DONATI (2026) Evoluzione del modello concettuale quantitativo e numerico dell’acquifero pedemontano del Fiume Brenta: dallo stato stazionario alle simulazioni in regime transitorio

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Electronic Theses and Dissertations Repository (University of Pisa)
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-07-05
• Authors: DONATI, GIANNI
• DOI: None

Research Groups

• Department of Civil Engineering, University of Padua
• Institute of Marine Science, National Research Council (CNR)

Short Summary

This study updates the quantitative conceptual model and develops a numerical groundwater flow model for the Upper and Middle Venetian Plain aquifer system, highlighting the Brenta River's crucial role in recharging the aquifer. The calibrated transient model demonstrates the sustainability of the wellfield is linked to river discharge regulation.

Objective

• Investigate the hydrodynamic behavior of the Upper and Middle Venetian Plain aquifer system using a numerical groundwater flow model.
• Evaluate the impact of climate change and increased pumping rates on the aquifer's sustainability.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: The study area encompasses the Brenta River megafan sector in the Upper and Middle Venetian Plain, covering approximately 1,500 km².
• Temporal Scale: Data spans from 2010 to 2024, with a focus on the 2021–2024 period for transient model calibration.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: A numerical groundwater flow model was developed using MODFLOW (a widely used finite-difference groundwater flow model).
• Data sources: Meteoclimatic data from the Italian National Weather Service, hydrometric data from the Veneto Region's Water Authority, and piezometric data collected by the Department of Civil Engineering.

Main Results

• The steady-state model accurately reproduces the average piezometric configuration with a mean residual error of -0.05 m.
• The transient model effectively represents seasonal variations in piezometric levels, with a mean error of 0.27 m during periods of water stress.
• The Brenta River contributes over 75% to total recharge.

Contributions

This study provides an updated quantitative conceptual model and a calibrated numerical groundwater flow model for the Upper and Middle Venetian Plain aquifer system, highlighting the importance of river discharge regulation for wellfield sustainability. This work contributes to existing literature by providing a valuable tool for water resource management and protection in the region.

Funding

• This research was funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) through the project "Hydrogeological characterization and modeling of the Upper and Middle Venetian Plain aquifer system" (PRIN 2015).
• Additional support was provided by the Veneto Region's Water Authority through the project "Development of a numerical groundwater flow model for the Brenta River megafan sector".

Citation

@article{DONATI2026Evoluzione,
  author = {DONATI, GIANNI},
  title = {Evoluzione del modello concettuale quantitativo e numerico dell’acquifero pedemontano del Fiume Brenta: dallo stato stazionario alle simulazioni in regime transitorio},
  journal = {Electronic Theses and Dissertations Repository (University of Pisa)},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://openalex.org/W7198006988}
}