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Deep-seated landslides are complex systems. In many cases, multidisciplinary studies are necessary to unravel the key hydrological features that can influence their evolution in space and time. The deep-seated Berceto landslide, in the northern Apennines of Italy, has been investigated in order to define the origin and geochemical evolution of groundwater (GW), to identify the slope system hydrological boundary, and to highlight the GW flow paths, transit time and transfer modalities inside the landslide body. This research is based on a multidisciplinary approach that involves monitoring GW levels, obtaining analyses of water chemistry and stable and unstable isotopes (δ18O-δ2H, 3H, 87Sr/86Sr), performing soil leaching tests, geochemical modelling (PHREEQC), and principal component analysis (PCA). The results of δ18O-δ2H and 87Sr/86Sr analyses show that the source of GW recharge in the Berceto landslide is local rainwater, and external contributions from a local stream can be excluded. In the landslide body, two GW hydrotypes (Ca-HCO3 and Na-HCO3) are identified, and the results of PHREEQC and PCA confirm that the chemical features of the GW depend on water-rock interaction processes occurring inside the landslide. The 3H content suggests a recent origin for GW and appears to highlight mixing between shallow and deep GW aliquots. The 3H content and GW levels data confirm that shallow GW is mainly controlled by a mass transfer mechanism. The 3H analyses with GW levels also indicate that only deep GW is controlled by a pressure transfer mechanism, and this mechanism is likely the main influence on the landslide kinematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for estimating low flows in ungauged rivers from minimum discharge of perennial springs is proposed. This spring-based approach (SBA) is tested in 21 catchments from the northern Apennines, Italy. First, the hydrogeological behaviour of each geological formation and superficial deposit is related to the spatial distribution and discharge of perennial springs in a test area using a Bayesian approach, weight of evidence (WoE). Second, the observed river flow exceeded for 95% of the observation period is related to the type of geological formations outcropping within the catchment. Finally, the q95 low flows are estimated from the WoE weights. The SBA performance is assessed by leave-one-out cross-validation and compared with the results of a multiple regression (MR) model that accounts for selected catchment characteristics, but no springs. The results show that the SBA outperforms MR. The better performance of the SBA may be related to its ability to capture bedrock characteristics, which are the main controls of low flows in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses water stable isotopes data collected from precipitation (one rain gauge) and groundwater outlets (seven occurrences and two springs) at Mt. Tinisa, in the Eastern Alps of Italy. Limestones and dolostones outcrop in the mountain relief, making up a single aquifer which feeds the monitored outlets with almost steady discharges. Lack of runoff in the streambeds throughout the whole year means that all meteoric water can be considered as recharging the aquifer. Sampling was undertaken during the periods 2005-2010 (precipitation) and 2014-2015 (groundwater) via monthly and two/three-monthly field-activities, respectively, which allowed a total of 138 water samples to be gathered and analysed. Results highlighted the presence of apparent isotopic anomalies in groundwater in comparison with meteoric water. The study demonstrates that the assessment of groundwater residence time and estimates of the mean monthly isotopic content in rainwater have been necessary to correctly compare the two isotopic datasets and relate the anomaly to the recharge time-window, occurring in the late autumn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water samples from the river network and from some shallow and brackish springs located in a tectonic window of the northern Apennines of Italy were studied in the frame of a comprehensive hydrogeological investigation in order to better understand the origin and the mixing processes between the two water types noticed also in previous studies (Ca-HCO and Na-Cl). A sampling campaign covering the drought period during year 2010 was planned to gather electric conductivity, temperature and redox potential data along the river network and on groundwater occurrences located inside the tectonic structure. Additionally, eight water samples were collected for hydrochemical (major anions and cations: Na, K, Ca, Mg, HCO, Cl, SO and trace ion B) and isotopic (δO, δH, H) analyses and compared with other eighteen samples from shallow and brackish springs collected near the study site during the period 2005-2012. Moreover, river discharge and water balance estimations were carried out. Results confirmed the presence of old Na-Cl water with salinity progressively increasing up to 5.5 g l at the northern termination of the tectonic window. These values are in agreement with the ions contents of the most mineralized spring (Macognano spring: salinity of 7.6 g l), which has been considered as having the deepest and longest flow-path. Stable isotopes and trace ions contents are consistent with rainfall and snowmelt water mixed with brines associated with a hydrocarbon reservoir hosted at depth. Considering as end-member the more mineralized Na-Cl water, a cumulate inflow in the range of 12.9 ± 5.9 l s has been estimated. This aliquot is released into the river network with different mixing proportions by the groundwater occurrences discharging from the autochthonous flysch unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]