Innovative Approaches for the Sedimentological Characterization of Fine Natural and Anthropogenic Sediments in Karst Systems: The Case of the Apuan Alps (Central Italy)

The Apuan Alps (NW Tuscany) is an important area of Central Italy characterized by large karst systems mainly fed via direct and diffuse water infiltration (autogenic recharge). These waters usually transport a clastic sediment load, originated natural, surface subsurface rock erosion/weathering which, in part, deposited underground. In the Alps, during extreme rain event, huge amounts carbonate powder, produced as waste resulting from quarrying operations famous “Carrara” marble, mix up with meteoric forming slurry that transported through openings into caves, where powder may be along natural sediments. Depending upon hydrology fluxes, eventually reach springs heavily reducing quality. Mineralogical composition sediments collected waterways shows variable proportions calcite associated dolomite silicates particles whereas marble samples quarry areas are composed grains. Cave deposits origin have fine-sand grain size spring more grain-size distribution. Marble has silt produces sort “granulometric morphometric pollution” which influences mechanism solid load both vadose phreatic waterways.