The Frasassi Caves are located in central Italy, on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains, 40 km from the Adriatic Sea. They consist of mainly horizontal passages and rooms, where the water table can be often reached in the lower section of the caves. A detailed study of the groudwater was carried out, based both on chemical analysis of water collected at different sampling points during the year and on conitnuous water level and temperature monitoring of phreatic water. Three main types of water can be described in the cave: a) bicarbonate freswater, b) high-salinity sulfidic groundwater, c) diluted sulfidic groundwater. Freshwater derives from diffuse infiltration of meteoric water and has uniform chemical characteristics throughout the cave, with the exception of small changes in single chemical parameters due to local factors. The chemical composition of water at the surface of some phreatic pools can vary according to local conditions. In the Lago dell'Orsa, very low water flow rates result in a permanent stratification of the pool, with freshwater seepage staying near the water table due to the lower density.
Hydrochemical analysis of cave water in the Frasassi Caves
COCCHIONI, Mario;MORICHETTI, Luciana;NACCIARRITI, Luisella
2003-01-01
Abstract
The Frasassi Caves are located in central Italy, on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains, 40 km from the Adriatic Sea. They consist of mainly horizontal passages and rooms, where the water table can be often reached in the lower section of the caves. A detailed study of the groudwater was carried out, based both on chemical analysis of water collected at different sampling points during the year and on conitnuous water level and temperature monitoring of phreatic water. Three main types of water can be described in the cave: a) bicarbonate freswater, b) high-salinity sulfidic groundwater, c) diluted sulfidic groundwater. Freshwater derives from diffuse infiltration of meteoric water and has uniform chemical characteristics throughout the cave, with the exception of small changes in single chemical parameters due to local factors. The chemical composition of water at the surface of some phreatic pools can vary according to local conditions. In the Lago dell'Orsa, very low water flow rates result in a permanent stratification of the pool, with freshwater seepage staying near the water table due to the lower density.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
