Modern orientation on the karstic hydrogeology: impact problems of groundwater protection into carbonatic aquifers. Experience carried out in Apulia Region

Actions far protecting the quality of ground water resources can only stem tram a detailed reconstruction of the hydrogeological model. Such a target, whit reference to very complex hydrogeological environments such as the karstic ones, turns out to be hardly achievable. Traditional methods of hydrogeology, in these cases, based on the measurements of parameters whose validity is strictly local, pro vide information which cannot be easily referred to a regional scale. As far factors which strictly relate to problerns of the protection of karstic water quality, the identification of actual hydrogeological circuits connecting the feeding areas whit the discharge, and the acknowledgment of possible hydraulic interconnections among preferential pathways, the more reliable they afe the more numerous the available parameters far a cross-verification of each piece of information afe. The reconstruction of an accurate hydrogeological model can be, then achievable by a multi-methodological approach which involves the revised interpretation of a role that some chemical, physical and isotopic parameters may play in the study of karstic hydrogeology . Experiences gained in Apulia (Southern Italy) in the study of the Murgia and Salento karstic aquifers, have given evidence of the validity of said approach far the reconstruction of a satisfactory hydrogeological picture to be considered as a basis of alI actions aiming at safeguarding the important underground water resource in this region.