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Digital image processing analysis was carried out on As in topsoils of the Campania Region (Italy) to recognise any unknown spatial patterns. The highest As concentration is related to topsoils developed on the NW–SE-trending carbonate massifs overlain by pyroclastic rocks where the highest spatial variability and gradient magnitude of As concentration and the highest fault density were also observed. High As concentrations were also found in topsoils over volcanic rocks which played a control on its distribution pattern. The low As values are associated with topsoils along large fluvial valleys where the activity of rivers disturbed the As pattern by transporting larger grain-sized stream sediments with low As concentrations.

I sistemi motivazionali interpersonali sono «sistemi di regole innate», che orientano il comportamento sociale e l’esperienza emotiva di ogni individuo, rispetto al raggiungimento di scopi fondamentali per la sopravvivenza della nostra specie. Partendo dall’ipotesi che ogni individuo possa attivare alcuni sistemi motivazionali piu di altri, il presente lavoro propone un questionario self-report, per l’individuazione di profili motivazionali individuali. Una prima versione del questionario e stata somministrata a 600 soggetti che non hanno in corso alcuna diagnosi psicopatologica. Le analisi statistiche mostrano 6 dimensioni su 8 ben delineate - Rango-Sottomissione RAS, Affiliazione AF, Sessuale SEX, Rango-Dominanza RAD, Accudimento AC, e Gioco Sociale GIO. I risultati sembrano interessanti rispetto a differenze di genere ed eta del campione esaminato. Sembra dunque esserci la possibilita che un profilo motivazionale individuale sia realmente esistente e uno strumento come questo possa coglierlo. L’intento futuro degli autori del presente lavoro, sara quello di modificare gli item delle due dimensioni non ancora ben delineate - Attaccamento AT e Paritetico PA - al fine di mettere a punto una versione finale del questionario utilizzabile ai fini clinici e di ricerca.

In this paper we present a comparison of statistical and spatial distributions between Pb, Cu and Zn concentration data and clr-transformed data of 3669 topsoil samples from the Campanian Region. Results show that both approaches, the classical univariate analysis and the compositional data analysis, are necessary to understand the real structure of the data and shed light on different aspects. In particular, the spatial distributions of concentration (‘raw’) data and clr-transformed data of the three elements differ completely. Raw data essentially represent a high anthropogenic impact, requiring an additional human health risk assessment for the three investigated elements. The information obtained by the clr-coefficient maps reveals the geogenic contribution to the element distribution. To better constrain the degree of contamination due to these potentially toxic elements and their impact on human health, we present an RGB composite map of Pb, Cu and Zn. This map unravels potential sources of contamination and locates the areas where concentrations exceed thresholds established by the Italian legislation.

A geochemical survey was carried out to investigate metal contamination in the Domizio Littoral and Agro Aversano area (Southern Italy) by means of soil, groundwater, human hair and corn samples. Pb isotope ratios were also determined to identify the sources of metals. Specifically, the investigation focused on topsoils ( n = 1064), groundwater ( n = 26), 25 human hair ( n = 24) and corn samples ( n = 13). Topsoils have been sampled and analysed in a previous study for 53 elements (including potentially harmful ones), and determined by ICP-MS after dissolving with aqua regia. Groundwater was analysed for 72 elements by ICP-MS and by ICP-ES. Samples of human hair were prepared and analysed for 16 elements by ICP-MS. Dried corn collected at several farms were also analysed for 53 elements by ICP-MS. The isotopic ratios of 206 Pb/ 207 Pb and 208 Pb/ 207 Pb in selected topsoil ( n = 24), groundwater ( n = 9), human hair ( n = 9) and corn ( n = 4) samples were analysed from both eluates and residues to investigate possible anthropogenic contamination and geogenic contributions. All data were processed and mapped by ArcGis software to produce interpolated maps and contamination factor maps of potentially harmful elements, in accordance with Italian Environmental Law (Legislative Decree 152/06). Results show that soil sampling sites are characterized by As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, and Zn contents exceeding the action limits established for residential land use (RAL) and, in some cases, also the action limits for industrial land use (IAL) as established by Legislative Decree 152/06. A map of contamination factors and a map showing the degrees of contamination indicate that the areas in the municipalities of Acerra, Casoria and Giugliano have been affected by considerable anthropogenic-related pollution. To interpret the isotopic data and roughly estimate proportion of Pb from an anthropogenic source we broadly defined possible natural and anthropogenic Pb end-member fields based on literature data. For example, we summarized data for Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei volcanic rocks, gasoline, and aerosol deposits. Lead isotope data show mixing between geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Topsoil, groundwater, human hair and corn samples show a greater contribution from geogenic sources like the Yellow Tuff (from Campi Flegrei) and volcanic rocks from Mt. Vesuvius. Aerosols, fly ash and gasoline (anthropogenic sources) have also been contributors. In detail, 46% of the topsoil residues, 96% of topsoil leachates, 88% of groundwater, 90% of human hair, and 25% of corn samples indicate that > 50% percent of the lead in this area can be ascribed to anthropogenic activity.

This study shows the statistical and spatial distribution of Mo, Sn and W in topsoils of the Campania Region. Topsoil samples were collected based on a 16-km 2 and a 3.8-km 2 cell-sampling grid in the suburban and urban areas, respectively. Samples were analysed for Mo, Sn and W concentrations by ICP-MS after an aqua regia digestion. Multifractal methods and RGB (Red, Green, Blue) composite maps of untransformed and centred log-ratio (clr) transformed datasets have been used to recognize spatial patterns of the three elements. Continuous low-value zones were revealed in topsoils over siliciclastic rocks where rivers might have redistributed sediments with low concentrations. A molybdenum anomaly south of Mt Cervati can be related to lacustrine argillaceous sediments containing sulphide minerals. Tin hot spots and anomaly zones were revealed along the Volturno River and urban areas. Tungsten is the element out of the three which is best related to the presence of volcanic rocks belonging to the Neapolitan Potassic Province.

A new GIS based human health risk assessment methodology developed for soil contamination has been applied to a selected area located in Campania region (Italy). The area is about 220 km2 wide and it is located between the provincial capital cities of Avellino and Salerno; it was selected since most of it already resulted affected by an high risk level according to a previous human health risk assessment procedure based on a lower density regional prospecting. The geochemical database used for the aims of this study contains a total of 584 top soil samples, partly proceeding from the previous regional sampling and partly (102 samples) collected ex-novo during the spring/summer 2015. The statistical and cartographic elaboration for 15 potentially toxic elements (Sb, As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, Tl, V, Zn) concentration in soil are presented, analyzing the overcoming of the Contamination Thresholds (CSC) established by the Italian Decree (D. Lgs. 152/06). With the aim of better defining the geometry and the extension of high risk areas within the selected territory, the same GIS aided technique used to assess the environmental risk at regional scale was applied at local scale to benchmark its presumable scalability. Some significant pollution hot-spots were identified, close to public parks and agricultural areas, with a high risk for local population. In these restricted areas, an in-situ geochemical characterization and a Tier 2 site-specific risk assessment procedure should be carried out, in order to confirm if a remediation action is definitively needed.

Il volume rappresenta un approfondimento dell’Atlante geochimico–ambientale del S.I.N. Litorale Domizio Flegreo e Agro Aversano (Lima et al., 2012). In esso vengono illustrati, infatti, i risultati ottenuti da ulteriori indagini eseguite sui suoli di questo stesso territorio. Su un’area di circa 1.555 Km2 sono stati raccolti complessivamente 967 campioni di suolo con una densità nominale di circa 1 campione ogni 1,5 km2 e il campionamento è stato infittito nelle aree a maggior impatto antropico. I suoli sono stati analizzati con una metodologia che combina l’ICP–MS e l’ICP–ES per la determinazione delle concentrazioni di 47 elementi chimici. Per ogni elemento chimico analizzato sono riportate le sue proprietà, le applicazioni, gli effetti sulla salute, nonché la sua distribuzione geochimica nei suoli attraverso la compilazione di carte geochimico–ambientali. Queste rappresentano una fotografia del momento del campionamento e potranno essere utilizzate in futuro come riferimento per la valutazione dell’impatto ambientale delle attività antropiche presenti sul territorio. Sono altresì uno strumento di notevole valenza ambientale per quanto concerne la valutazione dei tenori di fondo (background/baseline) dei vari elementi chimici esaminati. L’opera vuole quindi essere di grande utilità per tutti coloro che sono preposti al controllo ambientale, che operano nell’ambito della pianificazione e del recupero di aree contaminate, ma anche per tutti gli abitanti di quest’area, ormai nota come “Terra dei Fuochi”, venuta più volte alla ribalta per il suo degrado ambientale.

Aim of this study is to define the groundwater flow of thermal area of Saturnia, through both chemical and isotope analyses. After a first detailed geological-geophysical survey and a quantification of the available groundwater resources, we analyzed several chemical compounds (Na, Ca, Mg, K, Chlorides, Sulfates, Nitrates, total alkalinity, Li, Sr, B, Fluorides, soluble Silica, free Carbon Dioxide, Sb, As, Se, H2S, Fe, Mn, Hg e Pb) and isotopes (2H; 3H, 3He, 4He, 13C, 18O, 86Sr, 87Sr). Excluding the uncertainties mainly related to a large repetition of measures over time, we concluded the following conclusions. Both Lithium and Boron high values and 87Sr/86Sr values highlighted that “Calcare Cavernoso” limestone geological formation constitutes the Saturnia thermal aquifer. Such samples showed both the same chemical characteristics and source area. Boron, Lithium, δ2H, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr show the Saturnia thermal aquifer is separated by those of Pitigliano (Latera- Bolsena thermal circuit) and Bagni San Filippo (Mt. Amiata thermal circuit). 18O, 3H e δ13C measured in samples coming from Saturnia thermal spring respectively indicate that water feeding the thermal aquifer infiltrate at 350-440 m a.s.l., that they are almost 30 years old, and finally they that are isolated regarding to external infiltration. Low value of R/Ra tends to exclude the influence of Earth mantle to the geothermal anomaly of Saturnia area. The high content in Selenium indicates a possible interaction between Saturnia spring water and those coming from the Saturnia well, with volcanic fluids. However, considering also the evidence of the separation between the Saturnia groundwater flow and those of neighboring thermal fields (Bolsena and Mt. Amiata), we hypothesized that only a exchange among these volcanic complexes and the source area of thermal water points exists, but not among these complex and Saturnia aquifer.