scholarly journals Rock magnetic and micro-morphological analysis on snow deposits: recognition of anthropogenic origin of particulate matter in urban and wilderness areas (central Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Alfonsi ◽  
Patrizia Macrì ◽  
Manuela Nazzari
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Magnetic Minerals ◽  
Anthropogenic Origin ◽  
Natural Parks ◽  
Magnetite Fe3o4 ◽  
Wilderness Areas ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Solid Residuals

Low field magnetic susceptibility and other rock magnetic analyses are applied to inspect the magnetic nature of solid residuals in snow samples collected in downtown Rome and in two Natural Parks in central Italy. Field emission scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) analyses are utilized to reveal the nature of Fe-rich particles and discriminate their anthropogenic origin. The results indicate that magnetite (Fe3O4) is the main magnetic carrier in almost all samples and that the variations in concentration are directly associated with local sources of particulate matter (PM) from anthropogenic pollution related to automotive circulation in both environments. Magnetic minerals of other provenance are found as accessories. The snow deposits revealed to be an efficient neutral tool for fine particle collections, also in environments characterized by different concentration and source of pollutants.

«Recevì la vostra litera a la quale e respondo». Qualche nota intorno alle reti epistolari del Trecento padano

2021 ◽  
pp. 189-205
Author(s):  
Isabella Lazzarini
Keyword(s):  
Central Italy ◽  
14Th Century ◽  
The North ◽  
Almost All

My essay focuses on the correspondences sent to the Gonzaga of Mantua and received and preserved in the Mantuan chancery during the 14th century. The broad range of correspondences gathered in the Mantuan archives covers almost all the north and central Italy, from Tuscany to the Val d’Adige, from Genoa to Venice. Its quantity and variety open the gate to a most needed investigation of the epistolary forms of political and diplomatic communication in the 14th century, therefore fostering a better understanding of this crucial period, squeezed between the better known communal Duecento and princely Quattrocento.

Potential Use of Monsoon Rainwater for Drinking Purpose in Bangladesh

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.G. Mostafa ◽  
S.M. Shafiuzzaman
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Chemical Quality ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The City ◽  
Domestic Purpose

This study investigates the feasibility of the utilization of monsoon rainwater for domestic purpose in Bangladesh. A survey was done in Rajshahi city in Bangladesh about the prospect and possibilities of rainwater harvesting (RWH). RWH system was not found in any individual or commercial apartment in the city. But, however, in rainy season, women about 46% houses used to collect rainwater from their roofs for domestic uses at least once in a year. In this study, a numbers of rainwater samples were collected from open atmosphere and through two different roof catchments (galvanized iron and concrete) and analysed the physico-chemical quality. pH of all the samples ranges from 6.3 to 7.7. The results showed the physico-chemical quality of the samples were found within the limits of WHO's standard of drinking water except the particulate matter in rainwater. The study recommend that the rainwater would be allowed to stand for 6-10 hours to settle more than 90% of the particulate matter and a 3-4 folds fine thin clothes could be used as filter to remove almost all particulate matter from the water. Moreover, the study observed that the microbial treatment technologies such as chlorination, solar or UV radiations would be technically feasible and economically sound to destroy micrograms in stored rainwater. Further research is imperative on potential indicators of both microbiological quality and health risk to minimize contamination of roof-collected rainwater.

scholarly journals ANTHROPOGENIC INFLUENCE ON NATURAL COMPLEXES CARPATHIAN NATIONAL NATURE PARK

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 86-93
Author(s):  
B. Boychuk ◽  
A. Kuzyk ◽  
L. Sysa
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Natural State ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Resource Potential ◽  
Hiking Trails ◽  
Hydrochemical Studies ◽  
Numerical Indicator ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Prut River

Abstract. Introduction. Under the influence of anthropogenic pressures, as well as natural conditions, tourist facilities are gradually losing valuable recreational properties. To preserve and restore them requires a set of measures, which, in our opinion, is hardly possible without identifying the recreational opportunities of individual resources. The main numerical indicator of such opportunities is considered to be the recreational resource potential (RRP) of a separate territory. The purpose of this work is to determine the degree of anthropogenic impact on the recreational and resource potential of a particular area (upper reaches of the Prut River), taking into account the results of field and laboratory surveys. Methods. The method of RRP detection is based on detailed field studies. Precipitation samples were taken in the form of rain and snow. A set of hydrochemical studies was also conducted to assess the anthropogenic load on the selected area.Research results. For one of the most popular hiking trails (route to Hoverla) in the comfortable period of the year the number of vacationers increases significantly and is, respectively: May - 83.5 people / day, June - 124.4 people / day, July - 206 , 8 people / day, August - 132.4 people / day and September - 40.5 people / day. Although in the park precipitation is formed in conditions relatively clean of anthropogenic pollution, there is a noticeable tendency to their acidification. In 2018, precipitation belonging to acidic and weakly acidic accounted for 30% of the samples taken, and in 2019 - 33.3%. The pH ranged from 3.9 to 5.6 units. Almost all hydrochemical parameters of the Prut River in the study area are within acceptable limits. However, there is a clear increase in the total mineralization in the areas below the wastewater discharges, compared with the background areas. A similar pattern is observed with the nitrogen group.Conclusions. Due to good aeration of water in the Prut River, all biological, physicochemical and biochemical processes are very intensive and, accordingly, the process of self-cleaning of the reservoir is very fast, so the water quality in it remains stable and close to the natural state of the reservoir. As a result, it is shown that it is necessary to effectively implement measures for the protection and restoration of tourist resources, as well as to identify ways to rationally use them.

scholarly journals Characteristics and Extent of Particulate Matter Emissions of a Ropeway Public Mobility System in the City Center of Perugia (Central Italy)

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1356
Author(s):  
Beatrice Moroni ◽  
Stefano Crocchianti ◽  
Federica Bruschi ◽  
Chiara Petroselli ◽  
Alessandro Di Menno di Bucchianico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Road Dust ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate Matter ◽  
Aerosol Sampling ◽  
City Center ◽  
Mobility System ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Minimetrò (MM) is a ropeway public mobility system that has been in operation in the city of Perugia for about ten years to integrate with urban mobility and lighten vehicular traffic in the historic city center. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the impact of MM as a source of pollutants in the urban context, and the exposure of people in the cabins and the platforms along the MM line. These topics have been investigated by means of intensive measurement and sampling campaigns performed in February and June 2015 on three specific sites of the MM line representative of different sources and levels of urban pollution. Stationary and dynamic measurements of particle size distribution, nanoparticle and black carbon aerosol number and mass concentrations measurements were performed by means of different bench and portable instruments. Aerosol sampling was carried out using low volume and high-volume aerosol samplers, and the samples nalysed by off-line methods. Results show that MM is a considerable source of atmospheric particulate matter having characteristics very similar to those of the common urban road dust in Perugia. In the lack of clear indications on road dust effect, the contribution of MM to the aerosol in Perugia cannot be neglected.

scholarly journals Chemical Characterization of PM10 Particulate Matter in the Ambient Air of a Region of Central Italy (Umbria)

2015 ◽  
Vol 03 (03) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Mara Galletti ◽  
Silvia Castellini ◽  
Andrea Pileri ◽  
Caterina Austeri ◽  
Marco Pompei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Ambient Air

Introgressive hybridization between the endangered native Bombina pachypus and the introduced B. variegata in a protected area in central Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-114
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Talarico ◽  
Marco Ciambotta ◽  
Andrea Tiberi ◽  
Marco Mattoccia
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Introgressive Hybridization ◽  
Amphibian Conservation ◽  
Nuclear Markers ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Mitochondrial And Nuclear Markers

Abstract Amphibians are experiencing an ascertained global decline, which causes include the introduction of alien species and the (anthropogenic) hybridization between native and exotic taxa. Detecting introductions and assessing their impact on populations of native species is crucial for amphibian conservation. We used mitochondrial and nuclear markers to reveal introgressive hybridization between the native Bombina pachypus and the exotic B. variegata (probably introduced from Albania) in a population from a protected area of central Italy. Almost all genotyped individuals were genetically admixed, showing a larger proportion of the allochthonous genome. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of successful hybridization between the two species (we found both putative F1 and backcrosses), hence representing a new threat to the conservation of the endangered, Italian-endemic B. pachypus.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF ANTHROPOGENIC POLLUTION OF SOILS IN CHERNIVTSI (UKRAINE) BY MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY AND HEAVY METAL CONTENT

2020 ◽  
pp. 71-78
Author(s):  
K. Bondar ◽  
A. Sachko ◽  
I. Tsiupa
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Magnetic Susceptibility ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Magnetic Minerals ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Bulk Content ◽  
The City

The paper is devoted to spatial distribution of low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (χ) of surface sediments in Chernivtsi city as an informative indicator of geochemical contamination of the topsoil. The bulk content of heavy metals in urban soils and the correlations between the χ, frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility (kfd) and the content of Cd, Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn were studied. Χ vary from 10∙10-8 to 1286∙10-8 m3/kg with a median value of 66∙10-8 m3/kg. In 20 % of samples χ exceeds the median value three times or more, indicating that the soil is contaminated with iron dust and magnetic particulate matter derived from anthropogenic aerosols. Priority contaminants of city soils are metals such as Pb and Zn, the bulk content of which exceeds the trigger concentration in the vast majority of samples. The χ revealed strong correlation with bulk content of Pb and Zn and the weaker one, but still statistically significant, with Cu and Cd. An additional criterion for the common anthropogenic origin of heavy metals and magnetic minerals in soils is the significant negative correlation coefficients between kfd and content of Zn, Pb, and Cu. So, it can be argued that the increase in Zn, Pb, and Cu content is accompanied by an increase in concentration of magnetic minerals in the multidomain state. The maps were produced, showing spatial distribution of χ and Pollution Load Index (PLI), calculated by three metals (Zn, Pb, and Cu). For 51 % of the samples, the PLI indicates no contamination, 35 % indicate moderate contamination,14 % are strongly contaminated. These results prove that surface sediment over a large area of the city require measures to reduce their toxicity. The correlation coefficient between χ and PLI makes 0.88, indicating χ as a quick indicator of geochemical soil contamination in the city of Chernivtsi.

scholarly journals Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and Humans Interactions in Grojogan Sewu Natural Park (TWA GS), Karanganyar Regency, Central Java Province

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Moh. Jafron Syah
Keyword(s):  
Direct Observation ◽  
Macaca Fascicularis ◽  
Agonistic Interaction ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Natural Park ◽  
Natural Parks ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Central Java Province

<p><em>Macaca fascicularis is one species of primate that easily adapt</em><em>s</em><em> to various habitats, such as disturbances habitat</em><em>,</em><em> like a natural park. The conflict between M. fascicularis and human increases due to changes in ecology. In Borneo, Sumatra, Malaysia, Mauritus, and Thailand, M. fascicularis h</em><em>as</em><em> become pests because destroyed orchards and plantations. Interaction between M. fascicularis and human, which occurred at several natural parks in Singapura and Kaliurang caused by M. fascicularis’s attraction to food brought by humans. This research aimed to study the interaction between M. fascicularis with the humans in Grojogan Sewu Natural Park (TWA GS) by direct observation and also an interview with visitors, workers, and villagers. Based on direct observation, frequency of affiliation interaction between humans and M. fascicularis (55.56%) is higher than agonistic interaction (44.4%). The dominant affiliation interaction was sitting nearby the visitors (42.96%); meanwhile, the most dominant agonistic interaction was stealing (54.12%) because the M. fascicularis attracted to food (67.02%). Workers reported having more nuisance problem with M. fascicularis than visitors and villagers. Almost all of the respondents thought that M. fascicularis needs to be kept alive in the park, and consider conservation and protection of the macaques are essential.</em></p>

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