Assessment of a low-enthalpy geothermal resource and evaluation of the natural CO2 output in the Tor di Quinto area (Rome city, Italy)

Le résumé fourni par la source

Rome Capital City is located in a high heat flux area of central Italy, suitable for low-enthalpy geothermal exploitation. In the central-northern part of the city, near Tor di Quinto hippodrome close to Tiber River, a wide undeveloped area occurs, which is a possible future urban development site. We present the results of a geochemical and geophysical study aimed at assessing the presence in this zone of a low-enthalpy geothermal aquifer and at evaluating its depth, thickness and the physico-chemical characteristics of the geothermal water. Furthermore the natural CO2 output of this zone has been investigated. A soil CO2 flux survey with 551 measurements over a surface of 3.09 km2 revealed the presence of parallel NW-SE trending positive flux anomalies. The total CO2 output was estimated to 87.77 t*day−1, most of which (85%) of endogenous or mixed origin. An Electrical Resistivity Tomography survey, consisting of five parallel 355 m long and 100 m spaced profiles, allowed the reconstruction of the stratigraphy of the underground sediments, which are fluvial deposits of the near Tiber River. The geothermal water is hosted in a low-resistivity layer, corresponding to the Tiber base gravels, which are here 20 m thick and whose top is 40 m below the surface. The water has a nearly constant temperature of 17.5 °C, a relatively high salinity and an appreciable content in dissolved gas. This low-enthalpy resource is suitable for direct uses, e.g. individual and district heating/cooling, sanitary hot water, spa facilities for swimming and bathing.

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