Karstic aspects in the assessment of groundwater vulnerability of Maiella, Italy

This paper concerns the vulnerability of the Maiella karstic aquifer, by applying two important and specific methods for this type of aquifer. The Maiella carbonate massif, situated in Central Italy, more exactly in the Abruzzi Apennines, covers a surface of 416 square km. It represents an important groundwater basin in Italy, with the particular and distinctive features of a karst aquifer. The unique framework of a karst aquifer derives from its special properties such as the existence of swallowholes, the absence of surface drainage, the presence of karstic dissolution networks, large springs, the dual nature of recharge (concentrated and point) and the duality of the permeability. Therefore, assessment of vulnerability of a karst area is complex because it is fundamental to take into consideration the overall effects of the previously mentioned factors. Because of their special structure, karst aquifers are particularly vulnerable to pollution. In particular, this study focuses on peculiar karstic features influencing vulnerability of Maiella site. Carrying on the research, vulnerability maps have been prepared by using a geographic information system. Lastly the results obtained by applying the two mentioned methods are compared , trying to identify and outline the more sensitive areas