Water Quality And Relationship Between

Environ Earth Sci (2010) 60:1267–1279
DOI 10.1007/s12665-009-0267-2

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Water quality and relationship between superficial and ground water in Rome (Aniene River basin, central Italy)
Francesco La Vigna Æ Simone Ciadamidaro Æ
Roberto Mazza Æ Laura Mancini

Received: 31 July 2008 / Accepted: 28 July 2009 / Published online: 28 August 2009
Ó Springer-Verlag 2009

Abstract Chemical, physical, and biological features of streams and ground water of the North-Eastern area of
Rome are jointly analyzed in order to assess the status of water resources. Ground water was investigated with classical survey methods (pH, temperature, and electric conductivity). Microbiological pollution, faunal composition, and stream surrounding area conditions of surface waters were studied, in order to quantify the residual value of these ecosystems from both a human and an environmental point of view. Results show a general impairment of the system and the comparison between superficial waters and shallow ground waters makes it possible to detect the presence of a connection between the two levels.
This relationship occurs as an exchange from superficial waters (streams and rivers) to the shallow aquifers. Where superficial waters are contaminated, as in the Tor Sapienza stream, pollutants move to the shallow aquifers too, due to the decreased pressure of the over-exploited aquifer.
Moreover, uncontrolled drilling activity, diffused in urban areas, makes it possible the connection between shallow and deep ground water. Notwithstanding this, the mixing between superficial and deep ground water system in Rome
F. La Vigna (&) Á R. Mazza
Geological Sciences Department,
Applied and Environmental Geology Lab,
RomaTRE University, L.go S.Leonardo Murialdo 1,
00146 Rome, Italy e-mail: [e-mail]
S. Ciadamidaro Á L. Mancini
Italian National Institute of Health—Istituto Superiore di Sanita`,
V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
S. Ciadamidaro
Department of Animal and Human

References: Allan JD (2004) Landscapes and riverscapes: the influence of land use on stream ecosystems Al-Rashed MF, Sheriif MM (2001) Hydrogeological aspects of groundwater drainage of the urban areas in Kuwait City Process 15(5):777–795 AWWA, APHA, WPCF (1998) Standard methods for the examination of water and waste-water, 20th edn Association, Washington, DC Bolay JC, Cartoux S, Cunha A, Du TTN, Bassand M (1997) Int 21(2):185–197 Booth DB (2005) Challenges and prospects for restoring urban Booth DB, Karr JR, Schauman S, Konrad CP, Morley SA, Larson MG, Burges SJ (2004) Reviving urban streams: land use, hydrology, Bray JR, Curtis JT (1957) An ordination of the upland forest communities of Southers Wisconsin Bruce BV, McMahon PB (1996) Shallow ground-water quality beneath a major urban center: Denver, Colorado, USA 186(1–4):129–151 Ciadamidaro S, Mancini L (2006) Stato ecologico del reticolo Connell JH (1978) Diversity in tropical rain forests and coral reefs. Science 199:1302–1310 Cummins KW (1973) Trophic relations of aquatic insects (1976) Indagine sulle acque delle Marrane. Acqua Aria 10: 757–764 European Parliament (2000) Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. O.J. L 327 Faccenna C, Funiciello R, Marra F (1995) Inquadramento geologico Funiciello R, Giordano G (2008) The geological map of Rome: lithostratigrphy and stratigraphic organization 123 Environ Earth Sci (2010) 60:1267–1279 Ghetti PF (1997) Manuale di applicazione: Indice Biotico Esteso (IBE) Grigg RW (1974) Recolonization of hermatypic corals on submerged lava flows in Hawaii Harper DM, Ferguson AJD (1995) The ecological basis for river analysis Hatt BE, Fletcher TD, Walsh CJ, Taylor SL (2004) The influence of urban density and drainage infrastructure on the concentrations and loads of pollutants in small streams. Environ Manag 34:112–124 Hellawell JM (1986) Biological indicators of freshwater pollution and environmental management. Elsevier, New York Hillman TJ, Quinn GP (2002) Temporal changes in macroinvertebrate ISO 7150-1 (1984) Water quality—determination of ammonium. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva ISO 7828 (1985) (BS EN 27828: 1994) Standardization, Geneva ISO 7890-1 (1986) Water quality—determination of nitrate ISO 15705 (2002) Water quality—determination of the chemical oxygen demand index (ST-COD) Standardization, Geneva ISO 5815-1 (2003) Water quality—determination of biochemical ISO 6878 (2004) Water quality—determination of phosphorus. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva Kaushik A, Kaumar K, Kanchan, Sharma HR (2002) Water quality La Vigna F, Taviani S, Mazza R, Capelli G (2006) Hydrogeology of north-east of Rome: the Aniene river basin Congress on Regional Geoscientific Cartography and Information Systems, Barcelona La Vigna F, Capelli G, Mazza R (2008a) Hydrogeological setting of La Vigna F, Capelli G, Mazza R (2008b) Hydrogeological map of the lower Aniene River Basin Geologica d’Italia, LXXX, S.E.L.C.A, Firenze Ladson AR, Walsh CJ, Fletcher TD (2005) Improving stream health Symposium, Canberra, 21–23 Feb 2005 Macchi S (2001) Verso una riqualificazione non-moderna