In the last hundred years the average global atmospheric temperature has risen by about 0.6°C - 1°C. In southern Europe and the Mediterranean area, this rise is associated with higher frequency and duration of droughts, and a general decrease of average yearly precipitation. This paper regards in particular Central Italy, where the trends detected in instrumental series of precipitation and temperature show that in all the stations with a statistically significant trend there is an increase in mean annual temperature (gradients up to +0.01°C/year) and a decrease in annual precipitation, with linear gradients up to -7 mm/year. Climate change greatly influences the hydrogeological processes regulating both groundwater and surface water availability. Evidence of this influence is represented by the statistically significant negative trends found in the mean annual and monthly yields of some important hydrologic and hydrogeologic systems. Negative effects can also be observed on lake systems, on which climatic changes induce decreases in levels and outlet discharges, amplified by constantly increasing withdrawals. Within the framework of this general picture, the present work presents some results regarding the impact of the going on climatic trend on two specific systems.
Climatic change and water resources in Central Italy: an update
DRAGONI, Valter Ulderico;MELILLO, MASSIMO;VALIGI, Daniela;CAMBI, Costanza;GIONTELLA, CECILIA;DI MATTEO, Lucio
2012
Abstract
In the last hundred years the average global atmospheric temperature has risen by about 0.6°C - 1°C. In southern Europe and the Mediterranean area, this rise is associated with higher frequency and duration of droughts, and a general decrease of average yearly precipitation. This paper regards in particular Central Italy, where the trends detected in instrumental series of precipitation and temperature show that in all the stations with a statistically significant trend there is an increase in mean annual temperature (gradients up to +0.01°C/year) and a decrease in annual precipitation, with linear gradients up to -7 mm/year. Climate change greatly influences the hydrogeological processes regulating both groundwater and surface water availability. Evidence of this influence is represented by the statistically significant negative trends found in the mean annual and monthly yields of some important hydrologic and hydrogeologic systems. Negative effects can also be observed on lake systems, on which climatic changes induce decreases in levels and outlet discharges, amplified by constantly increasing withdrawals. Within the framework of this general picture, the present work presents some results regarding the impact of the going on climatic trend on two specific systems.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
