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Along the coastline of the Phlegraean Fields volcanic district, near Naples (Italy), severe retreat processes affect a large part of the coastal cliffs, mainly made of fractured volcanic tuff and pyroclastic deposits. Progressive fracturing and deformation of rocks can lead to hazardous sudden slope failures on coastal cliffs. Among the triggering mechanisms, the most relevant are related to meteorological factors, such as precipitation and thermal expansion due to solar heating of rock surfaces. In this paper, we present a database of measurement time series taken over a period of ∼4 years (December 2014–October 2018) for the deformations of selected tuff blocks in the Coroglio coastal cliff. The monitoring system is implemented on five unstable tuff blocks and is formed by nine crackmeters and two tiltmeters equipped with internal thermometers. The system is coupled with a total weather station, measuring rain, temperature, wind and atmospheric pressure and operating from January 2014 up to December 2018. Measurement frequencies of 10 and 30 min have been set for meteorological and deformation sensors respectively. The aim of the measurements is to assess the magnitude and temporal pattern of rock block deformations (fracture opening and block movements) before block failure and their correlation with selected meteorological parameters. The results of a multivariate statistical analysis of the measured time series suggest a close correlation between temperature and deformation trends. The recognized cyclic, sinusoidal changes in the width (opening–closing) of fractures and tuff block rotations are ostensibly linked to multiscale (i.e., daily, seasonal and annual) temperature variations. Some trends of cumulative multi-temporal changes have also been recognized. The full databases are freely available online at: 10.1594/PANGAEA.896000 (Matano et al., 2018) and 10.1594/PANGAEA.899562 (Fortelli et al., 2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along the coastline of the Campi Flegrei volcanic district, near Naples (Italy), severe retreat processes affect a large part of the coastal cliffs, mainly made of fractured volcanic tuff and pyroclastic deposits. Progressive fracturing and deformation of rocks can lead to hazardous sudden slope failures on coastal cliffs. Among the triggering mechanisms, the most relevant are related to meteorological factors, such as precipitation, freezing conditions, and thermal expansion due to solar heating of rock surfaces. In this paper, we present a database of measurement time series taken over a period of ∼ 4 years (Dec 2014–Oct 2018), referred to the deformations of selected tuff blocks in the Coroglio coastal cliff. The monitoring system is implemented on five unstable tuff blocks and is formed by nine crackmeters and two tiltmeters equipped with internal thermometers. The system is coupled with a total weather station, measuring rain, temperature, wind and atmospheric pressure operating since January 2014 up to Dec 2018. A measurement frequency of 10 and 30 minutes has been respectively set for meteorological and deformation sensors. The aim of the measurements is to assess the magnitude and temporal pattern of rock block deformations (fracture opening and block movements) before block failure and their correlation with selected meteorological parameters. The results of a multivariate statistical analysis of the measured time series suggest a close correlation between temperature and deformation trends. The recognized cyclic, sinusoidal changes in the width (opening/closing) of fractures and tuff blocks rotations are ostensibly linked to multiscale (i.e. daily, seasonal and annual) temperature variations. Some trends of cumulative multi-temporal changes have been also recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe weather events cause considerable disruptions to social and economic activities. Thus, high-precision meteorological products and services should be provided in order to forecast high-impacting weather conditions a few hours in advance such as those causing flash-floods. Today, this goal is mainly fulfilled by nowcasting. However, to fully comprehend alluvial phenomena, it is necessary to analyze not only the ground hydrological aspects but also the atmospheric dynamics leading to heavy precipitating events whose territorial distribution is generally complex. Herein, we analyzed the evolution of two convective storms which occurred on September 7 and 11, 2017, in the Phlegraean area (close to Naples) and explain why the first one, but not the second one, led to a flash-flood in Bacoli and Pozzuoli. We found that the traditional forecasting techniques failed since the severity of the two storms, in particular that of the first one, was not correctly forecast by Limited Area Models (LAMs). Using rainfall data, we demonstrate that LAM failed because it did not take into account the meteorological phenomenon enhancement occurring in the Phlegraean area when storms come from south-west due to the presence of Mt. Epomeo (789 m) on the nearby island of Ischia. In fact, this mountain has a quasi-pyramidal shape and is located at just 15–20 km south-west of the Phlegraean area. Thus, short/very-short time forecasting and nowcasting methodologies are not fully satisfactory. On the contrary, real-time rain-gauge monitoring networks are necessary to achieve high-safety levels in areas subject to flash-flood hazards and to promptly alert the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the relationship between synoptic/local meteorological patterns and PM10 air pollution levels in the metropolitan area of Naples, Italy. We found that severe air pollution crises occurred when the 850 and 500 hpa geopotential heights and their relative temperatures present maximum values above the city. The most relevant synoptic parameter was the 850 hPa geopotential height, which is located about 1500 m of altitude. We compared local meteorological conditions (specifically wind stress, rain amount and thermal inversion) against the urban air pollution levels from 2009 to 2013. We found several empirical criteria for forecasting high daily PM10 air pollution levels in Naples. Pollution crises occurred when (a) the wind stress was between 1 and 2 m/s, (b) the thermal inversion between two strategic locations was at least 3°C/200 m and (c) it did not significantly rain for at least 7 days. Beside these meteorological conditions, severe pollution crises occurred also during festivals when fireworks and bonfires are lighted, and during anomalous breeze conditions and severe fire accidents. Finally, we propose a basic model to predict PM10 concentration levels from local meteorological conditions that can be easily forecast a few days in advance. The synthetic PM10 record predicted by the model was found to correlate with the PM10 observations with a correlation coefficient close to 0.80 with a confidence level greater than 99%. The proposed model is expected to provide reliable information to city officials to carry out practical strategies to mitigate air pollution effects. Although the proposed model equation is calibrated on the topographical and meteorological conditions of Naples, it should be easily adaptable to alternative locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because most relevant studies have used small sample sizes, to date, representative atmospheric monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on a regional scale has been very limited, which makes it difficult to precisely identify "hotspots" and possible pollution sources. In this study, an ultrahigh resolution monitoring technique was used to measure the atmospheric spatial variations in POP concentrations on a regional scale, throughout Campania, Italy. The occurrence of specific POPs—including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and phthalate esters (PAEs)—were investigated using polyurethane foam-based passive air samplers (PUF-PAS), which were deployed at 129 sites across the Campania Territory between April and July 2016. The results show that the highest POP levels occurred in the Naples metropolitan area (NMA), although there were other problematic spots throughout the Territory. More specifically, hotspot areas in the NMA that depict serious POP pollution were found in the Bagnoli brownfield site, Sarno River Basin, and parts of the northeastern NMA sector. The atmospheric POP contamination in Campania is jointly controlled by the contributions of local emissions and long-range atmospheric transport. Diffusion model was employed to identify the potential sources of various POPs. The simulation showed that all the POP sources are located in the NMA and are closely related to industrial sites. This study demonstrates the advantage of using large sample sizes to identify POP source locations and achieve geospatial visualization of POP concentration and risk assessment levels. [Display omitted] • Variations in spatial concentration of POPs in air of the Campania are significant. • Higher levels of POPs found in Campania are linked to pollution hotspots. • The joint influence of local vs. long-range atmospheric transport was validated. • The POPs' simulated source locations are all in the Naples metropolitan area. A high-resolution monitoring technique was implemented to measure spatial variations in atmospheric POP concentrations on a regional scale, for the purpose of identifying sources and determining human exposure risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades, the Campania region in Italy has been the focus of public debate and concern about environmental issues. Using data from soil, water, air, vegetables, animal products, and human blood, a multimedia monitoring study was performed to measure the contribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to pollution in the region. We report results for a range of POPs in the air, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and phthalate esters (PAEs). Most of these chemicals are ubiquitous, with higher concentrations occurring in the urban and metropolitan territory of Naples. The residues of OCPs are attributed to their historical use; however, evidence of recent usage of technical Endosulfan exists in some areas. Although petrogenic sources are widespread, the pyrogenic source has dominated the release of PAHs. The Naples metropolitan area (NMA) serves as a regional emitter of POPs, and the long-term soil re-emission of some POPs does still exist. There are certain risks related to soil-borne PAHs, mainly in the urban (e.g., the Bagnoli brownfield site) and NMA, and more subordinately, in other provincial areas. [Display omitted] • Systematic data on multimedia distribution of POPs are reported. • Variations in spatial concentration of POPs are significant. • The Naples metropolitan area serves as the regional emitter of POPs. • The long-term soil re-emission of some POPs is expected. • There is a potential health risk caused by PAH contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]