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

Radon (222Rn) 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. In the framework of the EU-funded LIFE-Respire project, a large amount of data (radionuclide content, soil gas samples, terrestrial gamma, indoor radon) was collected from three municipalities located in different volcanic districts of the Lazio region (central Italy) that are characterised by low to high GRP. Results highlight the positive correlation between the radionuclide content of the outcropping rocks, the soil Rn concentrations and the presence of high indoor Rn values in areas with medium to high GRP. Data confirm that the Cimini-Vicani area has inhalation dosages that are higher than the reference value of 10 mSv/y.

Spatial and temporal pCO2 marine monitoring near Panarea Island (Italy) using multiple low-cost GasPro sensors.

The present paper describes the GasPro probe, a small, low-cost unit for in situ, continuous pCO2 monitoring. Laboratory tests defining its performance characteristics are reported, as are the results from a 60 h water-column deployment of 20 such units near a natural CO2 seep site off the coast of Panarea Island (Italy). The spatial-temporal evolution of dissolved CO2 movement is presented and possible origins and controlling mechanisms discussed. Results highlight the potential for this technology to be used for better understanding various dynamic physical and biochemical processes in marine environments, and for marine environmental monitoring of off-shore industrial sites. These experiments have allowed us to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the present GasPro prototype and to define areas for ongoing improvement.

The tectonic puzzle of the Messina area (Southern Italy): insights from new seismic reflection data.

The Messina Strait, that separates peninsular Italy from Sicily, is one of the most seismically active areas of the Mediterranean. The structure and seismotectonic setting of the region are poorly understood, although the area is highly populated and important infrastructures are planned there. New seismic reflection data have identified a number of faults, as well as a crustal scale NE-trending anticline few km north of the strait. These features are interpreted as due to active right-lateral transpression along the north-eastern Sicilian offshore, coexisting with extensional and right-lateral transtensional tectonics in the southern Messina Strait. This complex tectonic network appears to be controlled by independent and overlapping tectonic settings, due to the presence of a diffuse transfer zone between the SE-ward retreating Calabria subduction zone relative to slab advance in the western Sicilian side.