Geochemical and Isotopic Evidence for Investigating the Impacts of Landfills on Groundwater: A Case Study in the Campania Region (Southern Italy)

Stefania Stevenazzi, Elena Del Gaudio (), Domenico Ruggiero, Ciro D’Aniso, Anna Maria Patelli and Daniela Ducci
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Stefania Stevenazzi: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Edile e Ambientale (DICEA), Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy
Elena Del Gaudio: Centro Interdipartimentale Ricerca “AMbiente” (C.I.R.AM.), Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy
Domenico Ruggiero: S.A.P.NA. S.p.A. (Società a Socio Unico Soggetta al Coordinamento e al Controllo Della Città Metropolitana di Napoli), 80133 Napoli, Italy
Ciro D’Aniso: S.A.P.NA. S.p.A. (Società a Socio Unico Soggetta al Coordinamento e al Controllo Della Città Metropolitana di Napoli), 80133 Napoli, Italy
Anna Maria Patelli: Freelance Professional, 80129 Napoli, Italy
Daniela Ducci: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Edile e Ambientale (DICEA), Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 22, 1-16

Abstract: In this study, we present the hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical and isotopic characterisation and monitoring activity of a closed landfill located in the northern sector of the Phlegrean Fields groundwater body in the Campania Region (Southern Italy). The aim of the study is to distinguish between natural enrichments (e.g., geogenic sources) and anthropogenic pressures (e.g., leakages from the landfill body) causing anomalously high concentrations of some metals (As, F, Fe, Mn) in groundwater. Major anions, cations, metals, water-stable isotopes, carbon isotopes and tritium were analysed. The results show that high As, F and Fe concentrations are due to adsorption–desorption processes occurring in the aquifer hosted in the volcanic rocks/deposits or the occurrence of upwelling hydrothermal fluids related to the volcanic activity of the Phlegrean Fields, which may cause metal mobilisation. High localised Mn concentrations cannot be solely related to natural processes or to groundwater contamination due to leachate leakage from the landfill body. Instead, we hypothesise a leakage from the landfill gas system. The outcomes of this study show the advantages of the coupled use of physico-chemical and isotopic analyses in improving the comprehension of geochemical processes in areas characterised by the presence of municipal landfills.

Keywords: chemical analyses; isotopic analyses; groundwater monitoring; volcanic area; Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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