ALBERT

Description: A multi-parametric approach that involves the use of different geophysical methods coupled with geochemical data allowed us to identify undiscovered archeological burials in a funerary area of the Grotte di Castro Etruscan settlement. In particular, we tested the suitability of the capacitive resistivity method and the presence of Radon in soil for the identification of burials calibrating their outcomes over coincident survey profiles with standard geophysical techniques routinely applied for archaeological prospections. Soil Radon data were acquired both in a grid and along a profile to highlight anomalous gas concentrations, whereas electrical resistivity and ground-penetrating radar measurements were conducted on overlapping profiles to depict the electrical and electromagnetic subsurface distribution. Data integration showed a series of anomalies, suggesting the presence of multiple burials starting from a depth of approximately 1.5 m below the terrain surface. Slight anomalies of Radon in the soil were found to correspond to most of the recovered geophysical ones. Our results pointed out the effectiveness of geophysical method integration in archeological prospecting with the novelty of the joint use of Radon in soil measurements and capacitive resistivity tomography. The latter provided reliable results and can be considered as a standalone technique in archaeological surveys.

Description: The “L’Isola di Einstein” is a unique festival in Europe, of scientific games and shows. The protagonists are experiments, natural phenomena and scientific histories enjoying, intriguing and thrilling a wide range of people. International artists, disseminators, scientists and storytellers are able to fascinate the audience sharing the passion of the discovery. The INGV contributes to this Event presenting volcanological and seismological laboratories and games for all aged people.

Description: Published

Description: 1-54

Description: 2TM. Divulgazione Scientifica

Description: N/A or not JCR

Description: The “L’Isola di Einstein” is a unique festival in Europe, of scientific games and shows. The protagonists are experiments, natural phenomena and scientific histories enjoying, intriguing and thrilling a wide range of people. International artists, disseminators, scientists and storytellers are able to fascinate the audience sharing the passion of the discovery. The INGV contributes to this Event presenting volcanological and seismological laboratories and games for all aged people.

Description: Published

Description: 1-22

Description: 2TM. Divulgazione Scientifica

Description: N/A or not JCR

Description: Soil gas anomalies are useful to recognize influences of surface features on natural gas migration. The study of the association of different gases (with different origin and physical/chemical behavior), the collection of a large number of samples during periods of stable meteorological and soil moisture conditions (e.g., during dry season) and the use of appropriate statistical treatment of data are fundamental in the comprehension of gas migration mechanism. Gas geochemistry has been proven to be a reliable and simple technique to apply, at different scales, to many geological scenarios [Quattrocchi et al. 2001; Baubron et al. 2002; De Gregorio et al. 2002; Pizzino et al. 2002; Lewicki et al. 2003; Voltattorni et al. 2009; Lombardi and Voltattorni, 2010]. The study of spatial distribution of soil gas anomalies, at the surface, can give important and interesting information on the origin and processes involving deep and superficial gas species. This information can be applied and studied in different frameworks, for example: 1.geological sequestration of anthropogenic CO2 to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere. Natural gas emissions represent extremely attractive surrogates for the study and prediction of the possible consequences of leakage from geological sequestration sites of anthropogenic CO2 (i.e., the return to surface potentially causing localized environmental problems). 2.radionuclide migration in the study of high-level radioactive-waste isolation systems. The main approach is to study the natural migration of radiogenic particles or elements throughout clay formations that are considered an excellent isolation and sealing material due to their ability to immobilize water and other substance over geological timescales.

Description: INGV, U.S.EMBASSY ITALY,CNR-DTA,SARAS, SOGIN, GOLDER ASSOCIATES, POWER TUBE WESTERN EUROPE, CIKTIN, EXXONMOBIL

Description: Published

Description: Ettore Majorana Foundation and centre for scientific culture - Erice (Sicily)

Description: 6A. Monitoraggio ambientale, sicurezza e territorio

Description: open

Description: Soil gas anomalies are useful to recognize influences of surface features on natural gas migration. The study of the association of different gases (with different origin and physical/chemical behavior), the collection of a large number of samples during periods of stable meteorological and soil moisture conditions (e.g., during dry season) and the use of appropriate statistical treatment of data are fundamental in the comprehension of gas migration mechanism. Gas geochemistry has been proven to be a reliable and simple technique to apply, at different scales, to many geological scenarios [Quattrocchi et al. 2001; Baubron et al. 2002; De Gregorio et al. 2002; Pizzino et al. 2002; Lewicki et al. 2003; Voltattorni et al. 2009; Lombardi and Voltattorni, 2010]. The study of spatial distribution of soil gas anomalies, at the surface, can give important and interesting information on the origin and processes involving deep and superficial gas species. This information can be applied and studied in different frameworks, for example: 1.geological sequestration of anthropogenic CO2 to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere. Natural gas emissions represent extremely attractive surrogates for the study and prediction of the possible consequences of leakage from geological sequestration sites of anthropogenic CO2 (i.e., the return to surface potentially causing localized environmental problems). 2.radionuclide migration in the study of high-level radioactive-waste isolation systems. The main approach is to study the natural migration of radiogenic particles or elements throughout clay formations that are considered an excellent isolation and sealing material due to their ability to immobilize water and other substance over geological timescales.

Description: Published

Description: 87-91

Description: 4.5. Studi sul degassamento naturale e sui gas petroliferi

Description: N/A or not JCR

Description: open

Description: The soil-gas method has been widely used to infer the nature of subsurface geology/geochemistry since gases released from active geothermal systems, can freely rise through overlying cover to be detected in the near-surface. The high mobility of some gases makes them the best pathfinders for concealed natural resources. Indeed, the gases produced and/or accumulated in geothermal reservoirs can escape towards the surface by diffusion, through transportation by rising hot fluids and by migration along fractures and faults. The Tetitlan area (Nayarit, Mexico) has been investigated by CFE (Comisiòn Federal de Electricidad) since nineties by means of exploratory wells for geothermal purposes and gravimetric prospectings. On the basis of obtained results, a potential deep geothermic reservoir has been inferred in spite of the scarcity of evident surface manifestations (e.g., hot springs, vents). A total of 154 soil-gas samples and 346 CO2 and CH4 flux measurements were collected in an area of 72 square kilometres. The performed soil-gas and flux geochemical surveys highlighted a general rising patterns linked to local fault system. Experimental variograms confirmed the presence of anisotropies highlighting different spatial domains. The contour maps elaborated on the basis of the calculated experimental variograms, demonstrated that gas emission at the surface is not spatially heterogeneous within studied area with the important implication that the highest fluxes, as well as concentrations, could be used in undeveloped geothermal systems to identify main upflow regions and areas of increased and deep permeability. Further, the total natural gas emission has been calculated in order to estimate the exploitation potential of the inferred system. The overall calculated levels of CO2 and CH4 emissions (2.35 104 t/day and 6.6 103 t/ day, respectively) from the Tetitlan system is found to remain within the range of normalized emissions measured for geothermal, volcanic, non-volcanic and hydrothermal systems worldwide.

Description: Unpublished

Description: Torino

Description: 4.5. Studi sul degassamento naturale e sui gas petroliferi

Description: open

Description: A multidisciplinary study based mainly on aerophotogeological interpretation and geochemical prospectings were performed in the Comino valley area which extends between Vicalvi and San Donato Val di Comino villages. The studied area covers 70 km2 of a considered key-area in the geological-seismic framework of the Central Apennines. The Comino valley is located in the SW sector of the Central Apennine (Southern Latium) where the “Val Roveto-Atina-Caserta” regional fault has been studied since many years. Indeed, according with some authors, this fault can be interpreted as a crustal discontinuity probably corresponding to a deep step of the Moho. The studied area is also characterized by the presence of secondary tectonic lineaments (e.g. San Donato-Val Comino fault) having a typical Apenninic orientation (NW-SE). The Comino valley is affected by high seismic activity: last destructive earthquake was in May 7, 1984 (ML 5.9) while during 2009 many seismic events (ML 〈 4) have occurred for several months suggesting a new micro-seismic activity. The spatial soil-gas distributions have been compared with the location and orientation of brittle deformations described in the literature and/or recognized by new field surveys, as well as with morphotectonic features obtained by photogeological analysis. Soil gas results show a pervasive character of the radon, helium and methane values. Soil gas prospecting together with geological survey has provided an inedited and detailed mapping of the structural setting of the studied area and in particular new data about the Comino valley have been acquired. The identified structural lineaments by geological survey as well as the He, CH4 and Rn anomalies in soil gas in correspondence of lineament crossing, suggest that such faults may be considered as the surface expression of a deep structure network (probably down to the Moho) playing a role of important avenue for a vertical and rapid migration of endogenetic gases. In particular, the high Rn median value (51.80 Bq/L) in an area without shallow possible radon sources, suggests a deep origin for this gas and therefore a vertical migration through fractured media, i.e. faults and fractures. The elongated gas anomalies show that the area is characterized by tectonic discontinuities oriented mainly NNW-SSE in accordance with and linked to the regional Val Roveto-Atina-Caserta fault and WSW-ENE that suggest transversal fractured zones. The investigated area is also interested by mineralized springs with a high gaseous component: CO2 is the dominant gas (concentrations 〉 95 %, v/v) but also discrete amounts of CH4 have been measured (max value: 4200 ppm). The spatial distribution of thermal springs, cold CO2-rich springs and localized gas emissions suggests that the structural framework of the studied area, i.e. the bordering faults of buried structural highs of the carbonate basement, exerts a strong control on the uprising patterns of fluids.

Description: Unpublished

Description: Torino (Italy)

Description: 3.2. Tettonica attiva

Description: open