Determination of confined phreatic aquifer anisotropy

The determination of anisotropy in a phreatic aquifer by means of a pumping test can be carried out, under given conditions, with common analysis methods. This paper develops and applies an amended method based on a technique proposed by Boulton (1970). This new method enables a quick, simple determination of vertical hydraulic conductivity, given drawdown data from a pumping well and at least one observation well, that is applicable to confined phreatic aquifers.     

Inorganic nitrogen control in wastewater treatment ponds from a fish farm (Orbetello, Italy): denitrification versus Ulva uptake

The aim of this study was to quantify the N removal efficiency of an Ulva-based phytotreatment system receiving wastewaters from a land-based fish farm (Orbetello, Italy), to identify the main biogeochemical pathways involved and to provide basic guidelines for treatment implementation and management. Fluxes of O2 and nutrients in bare and in Ulva colonised sediments were assessed by light/dark core incubations; denitrification by the isotope pairing technique and Ulva growth by in situ incubation of macroalgal disks in cages. O2 and nutrient budgets were estimated as sum of individual processes and further verified by 24-h investigations of overall inlet and outlet loads. Ulva uptake (up to 7.8 mmol Nm(-2) h(-1)) represented a net sink for water column and regenerated NH4+ whilst N removal via denitrification (10-170 micromol Nm(-2) h(-1)) accounted for a small percentage of inorganic nitrogen load (<5%). Laboratory experiments demonstrated a high potential for denitrification (over 800 microM Nm(-2) h(-1)) indicating that N loss could be enhanced. The control of Ulva standing stocks by optimised harvesting of surplus biomass may represent an effective strategy to maximise DIN removal and could result in the assimilation of approximately 50% of produced inorganic nitrogen.     

Continuous soil CO<Superscript>2</Superscript> and discrete plume SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> measurements at Mt. Etna (Italy) during 1997–2000: a contribution to volcano monitoring

Continuous monitoring of soil CO₂ dynamic concentration (which is proportional to the CO₂ flux through the soil) was carried out at a peripheral site of Mt. Etna during the period November 1997–September 2000 using an automated station. The acquired data were compared with SO₂ flux from the summit craters measured two to three times a week during the same period. The high frequency of data acquisition with both methods allowed us to analyze in detail the time variations of both parameters. Anomalous high values of soil CO₂ dynamic concentration always preceded periods of increased flux of plume SO₂, and these in turn were followed by periods of summit eruptions. The variations were modeled in terms of gas efflux increase due to magma ascent to shallow depth and its consequent depressurization and degassing. This model is supported by data from other geophysical and volcanological parameters. The rates of increase both of soil CO₂ dynamic concentration and of plume SO₂ flux are interpreted to be positively correlated both to the velocity of magma ascent within the volcano and to lava effusion rate once magma is erupted at the surface. Low rates of the increase were recorded before the nine-month-long 1999 subterminal eruption. Higher rates of increase were observed before the violent summit eruption of September-November 1999, and the highest rates were observed during shorter and very frequent spike-like anomalies that preceded the sequence of short-lived but very violent summit eruptions that started in late January 2000 and continued until late June of the same year. Furthermore, the time interval between the peaks of CO₂ and SO₂ in a single sequence of gas anomalies is likely to be controlled by magma ascent velocity.Editorial responsibility: H. Shinohara     

A physical analogue model to analyse interactions between tensile stresses and dissolution in carbonate slopes

A physical analogue model was developed to analyse the relationship between tensional states in rock masses, seepage and karst processes. Use was made of an experimental apparatus consisting of two hydraulic circuits realized by drilling two holes into each of two blocks of sampled limestone from the central Apennines (Italy). A static load (208.85 kg) was applied to one of the blocks in order to elicit tensile stresses within it. Physical and chemical monitoring data showed that the main process involved was temperature-dependent CaCO₃ dissolution. This process was more marked in the loaded block circuit, as Ca⁺⁺ concentration in circulated water reached 54 mg/L, whereas only 28 mg/L was reached in the unloaded one. The interaction between load and dissolution caused the observed opening of microcracks, as confirmed by further increase of water loss and by dilution in the loaded block circuit, resulting in a decrease of Ca⁺⁺ concentration. These findings were confirmed by recording additional water losses after increasing the load up to 445.05 kg. A finite difference numerical model showed that tensile stresses (max 20 kPa) within the loaded block were clustered at the intersection of the main joints with the flowpaths, thus representing points of preferential and accelerated dissolution.This study is part of a research project on analogical and numerical modelling for geological risk mitigation being conducted at CERI, Research Centre for Geological Risks of the University of Rome “La Sapienza” (Valmontone, Roma, Italy; http://www.ceri@uniroma1.it).     

Structure of the vertical velocity field analyzed with a Doppler Sodar

Fifteen hours of Sodar echoes, collected during the 4th Environmental CEC Campaign at Turbigo, Italy, in September 1979, have been analyzed. We discuss the vertical profiles and the time evolution of the second and third statistical moments of the vertical component of wind velocity, measured at a rate of one height-profile every 6 s for a height range of 1000 m and a vertical resolution of 29 m. We also analyze the power spectra of the vertical velocity.     

Fault oneoff versus coseismic fluids reaction

The fault activation (fault on) interrupts the enduring fault locking (fault off) and marks the end of a seismic cycle in which the brittle-ductile transition (BDT) acts as a sort of switch. We suggest...     

Morphotectonic study of the Greater Antilles

The first morphotectonic model of the Greater Antilles is presented. The model is adjusted to the current dynamics between the Caribbean and North American plates. It is mainly elaborated by Rantsman’s methodology. We determined 2 megablocks, 7 macroblocks, 42 mesoblocks, 653 microblocks and 1264 nanoblocks. They constitute a set of active blocks under rotation, uplifting and tilting movements. A total of 11 active knots of faults and 8 cells are the main articulation areas. The largest seismogenetic structures in the Northern Caribbean are an array of the active fault segments. The majority of them are in the Caribbean-North American Plate Boundary Zone, the Hispaniola has the most complex neotectonic structure–associated with the central axis of the morphotectonic deformations in the region.     

Chemical and isotopic variations in fumarolic discharge and thermal waters at Vulcano Island (Aeolian Islands, Italy) during 1996: evidence of resumed volcanic activity

Gas samples from some fumaroles at ‘La Fossa' crater and Baia di Levante on Vulcano Island and from a diffuse soil gas emission were analysed during 1995–1996, along with water samples from thermal wells in the area of Vulcano Porto. During 1996, we observed a significant increase both in the gas/steam ratio and in the CO₂ concentration, as well as strong variations in δ¹³C_CO2, δD_H2O and δ¹⁸O_H2O of fumarolic gases. These variations are probably related to an increased inflow of deep fluids of magmatic origin. The temperatures of fumaroles did not show remarkable variations except for fumarole F11. In this case, temperature increased by about 80°C from February to August 1996. During the same period, remarkable variations in temperature, phreatic level and chemical and isotopic composition of water were also recorded in one of the geothermal wells in the Vulcano Porto area (Camping Sicilia; T60°C). The observed variations in this well are probably related to a pressure build-up, occurring at least in the surficial part of the system, because of increased gas flux and/or decreased permeability of the fumarolic degassing system. Chemical and isotopic composition of the water showed that during this evolutionary phase, the content of fumarolic condensate in this well was about 80 to 90%. Based on the observation of physical and chemical variables of the Camping Sicilia fluids, during this phase of activity, it is concluded that this area is affected by a phreatic eruption hazard if a volcanic episode with high energy discharge in a limited time span occurs. It follows that this well may be considered as a preferential point for volcanic activity monitoring, both in the case of normal routine surveillance and in the case of inaccessibility to the crater area.