The Experimental and Numerical Hydrogeology Laboratory conducts activities aimed primarily at defining the physical aspects that regulate water circulation in aquifers, with particular reference to: inflow, outflow, and transit water quantities; hydrodynamic conditions and parameters; hydraulic parameters; river-to-groundwater ratios; circuit geometry; and system limits. More generally, the laboratory's methodologies and tools are also used to study theevolution of water bodies (surface and groundwater) in relation to global changes.
The Laboratory
The Experimental and Numerical Hydrogeology Laboratory conducts activities primarily aimed at defining the physical aspects that regulate water circulation in aquifers, with particular reference to: inflow, outflow, and transit water quantities; hydrodynamic conditions and parameters; hydraulic parameters; river-to-groundwater ratios; circuit geometry; and system limits. More generally, the laboratory's methodologies and tools are also used to study the evolution of water bodies (surface and groundwater) in relation to global changes.
The work is carried out on two main fronts:
- production of experimental data using techniques and tools used in the field;
- conservative numerical hydrogeological modeling of flow and transport.
The laboratory's activities are closely related to those of other laboratories within the Institute (e.g., chemistry, isotope, GIS, etc.) and support a series of projects conducted primarily within the IGG research lines "Aquifer Systems: Sustainability and Global Change" and "Geothermal Energy".
Instruments
The laboratory's equipment allows for the quantification and sampling of rainwater, the precise measurement of flow rates and water levels, the continuous monitoring of temperature, electrical conductivity, piezometric level, and flow rate parameters, the execution of pumping tests,slug tests, and tracing, well/piezometer scanning for temperature and electrical conductivity, and groundwater sampling. Specific data acquisition and numerical hydrogeological modeling programs are also used.
The tools:
- rain gauges/total snow gauges
- AquaProfiler ultrasonic flowmeter (SEBA-Hydrometrie)
- phreatimeters and thermophreatimeters
- Differential GPS (Leica Geosystems)
- multiparametric probes CTD-Diver, CeraDiver and TermoBaroDiver (Schlumberger)
- altitude samplers (HydraSleeve)
- low and high flow submersible pumps
- weirs
- tracking test equipment
- equipment for sampling and physical-chemical scanning in wells/piezometers up to 500 m deep
I programmi di modellistica numerica:
- Visual MODFLOW Premium
- FeFlow
- Groundwater Vistas Advanced
- Groundwater Modeling System-GMS
Staff and Contacts
Staff:
Dr. Matia Menichini (Laboratory Manager)
Sandra Trifirò (Technician)
Dr. Marco Doveri (Associate DST-UniPi)
Phones
+39 050 621 2327 (Matia Menichini)
E-mail:
Methods and Applications
Defining parameters and understanding physical processes requires the application of a series of methodologies, often integrated with each other:
Defining water availability:
Monthly rainfall is collected using rain gauges and snow gauges for quantification and sampling for isotopic characterization. The installation also includes thermometric and barometric sensors (thermo-baro divers), whose data contribute to the assessment of evapotranspiration and, consequently, water availability and the related isotopic signal entering the systems, serving as a useful tracer for understanding physical aspects of circulation (geometry, mixing, residence times, etc.).
Water flow:
Water flow is determined using ultrasonic flow meters (measurements on watercourses and springs), weirs with automatic and continuous monitoring of the overflow level (springs), and the dilution method, using a saline solution as a tracer. For measurements on watercourses, these can be performed on sequential sections to verify the river-aquifer relationship.
Hydrodynamics and hydraulic properties of the aquifer:
Hydrodynamic aspects are studied both by developing piezometric surfaces (based on extensive surveys repeated under different operating conditions) and by analyzing the temporal trends of physical-chemical parameters (temperature, electrical conductivity, water level, flow rate), which are automatically and continuously monitored at a selection of points. The use of a differential GPS allows for precise scaling of the reference plane from which piezometric elevations can be derived. Information on the hydrodynamic behavior of water bodies is also obtained by periodically taking samples for water isotope analysis. Depending on the context under consideration, tracing tests with saline solution are performed to obtain information on the circulation rates and hydrodispersive properties of the aquifer. The hydraulic parameters are definitively determined with the aid of pumping and/or slug tests.
Geometric characteristics of underground water circuits:
Various methodologies are used to obtain information regarding both the extent of the underground water circuits flowing to points of interest and the spatial distribution of the circuits themselves. One of these is based on the comparison between the isotope values of the water molecule at those points and the isotopic characteristics of the infiltrating water. The latter are obtained through the use of rain gauges and, predominantly, through periodic sampling of specific sources, appropriately selected based on an analysis of the morphological and hydrogeological conditions of the territory. The supply areas delineated on the basis of this comparison and a concurrent hydrostructural analysis are finally verified through water and isotopic balances. Geometric information is also obtained from the analysis of continuously monitored level and/or flow, temperature, and electrical conductivity values in wells and/or springs, from the study of vertical temperature and electrical conductivity profiles in wells/piezometers, from the results of sampling at different elevation ranges within wells/piezometers, and from hydraulic and tracing tests.
Numerical Approach:
The numerical hydrogeological models for flow and conservative transport are based primarily on IGG's extensive experience in developing detailed conceptual models and the vast amount of data produced regarding the physical and geochemical aspects of water resources. The work is primarily developed through the implementation, calibration, and simulation of physics-based finite-difference models using the MODFLOW code. Finite-element models are also developed using FEFLOW. Model development occurs at both regional and local scales. Predictions of groundwater behavior are simulated based on the results of climate models developed by external research groups with which the laboratory collaborates (e.g., the LaMMA group). Experimental work on this topic is also being conducted, in collaboration with researchers at ISTI-CNR, on the combined use of physics-based and data-driven models.
Applications:
The laboratory's activities are mainly applied to research in the environmental fields (water availability and sustainability, contamination issues, protection of water resources, climate effects on water resources, etc.) and geothermal fields (evaluation of geothermal and hydrothermal resources).
Scientific Projects and Interests
The main projects in which the laboratory has been and is involved are:
- Progetto Autorità Idrica Toscana (AIT) – “Realizzazione di un sistema di monitoraggio preventivo dello stato quantitativo delle risorse idriche destinate all’uso idropotabile basato su previsioni meteorologiche, climatologiche e idrogeologiche” (2016-2019);
- Progetto Nazionale di Interesse NEXTDATA – “Un sistema nazionale per la raccolta, conservazione, accessibilità e diffusione dei dati ambientali e climatici in aree montane e marine” (2017-2018);
- Progetto Società Metropolitana Acque Torino (SMAT) – “Studio degli impatti del cambiamento climatico sui corpi idrici sotterranei di approvvigionamento per scopi idropotabili in area torinese” (2016-2018);
- Progetto ISMOGLAC (ISotopic and physical-chemical MOnitoring of GLACial drainages and sea water in the Ny-Alesund area, Svalbard islands – 2015-2020) nell’ambito delle Ricerche CNR in Artico;
- Accordo di collaborazione IGG/DST-UniPi (2015-2016) all’interno del progetto della Regione Toscana “Studio multidisciplinare integrato geologico-ambientale nel bacino del Torrente Baccatoio”, nell’ambito delle attività ed interventi previsti per il superamento della contaminazione da Tallio nell’acqua pubblica;
- Progetto Provincia di Livorno/Regione Toscana/Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano – “I sentieri dell’Acqua dell’Isola di Pianosa” (2015-2016);
- Progetto Industria 2015 – “Acquasense” (2011-2014);
- Accordo di collaborazione IGG/West System nell’ambito del Progetto Autorità di Bacino del Fiume Arno/Comune di Prato/Provincia di Prato/AIT/Publiacqua – “Approfondimento dello studio conoscitivo dell’acquifero della Piana di Prato” (2015-2016);
- Progetto Parco Regionale Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli – “Studio dell’intrusione salina nell’acquifero costiero pisano” (2012-2016).
Scientific Interests:
Scientific interests are primarily focused on understanding the processes and mechanisms that regulate the quantitative (and consequently qualitative) aspects of water circulation in different types of aquifer systems and under varying climatic and environmental conditions.
This is all aimed at achieving resource sustainability through optimal management, including specific methodologies such as controlled aquifer recharge. To this end, the laboratory has established international relationships for the development of specific projects.
Furthermore, plans are underway to develop physical models that reproduce small-scale hydrogeological contexts with different hydrodynamic characteristics and to simulate/study the input-circulation-output cycle, both under conditions of natural recharge and in relation to the input of pollutants and/or thermal disturbances.
Il tutto finalizzato alla sostenibilità della risorsa da raggiungere attraverso una gestione ottimale, prevedendo anche metodologie specifiche quali ad esempio la ricarica controllata degli acquiferi. In tal senso il laboratorio ha instaurato rapporti in ambito internazionale per lo sviluppo di progetti specifici.
E’ inoltre in progetto lo sviluppo di modelli fisici che riproducano a piccola scala contesti idrogeologici con differenti caratteristiche idrodinamiche e la simulazione/studio sugli stessi del ciclo input-circolazione-output, sia in condizioni di ricarica naturale, sia in relazione all’ingresso di sostanze inquinanti e/o di perturbazioni termiche.
Publications
- Menichini M., Doveri M., Piccini L. (2016) Hydrogeological and geochemical overview of the karst aquifers in the Apuan Alps zone (Northwestern Tuscany, Italy). Italian Journal of Groundwater, AS16/198, 15-23.
- Doveri M., Menichini M. & Scozzari A. (2016). Protection of groundwater resources: worldwide regulations and scientific approaches. In: Scozzari A, Dotsika E (ed.): “Threats to the quality of groundwater resources: prevention and control”. Springer, Chapter 1, 13-30.
- El Mezoury L., Kabbaj S., El Mansouri B., Scozzari S., Doveri M., Menichini M., Kili M. (2016). Stochastic modeling of flow in porous media by Monte Carlo simulation of permeability. Math-Recherche et Application, 16, 1-24.
- Molli G., Doveri M., Manzella A., Bonini L., Botti F., Menichini M., Montanari D., Trumpy E., Ungari A., Vaselli L. (2015) Surface – subsurface structural architecture and groundwater flow of the Equi Terme hydrothermal area, northern Tuscany Italy, Italian Journal of Geosciences, 134 (3), 442-457.
- Bravini G., Menichini M. & Doveri M. (2015). Numerical modelling in the coastal aquifer between Burlamacca Canal and Bufalina Ditch (southern Versilia). Italian Journal of Groundwater, 1/139, 29-42.
- Menichini M., Da Prato S., Doveri M., Ellero A., Lelli M., Masetti G., Nisi B. & Raco B. (2015). An integrated methodology to define Protection Zones for groundwater-based drinking water sources: an example from the Tuscany Region, Italy. Italian Journal of Groundwater, 1/139, 21-27.
- El Mezoury L., El Mansouri B., Kabbaj S., Scozzari S., Doveri M., Kili M. & Menichini M. (2015). Numerical modelling of the seasonal variation of the groundwater quality in the aquifer Magra River, Italy. La Houille Blanche, 2, 25-31.
- Barazzuoli P., Bertini G., Brogi A., Capezzuoli E., Conticelli S., Doveri M., Ellero A., Gianelli G., La Felice S., Liotta D., Marroni M., Manzella A., Meccheri M., Montanari D., Pandeli E., Principe C., Ruggeri G., Sbrana A., Vaselli O., Vezzoli L. (2015). Comment on: Borgia A., Mazzoldi A., Brunori C.A., Allocca, C., Delcroix C., Micheli L., Vercellino A., Grieco G., 2014. “Volcanic spreading forcing and feedback in geothermal reservoir development, Amiata Volcano, Italia.” J. Volc. Geoth. Res. 284, 16-31. In: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 303, pp. 1 – 6
- Cervi F., Corsini A., Doveri M., Mussi M., Ronchetti F. & Tazioli A. (2015). Characterizing the recharge of fractured aquifers: A case study in a flysch rock mass of the Northern Apennines (Italy). In: Lollino, G., Arattano, M., Rinaldi, M., Giustolisi, O., Marechal, J.-C., Grant, G.E. (Eds.), Engineering Geology for Society and Territory – Volume 3: River Basins, Reservoir Sedimentation and Water Resources. ISBN 978-3-319-09054-2, Springer. 2015-A1-001, pp. 563-567.
- Doveri M. & Mussi M. (2014). Water isotopes as environmental tracers for conceptual understanding of groundwater flow: An application for fractured aquifer systems in the “Scansano-Magliano in Toscana” area (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Water, 6, 2255 – 2277.
- Giannecchini R., Doveri M. (2014). Approccio multidisciplinare idrogeologico, geochimico e isotopico nello studio dell’intrusione marina. GTA – Geologia Territorio Ambiente, v. 23, 8 – 16.