Energy dissipation of rockfalls by coppice structures

Abstract. The objective of this work is to develop elements to improve understanding of the behaviour of a coppice in relation to the phenomenon of falling boulders. The first section proposes an amendment to the equation for calculating the index which describes the probability of impact between a rock and plants in managed coppice forests. A study was carried out, using models to calculate the kinetic energy of a falling boulder along a slope considering the kinetic energy dissipated during the impact with the structure of forest plants managed by coppice. The output of the simulation models were then compared with the real dynamics of falling boulders in field tests using digital video. It emerged from an analysis of the results of this comparison that a modification to the 1989 Gsteiger equation was required, in order to calculate the "Average Distance between Contacts" (ADC). To this purpose, the concept of "Structure of Interception", proposed in this paper, was developed, valid as a first approach for describing the differences in the spatial distribution of stems between coppice and forest. This study also aims to provide suggestions for forestry management, in order to maintain or increase the protective capacity of a coppice managed with conventional techniques for the area studied, modifying the dendrometric characteristics

Synthesis and Characterization of Metal-Hexacyanometallates as Innovative Materials for Analytical and Technological Applications

This thesis focuses on the synthesis, characterization and analytical and technological applications of Prussian Blue analogues (or Metal Hexacyanometallates, MHCMs), with the generic formula AxMy[B(CN)6].mH2O where, x, y, and m are stoichiometric coefficients, M and B indicate transition metals and A an alkaline metal cation. Prussian Blue (PB) open framework materials exhibit unique physicochemical characteristics, that are primarily a result of the perovskite-like face-centered cubic crystal structure and represent a class of extremely versatile compounds. Properties and structures of these chemically and electrochemically synthetized compounds, both native and composite, are investigated by using a multi-technique approach including X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and electrochemical measurements. Electrocatalysis of targeted reactions and structural changes upon ion uptake by these MHCF nanoparticles constitute an important topic in this thesis. The use of Prussian blue and its analogues in devices for displays and “smart” windows, environmental remediation, chemical/biological sensing, energy conversion, and magneto-optic/opto-magnetic switching is described, giving a general overview of innovative analytical and technological applications provided by such materials. Finally, the synthesis and characterization of novel TiO2–Metal Hexacyanometallates composite materials is studied. The electronic properties of TiO2 were substantially modified as confirmed by UV-Vis and XP-valence band data. Practical use of these materials can be envisaged in different areas, such as antibacterial treatments, protection of historical artifacts, self-cleaning surfaces, photovoltaic cells and photoelectrochemical degradation of organic dyes in aqueous solutions under UV irradiation

Immobilization of nanobeads on a surface to control the size, shape and distribution of pores in electrochemically generated sol-gel films

Electrochemically assisted deposition of an ormosil film at a potential where hydrogen ion is generated as the catalyst yields insulating films on electrodes. When the base electrode is modified with 20-nm poly (styrene sulfonate), PSS, beads bound to the surface with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), and using (CH3) 3SiOCH3 as the precursor, the resulting film of organically modified silica (ormosil) has cylindrical channels that reflect both the diameter of the PSS and the distribution of the APTES-PSS on the electrode. At an electrode modified by a 20-min immersion in 0.5 mmol dm−3 APTES followed by a 30-s immersion in PSS, a 20-min electrolysis at 1.5 V in acidified (CH3) 3SiOCH3 resulted in an ormosil film with 20-nm pores separated by 100 nm. Cyclic voltammetry of Ru (CN) 6 4− at scan rates above 5 mV s−1 yielded currents controlled primarily by linear diffusion. Below 5 mV s−1, convection rather than the expected factor, radial diffusion, apparently limited the current

MOSYSS Project - Monitoring SYstem of Soils at multiScale. Monitoring system of physical, chemical and biological soil parameters in relation to forest and agricultural land management.

MOSYSS is a project launched in June 2010 by the Agriculture, Forestation and Fisheries Department of the Marche Region in Italy. It has been coordinated by the Regional Soil Observatory as part of the assessment activities of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) Marche 2007-2013 as laid down in the Common Monitoring and Assessment Framework. Among the objectives there is the creation of a permanent soil monitoring system for the whole Marche territory, combining technical and scientific requirements (e.g. rigor and representativeness) whilst optimizing financial and organizational resources. The information obtainable from the monitoring system could potentially be upscale, on a functional basis, in other existing soil and biodiversity monitoring networks at national and European level. The main function of the project is to investigate soils starting from their intrinsic properties ( e.g. chemical, physical or biological) to obtain a detailed evaluation of their current "quality" status, and to monitor, over time, changes in these parameters by repeating the monitoring campaign at pre-established time intervals.JRC.H.5-Land Resources Managemen

Case Study - Italy, Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation (SoCo Project)

This Technical Note 'Case Study ¿ Italy' is part of a series of case studies within the ¿Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation¿ (SoCo) project. Ten case studies were carried out in Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom between spring and summer 2008. The selection of case study areas was designed to capture differences in soil degradation processes, soil types, climatic conditions, farm structures and farming practices, institutional settings and policy priorities. A harmonised methodological approach was pursued in order to gather insights from a range of contrasting conditions over a geographically diverse area. The case studies were carried out by local experts to reflect the specificities of the selected case studies.JRC.DDG.J.5-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Geopolymers for hazardous cations and anions inertization

Several waste liquors are classified as toxic or hazardous waste and represent a real burden for companies in terms of costs and treatment time. One of the most difficult to treat is the tannery waste water that represent a high pollution risk if not treated and collected properly. Geopolymeric matrix based on metakaolin has been used to treat tannery waste water without any post use treatment. The as received waste water containing tannins, chromium soluble salts, phenols, bicarbonates, and a mixture of organic compounds have been added to a geopolymeric formulation which was optimized for Cr+3 liquor [1]. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Il monitoraggio del territorio rurale : metodi e strumenti

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Energy dissipation of rockfalls by coppice structures Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 9, 993-1001,

Abstract. The objective of this work is to develop elements to improve understanding of the behaviour of a coppice in relation to the phenomenon of falling boulders. The first section proposes an amendment to the equation for calculating the index which describes the probability of impact between a rock and plants in managed coppice forests. A study was carried out, using models to calculate the kinetic energy of a falling boulder along a slope considering the kinetic energy dissipated during the impact with the structure of forest plants managed by coppice. The output of the simulation models were then compared with the real dynamics of falling boulders in field tests using digital video. It emerged from an analysis of the results of this comparison that a modification to the 1989 Gsteiger equation was required, in order to calculate the “Average Distance between Contacts” (ADC). To this purpose, the concept of “Structure of Interception”, proposed in this paper, was developed, valid as a first approach for describing the differences in the spatial distribution of stems between coppice and forest. This study also aims to provide suggestions for forestry management, in order to maintain or increase the protective capacity of a coppice managed with conventional techniques for the area studied, modifying the dendrometric characteristics