One of the major concern for the gas sequestration/storage feasibility in natural underground formations is the assessment of the sealing efficiency of the low-permeable sequences overlying potential storage formations. The sealing efficiency is quantified via the threshold pressure and/or residual pressure difference parameters; the experimental laboratory procedures for their evaluation have been widely...

The proposal of a simplified hybrid Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical model to investigate poroelastic and thermoelastic stresses induced due to water injection and the different parameters affecting their evolution is presented. The operating mode of the numerical model is starting with a set of implicit fractures, with different adjustable random orientations, then an elastic continuum medium is built, and shear...

Aerogels are emerging as one of the most intriguing and promising groups of microporous materials, characterized by impressive properties such as low density, high surface area, high porosity and tunable surface chemistry. Fostering unique thermal and acoustic insulation features, for several decades they mainly received attention from the aerospace and building sectors. More recently, new great opportunities...

This paper concerns the evolution of the quality of the groundwater bodies over space and time, with special focus on nitrate. This case study deals with the qualitative status in alluvial-pyroclastic groundwater bodies located near Naples (southern Italy). The study is based on a significant hydrochemical database, gathered through: (i) groundwater sampling and water level monitoring, (ii) chemical...

The Lombard territory (Italy), characterized by a historical process of industrialization, is affected by significant contamination both of the ground and of the groundwater. The continuous development of urban areas needs to face the problem linked to the growing presence of portions of the territory where there is the presence of contaminated groundwater (mainly chlorinated solvents and hydrocarbons),...

Deep aquifers represent a strategic resource because of their quality, generally better than rivers and shallow aquifers. More specifically, in Piedmont Region (Italy) they represent a key source of drinking water and therefore must be protected from qualitative and quantitative degradation.

In...

The groundwater overexplotation is a worldwide problem and it causes serious consequences such as land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, devastating effects on natural streamflow, groundwater fed wetlands and related ecosystems.

The Maggiore Valley (NW...

Extractive waste (EW) from abandoned mines can pose serious pressure to natural water systems. The harmful effects of EW such as deterioration of water sources by allowing leaching of potentially toxic elements (PTE) into groundwater make it necessary to carry out careful, scientific and comprehensive studies on this subject. The present research used risk analysis approach to study the effect of presence...

Geothermal Energy, being a clean and sustainable source of energy, is gaining importance worldwide due to various reasons. Geothermal power can be generated throughout the year on twenty four hour basis as it’s not much dependent on ambient temperature and weather conditions. Recently there is an increased interest in exploitation of low enthalpy geothermal resources for other applications such as geothermal space heating...

Nanoremediation technologies are based on the injection of reactive nanomaterials into the subsurface to promote in situ degradation of the pollutants. At present, it appears as a valid and very promising alternative to traditional and already established remediation technologies, such as Pump&Treat, In-Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO), air sparging and permeable reactive barriers. Due to their small size, nanoparticles (e.g. nanoscale zerovalent iron) presents a high reactivity and can be exploited to generate a reactive zone to treat a wide...

The interaction between tunnels and underground water is a complex topic and it is of great relevance taking into account the environment, the protection of drinkable water and the interference with tunnel construction method. Due to the great importance of the topic, in the following are presented and discussed the most relevant technologies for water management in tunnelling with a specific attention...

The majority of rural areas in developing countries live in a state of chronic emergency, due for the most part to the lack of sanitary assistance and food. Covid-19 aggravates this situation, complicating the action of International Cooperation in these countries. To this extent, the case study of the Nosy Mitsio island (Madagascar) is presented. The partnership between H4O, Kukula and Politecnico di...

In residential buildings, drinking water is often used for tasks that do not necessarily require high quality water, such as home-garden irrigation. Our research focuses on the idea of harvesting rainwater to promote sustainable management of low-quality water resources on a building scale for irrigation purposes. The effectiveness of a collection system depends on the weather conditions, which determine...

Debris flow events are known today as one of the most dangerous natural hazard events due to the elevated impact pressures they can reach. Depending on its intensity, a debris flow has the capacity to flatten forests and carry along the tree trunks, to completely demolish buildings and consequently to create a great risk to human life.

However,...

Crossing hydrogeological and ecological sensitive aquifers, water ingress can occur, which can lead to irreversible damage to hydrogeological and ecological systems. In order to avoid this, the rock mass surrounding these hydrogeological sensitive tunnel sections is sealed by injections to reduce the hydraulic permeability, the water inflows and consequently the regional water level drawdowns. In deep tunnels, complete sealing is not possible due to the high water pressures.
Residual water volumes will continue to enter the tunnel. The magnitude...

The rapid erosion of alpine valleys can be prevented by torrential barriers. For their design is crucial the thrust acting upon them due to earth and water pressures. From the evaluation of damage events and field investigations it can be inferred that often no water saturation and thus not the full hydrostatic pressure acts upon such barriers. The uncertainty associated herewith is reflected in various guidelines. The field observations can be explained by the structure of the
backfill but also by the distribution of the water pressure. An...

The Po Plain in northern Italy is a rapidly subsiding sedimentary basin characterized by a complex geological history that created an extensive fold and fault system that hosts numerous underground hydrocarbon reservoirs. The evolution of the basin is not only governed by natural factors but also by anthropogenic factors that affect both the shallower and deeper sedimentary layers. The Emilia-Romagna...