following different pathways from the same aquifer constituted by the dolomitic bedrock of the Acerno plain, buried by detritic-alluvial deposits;• the significant flow increase in the Tusciano river comes from the right bank of the river, opposite of what asserted by previous authors;• the limits of the groundwater basin feeding the spring groups have been outlined with the aid of the groundwater balance, carefully evaluated.