Hydrochemical evolution and environmental features of Salso River catchment, central Sicily (Italy).

Favara, R.; Grassa, F.; Valenza, M.

A hydrogeochemical study of the Salso River highlighted the chemical and isotopic space-time evolution along its flow path and the main contamination processes. Within the basin, three different hydrogeochemical facies have been individuated: (1) Ca-Mg-HCO3, (2) Ca-Mg-SO4 and (3) Na-Cl. The first facies reflects the chemical composition of the groundwaters hosted in the carbonate reliefs that belong to the Madonie Mountains. The second and the third facies are the result of the interaction processes between surface waters and the gypsum and salty clays, respectively. Two pollution sources have been also located in the basin downstream from the salt mine and downstream from a discharge area of wastewater from the town of Gangi. On the basis of the location of natural and anthropogenic pollution sources, the waters available for drinking and irrigation use are also indicated.

HYDROGEOLOGY; GROUNDWATER; AQUIFERS; WATER chemistry; SPACETIME; INDUSTRIAL wastes

Environmental Geology, 2000, Vol 39, Issue 11, p1205

0943-0105

Academic Journal

10.1007/s002540000116