http://hdl.handle.net/2122/88 2013-05-23T21:18:04Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8497 Title: Are the Salinelle mud volcanoes threatening human health or are anthropogenic activities threatening the Salinelle mud volcanoes? A comment on “Trace element biomonitoring using mosses in urban areas affected by mud volcanoes around Mt. Etna. The case of the Salinelle, Italy” by Bonanno et al. (DOI 10.1007/s10661-011-2332-z) Authors: D'Alessandro, W.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Bellomo, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Brusca, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Calabrese, S.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento DiSTeM Abstract: no abstract 2012-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/7053 Title: Application of the moss bag miomonitoring technique in an active volcanic environment (Mt. Etna, Italy) Authors: Calabrese, S.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento DiSTeM; D'Alessandro, W.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Parello, F.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento DiSTeM; Bellomo, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Brusca, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia Editors: Sanità di Toppi, L.; Università di Parma; Gonnelli, C.; Università di Firenze; Bianchi, V.; Università di Pisa; Fevrier, L.; IRSN/DEI/SECRE/LRE Francua; Adamo, P.; Università Federico II Napoli; Vecchio, A.; ISPRA; Pirani, G.; ISPRA; Scheckel, K.; USEPA; Renella, G.; Università di Firenze Abstract: This paper presents the preliminary results of a biomonitoring study based on the use of moss bags exposed at 24 sites on Etna volcano. Sphagnum mosses were used to study bioaccumulation originating from atmospheric deposition, by measuring the tissue contents of major and a large suite of trace elements. Elements, such as Tl, Bi, As, Se, Cu and Cd, display high concentrations in the exposed samples close to the active vents. This study confirms the effectiveness of the moss bags technique also in active volcanic areas. 2011-07-02T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/6029 Title: Static chamber methane flux measurements in volcanic/geothermal areas: preliminary data from Sousaki and Nisyros (Greece) Authors: D'Alessandro, W.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Fiebig, J.; University of Frankfurt a.M., Inst. für Geowissenschaften, Germany; Kyriakopoulos, K.; University of Athens, Dept. Geology and Geoenvironment, Greece; Brusca, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Maneta, V.; University of Athens, Dept. Geology and Geoenvironment, Greecey; Michas, G.; University of Athens, Dept. Geology and Geoenvironment, Greece; Papadakis, G.; University of Athens, Dept. Geology and Geoenvironment, Greece Abstract: Methane plays an important role in the Earth’s atmospheric chemistry and radiative balance being the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. Methane is released to the atmosphere by a wide number of sources, both natural and anthropogenic, with the latter being twice as large as the former (IPCC, 2007). It has recently been established that significant amounts of geological methane, produced within the Earth’s crust, are currently released naturally into the atmosphere (Etiope, 2004). Active or recent volcanic/geothermal areas represent one of these sources of geological methane. But due to the fact that methane flux measurements are laboratory intensive, very few data have been collected until now and the contribution of this source has been generally indirectly estimated (Etiope et al., 2007). The Greek territory is geodynamically very active and has many volcanic and geothermal areas. Here we report on methane flux measurements made at two volcanic/geothermal systems along the South Aegean volcanic arc: Sousaki and Nisyros. The former is an extinct volcanic area of Plio-Pleistocene age hosting nowadays a low enthalpy geothermal field. The latter is a currently quiescent active volcanic system with strong fumarolic activity due to the presence of a high enthalpy geothermal system. Both systems have gas manifestations that emit significant amounts of hydrothermal methane and display important diffuse carbon dioxide emissions from the soils. New data on methane isotopic composition and higher hydrocarbon contents point to an abiogenic origin of the hydrothermal methane in the studied systems. Measured methane flux values range from –48 to 29,000 (38 sites) and from –20 to 1100 mg/mˆ2/d (35 sites) at Sousaki and Nisyros respectively. At Sousaki measurement sites covered almost all the degassing area and the diffuse methane output can be estimated in about 20 t/a from a surface of about 10,000 mˆ2. At Nisyros measurements covered the Stephanos and Kaminakia areas, which represent only a part of the entire degassing area. The two areas show very different methane degassing pattern with latter showing much higher flux values. Methane output can be estimated in about 0.25 t/a from an area of about 30,000 mˆ2 at Stephanos and about 1 t/a from an area of about 20,000 mˆ2 at Kaminakia. The total output from the entire geothermal system of Nisyros probably should not exceed 2 t/a. 2010-05-01T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/6028 Title: Environmental impact of Mt. Etna’s degassing: volcanogenic trace elements bioaccumulation in two endemic plant species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis) Authors: D'Alessandro, W.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Calabrese, S.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento CFTA; Bellomo, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Brusca, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Di Maio, G.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento CFTA; Parello, F.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento CFTA; Saiano, F.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento ITAF Abstract: A biomonitoring survey, above tree line level, using two endemic species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis) was performed on Mt. Etna, in order to evaluate the dispersion and the impact of volcanic atmospheric emissions. Samples of leaves were collected in summer 2008 from 30 sites in the upper part of the volcano (1500- 3000 m a.s.l). Acid digestion of samples was carried out with a microwave oven, and 44 elements were analyzed by using plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS and ICP-OES). The highest concentrations of all investigated elements were found in the samples collected closest to the degassing craters, and in the downwind sector, confirming that the eastern flank of Mt. Etna is the most impacted by volcanic emissions. Leaves collected along two radial transects from the active vents on the eastern flank, highlight that the levels of metals decrease one or two orders of magnitude with increasing distance from the source. This variability is higher for volatile elements (As, Bi, Cd, Cs, Pb, Sb, Tl) than for more refractory elements (Al, Ba, Sc, Si, Sr, Th, U). The two different species of plants do not show significant differences in the bioaccumulation of most of the analyzed elements, except for lanthanides, which are systematically enriched in Rumex leaves. The high concentrations of many toxic elements in the leaves allow us to consider these plants as highly tolerant species to the volcanic emissions, and suitable for biomonitoring researches in the Mt. Etna area. 2010-05-01T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/5220 Title: Geochemical comparison of natural and anthropogenic metal fluxes in extreme environments: Mt. Etna volcano (Italy) and Salek Valley (Slovenia) Authors: Calabrese, S.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento CFTA; Veder, M.; ERICo Velenje, Environmental Research & Industrial Cooperation Institute, Slovenia; Giammanco, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Catania, Catania, Italia; Speh, N.; ERICo Velenje, Environmental Research & Industrial Cooperation Institute, Slovenia; Justin, B.; ERICo Velenje, Environmental Research & Industrial Cooperation Institute, Slovenia; Parello, F.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento CFTA; D'Alessandro, W.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia Editors: Sajn, R.; Geological Survey of Slovenia; Zibret, G.; Geological Survey of Slovenia; Alijagic, J.; Geological Survey of Slovenia Abstract: Geochemical comparison between some metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Se, V, Zn) emissions from an active volcano (Mt. Etna) and a highly industrialized area (Salek Valley) showed some interesting similarities: in general, most of the elements emitted into the atmosphere do not return to the Earth's surface and are therefore dispersed into the environment. Exceptions for Salek Valley are Cd, which probably derives in large part from rock leaching, and in part As and Pb, which fall mostly as ash. Also, Etna's emissions are richer in Cd and Cu, whereas industrial emissions at Salek Valley are richer in V and Zn. All other metals have similar fluxes in the two types of emissions. 2009-10-05T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/5168 Title: Compositional, morphological, and hysteresis characterization of magnetic airborne particulate matter in Rome, Italy Authors: Sagnotti, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Taddeucci, J.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Winkler, A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Cavallo, A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia Abstract: The magnetic properties of tree leaves may be used to delineate the abundance and dispersal of anthropogenic airborne particulate matter (PM) in urban environments. In the city of Rome, Italy, circulating vehicles are the main source of magnetic PM, already characterized as prevalently lowcoercivity, magnetite-like particles. To further constrain the nature and origin of such magnetic particles, we carried out coupled field emission scanning electron microscopy and a variety of rock magnetic analyses on PM specimens from Quercus ilex leaves and from potential PM sources in circulating motor vehicles in Rome. Fe-rich particles are mostly 0.1–5 µm in size, with irregular shapes and moss-like surface. Particles from disk brakes and diesel and gasoline exhaust pipes show distinct compositional and magnetic hysteresis signatures, suggesting that the magnetic PM collected on tree leaves consists of a mixture of particle populations deriving mostly from the abrasion of disk brakes and, to a lesser extent, from fuel combustion residuals emitted by diesel and gasoline exhausts. The contribution of fine superparamagnetic particles to the overall magnetic assemblage has been evaluated with specific rock magnetic analyses. The combined magnetic and microtextural-compositional analyses provide an effective and original tool to characterize urban PM air pollution. 2009-08-26T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/5065 Title: Hydrogen sulphide as a natural air contaminant in volcanic/geothermal areas: the case of Sousaki, Corinthia (Greece) Authors: D'Alessandro, W.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Brusca, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Kyriakopoulos, K.; University of Athens, Dept. Geology and Geoenvironment; Michas, G.; University of Athens, Dept. Geology and Geoenvironment; Papadakis, G.; University of Athens, Dept. Geology and Geoenvironment Abstract: Volcanic and geothermal areas are one of the major natural sources of H2S to the atmosphere. Its environmental impact is often the main cause of the opposition to the development of geothermal energy exploitation programs. In this paper we analyze the air concentrations and dispersion pattern of naturally emitted H2S at the geothermal area of Sousaki (Corinthia, Greece). Measurements, made with a network of passive samplers, evidence a rapid decrease of concentration values away from the emission points. The fact that the decrease is more pronounced in the summer with respect to the winter indicates that it is not only due to a dilution effect, but also to redox reactions favoured by higher temperatures and intense sunlight typical of the summer period. 2008-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/4761 Title: One year of AERONET sun-photometric measurements at Lampedusa site: monthly averaged AOT comparison with satellite data and Saharan dust events detection Authors: Corradini, S.; Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia; Carboni, E.; Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (ISAC-CNR); Guerrieri, L.; Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia; Lombroso, L.; Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia; Pugnaghi, S.; Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia; Santangelo, R.; Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia Abstract: In this work, one year (May 2003 – May 2004) of measurements collected by AERONET #172 sun-photometer in Lampedusa has been analyzed. The computed monthly averaged Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) has been compared with MODIS AOD retrieval. Using both AOD and Angström coefficients, Saharan dust events has been detected and meteorologically analyzed by means the NOAA HSPLIT 4 lagrangian trajectories and synoptic analysis. 2003-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/3993 Title: Biomonitoring of traffic air pollution in Rome using magnetic properties of tree leaves Authors: Moreno, E.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Sagnotti, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Dinarès-Turell, J.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Winkler, A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Cascella, A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia Abstract: We report a biomonitoring study of air pollution in Rome based on the magnetic properties of tree leaves. In a first step, magnetic properties of leaves from different tree species from the same location were compared. It was observed that leaves of evergreen species, like Quercus ilex, present much higher magnetic intensities than those of deciduous species, like Platanus sp., suggesting that leaves accumulate magnetic pollutants during their whole lifespan. In a second step, leaves from Q. ilex and Platanus sp. trees, both very common in Rome, have been used to monitor traffic emission pollution in two different periods. A Platanus sp. sampling campaign was undertaken in October 2001, at the end of the seasonal vegetational cycle, and 5 Q. ilex monthly sampling campaigns from April to August 2002. The strong difference observed in the magnetic susceptibility from leaves collected in green areas and roads allowed the realization of detailed pollution distribution maps from the south of Rome. Magnetic properties indicate that high concentrations and relatively larger grain-sizes of magnetic particles are observed in trees located along roads with high vehicle traffic and in the vicinity of railways. The decrease in concentration and grain size of magnetic particles with distance from the roadside confirms that magnetic properties of leaves are related to air pollution from vehicle emissions. The results indicate that a magnetic survey of tree leaves, which is relatively rapid and inexpensive, may be used in addition to the classical air quality monitoring systems to identify and delineate high-polluted areas in urban environments. 2003-06-30T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/3848 Title: History of glacial terminations from the Tiber River, Rome: Insights into glacial forcing mechanisms Authors: Marra, F.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Florindo, F.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Boschi, E.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione AC, Roma, Italia Abstract: We document the aggradational history of the Tiber River delta through the last 17,000 years by means of 17 new 14C ages from peat or wood collected from the delta sediment. An abrupt change in sediment clast size, grading from gravel to clay, occurred between 13.63 (±0.20) and 12.80 (±0.15) ka, indicating that it was synchronous with the last glacial termination, with no appreciable phase lag. Knowing this phase relationship enables us to reduce the magnitudes of age uncertainties for aggradational sections corresponding to glacial terminations IX through III, which we had dated previously by 40Ar/39Ar methods. Glacial terminations VIII, VI, and IV precede beyond 95% confidence the ages predicted by Northern Hemisphere summer insolation maxima. Additionally, we find that each of these seven glacial terminations follows particularly mild insolation minima, which we suggest may be regarded as the preconditioning factor to trigger a glacial termination. 2007-12-31T23:00:00Z