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Water isotope analyses and flow measurements for understanding the stream and meteoric recharge contributions to the Poiano evaporite karst spring in the North Apennines, Italy

Analyses des isotopes de la molécule d'eau et mesures des écoulements pour comprendre les contributions des cours d'eau et de la recharge par l’eau de pluie à la source karstique évaporitique de Poiano dans les Apennins du Nord, Italie

Análisis de isótopos de agua y mediciones de caudal para comprender las fuentes de recarga fluvial y meteórica del manantial kárstico evaporítico de Poiano, en los Apeninos septentrionales (Italia)

通过水同位素分析和流量测定了解意大利北部亚**宁山脉地区皮亚诺蒸发岩岩溶泉的河流和大气降水补给贡献

Analisi isotopiche e misure di portata per comprendere i contributi di ricarica da parte di torrenti e precipitazioni alla sorgente in evaporiti carsiche di Poiano, Appennino settentrionale, Italia

Análises de isótopos de água e medições de fluxo para entender as contribuições de fluxo e recarga meteórica para a nascente cárstica evaporítica de Poiano no Norte dos Apeninos, Itália

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Abstract

The Poiano karst spring is located in the North Apennines (Italy) and it drains Triassic evaporite rocks with a mean discharge of hundreds of liters/second. Two hydrogeological conceptual models have been proposed (and published) for the spring based on tracer tests. Both models highlighted the contribution of the local streams to recharge of the karst aquifer system, through sinking-stream processes, as well as recharge through rainfall; however, those studies differed in the water courses selected to monitor the recharge processes. The aim of the present research is to increase knowledge about the groundwater recharge processes of the Poiano karst spring with new surveys and analyses, resulting in a large dataset of temporal water stable isotope analyses (δ18O, δ2H), temporal stream discharge measurements, and temporal water tritium isotope data (T). A new hydrogeological conceptual model for the Poiano karst spring is proposed, within which a new list of streams becomes involved in the recharge-processes model based on different sources of water. In addition, the research identifies and confirms the occurrence of groundwater flow processes inside the karst system, such as the piston effect.

Résumé

La source karstique de Poiano est située dans les Apennins du Nord (Italie) ; elle draine des roches évaporitiques du Trias avec un débit moyen de plusieurs centaines de litres/seconde. Deux modèles conceptuels hydrogéologiques ont été proposés (et publiés) pour la source sur la base d’essais de traçage. Les deux modèles ont mis en évidence une contribution des cours d'eau locaux à la recharge du système aquifère karstique, par le biais d’infiltration dans le lit des cours d'eau, ainsi qu’une réalimentation par les précipitations ; cependant, les résultats ne sont pas identiques pour l’ensemble des cours d'eau sélectionnés pour suivre les processus de recharge. L'objectif de la présente étude est d'accroître les connaissances sur les processus de recharge des eaux souterraines de la source karstique de Poiano grâce à de nouveaux suivis et analyses, permettant d’acquérir un grand nombre de données temporelles sur les isotopes stables de la molécule d'eau (δ18O, δ2H), sur les débits des cours d'eau et sur le tritium (T). Un nouveau modèle conceptuel hydrogéologique de fonctionnement de la source karstique de Poiano est proposé, dans lequel, une nouvelle liste de ruisseaux est impliquée dans les processus de recharge à partir de différentes aliquotes d'eau. En outre, l’étude identifie et confirme l'existence de processus d'écoulement des eaux souterraines dans le système karstique, tels que l'effet piston.

Resumen

El manantial kárstico de Poiano está situado en los Apeninos septentrionales (Italia) y drena rocas evaporíticas triásicas con una descarga media de cientos de litros/segundo. Se han propuesto (y publicado) dos modelos hidrogeológicos conceptuales para el manantial basados en pruebas de trazadores. Ambos modelos destacaban la contribución de los arroyos locales a la recarga del sistema acuífero kárstico, a través de procesos de flujos de sumidero, así como la recarga a través de las precipitaciones; sin embargo, esos estudios diferían en los cursos de agua seleccionados para monitorear los procesos de recarga. El objetivo de la presente investigación es aumentar el conocimiento sobre los procesos de recarga de las aguas subterráneas del manantial kárstico de Poiano con nuevos estudios y análisis, dando lugar a un amplio conjunto de datos de análisis temporales de isótopos estables del agua (δ18O, δ2H), mediciones temporales de la descarga de los cursos de agua y datos temporales de isótopos de tritio del agua (T). Se propone un nuevo modelo conceptual hidrogeológico para el manantial kárstico de Poiano, dentro del cual una nueva lista de arroyos se involucra en el modelo de procesos de recarga basado en diferentes alícuotas de agua. Además, la investigación identifica y confirma la ocurrencia de procesos de flujo de agua subterránea dentro del sistema kárstico, como el efecto pistón.

摘要

Poiano岩溶泉位于意大利北Apennines山脉，排泄于三叠纪蒸发岩，**均流量达数百升/秒。基于示踪试验，已经提出(和出版)了两个岩溶泉水文地质概念模型。两个模型都**调了当地河流通过伏流过程和降雨对岩溶含水层系统补给的贡献；然而，这些研究在所选的不同河道中监测的补给过程存在差异。本研究的目的是通过新的调查和分析，进一步了解Poiano岩溶泉地下水补给过程，从而获得大量的动态数据，包括:水稳定同位素(δ18O , δ2H)、径流量和水氚同位素(T)。 本文提出了一个新的Poiano岩溶泉水文地质概念模型。在该模型中，根据不同补给水的比例，在补给过程模型中引入了一个新的河流列表。此外，本研究识别并证实了岩溶系统内部地下水流动过程的发生，如活塞效应。

Riassunto

La sorgente carsica di Poiano è localizzata nell'Appennino Settentrionale (Italia) e drena rocce evaporitiche Triassiche, con una portata media di centinaia di litri/secondo. Per la sorgente sono stati proposti (e pubblicati) due modelli idrogeologici concettuali basati su prove con traccianti. Entrambi i modelli hanno evidenziato il contributo di corsi d'acqua locali alla ricarica del sistema acquifero carsico, attraverso condotti carsici e inghiottitoi, nonché alla ricarica da precipitazioni; tuttavia, quegli studi differivano nei corsi d'acqua coinvolti nei processi di ricarica. Lo scopo della presente ricerca è quello di aumentare le conoscenze sui processi di ricarica delle acque sotterranee della sorgente carsica di Poiano con nuove indagini ed analisi, quali, il campionamento multi-temporale di un ampio numero di campioni per l’analisi degli isotopi stabili dell'acqua (δ18O, δ2H), misure multi-temporali di portata dei torrenti e campionamento multi-temporale ed analisi dell’isotopo del Trizio dell'acqua (T). In conclusione, viene qui proposto un nuovo modello idrogeologico concettuale per la sorgente carsica di Poiano, in cui un nuovo elenco di corsi d'acqua, con diverse aliquote, viene coinvolto nel modello dei processi di ricarica. Inoltre, la ricerca evidenzia e conferma la presenza di fenomeni di pistonaggio nei flussi idrici dei condotti carsici.

Resumo

A nascente cárstica de Poiano está localizada no Norte dos Apeninos (Itália) e drena rochas evaporíticas do Triássico com uma descarga média de centenas de litros/segundo. Dois modelos conceituais hidrogeológicos foram propostos (e publicados) para a nascente com base em testes de traçadores. Ambos os modelos destacaram a contribuição dos riachos locais para a recarga do sistema aquífero cárstico, por meio de processos sumirouro-rio, bem como a recarga por meio de chuvas; no entanto, esses estudos diferiram nos cursos d'água selecionados para monitorar os processos de recarga. O objetivo da presente pesquisa é aumentar o conhecimento sobre os processos de recarga das águas subterrâneas da nascente cárstica de Poiano com novos levantamentos e análises, resultando em um grande conjunto de dados de análises de isótopos temporais estáveis da água (δ18O, δ2H), medições de descarga de fluxo temporal e medições temporais dados de isótopos de trítio da água (T). Propõe-se um novo modelo conceptual hidrogeológico para a nascente cárstica do Poiano, no qual uma nova lista de cursos d’água passa a estar envolvida no modelo de processos de recarga com base em diferentes alíquotas de água. Além disso, a pesquisa identifica e confirma a ocorrência de processos de escoamento de águas subterrâneas dentro do sistema cárstico, como o efeito pistão.

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Acknowledgements

The research was promoted and financed by Federazione Speleologica Regionale dell’Emilia Romagna and by Parco Nazionale Appennino Tosco-Emiliano. The authors wish to thank Dott. M. Romano who, during our Master degrees, helped us with the sampling campaigns. The authors wish to thank for the suggestions A. Curotti, M. Ercolani, P. Lucci, S. Bergianti, B. Sansavini.

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  1. Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Giuseppe Campi, 103-41125, Modena, Italy

    F. Ronchetti, M. Deiana, S. Lugli, M. Sabattini, V. Critelli & A. Aguzzoli

  2. Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resource, National Research Council of Italy, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    M. Mussi

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  1. F. Ronchetti
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Ronchetti, F., Deiana, M., Lugli, S. et al. Water isotope analyses and flow measurements for understanding the stream and meteoric recharge contributions to the Poiano evaporite karst spring in the North Apennines, Italy. Hydrogeol J 31, 601–619 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-023-02604-x

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