Surprising concentrations of hydrogen and non-geological methane and carbon dioxide in the soil.

Due to its potential use as a carbon-free energy resource with minimal environmental and climate impacts, natural hydrogen (H) produced by subsurface geochemical processes is today the target of intensive research. In H exploration practices, bacteria are thought to swiftly consume H and, therefore, small near-surface concentrations of H, even orders of 10 ppmv in soils, are considered a signal of active migration of geological gas, potentially revealing underground resources. Here, we document an extraordinary case of a widespread occurrence of H (up to 1 vol%), together with elevated concentrations of CH and CO (up to 51 and 27 vol%, respectively), in aerated meadow soils along Italian Alps valleys.

A new perspective in radon risk assessment: Mapping the geological hazard as a first step to define the collective radon risk exposure.

Radon is a radioactive gas and a major source of ionizing radiation exposure for humans. Consequently, it can pose serious health threats when it accumulates in confined environments. In Europe, recent legislation has been adopted to address radon exposure in dwellings; this law establishes national reference levels and guidelines for defining Radon Priority Areas (RPAs).

Rock deformation vs. radon emission: some constraints from shear stress-controlled experiments.

Numerous field and laboratory studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between radon variation and seismic events, as well as the complex link between radon emission and rock deformation mechanisms. However, a clear understanding of this correspondence and systematic observations of these phenomena are still lacking, and recent experimental studies have yet to yield conclusive results. In this study, we investigate the possible relationships between radon migration dynamics and rock deformation at the micro-scale through laboratory experiments using the SHIVA apparatus under shear stress-controlled conditions and simultaneous high-resolution radon measurements.

Enhancing Urban Wastewater Treatment through Isolated Strain-Based Phytoremediation in Centrate Stream: An Analysis of Algae Morpho-Physiology and Nutrients Removal Efficiency.

The release of inadequately treated urban wastewater is the main cause of environmental pollution of aquatic ecosystems. Among efficient and environmentally friendly technologies to improve the remediation process, those based on microalgae represent an attractive alternative due to the potential of microalgae to remove nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from wastewaters. In this work, microalgae were isolated from the centrate stream of an urban wastewater treatment plant and a native -like species was selected for studies on nutrient removal from centrate streams.

Evaluation of tectonically enhanced radon in fault zones by quantification of the radon activity index.

This work highlights the importance of the Geogenic Radon Potential (GRP) component originated by degassing processes in fault zones. This Tectonically Enhanced Radon (TER) can increase radon concentration in soil gas and the inflow of radon in the buildings (Indoor Radon Concentrations, IRC). Although tectonically related radon enhancement is known in areas characterised by active faults, few studies have investigated radon migration processes in non-active fault zones.