Search

Acque Bresciane is a public company that manages the integrated water cycle for more than 580,000 inhabitants in the Province of Brescia, in the north of Italy, providing drinking water, waste water treatment, and sewer systems. Drinking water systems are supplied with different types of groundwater, springs, and surface water sources (from lakes and rivers) whose availability and quality can be affected by climate change events. A multidisciplinary team, in collaboration with the University of Milano Bicocca, developed a specific Water Safety Plan (WSP) risk matrix focusing on the evaluation of climate-related hazardous events and calculation of their likelihood of occurrence, also using thematic maps. Moreover, to reduce the residual risks, in the risk matrix, possible control measures are suggested, such as the activation of an emergency plan, the use of other water sources, storage tanks, and interconnection with other water distribution networks. This work shows a simple and effective tool that can be applied by drinking water utilities to evaluate climate-related catchment risks, using a WSP risk matrix, thematic maps, and possible control measures to reduce risks in terms of water quality and availability and to respond with resilience to changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, deep learning (DL) algorithms have been widely integrated for remote sensing image classification, but fewer studies have applied it for land consumption (LC). LC is the main factor in land transformation dynamics and it is the first cause of natural habitat loss; therefore, monitoring this phenomenon is extremely important for establishing effective policies and sustainable planning. This paper aims to test a DL algorithm on high-resolution aerial images to verify its applicability to land consumption monitoring. For this purpose, we applied a convolutional neural networks (CNNs) architecture called ResNet50 on a reference dataset of six high-spatial-resolution aerial images for the automatic production of thematic maps with the aim of improving accuracy and reducing costs and time compared with traditional techniques. The comparison with the National Land Consumption Map (LCM) of ISPRA suggests that although deep learning techniques are not widely exploited to map consumed land and to monitor land consumption, it might be a valuable support for monitoring and reporting data on highly dynamic peri-urban areas, especially in view of the rapid evolution of these techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Potenza River valley area was hit by the 2016 Central Italy seismic sequence. • The area suffered severe buildings damages and is facing reconstruction operations. • Shallow geothermal potential by borehole heat exchangers (BHE) for air conditioning systems is estimated. • Numerical models were developed for the annual BHE cycles to verify the sustainability of the geo-exchange systems. • Exploitation of BHE is paramount for indoor air conditioning systems for the new or renovated buildings. The southern part of the Marche Region (Italy) was hit in 2016 by dramatic seismic events that caused damages and fatalities. After these events, the national and local administrations started a development plan to improve the energy efficiency of the restored or reconstructed buildings. Shallow geothermal energy, consisting of closed-loop Borehole Heat Exchangers (BHEs) coupled with heat pumps, could represent a first-order renewable choice for indoor air conditioning (heating and cooling) systems. The feasibility and potential of the BHEs also match this technology's null visual outdoor impact which is paramount in preserving the landscape of the earthquake-affected areas. However, the exploitation, sustainability, and correct design of these systems require detailed knowledge of the ground's geological, hydrogeological, and thermophysical properties. In this framework, the present study was carried out to map and test, through the G.POT algorithm, the shallow geothermal potential and sustainability of the Potenza River valley through the publicly available data from the Italian Seismic Microzonation studies — an extensive database of geognostic drillings and other geological and geophysical surveys. This step allowed us to assign the main thermal parameters (thermal conductivity, volumetric heat capacity, specific heat extracted) to each geological layer and averaged them over the first 100 m (i.e., a typical depth for BHEs). All the data were then interpolated to produce geothermal thematic maps to visualize and compare the potential and adequacy of the territory for the installation of closed-loop BHEs. Finally, finite elements numerical models (FEFLOW® software) were developed in a balanced mode through the annual heating and cooling cycles to verify the sustainability of this renewable concerning the thermal impact induced to the ground by the BHEs during a long-term (20 years) operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rockfalls are a major hazard in mountain areas. They can endanger human settlements and infrastructures, and, every year, cause multiple damage and victims. An investigation of those areas more susceptible to rockfall represents a key approach to improve the analysis and management of rockfall impact and consequences. The proposed procedure involves the study of occurred rockfall databases and thematic maps to compute a susceptibility map, by the employment of Analytical Hierarchic Process. The computation is focused on the road network of Aosta Valley Region (northwestern Italy) and its proximity. The model results highlight the importance of morphometric factors on the investigated phenomena. The outcomes of the analysis were also validated by comparing rockfall databases with the receiver operating characteristic curve, in order to confirm their reliability. The results of the procedure are a starting point for a detailed planning action in order to manage the hazard related to these phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A map derived by rockfall analysis at Mount Pellegrino is presented herein. The study area is affected by several phenomena of rockfall which caused numerous damage and a strong social and economic impact. Official reports and maps that give a general assessment of rockfall hazard are available in this respect, however, it would be advisable to provide a more specific cartographic support useful for land management and planning. The drafting of new maps showing the rockfall runout areas is an additional tool that may be used in conjunction with the existing maps as a means of risk mitigation and reduction. On the basis of geological, geomorphological, and geomechanical analysis and exploiting the information relating to a landslides inventory obtained by using both analytical and empirical methods, two different rockfall propagation areas were reconstructed. The final thematic map permit to appreciate the differences and similarities between the obtained runout areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EMODnet Geology Project work package 6 collects information regarding 'Geological events and probabilities', including submarine landslides, earthquakes, volcanic centres, tsunamis, fluid emissions and tectonics. The elaboration of guidelines to compile GIS layers was aimed at identifying parameters to be used to thoroughly characterize each event. Particular attention has been devoted to the definition of the 'Attribute tables' in order to achieve the best degree of harmonization and standardization complying with the European INSPIRE Directive. Due to the different geological settings of European seas it was necessary to elaborate a comprehensive and detailed pattern of attributes for the different features, in order to represent each occurrence at different scales. The huge amount of data received has been processed, validated and standardized, thus obtaining homogeneous data layers at a European level. Metadata and available information collated during the project are displayed on the EMODnet Geology Portal (http://www.emodnet-geology.eu/). By combining all these data it may be possible to elaborate additional thematic maps which could support further research as well as land planning and management. The Geological Survey of Italy is testing one of these potential applications, which addresses the production of a structural model for submerged areas in Italy. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Mapping the Geology and Topography of the European Seas (EMODnet) collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/EMODnet [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soils perform several functions in delivering ecosystem services and soil thematic maps are useful for environmental modelling, landscape planning, and management optimization. This study aimed at producing the first soil rooting depth map of Italy at 1:250,000 scale based on the legacy soil maps, soil data and benchmark profiles, combined with the auxiliary data. The map highlights that moderately deep (33%) and deep (25%) soils are predominant and mainly distributed in hilly areas, while very deep soils (18%) are prevalent in the fluvial and coastal plains. The validation procedure showed that 87% of the soil rooting depth map classes fall within the same and adjacent classes of the measured soil profiles database. The soil rooting depth map of Italy at 1:250,000 scale can be a useful tool to support land management and spatial planning in terms of agro-environmental measures, making reliable assessments for ecological sustainability studies, and for environmental territorial analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present the results of a very high-resolution bathymetric survey carried out offshore the dismissed industrial site of Bagnoli (Pozzuoli Bay, Gulf of Naples). The bathymetric maps and the thematic representation produced, allowed for detailed characterisation of the seabed lineaments and features. Seafloor bedforms and morphological features can be observed at a very high resolution. Moreover, the potential pattern of sediment transport can be inferred from the seafloor bedforms observed in the central sector of the surveyed area. The new morphobathymetric map of Bagnoli-Coroglio offshore provides a valuable tool for stakeholders towards a comprehensive planning and management addressed to environmental revaluation and rehabilitation of this disused industrial area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The landslide inventory of the Picentino basin was realized at 1:25,000, with focus on main geomorphological features affecting slope stability. It is based on different sets of air-photos (scales 1:33,000–1:18,000, dated up to 1998), and on field surveys. Among shallow landslides, channelized debris flows strongly prevail, originated as debris slides on moderately steep slopes. Further sectors are affected by deeper slope movements of greater extent. Items related to tectonics, erosion processes, and anthropized sectors are also mapped. Relevant predisposing factors to slope instability are shown in 1:100,000 thematic maps. In addition, shallow landslides of the 1998 inventory were compared to those derived from two event-based inventories (PSAI 2002, PSAI 2011, dated 1998–2005 at 1:13,000–1:10,000). Discrepancies are mainly ascribable to types of employed air-photos, age of surveys, scale of mapping, and freshness of forms, remarking the relevance of suitable shallow-landslide inventories for susceptibility evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Italy geo-hydrological phenomena are the most common hazards: every year landslides and floods cause damage and fatalities; Genova city is one of the most affected areas. Since 2000 scientific studies have demonstrated an increase in events, due to the rainfall regime variation and to the urbanization. Thematic maps are an essential tool for evaluating the interaction between geomorphological processes and the elements at risk. In the present work, we have prepared an original geo-hydrological phenomena inventory map of Genova at 1:45,000 scale (the 'A1' size). The map shows the floodable areas, landslides and deep-seated gravitational slope deformation, the urban fabric and the cultural heritage sites. The map gives an overview of the geo-hydrological phenomena through the integration of the different hazard sources, of the exposed elements and of their spatial distribution, allowing for a first analysis of the risk: in a 240 km2 area, more than 3600 residential buildings are located on the 4 km2 high hazard floodable areas and more than 360 on the about 500 active landslides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper overviews the procedures and tools used for a systematic study of the macroseismic consequences caused by a strong earthquake that struck Southern Italy. The event referred to the 23 November 1980 (Io = X MCS, Ms = 6.9) which affected the Campania and Basilicata regions. Two aspects are addressed here: to broaden the knowledge of the macroseismic field and delineate damage maps of the sites affected on an urban scale. The target area of this study is the Basilicata region about which the current macroseismic information is poor. This research study, based only on unpublished documentary sources, supplies about 50 new assessments and about 30 new re-assessments of the macroseismic site intensity (MCS scale) as outputs. Moreover, about 80 thematic maps showing the damage pattern of the sites affected are also supplied. It is the first time that a large earthquake has been the subject of such extensive studies from a macroseismic point of view, with special attention to the analysis of damage effects at town scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Article 6 of the Habitats Directive provides appropriate Management Plans (MPs) for Natura 2000 network sites which comply with ecological requirements. In Sicily, between 2000 and 2006, 58 Management Plans were drawn up involving 219/233 regional sites. These drafts had to refer to regional directives, drawing on European Union and national guidelines. They require knowledge and intervention not only with reference to aspects of site biology, but also to landscape components. Landscapes should be described ‘considering them as the synthesis of physical, biological, historical and cultural characteristics’. This work presents the results of a method proposed by ECOVAST (European Council for the Village and Small Town), based on a visual cognitive analysis for identifying landscapes which was tested while drafting the Natura 2000 site MP ‘Torre Manfria, Biviere of Gela and seafront area’ on Sicily''s southern coast. The work consists of: drafting thematic maps for preliminary territorial analysis; producing a layout of routes from which the landscape was observed; identifying Landscape Units and filling analysis and assessment charts; drafting final results. The results show that the adapted ECOVAST method for the cognitive phase of the MP provided a satisfactory level of information about the landscape as expressed in the European Landscape Convention, the main reference for European Union states. The defined Landscape Units and their relative characteristics provided support for geographically referencing the ‘management actions’. Adapting the ECOVAST method helped identify the landscape as having an explicit role in the ELC within a plan type which subordinates protecting the landscape. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations and fluxes were estimated in surface sediments of a shelf area in the NW Adriatic Sea (Italy), together with lithology and 210Pb contents at 18 stations during four cruises (1996-1998) carried out offshore of the Po River delta. Mass accumulation rates (MAR) were ∼0.1-0.8 g cm-2 yr-1 and surface concentrations of TOC and TN were within the range of 0.5-1.4 and 0.08-0.19% of dry weight, respectively. Their spatial variability showed a direct correlation with the inputs of suspended matter from the Po River. A simplified approach to calculate average TOC and TN yearly fluxes to surface sediments over the whole area was adopted by subdividing the study area into three zones, selected on the basis of the grain size distributions and of the influence of the Po River discharge, in order to take into account major differences of sedimentological regimes on the shelf. The values of TOC (×103 tC yr-1) and TN (×103 tN yr-1) fluxes for these areas were, respectively, 17.9 and 2.4 near the delta, 45.2 and 6.5 for the intermediate area, and 9.5 and 1.5 for the offshore area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small hyperspectral imager Compact High- Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (CHRIS) is the most important instrument for Earth observation included in the payload of the European Space Agency Third-Part Mission Project for On-Board Autonomy (PROBA)-1 satellite. This instrument has provided dozens of images in several target areas in the world, and a good number of acquisitions are available for the test site of Frascati and Tor Vergata, Italy. This paper reports several results concerning the generation of thematic maps obtained from CHRIS mode-3 imagery. The potential of the use of different configurations for the input vector exploiting multispectral, multiangular, and multitemporal measurements has been investigated, and the results have been evaluated and compared in terms of accuracy in the classification. The core of the decision task has been developed using the neural network methodology. Indeed, this approach is characterized by a particular ease in performing nonlinear mapping of a multidimensional set of inputs into the output one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In watershed mountain basins, affected in the last decades by strong rainfall events, the role of debris-flow and debris flood processes was investigated. Morphometric parameters have proven to be useful first-approximation indicators in discriminating those processes, especially in large areas of investigation. Computation of morphometric parameters in 19 watershed mountain basins of the western side valley of the Vallo di Diano intermontane basin (southern Italy) was carried out. This procedure was integrated by a semi-automatic elaboration of the potential susceptibility to debris flows, using Flow-R modelling. This software, providing an empirical model of the preliminary susceptibility assessment at a regional scale, was applied in many countries of the world. The implementation of Flow-R modelling requires a GIS application and some thematic base maps extracted using DEMs analysis. A 5-meter-resolution DEM has been used in order to produce the susceptibility maps of the whole study area, and the results are compared and discussed with the real debris flow/flood events that occurred in 1993, 2005, 2010, and 2017 in the studied area. The results have provided a good reliability of Flow-R modelling within small catchment mountain basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. A complex active remote sensing system has been used on board a small ship to extensively monitor the water quality of the Venice lagoon and nearby open sea. The system was composed of an UV lidar fluorosensor directly pointing to the sea surface and a laser fluorometer monitoring the water inside a cell continuously filled by a pump from a water depth of 1m. During the cruise, both apparata were collecting data in parallel. Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) signals at selected wavelengths were acquired to monitor distributions of the different species. DOM and chlorophyll features were detected by the lidar fluorosensor upon excitation at lambda 355nm, while organic pollutants and oils were scanned in the fluorometer cell by laser emitting at lambda 266nm. In both cases, the accompanying water Raman signal was collected and used for normalizing spectral intensities. Absolute concentrations of different species were obtained off-line, when possible, by calibrating LIF intensities against analytical chemical findings on a number of water samples. Distributions of several substances, including industrial pollutants (oils and aromatic molecules), anthropogenic releases (yellow matter, suspended particles) and chlorophyll from phytoplankton were obtained along the ship route. A differential GPS instrument installed on board was used to georeference LIF data precisely, in order to produce thematic maps of the investigated areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread diffusion of wildlife in agroecosystems has induced conflictual interactions with humans, representing a critical issue, especially in terms of damages made on crops. They include deterioration of green and woody parts of crops, removal of seeds, crushing of cultivations, soil degradation. In this regard, a multi-temporal geolocalization and quantification of wildlife impact in agricultural landscapes is still a challenging point to be explored. The purpose of this research is to present a methodological approach, with the involvement of citizens (farmers and fields' owners) in the data collection, to analyze wildlife damages. The study area is the Treviso province, located in North East of Italy. A multi-temporal analysis is carried out considering the period 2009 up to 2018. In detail, a multi-temporal thematic mapping was realized classifying data in terms of wildlife species, damaged crops, and surface covered by affected cultivations. Such data were then processed through multi-variate statistical analysis. The results provide a clear overview of the phenomena in the investigated region, highlighting the fact that the uncontrolled spread of wildlife is responsible for severe damages on agroecosystems. In this connection, damages made by winged species and wild boar are the most numerous, respectively, with 1007 and 497 damages within the considered period. Corn is the most damaged crop, with a total of 977 damages observed on it between 2009 and 2018. Cross tabulation and cluster analysis have confirmed the magnitude of the problem taken into account. Such information could be used then by the local administrations to better understand the phenomena, providing suitable measures to contain it. • Wildlife and humans interaction could be critical in term of damages made on crops • Citizens (farmers and fields' owners) represent a useful source for massive data collection • A multi-temporal spatial analysis of wildlife damages allows to better understand its impact on the agricultural systems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The University of Padova (UPA) contributes to EUREF in two different ways: routine and research. Routine activities include daily processing of a subnetwork of the EPN as a EPN Local Analysis Center (LAC) and Densification Center (DAC); in parallel, a network of up to 700 permanent Italian GNSS stations is processed (GPS+Glonass operational, Galileo in test mode; rapid and final orbits), archived and checked for metadata using IGS/EPN procedures and logsheets. Routine activities also include the support to regional surveyors by delivering free RTK (GPS+GLONASS) data via NTRIP to some 200 users, on behalf of the Regional Government of Veneto, based on a network of some 30 permanent sites the coordinates of which are weekly checked for consistency with the ETRF2000. Research activities include the derivation of a dense velocity field for the Italian area, and the active involvement in the Deformation Models Working Group (chaired by M. Lidberg), EPN Densification Working Group (chaired by A. Kenyeres), and European Dense Velocities Working Group (chaired by E. Brockmann). For the densification of the velocity field we are testing an independent approach which consists in stacking SINEX files resulting from multiyear cumulative solutions generated by several Analysis Centers contributing to the CEGRN (Central European GNSS Reference Network). The alignment to the ETRF2000 frame is accomplished by solving for Helmert parameters and for their rates, using minimal constraints on position and velocities of common EPN sites of Class A. The derived velocities are then converted to strain rates by weighted least squares collocation and the implied deformation is examined in the context of independent knowledge from seismicity and structural geology. Thematic maps of strain rates (scalar values and eigenvectors) at specific seismogenic faults in Italy are generated as a final product.MultiGNSS has evolved into a high priority activity. A Matlab based program has been developed with capabilities to estimate coordinates, receiver clock and Tropospheric Zenith Delay solutions using simultaneously Rinex 3.0x data from GPS, Glonass, Galileo, Beidou, Navic, QZSS and SBAS satellites, and broadcast or SP3 (if available) orbit products. This work as resulted in a accurate monitoring of the system clock alignment of the GNSS constellations relative to GPS time, and of individual, receiver specific biases for about 30 permanent European multiGNSS sites contributing to the MGEX project of the IGS. For Galileo, specific studies are done on the dependence of the coordinate results on the F/NAV and I/NAV broadcast message, and on the agreement level of broadcast satellite positions relative to postcomputed (SP3) positions. The ultimate goal is to understand how interoperable the several GNSS constellations are, and hence to which extent the simultaneous use of multiple GNSS data enables the final user to derive coordinates consistent with the ETRS89 standard prescribed by the INSPIRE Directive of the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]