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Several recent models that have been put forth to explain bradyseism at Campi Flegrei (CF), Italy, are discussed. Data obtained during long-term monitoring of the CF volcanic district has led to the development of a model based on lithological-structural and stratigraphic features that produce anisotropic and heterogeneous permeability features showing large variations both horizontally and vertically; these data are inconsistent with a model in which bradyseism is driven exclusively by shallow magmatic intrusions. CF bradyseism events are driven by cyclical magmatic-hydrothermal activity. Bradyseism events are characterized by cyclical, constant invariant signals repeating over time, such as area deformation along with a spatially well-defined seismogenic volume. These similarities have been defined as "bradyseism signatures" that allow us to relate the bradyseism with impending eruption precursors. Bradyseism is governed by an impermeable shallow layer (B-layer), which is the cap of an anticlinal geological structure culminating at Pozzuoli, where maximum uplift is recorded. This B-layer acts as a throttling valve between the upper aquifer and the deeper hydrothermal system that experiences short (1-102 yr) timescale fluctuations between lithostatic/hydrostatic pressure. The hydrothermal system also communicates episodically with a cooling and quasi-steady-state long timescale (103-104 yr) magmatic system enclosed by an impermeable carapace (A layer). Connectivity between hydrostatic and lithostatic reservoirs is episodically turned on and off causing alternatively subsidence (when the systems are connected) or uplift (when the systems are disconnected), depending on whether permeability by fractures is established or not. Earthquake swarms are the manifestation of hydrofracturing which allows fluid expansion; this same process promotes silica precipitation that seals cracks and serves to isolate the two reservoirs. Faults and fractures promote outgassing and reduce the vertical uplift rate depending on fluid pressure gradients and spatial and temporal variations in the permeability field. The miniuplift episodes also show "bradyseism signatures" and are well explained in the context of the short timescale process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper are discussed the baseline geochemical maps of elements harmful to human health, using concentration values of 2389 stream sediment samples collected over the Campania region (Southern Italy). Each sample was digested in aqua regia and analysed by ICP-MS. For compilation of baseline geochemical maps, a recently developed multifractal inverse distance weighted (lDW) interpolation method and spectral analysis (S-A) was applied, using a new geochemistry dedicated GIS software (GeoDAS). The aim of this study is to discriminate between the geogenic natural content (background) and the anthropogenic contribution in the collected sediments. The definition of background values, in contrast to baseline values, is very important in determining the extent of polluted areas in countries like Italy, where environmental legislation has not yet established intervention limits for stream sediments. In the Campania region, baseline and background values are often coincident, where the samples represent catchment basins away from urban or industrial areas. Potential polluted areas are often very small in size, except for some sites where the anthropogenic influence on sediments is clearly evident, due to the wide extent of local industrial and agricultural activities (e.g., the Sarno River catchment basin). R-mode factor analysis has proved very useful in distinguishing geochemical data, clearly dominated by anthropogenic in comparison to geogenic sources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In recent years, a significant increase in the incidence of male infertility has been observed and described in the international literature, raising questions about its causes. Several authors have suggested that exposure to environmental pollution may contribute to a perceived decline in semen quality worldwide. Although several studies have been conducted about the effects on male fertility caused by exposure to heavy metals in the workplace, research on the effects caused by continued exposure to low doses of heavy metals pollution in urban areas is still scarce. The aim of this study is to identify the relationships between high concentrations of heavy metals and male semen quality in the metropolitan area of Naples. We considered only those elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sb, Tl, Zn) that previous studies have indicated as possible candidates to have some influence on human semen quality. We measured semen quality among 600 subjects selected from a sample of 1237 men regularly examined at the Andrology Laboratory of the University of Naples “Federico II” for problems related to male fertility. Using statistical methods the semen data (semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm total count, sperm motility, pH) were compared with the geochemical distribution of heavy metals in soils of the Napoli metropolitan area. Results show a strong correlation between anomalous Pb and Sb concentrations and men with poor semen quality. A weaker correlation was also observed with Hg and Zn while the anomalous concentration values of the other elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo and Tl) appear to have no correlation with poor quality of the human semen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lead isotope applications have been widely used in recent years in environmental studies conducted on different kinds of sampled media. In the present paper, Pb isotope ratios have been used to determine the sources of metal pollution in soils and waters in the Agro Aversano area. During three different sampling phases, a total of 113 surface soils (5–20cm), 20 samples from 2 soil profiles (0–1m), 11 stream waters and 4 groundwaters were collected. Major element concentrations in sampled media have been analyzed by the ICP-MS technique. Surface soils (20 samples), all soil profiles and all waters have been also analyzed for Pb isotope compositions by thermal ionization (TIMS). The geochemical data were assessed using statistic methods and cartographically elaborated in order to have a clear picture of the level of disturbance of the area. Pb isotopic data were studied to discriminate between anthropogenic and geologic sources. Our results show that As (5.6–25.6mg/kg), Cu (9–677mg/kg), Pb (22–193mg/kg), Tl (0.53–3.62mg/kg), V (26–142mg/kg) and Zn (34–215mg//kg) contents in analyzed soils, exceed the intervention limits fixed by the Italian Environmental Law for residential areas in some of the sampled sites, while intervention limit for industrial areas is exceeded only for Cu concentrations. Lead isotopic data, show that there is a high similarity between the ratios measured in the leached soil samples and those deriving from anthropic activities. This similarity with anthropogenic Pb is also evident in the ratios measured in both groundwater and stream water samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The isotopic signature of geogenic and anthropogenic materials, in combination with concentration data for pollutants, can help trace the origin and the extent of contamination in the environment. This approach is particularly effective if naturally occurring and anthropogenically introduced metals have different isotopic ratios. Lead isotope analysis on soils from 7 profiles (1m depth) and on groundwaters from 8 wells have been used to determine the impact of human activities on the surface environment of Domizio-Flegreo Littoral. Result obtained show that in sub-rural areas the isotopic composition of the samples collected along the soil profiles of Domizio-Flegreo Littoral is likely mostly controlled by the nature of the parent geologic material (natural) while in more urbanized areas (Giugliano) Pb isotopic composition in superficial soils is mostly influenced by anthropic sources such as motor vehicles. Lead isotopic ratios in groundwaters also show that the use of pesticides and, probably, the influence of aerosols and the presence of illegal waste disposal can influence water quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Microbiological studies have always had an important role in the evaluation of drinking water quality. However, since geological processes are the most important factors controlling the source and distribution of chemical elements in natural waters, the importance of geochemical data must not be underestimated. This study presents data on pH, conductivity and concentrations of 69 elements and ions (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, Zr, Br−, HCO3 −, Cl−, F−, NH4 +, NO2 −, NO3 −, PO4 3−, SO4 2−, SiO2) from 186 bottled mineral waters of 158 different Italian name brands. Analyses show a large range in concentrations for most of these elements, with variations up to four orders of magnitude. Our data demonstrate that some elements (such as Be), generally considered unlikely to occur, can instead reach surprisingly high levels in drinking water, and also how packaging can release some trace elements to the bottled water. Data analysis shows that the implementation of an international database of bottled water geochemistry and of potential toxicological effects is of paramount importance to provide a robust data set which would be useful to set international action levels and guidelines to secure bottled water quality, whose consumption has steadily increased in the recent years. A new formula to calculate nitrate and nitrite tolerable concentration levels in waters intended for human consumption is proposed, to take into account that about 5% of dietary nitrate in humans is converted to nitrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The use of bottled mineral waters use is increasingly becoming popular and the need for better knowledge of their chemical composition is a key issue for defining their quality, particularly for those elements that are not monitored on a regular basis. The link between geology and water chemistry is well known and can lead to extreme differences in element distribution and is an issue that needs to be addressed. Such an opportunity has been provided by a project of the EuroGeoSurvey Geochemistry Expert Group aimed at the characterization of groundwater geochemistry using bottled mineral waters purchased in supermarkets all over Europe. On these waters pH, conductivity and concentrations of 69 elements and ions were measured at the BGR geochemical laboratories. On a total of 1785 “samples”, 158 represent waters bottled in Italy in 126 different sites scattered throughout the country. Most of the purchased mineral water is packaged in PET bottles. In this paper, the dataset concerning Italy has been used to provide an overview on the relationship between natural concentration of the determined chemical elements in groundwater and geo-lithological features. These relationships have been investigated mostly taking into account the surface geology and other information available on water sources. Application of R-Mode factor analysis to the data set allowed the determination of the possible relationship between the distribution of individual elements and lithology or other surface enrichment phenomena. In particular waters draining through volcanic rocks are enriched in elements such as As, B, Br−, Cl−, Cs, I, K, Li, Na, NO3 −, PO4 3−, Rb, Sc, SiO2, Sr, Te, Ti, and V up to 3 orders of magnitude higher than waters draining through other lithologies. REE and Y show significant difference in median concentration due to interaction of waters with plutonic rocks. Many elements have a large spread of concentrations, which reflects natural variations and interaction with particular lithologies. One of the five R-mode factor analysis associations, recognized as being representative of elements analysed shows high nitrate and V loadings along with As, PO4 3− and Se. The latter association probably reflects a sign of anthropogenic contribution in some aquifers in volcano-sedimentary or silico-clastic deposits and in intensively cultivated areas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hydrothermal experiments were conducted with molten Mt. Somma–Vesuvius phonolite and mixed-composition fluids comprised of O–H–Cl–S-cations to determine the solubilities and melt-fluid(s) partitioning behavior of the dominant volatile components at 896–1022 °C, 200 MPa, and f O2 of NNO+0.54 to NNO+1.6. The final melt compositions ranged from phonolitic to trachytic due to component exchange between the melt and fluid(s) and limited crystallization of plagioclase and iron–titanium oxides. The Cl concentration of the fluids was measured directly and confirmed by mass-balance calculation, and the S concentration of the fluids was determined by mass-balance computations involving a new technique based on the mass loss of CaSO4 crystals which served as the primary S source in the starting experimental charges. These experiments determine the apparent molal solubility of CaSO4 in NaCl-, KCl-, and CaCl2-enriched fluids to be: The concentration of Cl in these melts increases with temperature and the Cl, CaO, and FeO concentrations of the system; Cl concentration decreases with increasing S in the system. The fluid(s)/melt partition coefficients for Cl, DCl, range from ca. 3–50 and vary with the Cl S, and FeO concentrations of the system and the molar (Na2O/Na2O+K2O) of the melt. The concentration of S in the melts increases with temperature, the S content of the system, the CaO content of the melt, the (S6+/Stotal)melt, and with f O2. The fluid/melt partition coefficients for S, D S, range from 2 to nearly 1100, but most range from 50–300. D S increases with increasing S in the system just as D Cl increases with increasing Cl in the system, and D S increases with the Larson Index of the melt. The concentration of H2O in these melts increases significantly with increasing Cl, S, and cations in the fluids. These new partition coefficients have been integrated with the results of Raleigh fractionation modeling of Mt. Somma–Vesuvius magmas [that underwent plinian to subplinian eruptions in ca. 3550 a.B.P. (Avellino), AD 79 (Pompeii), and AD 472 (Pollena)] to compute the compositions of magmatic fluids exsolved at 200 MPa. The magmas range from phonotephritic to phonolitic compositions. The modeled Somma–Vesuvius fluids contain from 3 to ca. 50 wt.% Cl and 4–17 wt.% S with 1 to 4 wt.% fluid(s) in the evolving magmas. These concentrations vary strongly with the bulk mass of fluid(s) exsolved and the stage of magma evolution as expressed by the Larson Index. The mass (S/Cl) ratio of these fluids was calculated for 1 wt.% fluid(s) in the magmas, and it ranges from ca. 0.4–4.7 for these modeled conditions. These modeled values are strikingly consistent with the (S/Cl) of gases from numerous subduction-related volcanoes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rare Earth Element (REE) concentrations in agricultural soil obtained from the Mobile Metal Ion (MMI ® ) weak extraction technique are compared with soil total concentrations (sodium peroxide fusion followed by acid dissolution) for 118 and 174 agricultural soil samples from Italy and Sweden, respectively. Spatial distribution maps and statistics for both analytical techniques are compared between the two national datasets. In spite of similarity of REE concentration in two countries, the median values of REE is higher than Italy but extreme concentration of REE in Italy is due to young volcanic activities. Extractability of REEs is significantly higher in Swedish soils than in Italian soils. Heavy Rare Earth Element (HREE) in Sweden show higher concentrations compared to Italy in MMI ® extraction data where correlate with REE mineralisation. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is used to elucidate correlations and anomalies in the REE distribution. Results show that there is a clear correlation between REE anomalies and natural factors such as lithology of the underlying bedrock, the presence of mineralisations, pH of soils, climate and precipitation. According to the PCA results, anomalous behaviour of Eu, Ce, Tb and Gd can be explained by the dominant mineralogy of the parent material and the variable affinity of REEs to bind to clay minerals and clay-size particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating volcanic hazards requires knowledge of the processes that trigger eruptions and the nature and timing of geophysical signals related to these processes. One approach to addressing this need is to link geophysically observable signals (e.g., those related to seismic, aerornagnetic, inflationary, or degassing processes) to pre-eruptive magmatic events deduced (in hindsight) from studies of erupted magmas. Here we present data on sanidine crystals from the A.D. 79 eruption of Vesuvius that show abrupt changes in Ba concentration caused by magma chamber recharge events prior to eruption. These changes have been degraded by diffusion during the time interval between recharge and eruption, and we have determined the length of this time interval by modeling the measured Ba concentration gradients. The results identify three distinct recharge events in the century before the eruption, the most recent occurring ~20 yr beforehand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first attempt to evaluate occurrence, distribution and potential health impacts of As at a national scale in Italy. In various environmental matrices, As geochemical distribution was investigated and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were assessed with respect to different exposure routes and age groups. Both deterministic and probabilistic methods were used to determine the health risks. Geochemical mapping at a sub-continental scale provided a useful tool to spatially represent As concentration and the critical areas posing a health threat to inhabitants. The results show that significant As concentrations in tap water and soil (up to 27.20 μg/l and 62.20 mg/kg, respectively) are mainly governed by geological features. In the central parts of Italy, where alkaline volcanic materials and consequently high levels of As occur, the residents are prone to health issues. Daily exposure to As in tap water is unparalleled playing an important role in the potential cancer and non-cancer risks. The Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk for skin cancer and also lung and bladder cancer associated with tap water ingestion interestingly shows that (i) almost 80% of the computed values fall above the internationally accepted benchmark value of 1 × 10 -5 ; (ii) majority of the data exceed the acceptable risk proposed by most jurisdictions, such as that of Italian law (1 × 10 -6 ). Further, geographical variation of health risk highlights high carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk associated with water ingestion for those living in the northern Alps (including the city of Trento) and the central and southern Italy (including the capital Rome and the cities of Napoli and Catanzaro). According to the results, application of the probabilistic method which considers variability and uncertainty is preferred to the deterministic approach for risk assessment. The sensitivity analysis showed that As concentration in drinking water and exposure duration are the factors with the greatest impact on the outcome of risk assessment (for all age groups). The results of the current study may be a good starting point for authorities to urgently decide about the needed policy actions in order to prevent the adverse health effects and to reduce the human health risk due to As exposure., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants. They have been identified as a type of carcinogenic substance and are relatively widespread in environment media such as air, water and soils, constituting a significant hazard for human health. In many parts of the world, PAHs are still found in high concentrations despite improved legislation and monitoring, and it is therefore vital defining their profiles, and assessing their potential sources. This study focused on a large region of the south of Italy, where concentration levels, profiles, possible sources and toxicity equivalent quantity (TEQ) level of sixteen PAHs were investigated. The survey included soils from five large regions of the south of Italy: 80 soil samples (0-20 cm top layer) from urban and rural locations were collected and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total PAHs and individual molecular compounds from the US Environmental Protection Agency priority pollutants list were identified and measured. Results showed that 16 PAHs varied significantly in urban and rural areas, and different regions presented discordant characteristics. Urban areas presented concentrations ranging from 7.62 to 755 ng g -1 (mean = 84.85 ng g -1 ), whilst rural areas presented ranges from 1.87 to 11,353 ng g -1 (mean = 333 ng g -1 ). Large urban areas, such as Rome, Naples and Palermo, exhibited high PAHs total concentration, but high values were also found in rural areas of Campania region. Different PAHs molecular ratios were used as diagnostic fingerprinting for source identification: LWMPAHs/HWMPAHs, Fluo/(Fluo + Pyr), BaA/(BaA + Chr), Ant/(Ant +  Phe) and IcdP/(IcdP + BghiP). These ratios indicated that PAHs sources in the study area were mainly of pyrogenic origin, i.e. mostly related to biomass combustion and vehicular emission. On the other hand, values in Sicilian soils seemed to indicate a petrogenic origin, possibly linked to emissions from crude oil combustion and refineries present in the region. Finally, results allowed to calculate the toxicity equivalent quantity (TEQ BAP ) levels for the various locations sampled, highlighting that the highest values were found in the Campania region, with 661 and 54.20 ng g -1 , in rural and urban areas, respectively. These findings, which could be linked to the presence of a large solid waste incinerator plant, but also to well-documented illegal waste disposal and burning, suggest that exposure to PAH may be posing an increased risk to human health in some of the studied areas.

I am often reminded of the famous saying of Goethe: "Vedi Napoli e poi muori! - See Naples and die!". Sadly, Naples is now confronted with a number of serious, ongoing problems with a need to alleviate pressure on the worsening environment. One serious problem facing the environment is the presence of the potentially hazardous persistent organic pollutants (POPs), although few systematic studies at regional scale have been conducted. In this study, samples of soil, air, and bulk deposition were collected in Naples metropolitan area (NMA) to characterize the status of POPs, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results obtained showed that most of these compounds are pervasive in all the studied environmental matrices, especially in some hotspot areas, such as the Bagnoli Brownfield Site and the infamous "Triangle of the Death", where unwanted ecological risk conditions for PAHs and Endosulfan were determined, respectively. The interactional complexity between urban and the surrounding rural areas was also confirmed, as is the role that urban areas play in the migration and transformation process of POPs. High urban-rural gradients for atmospheric PAHs and PCBs were observed in the NMA, and the urban areas were identified as the emission source of these contaminants. Similarly, the OCP residues, historically originated from the nearby agricultural regions, experience long-term soil re-emission and continuously influence the connected urban environment via atmospheric transport processes., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the spatial distribution, potential sources, and toxic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of the Gulfs of Naples and Salerno (NaSa Gulfs), Southern Italy. The investigation focused on the coastal sea sediments of the Bagnoli brownfield site within the Gulf of Naples. The ∑ 16 PAHs in the sediments of the NaSa Gulfs outside of the Bagnoli brownfield site have concentrations that ranged from 9.58 to 15,818 μg/kg, with a geometric mean (Gmean) of 234 μg/kg. High-molecular weight PAHs (HMW PAHs) contributed to over 80% of the ∑ 16 PAHs. The concentration of ∑ 16 PAHs in the Gulf of Naples was twice as high as that in Salerno (768 μg/kg and 317 μg/kg, respectively), and the ∑ 16 PAHs levels in the Bagnoli brownfield site exceeded that in the NaSa Gulfs by over three orders of magnitude. The molecular distributions of PAHs studies suggested biomass/coal combustion as their main sources. Based on the analysis of the toxic equivalent quantity and sediment quality guideline quotient, the contamination of PAHs in sediments may pose significant toxicity and biological risks to marine organisms., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are synthetic chemicals commonly used in agricultural activities to kill pests and are persistent organic pollutants (POPs). They can be detected in different environmental media, but soil is considered an important reservoir due to its retention capacity. Many different types of OCPs exist, which can have different origins and pathways in the environment. It is therefore important to study their distribution and behaviour in the environment, starting to build a picture of the potential human health risk in different contexts. This study aimed at investigating the regional distribution, possible sources and contamination levels of 24 OCP compounds in urban and rural soils from central and southern Italy. One hundred and forty-eight topsoil samples (0-20 cm top layer) from 78 urban and 70 rural areas in 11 administrative regions were collected and analysed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Total OCP residues in soils ranged from nd (no detected) to 1043 ng/g with a mean of 29.91 ng/g and from nd to 1914 ng/g with a mean of 60.16 ng/g in urban and rural area, respectively. Endosulfan was the prevailing OCP in urban areas, followed by DDTs, Drins, Methoxychlor, HCHs, Chlordane-related compounds and HCB. In rural areas, the order of concentrations was Drins > DDTs > Methoxychlor > Endosulfans > HCHs > Chlordanes > HCB. Diagnostic ratios and robust multivariate analyses revealed that DDT in soils could be related to historical application, whilst (illegal) use of technical DDT or dicofol may still occur in some urban areas. HCH residues could be related to both historical use and recent application, whilst there was evidence that modest (yet significant) application of commercial technical HCH may still be happening in urban areas. Drins and Chlordane compounds appeared to be mostly related to historical application, whilst Endosulfan presented a complex mix of results, indicating mainly historical origin in rural areas as well as potential recent applications on urban areas. Contamination levels were quantified by Soil Quality Index (SoQI), identifying high levels in rural areas of Campania and Apulia, possibly due to the intensive nature of some agricultural practices in those regions (e.g., vineyards and olive plantations). The results from this study (which is in progress in the remaining regions of Italy) will provide an invaluable baseline for OCP distribution in Italy and a powerful argument for follow-up studies in contaminated areas. It is also hoped that similar studies will eventually constitute enough evidence to push towards an institutional response for more adequate regulation as well as a full ratification of the Stockholm Convention.

Objectives: Higher natural concentrations of lithium in drinking water may be associated with lower local rates of suicide., Methods: Lithium concentrations in drinking water were assayed by mass spectrometry at 145 sites in Italy, and compared with reported local suicide rates for men and women between 1980 and 2011., Results: Lithium concentrations in drinking water averaged 5.28 [CI: 4.08-6.48] μg/L (0.761 [0.588-0.934] μEq/L) and ranged from 0.110 to 60.8 μg/L (1.58 to 8.76 μEq/L). Lithium concentrations and local suicide rates were not significantly inversely related, except in 1980-1989, particularly among women., Conclusions: A proposed association between trace lithium concentrations in drinking water and risk of suicide was only partially supported, and mechanisms for potential clinical effects of trace levels of lithium are unknown.

The Sarno river basin covers an area of 500 km(2) collecting the waters of Solofrana and Cavaiola tributaries. Originally it manly represents a source of livelihood for inhabitants by fishing and transporting goods; currently, the Sarno river, still partially used for irrigation, is affected by an extreme environmental degradation as a result of uncontrolled outflow of industrial waste. Within the framework of a wider geochemical prospecting project aiming at characterizing the whole territory of the Campania region, 89 stream sediment samples with a sampling density of 1 sample per 5 km(2) were collected in the river basin and analyzed by means of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in order to assess the environmental conditions at a regional scale. A GIS-aided technique, based on both the actual distribution of potentially harmful elements and their regional background values, was used to generate the maps of the contamination factors and of the contamination degrees for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn. Furthermore, a factor analysis was performed to assess the nature and the extent of contamination sources for the river sediments. Results showed that the Sarno river basin could be divided in two "environmental status" units: one, low contaminated, corresponding to the hilly and mountain areas, and the second, from moderately to very highly contaminated, corresponding to the economically developed areas of the valley floor characterized by a high population density. This work was developed within a project that aims to investigate the relationships between environmental pollution and human health by analyzing environmental media (stream sediments, water, soil and vegetation) together with human hair of resident population. In this context, the spatial correlation between the extremely compromised environmental conditions of developed areas and the incidence rate of liver cancer in the same area was also explored posing the need of a careful costs/benefits analysis to assess whether the deterioration of the environment, that could adversely affect the conditions of public health, is worth the economic development.