A stratigraphic and geophysical approach to studying the deep-circulating groundwater and thermal springs, and their recharge areas, in Cimini Mountains–Viterbo area, central Italy

The stratigraphic and structural setting of the Cimini Mountains and Viterbo area of Italy has been reconstructed. The architecture of the tectonic edifice, below the Pleistocene Cimino and Vicano volcanic districts cover, is characterized by the Mesozoic–Cenozoic Tuscan Nappe and the similar Umbria-Marche Succession; both are capped by the overthrusted Ligurian Late Cretaceous–Eocene Tolfa Flysch. A shallow unconfined volcanic aquifer is separated, by a thick aquiclude, from the deep confined carbonate aquifer consisting of the Tuscan Nappe and the Umbria-Marche Succession. The volcanic aquifer hosts cold waters, whilst the carbonate aquifer hosts hot sulphate–alkaline earth waters that emerge in the thermal area of Viterbo with a temperature of 30–60°C. The recharge area of cold waters is located in the Cimini Mountains. Thermal waters of the Viterbo hot springs are derived from a circuit of waters that emerge along the River Nera near Narni (about 34 km ENE of Viterbo), with a high salinity, a temperature of 16–18°C, a sulphate–alkaline earth composition, and a discharge of 13 m³/sec, whose recharge area is located in the central pre-Apennines reliefs.     

Hydrogeological and mixing process of waters in deep aquifers in arid regions: south east Tunisia

This study addresses the hydrogeochemistry of thermal and cold waters from south east Tunisia. Temperature intervals are 38.5–68 °C and 22–27.8 °C for thermal water and cold water, respectively. Three distinct hydrogeological systems supply water either for irrigation or for drinking; they are: (1) the Continental Intercalaire geothermal aquifer (CI), (2) the Turonian aquifer and (3) the Senonian aquifer. A synthetic study including hydrochemical, hydrogeological and geothermal approaches have been applied in order to evaluate the inter-aquifers water transfer in south east of Tunisia. By using silica geothermometers and saturation indices for different solid phases, estimated thermal reservoir temperature varies between 52 and 87 °C and between 75 and 110 °C, respectively. Based on chemical and thermal data, mixing, which occurs between the ascending deep geothermal water and shallow cold water, is about 57 % cold water.     

Impact of groundwater withdrawals on the interaction of multi-layered aquifers in the Viterbo geothermal area (central Italy)

The impact of groundwater withdrawals on the interaction between multi-layered aquifers with different water qualities in the Viterbo geothermal area (central Italy) was studied. In this area, deep thermal waters are used to supply thermal spas and public pools. A shallow overlying aquifer carries cold and fresh water, used for irrigation and the local drinking-water supply. Starting with a conceptual hydrogeological model, two simplified numerical models were implemented: a steady-state flow model of the entire groundwater system, and a steady-state flow and heat transport model of a representative area, which included complex interactions between the aquifers. The impact of increased withdrawals associated with potential future development of the thermal aquifer must be considered in terms of the water temperature of the existing thermal sources. However, withdrawals from the shallow aquifer might also influence the discharge of thermal sources and quality of the water withdrawn from the shallow wells. The exploitation of the two aquifers is dependent on the hydraulic conductivity and thickness of the intervening aquitard, which maintains the delicate hydrogeological equilibrium. Effective methods to control this equilibrium include monitoring the vertical gradient between the two aquifers and the residual discharge of natural thermal springs.     

Hydrogeochemical and isotopic characteristics of the Ilica geothermal system (Erzurum,Turkey)

In this paper, the hydrochemical isotopic characteristics of samples collected from geothermal springs in the Ilica geothermal field, Eastern Anatolia of Turkey, are examined and described. Low-temperature geothermal system of Ilica (Erzurum, Turkey) located along the Eastern Anatolian fault zone was investigated for hydrogeochemical and isotopic characteristics. The study of ionic and isotopic contents shows that the thermal water of Ilica is mainly, locally fed by groundwater, which changes chemically and isotopically during its circulation within the major fault zone reaching depths. The thermal spring has a temperature of 29–39 °C, with electrical conductivity ranging from 4,000 to 7,510 µS/cm and the thermal water is of Na–HCO₃–Cl water type. The chemical geothermometers applied in the Ilica geothermal waters yielded a maximum reservoir temperature of 142 °C according to the silica geothermometers. The thermal waters are undersaturated with respect to gypsum, anhydrite and halite, and oversaturated with respect to dolomite. The dolomite mineral possibly caused scaling when obtaining the thermal waters in the study area. According to the enthalpy chloride-mixing model, cold water to the thermal water-mixing ratio is changing between 69.8 and 75 %. The δ¹⁸O–δ²H compositions obviously indicate meteoric origin of the waters. Thermal water springs derived from continental precipitation falling on to higher elevations in the study area. The δ¹³C ratio for dissolved inorganic carbonate in the waters lies between 4.63 and 6.48 ‰. In low-temperature waters carbon is considered as originating from volcanic (mantle) CO₂.     

Influence of hydrostratigraphy and structural setting on the arsenic occurrence in groundwater of the Cimino-Vico volcanic area (central Italy)

Arsenic occurrence in groundwater near the Cimino-Vico volcanoes (central Italy) was analysed considering the hydrostratigraphy and structural setting and the shallow and deep flows interacting within the Quaternary volcanics. Groundwater is the local source of drinking water. As documented in the past, arsenic in the groundwater has become a problem, and the European maximum allowable contaminant level was recently lowered to 10 μg/L. Chemical analyses of groundwater were conducted, sampled over an area of about 900 km², from 65 wells and springs representative of the volcanic aquifer and thermal waters. Considering the type of aquifer, the nature of the aquifer formation and its substratum, the hydrochemical data highlight that the arsenic content of the groundwater is mainly connected with the hydrothermal processes in the volcanic area. Thermal waters (54–60°C) fed from deep-rising fluids show higher arsenic concentrations (176–371 μg/L). Cold waters sampled from the volcanic aquifer are characterized by a wide variability in their arsenic concentration (1.6–195 μg/L), and about 62% exceed the limit of 10 μg/L. Where the shallow volcanic aquifer is open to deep-rising thermal fluids, relatively high arsenic concentrations (20–100 μg/L) are found. This occurs close to areas of the more recent volcano-tectonic structures.     

Geochemical and isotope hydrological characterisation of geothermal resources at Godavari valley,India

Thermal waters at the Godavari valley geothermal field are located in the Khammam district of the Telangana state, India. The study area consists of several thermal water manifestations having temperature in the range 36–76 °C scattered over an area of ~35 km². The thermal waters are Na–HCO₃ type with moderate silica and TDS concentrations. In the present study, detailed geochemical (major and trace elements) and isotope hydrological investigations are carried out to understand the hydrogeochemical evolution of these thermal waters. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) are performed to classify the thermal waters and to identify the different geochemical processes controlling the thermal water geochemistry. From correlation matrix, it is seen that TDS and EC of the thermal springs are mainly controlled by HCO₃ and Na ions. In PCA, thermal waters are grouped into two distinct clusters. One cluster represents thermal waters from deeper aquifer and other one from shallow aquifer. Lithium and boron concentrations are found to be similar followed by rubidium and caesium concentrations. Different ternary plots reveal rock–water interaction to be the dominant mechanism for controlling trace element concentrations. Stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O, δ²H) data indicate the meteoric origin of the thermal waters with no appreciable oxygen-18 shift. The low tritium values of the samples originating from deeper aquifer reveal the long residence time (>50 years) of the recharging waters. XRD results of the drill core samples show that quartz constitutes the major mineral phase, whereas kaolinite, dolomite, microcline, calcite, mica, etc. are present as minor constituents. Quartz geothermometer suggests a reservoir temperature of 100 ± 20 °C which is in good agreement with the values obtained from K–Mg and Mg-corrected K–Mg–Ca geothermometers.     

Occurrence of minor toxic elements in volcanic-sedimentary aquifers: a case study in central Italy

The occurrence of minor toxic elements (arsenic, vanadium and fluoride among others) in the volcanic aquifers of central Italy, with concentrations often above the national standards for drinking waters, has been recognized since the 1970s. However, these groundwaters are still often used for human consumption. With the aim of providing insight into the water–rock interaction processes, as well as into the evolution of arsenic and other elements, water-sampling campaigns where undertaken within a 100 km² area at the eastern margin of the Viterbo region, where volcanites overlie an alluvial aquifer complex. The samples were analysed and geochemical modelling was applied to characterize the thermodynamic state of the waters. The results indicate the existence of direct relations among arsenic, vanadium and fluoride concentrations and of their inverse relationship with calcium concentration. An evolution scheme of groundwater composition from the upstream volcanic aquifer to the downstream sedimentary aquifer is also discussed. Two hypotheses are proposed which justify the observed decrease of the cited minor element concentrations, i.e. dilution processes and/or precipitation of fluorapatite, which can include in its structure small amounts of these elements. The precipitation hypothesis is supported by modelling results.     

Mixing processes in hydrothermal spring systems and implications for interpreting geochemical data: a case study in the Cappadocia region of Turkey

Mixing is a dominant hydrogeological process in the hydrothermal spring system in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. All springs emerge along faults, which have the potential to transmit waters rapidly from great depths. However, mixing with shallow meteoric waters within the flow system results in uncertainty in the interpretation of geochemical results. The chemical compositions of cold and warm springs and geothermal waters are varied, but overall there is a trend from Ca–HCO₃ dominated to Na–Cl dominated. There is little difference in the seasonal ionic compositions of the hot springs, suggesting the waters are sourced from a well-mixed reservoir. Based on δ¹⁸O and δ²H concentrations, all waters are of meteoric origin with evidence of temperature equilibration with carbonate rocks and evaporation. Seasonal isotopic variability indicates that only a small proportion of late spring and summer precipitation forms recharge and that fresh meteoric waters move rapidly into the flow system and mix with thermal waters at depth. ³H and percent modern carbon (pmC) values reflect progressively longer groundwater pathways from cold to geothermal waters; however, mixing processes and the very high dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) of the water samples preclude the use of either isotope to gain any insight on actual groundwater ages.     

Numerical modelling of Alpine deep flow systems: a management and prediction tool for an exploited geothermal reservoir (Lavey-les-Bains, Switzerland)

The geothermal site of Lavey-les-Bains, Switzerland is an Alpine deep flow system in fractured crystalline rocks. Groundwater analyses since 1973 reveal a mixing process between a deep warm component (68°C and TDS 1.4 g/L) and cold shallow water. The production rate of the new deep well P600, installed in 1997, has amplified this mixing process in well P201, for which a decline in temperature and TDS has been observed. Numerical hydrogeological two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of heat, flow and mass transport have been developed to reproduce the geothermal system and to forecast the long-term exploitation potential of the geothermal resource. The computed temperature of the deep inferred reservoir (100–130°C) is in agreement with the geothermometers, whereas the simulated thermal water flux (5,400–9,000 m³/day) is probably underestimated. Different fluid production scenarios can reproduce the decline and stabilization phases of temperatures in the geothermal field since 1997. For P201, the mixing ratio calculated before and during the exploitation of P600 is comparable with observed data; the modelled temperature tends towards stabilization in P201 at 56°C after 10–15 years of production at P600. Another proposed new well is likely to reduce the thermal output of the existing wells.     

川西南喜德热田地下水水文地球化学特征

地下热水的形成和化学组分特征常受断裂构造和热储地层岩性的影响。川西南喜德地热田内出露的冷泉水和地热水严格受断裂控制,前者为主断裂控制的浅循环型碎屑岩或岩溶裂隙孔隙水;后者则为次级断裂所控制的深循环型裂隙水,其热储层为碳酸盐岩。基于喜德热田形成的地质构造背景,通过开展热田内地热水和冷泉水水化学指标的测试和分析及水岩相互作用模拟,对该热田水文地球化学特征进行了研究。结果表明：喜德热田地热水和冷泉水水源均为大气降水,补给高程分别为2 874~3 092 m和2 584~2 818 m。受温度、含水层矿物类型、水岩相互作用的影响,地热水和冷泉水水化学类型和各组分差别较大,前者为HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg型水,后者为HCO3-Ca·Mg型水。水岩相互作用模拟表明碳酸盐岩矿物、石膏矿物的溶解和沉淀及阳离子交换过程是导致地热水和冷泉水水化学组分差别较大的主要原因。此外,采用二氧化硅类温标计算喜德热田热储温度为56~90 ℃,循环深度为1 422~2 558 m。研究结果对阐明喜德热田的成因模式,地热水的进一步开发和热水资源的可持续利用具有重要意义。     

Hydrochemistry and geothermometry of thermal groundwater of southeastern Tunisia (Gabes region)

Given the vital importance of water and energy in desert regions, we undertook a study dealing with the deep reservoirs in Gabes area, which is located in the southeastern part of Tunisia. Geothermal resources are taken from the Intercalary Continental [or Continental Intercalaire (CI)], known as the largest deep aquifer in Tunisia and are used in a number of applications, mainly in agriculture. Previous investigations performed on the thermal waters of this area focused on the genesis of the deep waters with regard to the thermal features of geothermal reservoirs. A more detailed investigation has been carried out, considering both deep and shallow waters. In order to estimate the potential temperatures of deep reservoir in the Gabes area, we developed a synthetic study including chemical geothermometers, multiple mineral equilibrium approach, and other approaches. Chemical types of the thermal waters and effects of mixing between shallow cold waters with deep thermal waters were also discussed. In fact, the application of Na–K–Mg diagram relative to deep geothermal reservoir capitulate estimated temperatures (about 90°C). In addition, the multiple mineral equilibrium approach submits a similar estimated temperature ranging between 65 and 70°C, showing a disequilibrium status which indicates a possibly mixing with surface water. Indeed, wells exploiting the CI aquifer in the south part of the studied area showed the same characteristics, corroborating the reliability of the applied methods.     

Hydrogeochemical evaluation of fractured Limestone aquifer by applying a geochemical model in eastern Nile Valley,Egypt

Rock water interactions play an important role in the flow of groundwater. Groundwater samples were collected from deep production wells with depths ranging from 120 to 230 m. Complete chemical analysis of 40 groundwater samples was collected from the fractured limestone aquifer including major cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and major anions (Cl^?, SO₄ ^2?, HCO₃ ^?, CO₃ ^2?). A geochemical modeling (NETPATH Software) was applied for environmental simulate net geochemical mass-balance reactions between initial and final waters along a hydrologic flow path. This program simulates selected evolutionary waters for every possible combination of the plausible phases that account for the composition of a selected set of chemical constraints in the system. The groundwater of the Eocene aquifer mainly belongs to fairly fresh water with salinity contents ranging from 228 to 3595 ppm. The measured groundwater levels range between 8 and 25 m near the river Nile to the limestone plateau (eastwards). Consequently, groundwater flows from east to westward toward the river Nile. Groundwater aquifer in the study area is mainly composed of fractured limestone; the saturated states of the PCO₂, calcite, aragonite, dolomite, siderite, gypsum, anhydrite, hematite, and goethite in addition to H₂ gas were estimated. The undersaturated state of carbon dioxide reflects closed conditions and very low probability of recent recharge, and it reveals also the high tendency of water to precipitates carbonate species. Undersaturation by carbonate minerals is only restricted to some pockets distributed on the different places of the aquifer in the study area. The majority of groundwater samples of Eocene aquifer in the study area indicated that groundwater is not suitable for irrigation with treatment and requires good drainage.     

Environmental problems at the Nevşehir (Kozakli) geothermal field,central Turkey

The Kozakli–Nev?ehir geothermal field extends a long a NW–SE direction at SE of the Centrum of Kozakli. The area is not rugged and average elevation is 1,000 m. The Kozanözü Creek flows towards north of the area. In the Kozakli thermal Spa area, thermal waters are manifested along a valley with a length of 1.5 km and 200 m width. In this resort some hot waters are discharged with no use. The thermal water used in the area comes from wells drilled by MTA. In addition, these waters from wells are also utilized by hotels, baths and motels belonging to City Private Management, Municipality and private sector. The measured temperature of Kozakli waters ranges from 43–51°C in springs and 80–96°C in wells. Waters are issued in a wide swampy area as a small group of springs through buried faults. Electrical conductivity values of thermal spring and well waters are 1,650–3,595 μS/cm and pH values are 6.72–7.36. Kozakli cold water has an electrical conductivity value of 450 μS/cm and pH of 7.56. All thermal waters are dominated by Na⁺ and Cl–SO₄ while cold waters are dominated by Ca⁺² and HCO₃ ^?. The aim of this study was to investigate the environmental problems around the Kozakli geothermal field and explain the mechanisms of karstic depression which was formed by uncontrolled use of thermal waters in this area and bring up its possible environmental threats. At the Kozakli geothermal field a sinkhole with 30 m diameter and 15 m depth occurred in January, 17th 2007 at the recreation area located 20 m west of the geothermal well which belongs to the government of Nev?ehir province. The management of the geothermal wells should be controlled by a single official institution in order to avoid the creation of such karstic structures affecting the environment at the source area.     

Isotope–geochemical characterization and geothermometrical modeling of Uttarakhand geothermal field,India

Uttarakhand geothermal area, located in the central belt of the Himalayan geothermal province, is one of the important high temperature geothermal fields in India. In this study, the chemical characteristics of the thermal waters are investigated to identify the main geochemical processes affecting the composition of thermal waters during its ascent toward the surface as well as to determine the subsurface temperature of the feeding reservoir. The thermal waters are mainly Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type with moderate silica and TDS concentrations. Mineral saturation states calculated from PHREEQC geochemical code indicate that thermal waters are supersaturated with respect to calcite, dolomite, aragonite, chalcedony, quartz (SI > 0), and undersaturated with respect to gypsum, anhydrite, and amorphous silica (SI < 0). XRD study of the spring deposit samples fairly corroborates the predicted mineral saturation state of the thermal waters. Stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O, δ²H) data confirm the meteoric origin of the thermal waters with no oxygen-18 shift. The mixing phenomenon between thermal water with shallow ground water is substantiated using tritium (³H) and chemical data. The extent of dilution is quantified using tritium content of thermal springs and non-thermal waters. Classical geothermometers, mixing model, and multicomponent fluid geothermometry modeling (GeoT) have been applied to estimate the subsurface reservoir temperature. Among different classical geothermometers, only quartz geothermometer provide somewhat reliable estimation (96–140 °C) of the reservoir temperature. GeoT modeling results suggest that thermal waters have attained simultaneous equilibrium with respect to minerals like calcite, quartz, chalcedony, brucite, tridymite, cristobalite, talc, at the temperature 130 ± 5 °C which is in good agreement with the result obtained from the mixing model.     

Geothermal energy potential of Tulsishyam thermal springs of Gujarat,India

Tulsishyam thermal springs are located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India with discharge temperatures varying from 39 to 42 °C. The pH of these thermal springs varies from 7.1 to 7.4, indicating neutral character. Though these thermal springs propagate through the near surface layer of Deccan basalt, detailed geochemical analysis of the thermal waters using Piper diagram suggests that the water is interacting with the granitic basement rock. Silica and cation geothermometry estimates have reservoir temperature in the range of 138 to 207 °C categorizing it into a low to moderate enthalpy geothermal system. Furthermore, the area has high heat flow values of 53–90 mW/m² because of shallow Moho depth. The prevailing conditions suggest that the geothermal energy can potentially be exploited through an enhanced geothermal system (EGS). The study also indicates different mineral phases that may precipitate out of water during exploitation of geothermal energy and it should be taken into account while designing an EGS for the area.     

Hydrochemistry of geothermal water in Tianshui and adjacent area, Gansu province, China

A geochemical study on thermal water has been carried out in Tianshui and its adjacent area, Gansu province, China. Chemical and isotopic contents were employed in the investigation on the origin and evolution of thermal water and the evaluation of reservoir temperature in the geothermal systems. Thermal waters in Wushan and Tianshui are characterized by outlet temperatures from 15 to 38°C and low TDS (226?C255?mg/L), defined as bicarbonate water. Its origin may be attributed to the interaction between meteoric rain, biotite plagioclase gneiss and carbonate reservoir rocks. In contrast, thermal waters in Tongwei and Qingshui have higher outlet temperatures of 25?C54.2°C and a moderate TDS of 915?C1,793?mg/L, regarded as sulfate waters. These sulfate waters may arise from the interaction between meteoric water, granite and amphogneiss. Isotopic data presented here suggest that thermal waters in the study area have a meteoric origin without being significantly effected by water?Crock isotope exchange. Chemical geothermometry indicates the existence of a deep geothermal reservoir of low-to-medium enthalpy (70?C111°C) in the Tianshui study area.     

Geochemistry of Thermal Waters of Continental Margin of Far East of Russia

Studied waters belong to warm(T=30-50℃),alkaline(pH=8.9-9.3),low mineralized(TDS235 mg/1)Na-HCO_3 or Na-SO_4-HCO_3 thermal waters with high content of SiO_2(up to 81 mg/l)and F(up to 3.9 mg/1),occur on modern volcano-tectonic rejuvenated areas of Eastern Sikhote-Alin orogenic belt.Low~3He concentration as well as N_2/O_2 and N_2/Ar ratios exclude influence of deep mantle fluid.New rare earth element data constrain our understandmg of water-rock interaction occurring in the water source region.Meteoric origin of waters is proved by stable isotope values varying from-71‰to-136.1‰and from-10.8‰to-18.8‰forδ~2U andδ~(18)O respectively.REE patterns reflect high pH,resultfing from water-rock interaction and oxidative conditions.Calculations of deep aquifer temperature using Na-K and quartz geothermometers show 116.8-131.1°C and 82.2-125.8℃respectively.Presence of deep faults both with abnormal thermal gradient(~45-50 K/km)define unique geochemical shape of thermal waters of Sikhote-Alin,area,where no present volcanic activity is registered.     

A hydrochemical study of the Hammam Righa geothermal waters in north-central Algeria

This study focuses on the hydrochemical characteristics of 47 water samples collected from thermal and cold springs that emerge from the Hammam Righa geothermal field, located in north-central Algeria. The aquifer that feeds these springs is mainly situated in the deeply fractured Jurassic limestone and dolomite of the Zaccar Mount. Measured discharge temperatures of the cold waters range from 16.0 to 26.5 °C and the hot waters from 32.1 to 68.2 °C. All waters exhibited a near-neutral pH of 6.0–7.6. The thermal waters had a high total dissolved solids (TDS) content of up to 2527 mg/l, while the TDS for cold waters was 659.0–852.0 mg/l. Chemical analyses suggest that two main types of water exist: hot waters in the upflow area of the Ca–Na–SO₄ type (Hammam Righa) and cold waters in the recharge zone of the Ca–Na–HCO₃ type (Zaccar Mount). Reservoir temperatures were estimated using silica geothermometers and fluid/mineral equilibria at 78, 92, and 95 °C for HR4, HR2, and HR1, respectively. Stable isotopic analyses of the δ¹⁸O and δD composition of the waters suggest that the thermal waters of Hammam Righa are of meteoric origin. We conclude that meteoric recharge infiltrates through the fractured dolomitic limestones of the Zaccar Mount and is conductively heated at a depth of 2.1–2.2 km. The hot waters then interact at depth with Triassic evaporites located in the hydrothermal conduit (fault), giving rise to the Ca–Na–SO₄ water type. As they ascend to the surface, the thermal waters mix with shallower Mg-rich groundwater, resulting in waters that plot in the immature water field in the Na–K–Mg diagram. The mixing trend between cold groundwaters from the recharge zone area (Zaccar Mount) and hot waters in the upflow area (Hammam Righa) is apparent via a chloride-enthalpy diagram that shows a mixing ratio of 22.6 < R < 29.2 %. We summarize these results with a geothermal conceptual model of the Hammam Righa geothermal field.     

Study of geothermal water intrusion due to groundwater exploitation in the Puebla Valley aquifer system, Mexico

Significant intrusion of geothermal water into fresh groundwater takes place in the Puebla Valley aquifer system, Mexico. The decline in the potentiometric surface due to the overexploitation of the groundwater induces this intrusion. This hydrological system comprises three aquifers located in Plio-Quaternary volcanic sediments and Mesozoic calcareous rocks. The hydraulic balance of the aquifer shows that the annual output exceeds the natural inputs by 12 million m³. Between 1973 and 2002, a drop in the potentiometric surface, with an 80 m cone of depression, was identified in a 5-km-wide area located southwest of the city of Puebla. Chemical analyses performed on water samples since 1990 have shown an increase in total dissolved solids (TDS) of more than 500 mg/L, coinciding with the region showing a cone of depression in the potentiometric surface. A three-dimensional flow and transport model, based on the hydrogeological and geophysical studies, was computed by using the MODFLOW and MT3D software. This model reproduces the evolution of the aquifer system during the last 30 years and predicts for 2010 an additional drawdown in the potentiometric surface of 15 m, and an increase in the geothermal water intrusion.     

The volcanic and geothermally active Campi Flegrei caldera: an integrated multidisciplinary image of its buried structure

The Campi Flegrei caldera in southern Italy is one of the greatest geohazard areas on Earth. Evidence of an active magmatic and geothermal system is provided by ongoing ground uplift, with volcano-tectonic and long-period (LP) seismicity, the persistent degassing of ~1500 tonnes of CO₂ per day, the presence of hot fumaroles at temperatures of 90–150 °C, brine-rich aquifers (with total dissolved solids up to 33 g l^?1) and high thermal gradients in the crust (with temperatures reaching 420 °C at 3,050 m b.s.l.). Since the 1940s, more than 100 exploratory boreholes have been drilled in the area to depths of 80–3,100 m by the Azienda Geologica Italiana Petroli (AGIP) and the Società Anonima Forze Endogene Napoletane (SAFEN). To date, however, no systematic reanalysis of the drilling data has been carried out, and the buried volcanic structure has not been updated using the most recent scientific results and previous findings. By integrating unpublished data from the AGIP and SAFEN reports with published information from geological, volcanological, petrological, petrophysical and geophysical studies, this paper presents an improved picture of the Campi Flegrei caldera that will be useful for volcanic hazard assessment and mitigation in the Naples area and for future research planning. The results suggest that intra-caldera activity has been influenced by how the magmatic system at depths greater than about 4 km has determined the transfer of magma, volatiles, and heat to the overlying geothermal system and, ultimately, to the surface. In particular, intriguing is that the most volcanically active central-eastern sector of the caldera, which is subject to intense bradyseismic ground movement and gas emission, coincides with a structurally delimited subsurface rock volume characterized by an uprising of the 100 °C isotherm, a deep water supply to the shallower aquifer, the early disappearance of secondary calcite, LP seismicity and high seismic S-wave attenuation. In this area, we also document evidence of repeated injection at depths of c. 1.5–3.0 km of isolated and small-volume batches of magma, where occurred their crystallization and degassing. Shallow intrusions and degassing of magma are thus identified as two of the key processes that drive unrest in Campi Flegrei.