The Colli Albani is a quiescent volcano located near the city of Roma, characterized by the presence of an active geothermal system, periodic seismic swarms and intense diffuse degas- sing. Several accidents, some lethal, have occurred in recent years associated with episodes of more intense releases and outbursts of volcanic gases, predominantly CO2 and H2S. Gas emissions pre- sently comprise the most hazardous phenomenon for the highly populated Colli Albani area, and there is always the potential for the occurrence of seismic activity. This chapter presents numerical modelling of heat and fluid circulation, applied to study the mechanisms that control the diffuse degassing at Colli Albani volcano. Multi-phase and multi-component simulations were carried out using the TOUGH2 geothermal simulator in a realistic geological context, which includes all available information on the stratigraphy and structure of the Colli Albani substrate, together with data on the total gas flux, the local geothermal gradient, the local hydrogeology and the thermal characteristics of the rocks. The geothermal reservoir at Colli Albani is hosted by the 2000 – 3000-m-thick Mesozoic – Cenozoic carbonatic succession, capped by Pliocene clays that act as an aquiclude and are few hundreds to over 1000 m thick, which are in turn covered by con- tinental sedimentary and volcanic deposits that host the shallow hydrogeological system. Numeri- cal simulations evaluate the effects associated with the thickness of the carbonatic basement and its cap rock, the role of CO2 supply rate at depth, and the influence of permeable channel-ways through the cap rocks. Numerical simulations show that the thickness of the geothermal reservoir hosted by the carbonatic basement and of its impervious cover control the vigour of the convection, the extent and depth (and hence temperature) of the lateral recharge area, and the distribution of the CO2 within the system. This result suggests that the temperature distribution and diffuse degassing at the surface reflect not only the characteristics of the heat and fluid source at depth, but also the specific structure and hydrological properties of the site where they are measured.
Todesco, M., Giordano, G. (2010). Modelling of CO2 circulation in the Colli Albani area. In G.G. Funiciello R (a cura di), The Colli Albani Volcano (pp. 311-330).
Modelling of CO2 circulation in the Colli Albani area
GIORDANO, Guido
2010-01-01
Abstract
The Colli Albani is a quiescent volcano located near the city of Roma, characterized by the presence of an active geothermal system, periodic seismic swarms and intense diffuse degas- sing. Several accidents, some lethal, have occurred in recent years associated with episodes of more intense releases and outbursts of volcanic gases, predominantly CO2 and H2S. Gas emissions pre- sently comprise the most hazardous phenomenon for the highly populated Colli Albani area, and there is always the potential for the occurrence of seismic activity. This chapter presents numerical modelling of heat and fluid circulation, applied to study the mechanisms that control the diffuse degassing at Colli Albani volcano. Multi-phase and multi-component simulations were carried out using the TOUGH2 geothermal simulator in a realistic geological context, which includes all available information on the stratigraphy and structure of the Colli Albani substrate, together with data on the total gas flux, the local geothermal gradient, the local hydrogeology and the thermal characteristics of the rocks. The geothermal reservoir at Colli Albani is hosted by the 2000 – 3000-m-thick Mesozoic – Cenozoic carbonatic succession, capped by Pliocene clays that act as an aquiclude and are few hundreds to over 1000 m thick, which are in turn covered by con- tinental sedimentary and volcanic deposits that host the shallow hydrogeological system. Numeri- cal simulations evaluate the effects associated with the thickness of the carbonatic basement and its cap rock, the role of CO2 supply rate at depth, and the influence of permeable channel-ways through the cap rocks. Numerical simulations show that the thickness of the geothermal reservoir hosted by the carbonatic basement and of its impervious cover control the vigour of the convection, the extent and depth (and hence temperature) of the lateral recharge area, and the distribution of the CO2 within the system. This result suggests that the temperature distribution and diffuse degassing at the surface reflect not only the characteristics of the heat and fluid source at depth, but also the specific structure and hydrological properties of the site where they are measured.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
