Esercizi di matematica svolti per i corsi di laurea delle facoltà scientifiche

Multiple origins of methane in fluids circulating in the Othrys ophiolite, central Greece

The complex geology of Greece includes two important parallel running ophiolitic belts. The Othrys Massif in central Greece belongs to westernmost of them. In and around this wide ophiolite outcrop, some cold hyperalkaline and some hypothermal (T < 40°C) alkaline springs are present. Thirty water samples were collected at 17 different sites and both bubbling and dissolved gases were analysed for their chemical (He, Ne, H2, O2, N2, CH4, C2H6, CO2 and H2S) and isotope (He, δ13C-CO2, δ 13C-CH4, δ 2H-CH4) composition. All samples except one have H2S contents below detection limit (10 μmol/mol), whilst H2 (from <2 to 2500 μmol/mol), CO2 (up to 26,000 but generally below 1000 μmol/mol) and …

Recent results on Heavy-Ion induced reactions of interest for 0νββ decay

An updated overview of recent results on Heavy-Ion induced reactions of interest for neutrinoless double beta decay is reported in the framework of the NUMEN project. The NUMEN idea is to study heavy-ion induced Double Charge Exchange (DCE) reactions with the aim to get information on the nuclear matrix elements for neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay. Moreover, to infer the neutrino average masses from the possible measurement of the half- life of 0νββ decay, the knowledge of the nuclear matrix elements is a crucial aspect. peerReviewed

Plants as biomonitors for volcanic emissions

Biomonitoring techniques have been widely used in environmental studies to monitor anthropogenic pollutant. Recently such techniques have been applied also to ascertain the impact of contaminants naturally released by volcanic activity. In the present study a biomonitoring surveys has been performed in many different active volcanic systems: Mt. Etna and Vulcano (Italy), Nisyros (Greece), Nyiragongo (DRC), Masaya (Nicaragua), Gorely (Kamchatka, Russia). We sampled leaves of different species Betulla aethnensis, Pinus nigra, Populus tremula, Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis on Etna, Cistus creticus and salvifolius on Vulcano and Nisyros, Senecio ssp. on Nyiragongo, a Fern on Masaya an…

Chemistry and fluxes of major and trace element from worldwide passive degassing volcanoes: a critical review

Volcanic emissions represent one of the most important natural sources of trace elements (e.g. As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Sb, Tl and Zn) into the atmosphere, sequentially influencing the hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. The human health hazard during episodic volcanic eruptions generally follows from deposition of coarse and fine particles (2.5-10 and < 2.5 μm) that produces effects such as asthma and lung and respiratory disease. Regarding passive degassing volcanoes, the harmful effects of fluorine fumigation are known both for vegetation (foliar necrosis) and human/animals (fluorosis), but only a few studies have been focused on the effects of potentially toxic trace elements. From a …

Steam and gas emission rate from La Soufriere volcano, Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles): implications for the magmatic and hydrothermal fluid supply during degassing unrest

Since its last magmatic eruption in 1530 AD, La Soufrière andesitic volcano in Guadeloupe has displayed intense hydrothermal activity and six phreatic eruptive crises. Here we report on the first direct quantification of gas plume emissions from its summit vents,which gradually intensified during the past 20 years. Gas fluxes were determined in March 2006 and March 2012 by measuring the horizontal and vertical distributions of volcanic gas concentrations in the air-diluted plume and scaling to the speed of plume transport. Fluxes in 2006 combine realtime measurements of volcanic H2S concentrations and plume parameters with the composition of the hot (108.5 °C) fumarolic fluid at exit. Fluxe…

Measurement of the mass and lifetime of the Ω(−)(b) baryon

A proton-proton collision data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{-1}$ collected by LHCb at $\sqrt{s}=7$ and 8 TeV, is used to reconstruct $63\pm9$ $\Omega_b^-\to\Omega_c^0\pi^-$, $\Omega_c^0\to pK^-K^-\pi^+$ decays. Using the $\Xi_b^-\to\Xi_c^0\pi^-$, $\Xi_c^0\to pK^-K^-\pi^+$ decay mode for calibration, the lifetime ratio and absolute lifetime of the $\Omega_b^-$ baryon are measured to be \begin{align*} \frac{\tau_{\Omega_b^-}}{\tau_{\Xi_b^-}} &= 1.11\pm0.16\pm0.03, \\ \tau_{\Omega_b^-} &= 1.78\pm0.26\pm0.05\pm0.06~{\rm ps}, \end{align*} where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and from the calibration mode (for $\tau_{\Omega_b^-}$ only). A measurement …

Geoscience workshops on Sicilian active volcanoes: implementing the school education through collaboration among different institutions

The attention devoted to our valuable geological heritage land has been often lacking in Italy. We have experiencedit, as field experimentalist or as science teachers. So, we need to improve the knowledge of Earth-science at anyeducational level and we think an empiric approach, can be the proper beginning for a successful scientific cognitivepath. The geo-tourism essentially attracts foreigners. During our field experiences on active volcanoes, we are stillsurprised by local visitors who enjoy seasonal activities, like skiing on the flanks of Etna, or doing sea activities on thecoastal beaches at Vulcano and Stromboli, but who are not interested in the ongoing volcanic processes. Consequen…

Circulating Levels of Adhesion Molecules in Chronic Kidney Disease Correlate with the Stage of Renal Disease and with C-Reactive Protein

Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) suffer from a series of complications linked to the atherosclerotic process in which the endothelial dysfunction mediated by the activation of some adhesion molecules plays an important role. This study aims to evaluate circulating levels of intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecules-1 (VCAM-1) in patients with predialysis CRF, on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and after kidney transplantation (KTx) and to correlate them with some inflammation and nutritional indexes.Thirty two patients with predialysis CRF, 30 on maintenance HD, 36 after KTx and 28 subjects as a control group (C) were included in this study. Cir…

Fumarolic alteration products of three hydrothermal areas of Greece: Chemical characterization and environmental impact.

Samples of efflorescences and encrustations of hydrothermal origin have been collected at three fumarolic areas in Greece. The three sites are Sousaki, Thiafi (Methana) and Kokkino Nero (Kos) and all belong to the South Aegean Active Volcanic Arc. Samples were analysed for their mineralogical (XRD and SEM-EDS) and chemical composition. Solutions obtained from both mineralization with HNO3 and leaching with distilled water, were analysed for major (ICP-OES), minor and trace metals (ICP-MS) and for sulfate contents (IC). Results show that their composition is mainly controlled by the petrological composition of the substrate (ultramafic rocks at Sousaki, felsic volcanic rocks at Methana and l…

Diffusive emissions of hydrothermal methane and higher hydrocarbons from the soil at Nisyros (Greece)

Correlation between solubile adhesion molecules, TNF α malnutrition and inflammation in renal patients

Dis-misure e dis-valori del danno all'ambiente fluviale: un approccio socio-sistemico

Si espone qui la sperimentazione di un metodo di analisi e valutazione del danno ispirato all’approccio sociologico di N. Nuhmann (1990), che definisce l’ambiente per differenza rispetto ai processi comunicativi che informano il sistema sociale e quindi il danno ambientale come difetto della comunicazione tra sub-sistemi. In questa logica la valutazione del risarcimento è stata condotta con riferimento al rapporto verticale tra unità inquinanti e supporto naturale e orizzontale tra i diversi sub-sistemi che comunicano “sull’ambiente”. Il caso studiato riguarda le immissioni di inquinanti in un bacino idrico siciliano da tempo sotto osservazione anche da parte della Comunità Europea a causa …

Chemical variability in volcanic gas plumes and fumaroles along the East African Rift System: New insights from the Western Branch

The origin of magmatic fluids along the East African Rift System (EARS) is a long-lived field of debate in the scientific community. Here, we investigate the chemical composition of the volcanic gas plume and fumaroles at Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira (Democratic Republic of Congo), the only two currently erupting volcanoes set on the Western Branch of the rift. Our results are in line with earlier conceptual models proposing that volcanic gas emissions along the EARS mainly reflect variable contributions of either a Sub-Continental Lithospheric Mantle (SCLM) component or a Depleted Morb Mantle (DMM) component, and deeper fluid. At Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira, our study discards a major contrib…

Hazard connected to endogenous gas emissions in Greece

Like other geodynamically active areas, Greece is also affected by a large number of geogenic gas manifestations that occur either in form of point sources (fumaroles, mofettes, bubbling gases) or as diffuse soil gas emanations. Geogenic sources could have strong impact on human health. CO2 and H2S are the main gases responsible for acute mortality due to their asphyxiating and/or toxic properties. Gas hazard is often disregarded because in fatal episodes the death cause is often not correctly attributed. Geodynamic active areas can release geogenic gases for million years over wide areas and it is therefore important not to underestimate potential risks. A preliminary estimation of the gas…

Geogenic and atmospheric sources for volatile organic compounds in fumarolic emissions from Mt. Etna and Vulcano Island (Sicily, Italy)

In this paper, fluid source(s) and processes controlling the chemical composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in gas discharges from Mt. Etna and Vulcano Island(Sicily, Italy) were investigated. The main composition of the Etnean and Volcano gas emissions is produced by mixing, to various degrees, of magmatic and hydrothermal components. VOCs are dominated by alkanes, alkenes and aromatics, with minor, though significant, concentrations of O-, S- and Cl(F)-substituted compounds. The main mechanism for the production of alkanes is likely related to pyrolysis of organic-matterbearing sediments that interact with the ascending magmatic fluids. Alkanes are then converted to alkene and …

Trace Elements in Soils and Plants from the Active Hydrothermal Area of Nisyros (Greece)

Trace elements in Mirror of Venus lake waters (Pantelleria Island, Italy)

Mirror of Venus lake (MV) is a small (1.5 km2) endorheic alkaline lake located in a calderic depression on the northern side of Pantelleria Island (South Italy), a quiescent Pleistocenic stratovolcano located in the NW-SE trending continental rift developed between North Africa and Sicily. The lake, sub-squared in shape (around ca 450 m long and ca 350 m wide and 13 m depth) water input contribution is essentially from the thermal springs situated on its shores (Q = 0.1 l.s-1) and from meteoric waters. A total volume of 580.000 m3 has been estimated in June 2014. CO2 flux measurements made with a floating accumulation chamber in 2014 on the MV surface (both diffusive and bubbling CO2) highl…