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A public water supply well field, composed by 8 wells attaining a depth between 32 and 62 m b.g.s. and pumping out more than 400 L/s to about 300.000 inhabitants (Pescara province, Abruzzo region, Central Italy), has been involved for more than 20 years, from the opening in 1984 to the decomissioning in 2007, by a contamination of chlorinated aliphatics (PCE, TCE, TCM, CT). The well field is located in the narrow and long alluvial valley of the Pescara river surrounded by important limestone aquifers of Central Apennines. About 2 km upstream, at the confluence of the Tirino river with the Pescara river, is located one of the oldest chemical and petrochemical plant (Bussi sul Tirino plant) in Italy. It dates back to the end of the nineteenth century and with a production of chloromethanes active from the 60's to 2007. On 2005, a huge illegal dump of industrial wastes (more than 3 hectares in size) was discovered in the alluvial valley floor of the Pescara river during an investigation of the public prosecutor of the Pescara court. The valley of the Pescara river is filled with a complex assemblage of porous (alluvial gravels and sands, debris) and fractured (travertines) high permeability aquifers intermingled with silts and clays of lacustrine or alluvial origin. The lateral recharge from the Pescara river and/or surrounding limestones is such to induce a high dilution effect to the dissolved contaminants originated at the source. In order to apportion the source of contamination, in terms of location and of process of wastes generation, in range of the action at the Court of Assizes of Chieti, an hydrogeological investigation has been performed, supported by the Italian Attorney General. CSIA (Carbon Stable Isotope Analysis) of chlorinated compounds, integrated by chlorine fingerprinting on PCE, was adopted as a main tool of source apportionment of chlorinated pitches production process. In order to enhance the mass recovery of chlorinated compounds by low flow sampling on 25 boreholes between the source and the receptor, a preliminary flowmeter survey was performed. This allowed to identify the proper sampling location along the screen of the boreholes. The isotopic affinity of the compounds, detected at the well field, with the production process of chlorinated pitches has been clearly put in evidence as a consequence of the strong deplenishment of delta13C values.

BACKGROUND: Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease prevalently reported in Japan but rare in Caucasians. The objective of this study was to reconstruct the pedigree of Italian dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy familial cases describing their clinical features. METHODS: We investigated 6 apparently unrelated dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy families comprising a total of 51 affected individuals: 13 patients were clinically examined, and for 38 patients clinical data were collected from clinical sources. The dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy diagnosis was genetically confirmed in 18 patients. Genealogical data from historical archives were analyzed. RESULTS: All 6 families were unified in a large pedigree deriving from a founder couple originating from Monte San Giuliano (Italy) in the late 1500s, with 51 affected subjects over the last 4 generations. Wide phenotypical variability in age at onset and clinical features was confirmed. Epilepsy was more frequent in juvenile cases than in late adults, with cognitive/psychiatric and motor disorders observed regardless of age at onset. CONCLUSIONS: We have described the largest Caucasian dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy pedigree from a single founder couple. The introduction of the dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy gene in Italy could have arisen as a result of trade relationships between the Spanish or Portuguese and the Japanese in the 1500s. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Summary High arsenic (As) concentrations (up to 230 μg/L) have been historically observed (since 1999) in the upper Valtellina valley groundwater (UVV, central Italian Alps), and measured in samples collected during four campaigns of one full hydrological year (summer 2012–summer 2013). During these campaigns, water has been collected from both cold springs and thermal springs. The hydrogeochemistry of aquifers and superficial waters through the hydrologic year, and the long-term regional As distribution and time variability were analyzed. Although the studied springs belong to different catchments with different hydrochemical and lithological conditions, they present some typical characteristics: (1) the water types are dominated by Ca–Mg and SO4–HCO3 main ions, with seasonal variations for the second end members; (2) the Cl concentration is always very low, and poorly correlated with other ions; (3) the circulation time obtained from isotopic data ranges between 5 and 10 years for thermal springs and it is lower than 2 years for cold springs; (4) dominant oxidizing conditions have been observed for most of the cold and for the thermal springs; (5) anthropogenic contamination is absent, while natural contamination of arsenic affects most of the springs, with a natural background level for the entire UVV of 33 μg/L; (6) both As (V) and As (III) are present in all the springs analyzed, with a marked prevalence of As (V) among the cold ones. These conditions suggest that the latter belong to recent hydrochemical immature aquifers, where the presence of arsenic is mostly related to alkali desorption and sulfide oxidation, while the thermal springs derive from the rapid uprising of deep-circulation water, with a high concentration of geothermal arsenic.

We test the integration of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) borehole investigation and elec- tromagnetic flowmeter surveys to characterize fissured or complex aquifers. Borehole GPR investiga- tion allows assessment of the lateral continuity of the porous and permeable zones between closely spaced boreholes, whereas flowmeter tests are adopted to identify the inflow–outflow zones in the bore- holes. We apply the coupled approach in a portion (between 10 and 20m below ground surface) of a complex aquifer hosted in a calcareous–gypsiferous formation. The hydro-geophysical characterization was aimed to detect the most conductive levels and to estimate the hydrodynamic properties of the aqui- fer. The integration of single-hole flowmeters and GPR measurements accurately distinguished different productive levels of high porosity and permeability in the aquifer. Two aquifer systems characterized by a complex geometry of fissures and permeable layers have been recognized, establishing the role of the drilled boreholes in the short-circuiting of the two systems. Interpretation of the GPR survey in cross- hole configuration gave values of total porosity of the order of 0.35 and 0.5 in the two more productive levels, which were detected by the flowmeter investigation.

The geothermal springs of Bormio (central Italian Alps) discharge from dolomite rock masses located close to a regional alpine thrust, called Zebru Line. This particular geological setting allows the water to be heated in deep circulation systems and then to upsurge at a temperature of about 40°C at a vigorous flow rate. This paper aims to investigate deep-groundwater circulation of the Bormio hydrothermal system, based on the hydrochemical characterization of discharging groundwater. Water samples were collected during four campaigns in different seasons (June 2012, October 2012, May 2013 and September 2013) and analysed for major ions and stable isotopes. These tracers show that thermal groundwater flows through a deep system crossing both sedimentary and metamorphic lithotypes, and exploiting a fracture network associated to the thrusts between the Ortles Nappe and the overlaying Campo Nappe. The seasonal variations in temperature, electric conductivity and discharge were also compared. The results provide new insights into the hydrogeochemical characterization of large mountain areas where high variability of geochemical properties even at the local spatial scale represent an important challenge.

Tracer tests often give ambiguous interpretations that may be due to the erroneous location of sampling points and/or the lack of flow rate measurements through the sampler. To obtain more reliable tracer test results, we propose a methodology that optimizes the design and analysis of tracer tests in a cross borehole mode by using vertical borehole flow rate measurements. Experiments using this approach, herein defined as the Bh-flow tracer test, have been performed by implementing three sequential steps: (1) single-hole flowmeter test, (2) cross-hole flowmeter test, and (3) tracer test. At the experimental site, core logging, pumping tests, and static water-level measurements were previously carried out to determine stratigraphy, fracture characteristics, and bulk hydraulic conductivity. Single-hole flowmeter testing makes it possible to detect the presence of vertical flows as well as inflow and outflow zones, whereas cross-hole flowmeter testing detects the presence of connections along sets of flow conduits or discontinuities intercepted by boreholes. Finally, the specific pathways and rates of groundwater flow through selected flowpaths are determined by tracer testing. We conclude that the combined use of single and cross-borehole flowmeter tests is fundamental to the formulation of the tracer test strategy and interpretation of the tracer test results.

The research subject of this PhD thesis consists in the development and application of techniques for analyzing well‐log, well‐test, and tracer data to infer the distribution of hydrologic properties in heterogeneous geologic settings, including fractured rock and complex aquifer systems. This thesis is organized in an introductory section presenting the state of the art about heterogeneous geologic media characterization and a focus on flowmeter log analysis. The second chapter regards applications of an integrated surveying approach where an hydrogeophysical characterization was used for a complex aquifer in calcareous and gypsiferous formation. The most important topic is the joint use of the Electromagnetic Borehole Flowmeter (EBF) in single hole mode and the Ground Penetrating Radar in single and cross borehole configuration. The third chapter is a completion of the studies performed and described in chapter two, with an extensive study involving a conventional hydrogeological characterization (pumping test, core analysis) with flowmeter log in cross hole mode and its application to design and interpretation two tracer tests. The aim is to provide an approach to optimize a set of hydrogeological and geophysical survey techniques. In chapter four another application of the flowmeter log is presented. This application has been designed to monitor infiltration in the vadose zone of a sandy‐gravelly soil and use results as calibration data for the geophysical investigation (ERT and Georadar Borehole survey). This thesis involved coordination of laboratory and field work; collaboration with geophysicists, geochemists and geologists in interdisciplinary studies. Main applications of this work include advanced hydrogeological characterization, groundwater and vadose‐zone contaminant remediation as well as optimal utilization of water resources.

Borehole flowmeter logs can provide information on direction and discharge of vertical flows, hydraulic conductivities of different aquifer intervals. Furthermore, they can give a valid support to the interpretation of environmental data (e.g. electrical conductivity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen) into aquifers and along each borehole, and to correctly design and analyse tracer tests for aquifer characterization. We show the results for the application of electromagnetic flowmeter measurements in three case studies (Northern Italy). All the test sites are located in a plain area. The first case study concerns a complex aquifer, characterized by a chaotic sequence of gypsum-marls, where closely spaced boreholes have been drilled to design a remediation project. We performed both natural and forced gradient tests. The second is a single aquifer contaminated site by an oil blow out event for which a complete geophysical and hydrogeological characterization is available. The last one is a test site equipped by our department in a single highly stressed aquifer where three closely spaced boreholes have been used for a complete tracing test under "ambient" flow conditions. At all the sites the analysis of ambient vertical flows within a borehole allows the identification of inflow/outflow zones. As an example at the first study site, we observed a large vertical ambient flow (up to 3 l/min), due to head differences between levels associated with highly permeable layers/fractures. The collected data have been fundamental for a correct evaluation of observed changes in borehole environmental data. In fact, without the collected information on vertical flows, these changes could be misleading, compromising the hydrogeological site characterization. A single-hole flowmeter analysis under stressed conditions (injection or pumping) can provide a high resolution vertical profile of hydraulic conductivity depending on the log sampling spacing. By a cross-hole flowmeter analysis it is possible to check the hydraulic interconnections between the boreholes through a network of permeable layers. Again, a complete understanding of ambient flows and interconnections provides the support for cross-hole tracer test design and evaluation. This has been experienced at different sites. In fact, flowmeter logs can provide the exact points for tracer injection and detection within the boreholes. Moreover, the water discharge at the tracer detection point can be measured allowing for a quantitative analysis of the tracer breakthrough curve and mass recovery. One clear example is presented for this type of analysis, showing how it can provide an index of reliability of the tracer test. Finally, the detailed characterization of the aquifer system provided by the flowmeter alone or in conjunction with other techniques

Le Norme Tecniche delle Costruzioni (NTC 2008) rimandano alla norma UNI EN 1993, parte 1-2, per il calcolo della resistenza al fuoco delle strutture in acciaio. In questo articolo viene condotto un confronto, per le strutture in acciaio, tra un metodo di calcolo analitico-sperimentale, messo a punto dal sottoscritto già alcuni anni or sono, e la procedura definita dalla UNI EN 1993.

Restituzione storica e documentaria al corpus dei progetti siciliani dell'architetto palermitano, il crocifero Giacomo Amato.

Vengono illustrati e commentati i criteri per il recupero e la riqualificazione dei Monasteri bizantini. Come caso di studio viene assunto quale oggetto di recupero il Monastero di Kessariani in Grecia.

Borehole and surface geophysical methods can assist hydrogeological site characterization by providing efficiently and cost-effectively information on the continuity of permeable or less permeable zones, and by delineating the geometry of an aquifer. The use of time lapse geophysical surveying offers an effective tool for monitoring dynamic processes within the aquifer (e.g., effect of pumping or recharge of the aquifer), mapping 2D/3D evolution of water infiltration, and estimating the hydraulic parameters of the aquifer. Coupled hydrogeological and geophysical investigations were performed to characterize at small-scale an aquifer at shallow depth (less than 30 m). Highly heterogeneous aquifers consisting of discontinuous sequences of gypsum-marls and carbonates represent a challenging environment for the remediation of a diffuse contamination of chlorinated solvents. The clean-up design by means of injection of a suitable reagent requires an accurate prediction of the aquifer geometry to detect the main productive levels and to estimate their hydrodynamic parameters. The hydro-geophysical characterization was aimed at i) detecting the most permeable and porous level within the gypsum-calcareous formation in a depth range between 10 and 20 m from the surface, ii) observing the hydraulic connection of the main productive levels, and iii) estimating the hydrodynamic properties of the aquifer. The hydro-geophysical characterization involved several approaches. Geophysics aimed at estimating the lateral continuity of the most permeable layers and also estimating the water content of the main productive layers. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) deployed in cross-hole mode between three boreholes and in single-hole configuration allowed the detection of the main productive levels in the gypsum and calcareous formation. Radar signals did not transmit through the high electrical conductivity of marl and clay levels. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in cross-hole configuration confirmed the presence of low resistivity layers (in the order of 10-20 ohm m), responsible for the low penetrating distance of the GPR survey. ERT surveys identified the presence of three main productive levels at depths between 13 m to 19 m. Specifically, the ERT in time lapse configuration showed the sensitivity of the uppermost permeable layer (13-14 m) to the effect of pumping of the aquifer; an abrupt increase of resistivity was noted after pumping, demonstrating the high transmissivity of that level. Single-well flowmeter logs and conventional pumping tests determined the different inflow-outflow zones along each borehole betweeen 15 and 22 m and the vertical profile of aquifer hydraulic conductivity. A characteristic very high vertical ambient flow into the boreholes (up to 3 l/min), due to a strong head difference between the productive levels, was observed. Cross-well flowmeter logs under stressed conditions provided a check of the connections between the productive levels. Moreover, the flowmeter log was also essential for planning and evaluating a dye tracer test. The tracer test involved the injection of dye tracers and the use of a downhole fluorometer, and allowed us to estimate the local aquifer flow velocity of 148 m/d in the most permeable layer. This information is critical to correctly plan the subsequent site remediation activity by means of reagent injection. We demonstrated that in the specific case, the complete hydrogeophysical characterization (hydraulic and geophysics) detects with good accuracy the spatial heterogeneity of the aquifer, permitting to improve the reliability of the design of the remediation activity.