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On the uniformity of anthropogenic Venice uplift
Author(s) -
Gambolati Giuseppe,
Teatini Pietro,
Ferronato Massimiliano,
Strozzi Tazio,
Tosi Luigi,
Putti Mario
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
terra nova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.353
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-3121
pISSN - 0954-4879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3121.2009.00903.x
Subject(s) - geology , overburden , aquifer , smoothing , groundwater , geomorphology , differential (mechanical device) , hydraulic conductivity , brackish water , geotechnical engineering , soil science , oceanography , engineering , salinity , aerospace engineering , computer science , computer vision , soil water
A programme of Venice uplift because of seawater injection into a 600–800 m deep brackish aquifer underlying the lagoon has recently been advanced. As the actual spatial variability of the hydro‐geological parameters is to a large extent unknown, a controversial issue concerns the 25–30 cm heave prediction with the possible generation of differential displacements that might jeopardize the integrity of the architectural patrimony. It is shown that significant differential displacements have occurred in Venice in the past and are still presently occurring as evidenced by SAR interferometry. The results of a stochastic analysis addressing the variability of the hydraulic conductivity of the injected formation indicate that even a highly uneven aquifer expansion does not migrate to ground surface because of the smoothing effect exerted by the overburden. The predicted differential displacements are well below the values Venice is experiencing. Any a priori alarmism appears to be unfounded and unjustified.