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CO<sub>2</sub> Degassing in Sicily (Central Mediterranean) as Inferred from Groundwater Composition
oleh: Marianna Cangemi, Maria Grazia Di Figlia, Rocco Favara, Marcello Liotta
Format: | Article |
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Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2020-07-01 |
Deskripsi
The circulation of groundwater is influenced by several factors, including permeability changes due to the dynamics of the stress field acting along tectonic discontinuities. Open faults can act as preferential pathways for the escape of crustal and subcrustal gases, such as CO<sub>2</sub>, towards the surface, allowing their chemical interaction with meteoric fluids. Here, we present the first map of dissolved CO<sub>2</sub> partial pressure in the groundwater of Sicily, Italy. Based on the chemical analysis of 557 samples of groundwater, which were collected in wells and springs, we calculated the related CO<sub>2</sub> partial pressure (<i>P</i>CO<sub>2</sub>) using PHREEQC software. The spatial distribution of the calculated <i>P</i>CO<sub>2</sub> values highlights a general homogeneity at the regional scale, interrupted by positive anomalies linked to the main seismogenic or volcanic areas. Faults work as preferential escape pathways for deep CO<sub>2</sub>. The subsequent CO<sub>2</sub>–water–rock interaction determines the chemical composition of circulating water. As a consequence, groundwater composition can be successfully used to identify anomalous degassing areas.