Effects of climate change on groundwater resources in Campania (southern Italy)

In order to estimate the influence of global climate change upon the hydrological regime, variations in the water budget prompted by precipitation and temperature changes were evaluated in the region of Campania (southern Italy). In many parts of the region, precipitation distribution in the last 20 years shows a marked reduction. During the same period, Campania also experienced a regional temperature increase of about 0.3 degrees C. Water budgets, calculated in a geographical information system environment for the region's hydrogeological structures, show a mean decrease of 30% of average infiltration within the present climate scenario. The structures most affected are carbonate aquifers, with the flow of springs being significantly reduced (about 70 m(3)/s). The most severely affected zones are the mountainous areas in the southern and northern parts of Campania.