Abstract
The town of Orvieto, located on the Rock of the same name, is an example of “vulnerable town”; problems of slope instability connected with the lithological and morphological characteristics of the Rock have been thoroughly examined and discussed during previous research studies. Hydrogeochemical data about groundwater recharging the springs present in the area were never taken into account. Pollution of the springs is well known but still occurs for unclear reasons. The aim of this work is therefore to present the results of a hydrogeological and geochemical investigation of all the springs along the slopes of Orvieto hill and at the foot of the tuffaceous Rock, to characterize the groundwater flow paths and to suggest a possible source of contamination. The research study was carried out during three hydrogeochemical surveys in the years 1998–1999, 2003–2004, and 2007–2008.
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Acknowledgments
Thanks to Alessandra Norici for her valuable assistance in reviewing the document, Fausto Metteucci for the execution of lab tests, Regional Authority of Umbria (Dep. of Territorial Policies, Environment and Infrastructure) for the funding of this research project and Prof. Giulio Sergio for having inspired this research work.
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Tazioli, A., Conversini, P. & Peccerillo, A. Hydrogeological and geochemical characterisation of the Rock of Orvieto. Environ Earth Sci 66, 55–65 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1206-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1206-6