Contributo alla Idrogeologia dell'Italia centrale: analisi dei metodi di ricerca

In the last two decades hydrogeological know-ledge in Central Italy improved significantly due to many Contributors and to different research approaches. The most significant contributions as well as the most important results are considered. In 1970 regional hydrogeology of Central Italy was still unexplored and methods of investigation suitable to that area had not yet been successfully esperimented. As basic knowledge of the regional hydrogeology was however a preliminary condition to more detailed investigations. A first attempt of hydrogeological interpretation mainly based on surface hydrogeological evidences gave poor results while comparaison between hydrology and regional geology gave better results. These results took the form of an elementary hydrogeological scheme where the main aquifers and their limits were identified. Between 1975 and 1985 the original scheme was developed in a series of more detailed hydrogeological models based on new hydrochemical and isotope investigations and on the analysis of hydrogeological balances. Quantity and quality of ground water resources have been evaluated. During the period 1970-1985 new methods of investigation suitable to the hydrology of Central Italy have been successfully experimented. Researches are presently focused on preparing more reliable hydrodynamic models based on the analysis of discharge regimes, on hydrochemistry and isotope hydrology. First attemps in this field showed that radiometric age of ground water must be compatible with the evaluated by means of hydrodynamic madels. Separate use of the two methods can lead to unreliable results. The reconnaissance phase in hydrogeological researches has been completed. A new stage of quantitative hydrogeology is under way; its goal is to study every single aquifer considered as a part of a more complex regional system.