Metals and metalloids in high-altitude Pyrenean lakes: sources and distribution in pre-industrial and modern sediments.

High-altitude Pyrenean lakes are ecosystems far from local pollution sources, and thus they are particularly sensitive to the atmospheric deposition of metals and metalloids. This study aims to quantify the effect of human activity in 18 lakes located in both side of the France-Spain frontier. Sediment cores were collected in summer 2013, sampled at a 1cm resolution and the concentration of 24 elements was measured by ICP-MS.

Characterization of atmospheric aerosols in the Antarctic region using Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy.

The non-destructive spectroscopic characterization of airborne particulate matter (PM) was performed to gain better knowledge of the internal structures of atmospheric aerosols at the particle level in the Antarctic region, along with their potential sources. PM and soil samples were collected during the 2016-2017 austral summer season at the surroundings of the Spanish Antarctic Research Station "Gabriel de Castilla" (Deception Island, South Shetland Islands). PM was deposited in a low-volume sampler air filter.

Long-term in situ non-invasive spectroscopic monitoring of weathering processes in open-air prehistoric rock art sites.

In this work, an innovative non-destructive monitoring methodology based on the analysis over time of open-air rock art sites is presented. This approach is based on the combination of in situ spectroscopic and chemometric studies to diagnose and monitor the state of conservation of rock art sites. Data acquired over a period of time by non-invasive analytical techniques such as portable Raman spectrometry (RS) and handheld energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (HH-EDXRF) spectrometry are compared to detect physicochemical changes that could affect the rock painting integrity.

Biodeterioration of Pompeian mural paintings: fungal colonization favoured by the presence of volcanic material residues.

This work was focused on the study of the biodegradation processes jeopardizing a mural painting conserved in the basement of Ariadne House (archaeological site of Pompeii, Italy). The fresco stood out for its peculiar state of preservation: the upper part, recovered in 1988, was just barely colonized by microorganisms. On the contrary, the lower part (excavated in 2005) was almost completely covered by extensive biological patinas.