Water resources are a key factor, particularly for
the planning of the sustainable regional development of
agriculture, as well as for socio-economic development in
general. A hydrochemical investigation was conducted in
the Friuli Venezia Giulia aquifer systems to identify
groundwater evolution, recharge and extent of pollution.
Temperature, pH, electric conductivity, total dissolved solids,
alkalinity, total hardness, SAR, Ca2+, Na+, K+, Mg2+,
Cl–, SO42–, NO3 – , HCO3 –,
water quality and type, saturation
indexes and the environmental stable isotope d18O were
determined in 149 sampling stations. The pattern of geochemical
and oxygen stable isotope variations suggests that
the sub-surface groundwater (from phreatic and shallow
confined aquifers) is being recharged by modern precipitations
and local river infiltrations. Four hydrogeological
provinces have been recognised and mapped in the Friuli
Venezia Giulia Plain having similar geochemical signatures.
These provinces have different degrees of vulnerability to
contamination. The deep confined groundwater samples are
significantly less impacted by surface activities; and it
appears that these important water resources have very low
recharge rates and would, therefore, be severely impacted by
overabstraction.
