First results of the application of the isotopic ratio 87Sr/86Sr in the characterization of sea-water intrusion in the coastal karstic aquifer of Murgia (Southern Italy)
Barbieri, M.; Barbieri, M.; Fidelibus, M.D.; Morotti, M.; Sappa, G.; Tulipano, L. (1999). First results of the application of the isotopic ratio 87Sr/86Sr in the characterization of sea-water intrusion in the coastal karstic aquifer of Murgia (Southern Italy). Natuurwet. Tijdschr. 79(1-4): 132-139 In: Natuurwetenschappelijk Tijdschrift. L. Walschot/Natuur- en Geneeskundige Vennootschap: Gent. ISSN 0770-1748, more Also appears in:De Breuck, W.; Walschot, L. (Ed.) (1999). Proceedings of the 15th Salt-Water Intrusion Meeting Ghent (Belgium), 25-29 May 1998. Natuurwetenschappelijk Tijdschrift, 79(1-4). Natuurwetenschappelijk Tijdschrift: Gent. 307 pp., more |  |
| Keywords | Isotopes > Strontium isotopes
Saline intrusion
MED, Italy, Puglia [Marine Regions]
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| Authors | | Top | - Barbieri, M.
- Barbieri, M.
- Fidelibus, M.D.
| - Morotti, M.
- Sappa, G.
- Tulipano, L.
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| Abstract | The Murgia aquifer, made of by Cretaceous limestone and dolomitic limestone, represents the most important karstic coastal aquifer of Apulia (Southern Italy). The carbonate sequence reveals a considerable lithological heterogeneity, accompanied by fracturing and karstification. Due to over-exploitation, groundwater salinization is continuously expanding from coast to inland. Previous studies outlined that the aquifer hosts saline waters having chemical features sensibly deviating from those of present sea water. Water/carbonate rock interaction processes can account for most of the major and minor constituent variations. Ca, Mg, Sr and Li ions have already been used as natural tracers for distinguishing the different saline end members of mixing. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio has been tested as a natural tracer, basing the methodology both on the knowledge of the Sr isotopic composition of the different carbonate rocks in relation to their geological age and on the fact that salt waters interacting with marine carbonates may inherit the Sr isotope composition of the same rocks. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of saline waters can be diagnostic both of an evolution due to water/rock interaction processes and of the age of the carbonates with which they interact. Brackish waters of the coastal springs clearly show different 87Sr/86Sr ratios, which ultimately can be traced back to the extent to which rock/water interaction has modified the different salt groundwaters during their migration history. |
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