Search

Bagni San Filippo area is characterized by the discharge of thermal waters and deeply produced CO2-rich gases both from vents and soil diffuse degassing. The thermal waters are the results of the mixing between meteoric waters and hot fluids deriving from the condensation, at depth, of vapours uprising from a deep hydrothermal reservoir. This process gives rise to a relatively shallow thermal system at temperature close to 50°C, characterized by SO4-rich and Cl-poor waters and elevated PCO2 (~7 bar). Most of the incondensable gas of deep originated vapour is released as a free gas phase forming cold gas vents and localized spots of anomalous CO2 diffuse degassing. The location and the shape of these degassing zones are strongly controlled by the main tectonic structures of the area. Through detailed soil diffuse degassing surveys and hydrogeochemical modelling, we estimate at 226-326 t d-1 and at 965 t d-1 the deep CO2 emission and the amount of condensates discharged by the thermal springs, respectively. The thermal energy associated to the process results at ~ 29 MW, most of which (~ 25 MW) is associated with condensation occurring at depths greater than groundwater circulation.

An interdisciplinary archaeometric study concerning the Amtoudi Agadir, declared World Cultural Heritage (northern border of the Sahara Desert, southern Morocco), was performed consisting in lithostratigraphic reconstruction of the bedrock, diagnosis of constitutive materials (stones, mortars, and wooden elements), and analyses of constructive techniques and architectonic elements (load-bearing and supported structural elements). The medieval agadir (fortified granary) was built directly on a rocky piton with rocks of the substratum with traditional materials and ancestral techniques. The stones have been identified and classified into four petrofacies. Degradation such as biological attacks, chromatic alteration, erosion, exfoliation, and fissuration on the stones have been characterized. Recommendations for conservation and maintenance of the rocks have been proposed in compatibility with the environment. Load-bearing (masonry walls) and supported structural elements (ceiling structures) have also been studied in order to define their stability. Worst cases of 1- and 2-height walls, together with worst cases of the wooden or stone ceiling structures have been analyzed. Materials, techniques, and dimensions have been characterized for possible failures to shearing, bending, and flexural buckling as guide for maintenance of the agadir. The main problems of the walls derive from excessively thin construction with a lack of interlocking of the rocks and a diminished proportion or quality of mortar joining the rocks due to washing. It has been recommended to avoid thicknesses lower than 0.4 m for 2-height walls and lower than 0.3 m for 1-height walls. A nominal load has been estimated in the worst case (with wooden elements) for the ceiling structures of about 7.0 KN/m2. The calculations have indicated that a 25% increase over the nominal load would imply a risk of failure, the use of stone elements being preferable over wooden ones. With these propositions for the Amtoudi Agadir, new management and prospects for cultural tourism are feasible. This research was supported by Urbino University found (Resp. F. Guerrera); by CGL2011-30153-CO2-02 and CGL2012-32169 research project (Spanish Ministry of Education and Science) and by Research Groups and projects of the “Generalitat Valenciana” from Alicante University (CTMA-IGA).