Environmental isotopes to identify the recharge areas of aquifers, springs and wells

Working Group
 
Partnerships
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia dip. di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Nat. Research Council of Italy (CNR) Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG); AGH University of Science and Technology Krakow (Poland); Institute of Groundwater Ecology Helmholtz Zentrum München (Germany); Isotope Hydrology Section International Atomic Energy Agency (Vienna).
 
Activity
Environmental isotopes (oxygen-18, deuterium and tritium) are useful to identify the recharge areas of aquifers also in very complex hydrogeological conditions. Several test sites have been implemented in Marche region, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna (Mt. Sibillini, Mt. Conero, Furlo gorge, Gorgovivo spring area, Mt Cimone, Mt Cantiere, Pisa and S. Pellegrino Alp) in which rain water samples are periodically collected to study isotope variations for hydrogeological applications. Two sites are comprised in the international program GNIP (Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitations) of the IAEA Agency.