Characterization of a coastal fractured karstic aquifer by means of sequential indicator simulation algorithm

The characterization and the description of phenomena that involve fractured and karstic aquifers remains an open issue that calls the attention of numerous researchers belonging to different disciplinary fields as far as the aspects linked both to shallow and to subsoil phenomena are concerned. The geologic knowledge of these phenomena proves to be of high importance especially if considered in relationship with water resource exploitation, with the problems linked to contamination and the ones lined to urban and industrial development of the territory. The examined area is located in the city centre of Bari, inside a geomorphologically depressed zone named "lago di Marisabella" and is heavily contaminated by hydrocarbons. Nowadays thi s area is object of an intense scientific panel discussion because of issues linked to groundwater remediation as well as to the realization of a fill in the bend of Marisabella, located downstream to the examined area. The realization of the landfill has required the development of a detailed local scale hydrogeologic model in order to evaluate the effects on groundwater flow and contaminant propagation. The present work emphasizes the importance of the realization of a detailed geological model of the aquifer that supports the hydrogeologic model in that it permits to widen considerably the comprehension of fluid flow and solute transport phenomena; it can allow consequently to implement conceptually plausible numerical models that make use of adequate state variables (permeability, porosity, solution features) and boundary conditions adherent to reality. This permits to optimize any anthropic intervention that can involve this environmental matrix.