De Giorgio G., Zuffianò L.E., Polemio M., 2021, Groundwater And Salinisation Risk_ Management Experience In The Mediterranean Area, 48th IAH Congress, pp. 1–1, Brussels, Belgium, 06-10/2021,
URL: http://www.cnr.it/prodotto/i/463450

The increasing use of groundwater and the effect of seawater intrusion makes the study of coastal aquifers extremely relevant. There are various measures, practices, and actions throughout the world for managing groundwater when this natural resource is subject to salinization risk. This research, focusing on the effect of seawater intrusion, classifies the different practical solutions protecting groundwater through salinization mitigation across the Mediterranean Area with a literature review. The literature review was based on the study of about 300 papers, which are mainly international journal articles (76%). The remaining papers include conference papers (11.8%), reports and theses (7%), and books or chapters of a book (25%). Three main schematic groundwater management approaches can be distinguished for the use of groundwater resources at risk of salinization. The engineering approaches optimize the quality and quantity of the discharged fresh groundwater. The most recent experiences of tapping submarine springs have been realized in the Mediterranean Sea using underground concrete dams, tools shaped like a parachute or tulip (including flexible tubes and a plexiglass dome), or a fiberglass telescopic tube-bell, especially in the case of karstic aquifers. The current widespread form of the engineering approach is to address the issue of groundwater exploitation by wells. More complex solutions use subhorizontal designs. These works include horizontal drains or radial tunnels bored inside the saturated aquifer, shafts excavated down to the sea level with radial galleries. These solutions have been successfully applied in Malta Islands. The discharge management approach encompasses at least an entire coastal aquifer and defines rules concerning groundwater utilisation and well discharge. A multi-methodological approach based on monitoring networks, spatiotemporal analysis of groundwater quality changes, and multiparameter well logging is described in Apulian karstic coastal aquifers (Italy). The core is the definition of the salinity threshold value between pure fresh groundwater and saline groundwater mixture. The water and land management approach should be applied on a regional scale. The main choice for this approach is pursuing water-saving measures and water demand adaptation. In Guyennon et al. 2017 a multiple-users and multipleresources- Water Supply System model is implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of Increasing the Maximum Capacity of the surface reservoir and Managed Aquifer Recharge in the Puglia, a semi-arid region of South Italy characterized by a conspicuous water demand for irrigation.

Data from https://intranet.cnr.it/people/