Activities mostly did follow the original plan.
- Technical and scientific effort has been mostly dedicated to: i) Well data analysis (more than 150 deep wells have been analyzed in detail); ii) 2D/3D static and dynamic Modelling.
- Field works (in southern Sicily and in the Apennines)
- Workshop / training: Short-Term Scientific Mission
- Knowledge transfer between the researcher and the host institution
- Teaching contribute at GSC2100 course at Malta University and at the course off: “3D subsurface interpretation and modelling” at Rome3 University
- Training: Modflow course, groundwater modelling class.
- Networking and collaboration: COST-ACTION n. CA21112 on OFFSHORE FRESHENED GROUNDWATER: AN UNCONVENTIONAL WATER RESOURCE IN COASTAL REGIONS? (OFF-SOURCE).
- Dissemination of project results: participation to several conferences; publication of the article “Extensive freshened groundwater resources emplaced during the Messinian sea-level drawdown in southern Sicily, Italy” published in November 2023 on Communications Earth & Environment. Following the publication of the article, a strong public interest from TV, Journals and online channel arise. As a result, several TV and online interviews followed, as well newspaper and online article and many mentions.
As main results and conclusion of the OFF_GROUND research project, it was possible to simultaneously identify in southern Sicily (Italy), the presence of fresh/freshened groundwater in the offshore (in the Ragusa carbonate aquifer), as well as discover an extensive, deep and freshened groundwater aquifer onshore (in the Gela Fm.). In particular:
- It was demonstrated the presence of deep fresh/freshened groundwater offshore southern Sicily in the Ragusa carbonate aquifer, by applying a petrophysical approach and inversion to well logs. Results demonstrate that the Ragusa carbonate formation have been invaded by fresh water also in the offshore, specifically in two deep Oil&Gas wells, 5 and 10 km from the coast, to depths down to 1000 m. Moreover, a "proof of concept" initial Dynamic Groundwater Model was built, allowing to investigate the effect of sea level changes on present-day distribution of fresh or freshened groundwater in the subsurface;
- it was possible to discover and document an extensive (17.3 km3) fresh/brackish groundwater body preserved in a deep (800-2100 m) carbonate platform aquifer (the Gela Formation) onshore southern Sicily, by integrating a comprehensive well data-set with 3D hydrogeological modelling. The distribution of this fossil groundwater is attributed to topographically-driven meteoric recharge driven by the Messinian sea-level drawdown, which we estimate to have reached 2400 m below present sea level in the eastern Mediterranean Basin, about 6 million years ago. Moreover, a regional 3D hydrogeological dynamic model was built, allowing to simulate groundwater’s movement in the geological time, both during the Messinian, as well as during glacial-interglacial sea level lowstands. Dynamic modelling appear to confirm and support reconstruction, and the main mechanism of topographically-driven meteoric infiltration during the Messinian sea-level drawdown.
As a result, study also effectively show that oil and gas industry techniques and data can be used to identify deep freshwater units, demonstrating these methods' applicability for Groundwater Exploration. In particular, it was demonstrated that:
- Repurposing geophysical/petrophysical methods originally designed for the oil and gas industry allows a streamlined approach in the exploration of deep aquifers.
- This approach maximizes the utility of existing resources and data for researchers by leveraging the extensive datasets and valuable information already collected during Oil&Gas exploration endeavors.
The research finally demonstrated the potential of offshore and deep freshwater in supporting sustainable development in region with limited water resources.
