Hydrogeological characterization of Maiella carbonate massif with thermometric method

The Maiella massif rises in the Region of Abruzzo in central Italy. Its approximate meridians are elongated in form. The hydrogeological interest regarding the technical and scientific nature of the study of this carbonate aquifer is essentially due to the fact that it is the heart of an important subsurface water basin which is the source of a total average flow of 7 m3/s. This is clearly a water resource that constitutes an environmental patrimony that, because of its consistency, should be appropriately managed and protected. In the second place, and not of lesser importance, the Maiella is the only significant relief in central-southern Italy that has not a face on Tirreno sea. Within the research study being carried out, the results of the application of temperature as a natural, physical tracer of the subsurface water circulation to this important hydrogeological unit are presented in this report. The model that has been derived from this study is presented in the following pages. It points out how the use of this tracing method has considerable potential in contributing to the comprehension of the running of hydrogeological systems. This work actually shows the results of the temperature-measuring processes performed and the innovative indications that this seems to supply concerning the running of this complex, hydrogeological system.