The effectiveness of high-resolution LiDAR data combined with PSInSAR data in landslide study

The spatial resolution of digital elevation models (DEMs) is an important factor for reliable landslide studies. Multi-interferometric techniques such as persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PSInSAR) are used to evaluate the landslide state of activity and its ground deformation velocity, which is commonly measured along the satellite line of sight (LOS). In order to compare velocities measured by different satellites in different periods, their values can be projected along the steepest slope direction, which is the most probable direction of real movement. In order to achieve this result, DEM-derived products are needed. In this paper, the effectiveness of different DEM resolutions was evaluated in order to project ground deformation velocities measured by means of PSInSAR technique in two different case studies in the Messina Province (Sicily, southern Italy): San Fratello and Giampilieri. Three DEMs were used: (i) a 20-m resolution DEM of the Italian Military Geographic Institute (IGM), (ii) a 2-m resolution DEM derived from airborne laser scanning (ALS) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data for the San Fratello 2010 landslide, and (iii) a 1-m resolution DEM derived from ALS LiDAR data for the area of Giampilieri. The evaluation of the applied method effectiveness was performed by comparing the DEMs elevation with those of each single permanent scatterer (PS) and projecting the measured velocities along the steepest slope direction. Results highlight that the higher DEM resolution is more suitable for this type of analysis; in particular, the PS located nearby the watershed divides is affected by geometrical problems when their velocities are projected along the steepest slope.     

Decadal Climatic Anomalies in the Northern Adriatic Sea Inferred from a New Oceanographic Data Set

Abstract. In 1997, Artegiani et al. depicted for the first time the seasonal climatology of the Adriatic Sea; they used the ATOS data set, formed by 5540 oceanographic stations sampled over this continental basin from 1911 to 1980. Lately, two Italian institutes working on the Adriatic Sea for long time, IBM and IRPEM, merged their recent data sets for the northernmost part of the basin. This yielded 3600 new oceanographic stations, concentrated in an area where 809 ATOS stations were located. The new data were quality checked, and then a seasonal climatology was drawn up as a first analysis step. The new climatology differed significantly from the ATOS results; this could be explained, at least partially, by the climatic changes that have occurred on this area. For example, air temperature increased significantly over northern Italy starting from 1988. Variations of the observed air temperature and Po River runoff qualitatively agree with sea surface temperature and salinity variations. A preliminary computation of heat fluxes based on ECMWF reanalysis confirms an increased heat flux to the Northern Adriatic Sea starting from 1988.     

Plant species as indicators of geochemical anomalies: Experiences onIlex aquifolium (holly)

The distribution of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu, in plants growing in mineralized and sterile areas of Tuscany has been studied to verify if and to what extent metalaccumulating species represent evidence of geochemical anomalies in soils. Samples of leaves and twigs from trees were collected, and analyzed by means of differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Hollies, brambles, and Holm oaks in particular were considered in the mineralized area of Bottino, and the special aptitude of hollies in concentrating Cd with respect to the other metals has been verified. Cadmium has been previously recognized as a pathfinder for zinc ore bodies; the results of this investigation appear to point out the relevance of holly as a bioindicator of geochemical zinc anomalies. Lower metal concentration characterizes the same species from other mineralized and sterile zones, with the exception of the urbanized area of Florence, where relatively higher Zn concentrations in hollies appear to be due to atmospheric pollution.     

Geochemical survey on the phreatic waters of Vulcano (Aeolian Islands,Italy)

In the frame of a geochemical surveillance survey of Vulcano, the phreatic waters, mainly from wells located at the Northern basis of the active volcanic centre, were studied over a time span of sixteen months. On the basis of fundamental chemical composition, contamination by a shallow aquifer of brackish water and hydrothermal alteration of rocks seem the main processes to which the observed chemical picture can be attributed. An R-mode factor analysis procedure allowed to distinguish a principal factor associated to sodium, magnesium, chloride, possibly representing the contribution of the brackish aquifer, and three minor but distinct factors. These are respectively associated to calcium and sulfate, hydrogencarbonate, boric acid, and are considered as reflecting the influence of gaseous compounds from volcanic emanations. The variation in time of this influence appears in correlation with the variation of the observed temperature at the hottest fumaroies of the crater.     

Variations in surface manifestations at vulcano (Aeolian Islands,Italy) as a possible evidence of deep processes

Five years of geochemical surveillance at Vulcano have shown interesting changes in the physico-chemical characters of the fumaroles at the crater and of the phreatic waters in the surrounding area. In particular, 1) The maximum temperature of the fumaroles, which had been of about 200°C for at least 30 years, rose suddenly to above 300°C: after a period of rather constant values, a decreasing trend has recently been observed; 2) An increase of CO₂, S compounds and HF with respect to HCl, B, Br occurred in the gas composition contemporaneous to the rise in temperature. This increase is now gradually declining; 3) Higher concentrations of sulphate ion and silica in phreatic waters accompanied the thermal changes observed at the fumaroles. According to a model previously proposed (Martini et al., 1980), the increase in the above mentioned factors would reflect an increasing magmatic contribution to the volcanic system, which might be due to an increased permeability to fluids at depth. Because a sensible seismic shock occurred in the area a few months after the first chemical and thermal variations had been observed, such variations may be regarded as forerunners of the seismic event, and may be used to forecast some months in advance changes occurring at depth. The work was carried out within the research programme of C.N.R. Centro di Studio per la Mineralogia e la Geochimica dei Sedimenti, Florence, Italy.     

On the application of SAR interferometry to geomorphological studies: estimation of landform attributes and mass movements

This paper presents two examples of application of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry (InSAR) to typical geomorphological problems. The principles of InSAR are introduced, taking care to clarify the limits and the potential of this technique for geomorphological studies. The application of InSAR to the quantification of landform attributes such as the slope and to the estimation of landform variations is investigated. Two case studies are presented. A first case study focuses on the problem of measuring landform attributes by interferometric SAR data. The interferometric result is compared with the corresponding one obtained by a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). In the second case study, the use of InSAR for the estimation of landform variations caused by a landslide is detailed.     

Geomorphology of the Boao coastal system and potential effects of human activities -Hainan Island, South China

1 IntroductionThe objectives of this paper are to analyze the principal characteristics of the W anquan Riverdelta that has developed in a narrow , shallow lagoon, and to determ ine the effect that theever-increasing hum an activities of the area m ay hav…     

Short-term vertical velocity field in the Apennines (Italy) revealed by geodetic levelling data

We estimate current vertical movements along the Apennines (Italy) through repeatedly measured high precision levelling routes. In order to highlight regional crustal deformation the analysis of a geodetic database, with a minimum benchmark density of 0.7 bm/km (1943–2003 time period), is carried out. We evaluate systematic and random error and their propagation along the levelling routes. Tests on original raw height data have been carried out to define error propagation. The computed relative vertical rates stand significantly above error propagation. A series of traverses along and across the Apennines and a map of relative vertical velocities reveal a geodetic signal characterised by values up to 2.5–3.0 mm/a and by wavelengths up to 100 km.