On the uniformity of anthropogenic Venice uplift
G. Gambolati, P. Teatini, M. Ferronato, M. Putti
Dept. Mathematical Methods and Models for Scientific
Applications, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
T. Strozzi
Gamma Remote Sensing, Gumligen, Switzerland
L. Tosi
Institute of Marine Sciences, CNR, Venezia, Italy
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.
