3D geological modelling and groundwater management in the Campanian Plain (South Italy)

Three-dimensional geological modelling is a key topic in hydrogeological studies and has significantly developed in last decade. Despite the constant improvement of knowledge and technologies in 3-D mapping, the predictive function of groundwater models is often constrained by the lack and dishomogeneity of competent existing data. The present paper points out an integrated approach, combining sedimentological, stratigraphical and hydrogeological analyses, to construct a better and more reliable groundwater flow model in complex geological areas, such as the coastal campanian plains. The sample area is a sector of Campanian Plain, located between the Sarno River Plain and the southwestern extremity of the low Solofrana River Valley, wide approximately 10 km2. The site is an area of intense exploitation of groundwater resources, because of many industrial and agricultural activities. The existing boreholes data, integrated with geomorphological and structural information, have been used to build and bind an hydrogeological block diagram. The subsurface model has been used to better define the complexity of this plane sector and to identify the most accurate boundary conditions for the flow model. The setting up of groundwater mathematical model has been calibrated using an iterative approach based on a try and error procedure. As a result the simulation of a specific pumping scenario follows a real observed state (recorded in July 2006) and shows the great control of anthropic activities on the groundwater flow conditions of plain aquifer systems. So an optimized approach to perform an integration between geological and hydrogeological issues is discussed with reference to a real case.