Groundwater of Italy: hydrogeological mapping at 1:500,000 scale
This paper presents the Hydrogeological Map of Italy at a scale of 1:500,000 (CII500K). The map is organized into four sheets, accompanied by supplementary notes and tables, and complemented by an online version providing an updated and harmonized national overview of groundwater systems in Italy. The CII500K synthesizes the country's hydrogeological framework, describing groundwater distribution, recharge conditions, and use. It builds on recent regional cartographic studies and integrated datasets, adopting a unified methodology for defining hydrogeological complexes, relative permeability classes, and aquifer productivity. Developed through extensive GIS processing, including a WebGIS platform to promote a participatory work with technicians and researchers of different institutions, the map includes key thematic layers such as perennial freshwater tapped springs, thermal and coastal springs, piezometric contours, and major groundwater flowpaths. This cartographic product provides key information for sustainable water management and climate adaptation strategies consistent with European water policies.
Authors
- Fabio Pascarella
- Raffaele Proietti
- Angelantonio Silvi
- Mauro Roma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4142-3897)
- Lucio Martarelli
- Giuliana Barbato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5892-1062)
- Maria Pia Congi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9330-9554)
- Marco Masetti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7961-8046)
- Tiziana Baldoni
- Andrea Citrini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1352-2356)
- Francesco La Vigna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2727-2017)
- Chiara Fiori (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9740-3911)
- Stefano Tersigni
- Corrado A. S. Camera
- Simona Ramberti
- Gennaro M. Monti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0136-6904)
- Valerio Vitale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6809-8647)
- Giovanni P. Beretta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0310-1574)
- Paola Mercogliano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7236-010X)
- Marco Gerardi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1784-7334)
- Rossella M. Gafà (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0734-8355)
- Stefano Lo Faro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1885-6005)
Institutions
- Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (IT)
- University of Milan (IT)
- Carnegie Institution for Science (US)
- China Geological Survey (CN)
- CMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Maps
- Published
- 2026-05-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2026.2666964
- Primary Topic
- Karst Systems and Hydrogeology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00