Italian accelerometric archive: geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigations at strong-motion stations

Geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigations, for the characterization of the strong-motion recording sites managed by the Italian Civil Protection, have been carried out in the framework of the project “Italian strong-motion database in the period 1972–2004”. The project aimed at creating an updated database of strong-motion data acquired in Italy by different institutions in the time span 1972–2004, and at improving the quality of disseminated data. This article illustrates the state of the recording site characterization before the beginning of the project, explains the criteria adopted to select the sites where geophysical/geotechnical investigation have been performed and describes the results of the promoted field surveys.     

Sources and chronology of fifteen elements in the sediments of lakes affected by metal deposition in a mining area

Sources and chronologies of metal contamination were studied in sediment cores of three lakes of the Rouyn-Noranda mining area (Québec, Canada) affected by atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic contaminants. One of the three lakes also received acid mine drainage. The sediments were dated using ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs and analysed for stable Pb isotope ratios and for total concentrations of 15 elements (Ag, Al, Au, Ca, Cu, Cd, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Ti, Zn). Stable lead isotopic signatures helped to determine the quantitative contributions of different industrial Pb sources to our sampling sites. This source apportionment showed the dominant influence of the Rouyn-Noranda copper smelter in airborne Pb emissions for the decades following 1926, when industrialization began in the region. The smelter source had a low ratio of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ranging between 0.90 and 1.05, as typical of the Abitibi Archean sulphides. The relationships between element (metal) sedimentary fluxes and anthropogenic Pb fluxes allowed us to infer the origin of the anthropogenic source. These relationships strongly suggest that the copper smelter was (and may still be) an atmospheric source of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Hg to the surrounding lakes. Our study indicates that the efforts made by the Rouyn-Noranda copper smelter to reduce airborne emissions of metals have been translated in reduced atmospheric metal loadings to the surrounding lakes.     

Multivariate analysis to investigate Cl distribution in rocks from different settings

Chlorine concentration has been determined by chemical methods in 97 samples of basic rocks collected at Etna volcano (Sicily, Southern Italy), Sao Miguel (Azores Islands), and Lanzarote (Canary Islands). The samples have been processed together with data related to specific magmatic and tectonic conditions, drawn from the literature. Thus, the contents of SiO₂, K₂O, and P₂O₅ of 228 samples have been used to investigate Cl distribution in the considered environments, using principal component analysis. The log-centered variance-covariance matrix has been processed in order to overcome the closure constraints. The results indicate that a clear distinction between continental and oceanic regions can be obtained in the components space. A preliminary discriminant diagram involving chlorine thus can be proposed.     

Organochlorine compounds in tissues of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from Mediterranean Sea and Azores islands

Polychlorobiphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The Italian Ministry of Environment has undertaken a program (1999-2001) to measure levels of contaminants in top marine predators and to develop sensitive biomarkers for the evaluation of toxicological risk in these species. In 1999, 15 swordfishes (Xiphias gladius) taken from the Mediterranean Sea along the Sicilian coast (Strait of Messina, Italy) and in the Atlantic Ocean along the Azores Islands, and analysed for 34 congeners of PCBs and 27 organochlorine (OC) pesticides in gonad, muscle, liver and blubber tissues. In the tissues of Mediterranean swordfishes the sum of the determined PCBs congeners ranged from 4.61 to 4651.17 ng g(-1) on fresh tissue basis. Among organochlorine pesticides DDE, DDT and DDD (TDE) predominated with an overall range of 2.37-4734.56 ng(-1) w.w. In particular p,p'-DDE had concentrations appearing up to 3900 ng(-1), with the highest values found in fatty tissues, such as blubber. In the liver of Azores Island swordfishes lower levels of summation PCBs (8.43-294.17 ng/g w.w.) and summation DDTs (<0.01-217.44 ng/g w.w.) were determined.     

Stellar atmospheres models of K-giant stars: the influence of opacity sources

Four different models for a K-giant atmosphere (T _e=4500K, logg=2) have been computed. Each model is characterized by the inclusion of different opacity sources (H, H^–, (H), metals, blanketing effect, He^–) in order to obtain an evaluation of the model sensitivity concerning the atmospheric structure and the emergent flux. The results show that hydrogen, metals and blanketing effect must be taken into account to achieve self-consistent and reliable models.A picture of the influence of the frequency distribution of the absorption coefficient on the model features is also shown.

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Sommario Sono stati calcolati quattro differenti modelli di una stella gigante K(T _e=4500K, logg=2). Ogni modello è caratterizzato dalla inclusione di differenti sorgenti di opacità (H, H^–, (H), metalli, effetto blanketing, He^–) per ottenere una valutazione della sensibilità del modello per quel che riguarda la struttura atmosferica ed il flusso emergente. I risultati ottenuti mostrano che per costruire modelli auto-consistenti e con un buon grado di affidabilità occorre tener conto almeno delle seguenti sorgenti di opacità: H, metalli, effetto blanketing.Si mostra inoltre come sia possibile una descrizione schematica dell'influenza del coefficiente di assorbimento sulle varie caratteristiche del modello.

     

Long‐term presence and habitat use of Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea

Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris, G. Cuvier 1823) is a poorly known species and many international agreements have asked for a better understanding of its biology for conservation purposes. In the present study, systematic cetacean surveys were carried out from ferries along a trans‐regional fixed transect in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea (Civitavecchia, Latium – Golfo Aranci, Sardinia), just outside the southeastern border of the Pelagos Sanctuary. This research provided long‐term, consistent data on Cuvier's beaked whale during two research periods (1990–1992 and 2007–2011). The objective of the research was to compare the presence, distribution and habitat use of Cuvier's beaked whale between the two investigated periods. Summer data (June–September) from the two periods were compared in terms of frequency of sightings, group size and spatial distribution related to the main ecogeographical features. A presence‐absence model (generalized additive modelling) was performed to predict habitat suitability in the two study periods. The results highlight long‐term site fidelity of Cuvier's beaked whale in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea with encounter rates comparable to the ones reported for other key areas. Separate suitability models based on 1990s and 2000s data appeared to work for each individual time period but differences were evident between the two periods, indicating changes in habitat selection over time. Our findings of the study appear to expand the definition of suitable beaked whale habitat and underline how the temporal scale of the analysis can affect the results in habitat studies. Moreover, this research highlights the importance of the Central Tyrrhenian Sea marine region for Cuvier's beaked whale and the ability of continuous monitoring to identify changes in cetacean frequency and distribution, necessary for adaptive conservation management approaches.     

Comparison of pumping at constant head and at a constant rate for determining the sustainable yield of a well

Determining the yield of a production well remains one of the main problems in hydrogeological studies. Starting from the results of a 3-year-long monitoring of a continuously exploited well functioning at constant head (i.e., at a variable discharge rate), a new pumping style has been examined using numerical models. The objective is to control the impact of pumping on the aquifer in accordance with the principle of sustainability. Different models were developed in a transient state and were calibrated using discharge data of the well during the recession periods. Successively, the trends of the residual outflow from the aquifer system with the well operating at variable discharge and at constant discharge were simulated. The results indicate that the ratio of the volume of water pumped from the well to the volume of residual outflow is a significant indicator of the sustainability of groundwater withdrawals. Modeling confirms that a constant discharge rate can be derived from the information gained through a preliminary production phase of a well at constant head. This approach appears to be particularly useful when the problem is determining the sustainable yield of a single well from aquifers with low hydraulic diffusivity.     

Seismicity of Eastern Algeria: a revised and extended earthquake catalogue

A new revised earthquake catalogue for Eastern Algeria [22°N-38°N–4°E-9.5°E], from 419 to 2008, has been compiled as a starting point for a catalogue dealing with the whole country. The re-evaluation is based on a critical method, and formal criteria are adopted in the parameterization of the earthquake catalogue. Two digital versions are produced: (a) a basic version, presented here, including all the compiled data, the authors of each quoted parameter and the quality rank of the macroseismic information; (b) a second version, obtained after removing doubtful events and parameters, is produced in order to carry out statistical analyses. The newly compiled earthquake catalogue provides a more reliable picture of the seismicity in Eastern Algeria than the previous ones as shown by the comparison of the recent catalogues over the common territory and time span. This catalogue can be easily updated and adapted to the needs of the user.     

Crystal fractionation,magma step ascent,and syn-eruptive mingling: the Averno 2 eruption (Phlegraean Fields,Italy)

The 3.7 ka year-old Averno 2 eruption is one of the rare eruptions to have occurred in the northwest sector of the Phlegraean Fields caldera (PFc) over the past 5 ka. We focus here on the fallout deposits of the pyroclastic succession emplaced during this eruption. We present major and trace element data on the bulk pumices, along with major and volatile element data on clinopyroxene-hosted melt inclusions, in order to assess the conditions of storage, ascent, and eruption of the feeding trachytic magma. Crystal fractionation accounts for the evolution from trachyte to alkali-trachyte magmas; these were intimately mingled (at the micrometer scale) during the climactic phase of the eruption. The Averno 2 alkali trachyte represents one of the most evolved magmas erupted within the Phlegraean Fields area and belongs to the series of differentiated trachytic magmas erupted at different locations 5 ka ago. Melt inclusions record significant variations in H₂O (from 0.4 to 5 wt%), S (from 0.01 to 0.06 wt%), Cl (from 0.75 up to 1 wt%), and F (from 0.20 to >0.50 wt%) during both magma crystallization and degassing. Unlike the eruptions occurring in the central part of the PFc, deep-derived input(s) of gas and/or magma are not required to explain the composition of melt inclusions and the mineralogy of Averno 2 pumices. Compositional data on bulk pumices, glassy matrices, and melt inclusions suggest that the Averno 2 eruption mainly resulted from successive extrusions of independent magma batches probably emplaced at depths of 2–4 km along regional fractures bordering the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff caldera.