Potential recharge estimation of the sibari plain aquifers (Southern Italy) through a new GIS procedure

This paper suggests a method for the estimation of the potential aquifers recharge based on an innovative GIS procedure. The spatial arrangement of thermo-pluviometric parameters (rainfall and temperature) is performed starting from the data of thermo-pluviometric stations and the definition of the relative linear regression functions depending on altitude. The punctual altitude values, obtained through the DTM transformation in a point shapefile, are used to calculate rainfall and temperature starting from the linear regression functions. These calculated values are useful to estimate the real evapotranspiration and the effective rainfall. The coefficient of potential infiltration and its correction factor, depending on slope and soil use, are mapped through the elaboration of bibliographic data. All created maps are intersected in a single shapefile and the investigated area is subdivided in hexagonal cells. The centroids of these cells are obtained and for them are extracted all information previously elaborated. The values of effective infiltration and surface runoff are calculated for each centroid and the relative maps are obtained by points interpolation. The method is applied to estimate the potential recharge of the Sibari Plain aquifers (southernItaly) considering the whole potential recharge area. The estimated data has a good agreement with the climatic and geological knowledge.