The Compatibility of Geothermal Power Plants with Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems: The Case of the Cesine Wetland (Southern Italy)

Giorgio De Giorgio, Michele Chieco, Livia Emanuela Zuffianò, Pier Paolo Limoni, Andrea Sottani, Roberto Pedron, Luca Vettorello, Luisa Stellato, Brunella Di Rienzo and Maurizio Polemio
Additional contact information
Giorgio De Giorgio: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Research Institute for Hydrogeological Protection (CNR-IRPI), Via Amendola 122 I, 70126 Bari, Italy
Livia Emanuela Zuffianò: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Research Institute for Hydrogeological Protection (CNR-IRPI), Via Amendola 122 I, 70126 Bari, Italy
Pier Paolo Limoni: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Research Institute for Hydrogeological Protection (CNR-IRPI), Via Amendola 122 I, 70126 Bari, Italy
Andrea Sottani: Sinergeo s.r.l., Contrà del Pozzetto, 4-36100 Vicenza, Italy
Roberto Pedron: Sinergeo s.r.l., Contrà del Pozzetto, 4-36100 Vicenza, Italy
Luca Vettorello: Sinergeo s.r.l., Contrà del Pozzetto, 4-36100 Vicenza, Italy
Luisa Stellato: Centre for Isotopic Research on Cultural and Environmental heritage (CIRCE), Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
Brunella Di Rienzo: Centre for Isotopic Research on Cultural and Environmental heritage (CIRCE), Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
Maurizio Polemio: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Research Institute for Hydrogeological Protection (CNR-IRPI), Via Amendola 122 I, 70126 Bari, Italy

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 2, 1-21

Abstract: The Cesine Wetland, located along the Adriatic coast, was recognized as a Wetland of International Interest and a National Natural Park. Managed by the “World Wide Fund for nature” (WWF), it is considered a groundwater dependent ecosystem which is affected by seawater intrusion. The site was selected to test the environmental compatibility of a low-enthalpy geothermal power plant (closed loop) operating in the aquifer saturated portion with purpose to improving the visitor centre. For this purpose, the long-lasting thermal impact on groundwater was assessed using a multi-methodological approach. The complex aquifer system was carefully studied with geological, hydrogeological and geochemical surveys, including chemical and isotopic laboratory analyses of surface water, groundwater and seawater. The isotopes ? 18 O, ?D, ? 11 B, and 3 H were useful to clarify the recharge contribution, the water mixing and the water age. All information was used to improve the conceptualization of the water system, including aquifers and the boundary conditions for a density driven numerical groundwater model. The purpose was to forecast anthropogenic thermal groundwater variations up to 10 years of plant working before the plant realization and to validate the solution after some working years. All results show the environmental compatibility notwithstanding the peculiar ecological environment.

Keywords: wetland; geothermal plant; groundwater dependent ecosystem; numerical modelling; seawater intrusion; Italy; Apulia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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