Metal and non-metal micro-pollutants in cultivated soils of Lecce and Brindisi districts (Apulia, southern Italy).

To estimate the presence of metal and non-metal micro-pollutants in the soils of the Lecce and Brindisi districts, an analytical study has been carried out on samples of surface soils taken from agricultural areas. The research has concerned the determination of the following micro-pollutants: Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn, Pb, Be, Cd, As, Hg, Sb e Tl. Statistical techniques, such as Principal Component Analysis and Clustering Analysis, have been utilised to examine the correlations among the different parameters and to define contamination areas. The results show that the amount of micro-pollutants in the superficial stratum of the examined soils is in the range permitted by the regulations in force, with the exception of arsenic and thallium. Arsenic concentrations are near to the maximum admissible value, while thallium concentrations are in 56% of the samples higher than the admissible value both in the soil and underground. The most significant parameter from a toxicological point of view is thallium, which has its maximum concentration in the soils located near the industrial area of Brindisi.

Sea water contamination in underground waters of salento (Southern Italy).

In the present work, a study of a physico-chemical characterisation of underground waters, utilised for agriculture and human use in the Lecce district (Southern Italy) has been reported. The aim of the work has been to define the quality of underground waters in the different areas and to value salt contamination due to seawater intrusion. Statistical techniques, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA), have been utilised to examine the correlations among the different parameters and to define contamination areas. The results have shown a high salt contamination in artesian wells of the Ionian Sea coast.

[Foreign immigration in Apulia]. / L'immigrazione straniera in Puglia.

PIP: An analysis of recent immigration to the Italian region of Apulia is presented using data from official sources, including the 1981 census. Consideration is given to country of origin and selected migrant characteristics, including sex distribution, educational status, family status, occupations, and income. The level of immigrant assimulation is also analyzed.^ieng

Improvement of the FeCl3 test for phenylpyruvic acid.

A simple alternative colorimetric method has been developed for quantitative determination of phenylpyruvic acid in urine based on the improved stability of the ferric complex of enol-phenylpyruvate in water-dimethylsulfoxide 50% vol. mixed solvent. The method can be applied directly to urine or to a dry ether-extract of urine. Operating on the dry ether-extract of urine, detection of phenylpyruvic acid is possible at an amount of as low as 1 mg/100 ml. Whereas, if urine samples are processed, detection is possible for a concentration of as low as 5 mg/100 ml and quantitative determination for a concentration greater than 10 mg/100 ml. The test carried out on a diaper wet with urine retains the same sensitivity and shows instantaneous development of the green colour.

Studies on phenylpyruvic acid. I. Keto-enol tautomerism.

The tautomerism of phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) and its sodium salt was investigated. The 1H and 13C spectra of PPA in aprotic solvents and in methanol show almost complete prevalence of the enol form, whereas the keto form prevails only in water. The Z configuration was assigned to the sole enol tautomer present on the basis of the value of the vicinal coupling constant [3J1H, 13COOH]=3.7 Hz. A small amount of the hydrated form of PPA (1-phenyl-2, 2-dihydroxylpropanoic acid) was found in the aqueous solution of its sodium salt and in buffer solution (pD=6) of PPA. By means of infrared spectroscopy one can conclude that crystalline PPA is in the enol whereas its sodium salt is in the keto form. The keto-acid was not obtained in the solid state. The colorimetric method for testing PPA traces in urine depends on the formation of a enol-Fe3+ complex (2:1) which appears stable in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO).