Exceptionally stable preindustrial sea level inferred from the western Mediterranean Sea.

An accurate record of preindustrial (pre-1900 CE) sea level is necessary to contextualize modern global mean sea level (GMSL) rise with respect to natural variability. Precisely dated phreatic overgrowths on speleothems (POS) provide detailed rates of Late Holocene sea-level rise in Mallorca. Statistical analysis indicates that sea level rose locally by 0.

Radon Hazard in Central Italy: Comparison among Areas with Different Geogenic Radon Potential.

Radon (Rn) is a natural radioactive gas formed in rocks and soil by the decay of its parent nuclide (238-Uranium). The rate at which radon migrates to the surface, be it along faults or directly emanated from shallow soil, represents the Geogenic Radon Potential (GRP) of an area. Considering that the GRP is often linked to indoor radon risk levels, we have conducted multi-disciplinary research to: (i) define local GRPs and investigate their relationship with associated indoor Rn levels; (ii) evaluate inhaled radiation dosages and the associated risk to the inhabitants; and (iii) define radon priority areas (RPAs) as required by the Directive 2013/59/Euratom.

Carrier and dilution effects of CO on thoron emissions from a zeolitized tuff exposed to subvolcanic temperatures.

Radon (Rn) and thoron (Rn) are two isotopes belonging to the noble gas radon () that is frequently employed for the geochemical surveillance of active volcanoes. Temperature gradients operating at subvolcanic conditions may induce chemical and structural modifications in rock-forming minerals and their related Rn-Rn emissions. Additionally, CO fluxes may also contribute enormously to the transport of radionuclides through the microcracks and pores of subvolcanic rocks.

Deep versus shallow sources of CO and Rn from a multi-parametric approach: the case of the Nisyros caldera (Aegean Arc, Greece).

Estimating the quantity of CO diffusively emitted from the Earth's surface has important implications for volcanic surveillance and global atmospheric CO budgets. However, the identification and quantification of non-hydrothermal contributions to CO release can be ambiguous. Here, we describe a multi-parametric approach employed at the Nisyros caldera, Aegean Arc, Greece, to assess the relative influence of deep and shallow gases released from the soil.

Transient to stationary radon (Rn) emissions from a phonolitic rock exposed to subvolcanic temperatures.

Rock substrates beneath active volcanoes are frequently subjected to temperature changes caused by the input of new magma from the depth and/or the intrusion of magma bodies of variable thickness within the subvolcanic rocks. The primary effect of the influx of hot magma is the heating of surrounding host rocks with the consequent modification of their physical and chemical properties. To assess mobilization in subvolcanic thermal regimes, we have performed radon (Rn) thermal experiments on a phonolitic lava exposed to temperatures in the range of 100-900°C.

Integrating radon and thoron flux data with gamma radiation mapping in radon-prone areas. The case of volcanic outcrops in a highly-urbanized city (Roma, Italy).

An integration of laboratory radon and thoron exhalation data with gamma radiation mapping is applied to assess the geogenic radon and the exposure of people to natural radiation in a highly-urbanized city (Roma, Italy). The study area is a protected territory where ignimbrites from Colli Albani volcano and alluvial sediments largely crop out. A map of total gamma radiation, a gamma transect across Caffarella valley and 9 vertical gamma profiles have been carried out, showing that the main control of gamma levels is, of course, the lithological nature, without neglecting the simultaneous effect of other parameters such as slope morphology, erosion/weathering processes, occurrence of sinkholes or underground tunnels.

Anatomy of a fumarolic system inferred from a multiphysics approach.

Fumaroles are a common manifestation of volcanic activity that are associated with large emissions of gases into the atmosphere. These gases originate from the magma, and they can provide indirect and unique insights into magmatic processes. Therefore, they are extensively used to monitor and forecast eruptive activity.

Soil radon survey to assess NAPL contamination from an ancient spill. Do kerosene vapors affect radon partition ?

A soil radon-deficit survey was carried out in a site polluted with kerosene (Rome, Italy) in winter 2016 to assess the contamination due to the NAPL residual component in the vadose zone and to investigate the role of the vapor plume. Radon is indeed more soluble in the residual NAPL than in air or water, but laboratory experiments demonstrated that it is also preferentially partitioned in the NAPL vapors that transport it and may influence soil radon distribution patterns. Specific experimental configurations were designed and applied to a 31-station grid to test this hypothesis; two RAD7 radon monitors were placed in-series and connected to the top of a hollow probe driven up to 80-cm depth; the first instrument was directly attached to the probe and received humid soil gas, which was counted and then conveyed to the second monitor through a desiccant (drierite) cylinder capturing moisture and eventually the NAPL volatile component plus the radon dissolved in vapors.

Laboratory simulation of recent NAPL spills to investigate radon partition among NAPL vapours and soil air.

Soil radon is employed to trace residual NAPL (Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid) contamination because it is very soluble in these substances and is strongly depleted over polluted volumes of the subsoil. The solubility of radon into NAPL vapors, generally poorly considered, is investigated here, either as growth of radon exhalation from a material contaminated with increasing volumes of kerosene, or as radon partition between liquid kerosene, water and total air, considered ad the sum of kerosene vapors plus air.

Correcting for HO interference using a RAD7 electrostatic collection-based silicon detector.

The effect of water molecules on the electrostatic collection of Po ions onto the surface of silicon detectors (neutralization) is evaluated through the comparison with a scintillation cell (ZnS), not affected by air humidity. A radon monitor (RAD7, Durridge Company) was connected to a stainless steel radon chamber, equipped with the scintillation cell. Radon gas, extracted from an acidified RaCl source, was injected into the chamber and the amount of water molecules in the system was alternatively lowered or increased (from 0.

Geographically weighted regression and geostatistical techniques to construct the geogenic radon potential map of the Lazio region: A methodological proposal for the European Atlas of Natural Radiation.

In many countries, assessment programmes are carried out to identify areas where people may be exposed to high radon levels. These programmes often involve detailed mapping, followed by spatial interpolation and extrapolation of the results based on the correlation of indoor radon values with other parameters (e.g.

Sea-level highstand 81,000 years ago in Mallorca.

Global sea level and Earth's climate are closely linked. Using speleothem encrustations from coastal caves on the island of Mallorca, we determined that western Mediterranean relative sea level was approximately 1 meter above modern sea level approximately 81,000 years ago during marine isotope stage (MIS) 5a. Although our findings seemingly conflict with the eustatic sea-level curve of far-field sites, they corroborate an alternative view that MIS 5a was at least as ice-free as the present, and they challenge the prevailing view of MIS 5 sea-level history and certain facets of ice-age theory.

Simultaneous determination of 222Rn and 220Rn exhalation rates from building materials used in Central Italy with accumulation chambers and a continuous solid state alpha detector: influence of particle size, humidity and precursors concentration.

A method to determine simultaneously the rates of 222Rn and 220Rn released from building materials quarried in Central Italy is presented. The method makes use of a continuous monitor equipped with a solid state alpha detector, in-line connected to a small accumulation chamber. The effects of chamber leakage and back diffusion on 222Rn free exhalation rate is evaluated.