HYDROGEOLOGICAL WATER BALANCE IN A CARBONATE HYDRO-STRUCTURE

Carbonate hydro-structures represent a strategic resource acting as a natural reservoir able to absorb incredible amount of water during rainfall events and releasing a significant outflow with reduced variability. This is typical of groundwater resources, but this structure may provide an extraordinary baseflow contribution to the streamflow. The present work focuses on a carbonate hydro-structure located over the Mountains of Lauria (Southern Italy). The eastern sector of this hydro-structure is the “Monte La Spina” aquifer formed by limestone and dolomitic limestone with different degrees of fissuring and, in places, karstic features. The study investigates on the hydrogeological water balance of the “Monte la Spina” aquifer using two different models: one based on an Inverse Water Balance scheme and the second based on a conceptual scheme for the water balance prediction. The modelling application highlighted the peculiarity of this aquifer in terms of temporal behaviour, using an extended simulation period, and the potential of the two models as a tool for water resources management.