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

• Published in: Geothermics 2022-02, Vol.99, p.102298, Article 102298
• Main Authors: Carapezza, Maria Luisa, Chiappini, Massimo, Nicolosi, Iacopo, Pizzino, Luca, Ranaldi, Massimo, Tarchini, Luca, De Simone, Gabriele, Ricchetti, Nicoletta, Barberi, Franco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anomalies; Aquifers; Bathing; Carbon dioxide; Diffuse soil CO2 output; Dissolved gases; District heating; Electrical resistivity; Electrical resistivity tomography; Enthalpy; Evaluation; Exploitation; Fluctuations; Fluvial deposits; Geophysical studies; Geothermal power; Geothermal resources; Heat flux; Hot water heating; Low enthalpy geothermal aquifer; Polls & surveys; Rivers; Rome, Italy; Sediments; Soil investigations; Stratigraphy; Swimming; Urban development; Water chemistry; Water depth
• ISSN: 0375-6505; 1879-3576
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2021.102298

•Assessment of a shallow low-enthalpy geothermal resource within the city of Rome.•Evaluation by ERT profiles of top depth (∼40 m) and thickness (∼20 m) of the aquifer.•Geothermal water has high salinity and dissolved CO2 and a constant T of 17.5 °C.•This Rome sector has a high diffuse soil CO2 output of 87.77 t*day−1 from 3 km2.•Water heat exchangers and geothermal heat pump appear convenient for exploitation. 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.