Summary
This study employed stable isotope geochemistry and satellite-based snow-cover monitoring to characterise recharge processes in fractured carbonate aquifers of central Italy. By sampling 17 springs and analysing their δ18O–δD signatures against local meteoric water lines, the authors determined that recharge occurs predominantly from high-elevation subbasins where snowmelt is substantial. The findings establish quantifiable relationships between snowpack persistence and aquifer vulnerability, offering evidence that climate-driven reductions in snow cover pose material risk to groundwater availability in Mediterranean mountain regions.
Regional applicability
This work concerns Italian hydrogeology and may have limited direct application to United Kingdom aquifer systems, which differ substantially in geology (chalk, sandstone rather than fractured carbonate), precipitation regime, and snowpack dynamics. However, the methodological approach—using stable isotopes combined with satellite monitoring to assess climate sensitivity of groundwater resources—is transferable to UK upland aquifers facing similar climate risks.
Key measures
δ18O and δD stable isotope ratios; recharge area elevation from vertical isotope gradients; snowpack coverage and persistence from satellite imagery; correlation between isotope-derived recharge elevation and mean snow cover elevation
Outcomes reported
The study used stable isotope analysis of 17 springs to determine recharge source areas and elevation, then assessed the relationship between snowpack characteristics and aquifer recharge in central Italian carbonate aquifers. Four distinct relationships between snowpack coverage and recharge area elevation were identified, revealing snowmelt as a primary recharge source.
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