Il Metodo ESAS per la modellizzazione del rischio di desertificazione: applicazione in un'area della Sardegna nord-occidentale

GIS elaboration was applied to assess the sensivity to Desertification of an area of north western Sardinia. The ESAs model was used (Environmentally Sensitive Areas to desertification, developed by MEDALUS III EC – DG RES project. The model makes use of 15 indicators grouped into 4 classes: soil, vegetation, climate, land management. For each indicator independent layers are produced according to a pre-defined weights system and are then processed to create four synthetic indexes. Finally, the sensitivity index is produced as a geometric average. The implementation highlighted the high sensitivity of the concerned area

Fluoride uptake and translocation in food crops grown in fluoride-rich soils.

This research article published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2020BACKGROUND The East African Rift Valley (EARV) area is characterized by an intense volcanic activity, which largely influences the nature of soils, ground and surface waters causing a transfer of fluoride from volcanic emissions to the environment. Field experiments were conducted in F‐contaminated areas of Ngarenanyuki (Arumeru district) in North Tanzania. In order to evaluate the potential fluoride exposure from the diet and the related health risk for the local population, the content of fluoride in soil and plant tissues was assessed, focusing on the edible portions (leaves, fruits or seeds) of the main cultivated and consumed food crops in the area. RESULTS Average fluoride contents of 8.0, 11.4, 11.3 and 14.2 mg kg−1 of dry matter were observed respectively for maize (Zea mays L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and kale (Brassica sp. pl .) edible parts. The cumulative estimated average daily dose (EADD) ranged from 0.026 to 0.165 mg F d−1 kg−1 among different rural population groups and considering two different hypotheses of absorption fraction (75% or 100%), i.e. the amount of fluoride that is absorbed during the digestion process. The associated hazard index (HI) values varied from 0.43 to 2.75. CONCLUSIONS Considering the dietary habits of the local population, the outcomes of the present study suggest that the investigated crops can substantially contribute to fluoride related diseases, especially in earlier ages

Elemental Fingerprinting Combined with Machine Learning Techniques as a Powerful Tool for Geographical Discrimination of Honeys from Nearby Regions

Discrimination of honey based on geographical origin is a common fraudulent practice and is one of the most investigated topics in honey authentication. This research aims to discriminate honeys according to their geographical origin by combining elemental fingerprinting with machinelearning techniques. In particular, the main objective of this study is to distinguish the origin of unifloral and multifloral honeys produced in neighboring regions, such as Sardinia (Italy) and Spain. The elemental compositions of 247 honeys were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The origins of honey were differentiated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Random Forest (RF). Compared to LDA, RF demonstrated greater stability and better classification performance. The best classification was based on geographical origin, achieving 90% accuracy using Na, Mg, Mn, Sr, Zn, Ce, Nd, Eu, and Tb as predictor

Elemental fingerprinting combined with machine learning techniques as a powerful tool for geographical discrimination of honeys from nearby regions

Discrimination of honey based on geographical origin is a common fraudulent practice and is one of the most investigated topics in honey authentication. This research aims to discriminate honeys according to their geographical origin by combining elemental fingerprinting with machine-learning techniques. In particular, the main objective of this study is to distinguish the origin of unifloral and multifloral honeys produced in neighboring regions, such as Sardinia (Italy) and Spain. The elemental compositions of 247 honeys were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The origins of honey were differentiated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Random Forest (RF). Compared to LDA, RF demonstrated greater stability and better classification performance. The best classification was based on geographical origin, achieving 90% accuracy using Na, Mg, Mn, Sr, Zn, Ce, Nd, Eu, and Tb as predictors

Il Database pedologico georeferenziato e la carta dei suoli della Sardegna

Tha authors have made a Georeferenced Soil Data Base for Sardinia and related soil map at 1: 250.000 scale. This study, carried out in the Ecopedological map of Italy, is based on the Georeferenced Soil Data Base for Europa, Manual of Procedures, (vers. 1.0), directives. by European Soil Bureau. The database is jointed in Soil Regions and subRegions, every differentiated on geological and climatic features. The Soil Region or Soil subRegion, are costituited by one o more Soilscape differentiated on morphological features. The Soilscapes are described by Soil Body, definited as a portion of soil cover with diagnostic characteristic resulting from similar process of soil genesis. In the island the authors have recognized 7 Soil Regions, 2 or Soil subRegions and 285 Soil Scapes; 62 of these are described by one o by more Soil Body. For every Soil Region, Soil subRegion, Soilscape and Soil Body the authors have made a XLS file card, based on the Manual of Procedures. The map (in MAPINFO file) and the file cards are only the first step for the implementation of soil data base. The next phase will be the description of the existing Soilscape by new Soil Body and all soil profiles surveyied in Sardinia

Organic carbon and alkalinity increase in topsoil after rangeland restoration through <i>atriplex nummularia</i> plantation

This research studied the impact of fodder shrub plantations (Atriplex nummularia Lindl.) on topsoil properties, with particular reference to organic carbon, nitrogen, and soluble salts, in the Marrakech region (central Morocco). The studied plantation interventions were carried out to rehabilitate degraded rangeland and to mitigate desertification. The field experiment was conducted by drawing seventeen 50-m-long transects designed according to the ecological patch–interpatch approach defined by the Landscape Function Analysis. The top soil (0–5 cm) was sampled in 134 microsites, covering the main patch and interpatch types in plantation and control plots. The following variables were determined: pH, carbonates, organic carbon, total nitrogen, electrical conductivity, and soluble ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ Cl−, NO3−, SO42− and PO43−). Statistical analyses were carried out to analyse changes between sites and between patch types. Most of the studied properties were strongly affected by the spatial pattern defined by the plantation, particularly when the sites with higher biomass production were considered. Organic carbon increased by around 63% and 117% when the under canopy patches were compared, respectively, to the between-plants interpatches and to the control plots, a strong positive effect considering the aridity of the study area. On the other hand, a stronger increase was detected under canopy for most soluble salts and sodium adsorption rate. On average, the latter increased by 350% and up to 450% under the best developed plants, a stronger impact than observed in previous research, highlighting the very strong plant effect on the soil surface alkalinity

The Geomorphologic and pedo-morphologic maps of Skhirat (Feriana, Tunisia) at the 1:50,000 scale

Land planning and land restoration in drylands affected by desertification require a good understanding of the active geomorphic processes, their intensities and spatial patterns. Traditional Soil and Land Suitability maps do not incorporate this information and may be partially inadequate in that regard, because they necessarily give a ‘static’ representation of the land. The geomorphology of the study area (Feriana district, Central Western Tunisia) is complex, including relict landforms, such as Quaternary pediments, fossil sand dunes, and the evidence of ancient endorheic systems. On the other hand the area is characterized by active and intense geomorphic processes: water and wind erosion, aeolian deposition, and localized present-day endorheism accompanied by water logging and salt accumulation processes. The soils reflect the imprints of multiple past and present pedogenic and geomorphic processes. In this study a Geomorphologic and a Pedo-morphologic Map were produced to provide the local decision makers with cartographic tools to best plan land use options and land restoration. The Maps were drawn at the 1:50,000 scale based on detailed photo-interpretation and on dedicated field surveys.</br

Tuning of the Amount of Se in Rice (Oryza sativa) Grain by Varying the Nature of the Irrigation Method: Development of an ICP-MS Analytical Protocol, Validation and Application to 26 Different Rice Genotypes

The amount of specific trace elements like selenium (Se) may be of health concern for humans if contained in too high (or low) quantities in staple foods like rice. Among the attempts aimed to optimize the Se concentration in rice, only few studies have been focused on the use of irrigation methods other than continuous flooding. Since intermittent irriguous methods, like sprinkler and saturation, have found to be effective in modifying the bioaccumulation of arsenic and cadmium in rice kernels, the main goal of this study is to measure the amount of the total Se contained in grains of 26 rice genotypes cultivated for two consecutive agrarian vintages in the same open field and with the same water, but differently irrigated with continuous flooding, sprinkler or saturation. To do this, an original and validated ICP-MS method has been developed. The validation parameters accounted for a high sensitivity and accuracy. Sprinkler irrigation is able to reduce in the average of 90% the amount of total Se in kernels in comparison to values measured in rice irrigated with continuous flooding. In conclusion, different irrigation techniques and rice genotypes seem to be valuable tools in order to allow in the future the customized modulation of the Se concentration in rice grain according to the needs of the various populations

Elemental Fingerprinting of Pecorino Romano and Pecorino Sardo PDO: Characterization, Authentication and Nutritional Value

Sardinia, located in Italy, is a significant producer of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) sheep cheeses. In response to the growing demand for high-quality, safe, and traceable food products, the elemental fingerprints of Pecorino Romano PDO and Pecorino Sardo PDO were determined on 200 samples of cheese using validated, inductively coupled plasma methods. The aim of this study was to collect data for food authentication studies, evaluate nutritional and safety aspects, and verify the influence of cheesemaking technology and seasonality on elemental fingerprints. According to European regulations, one 100 g serving of both cheeses provides over 30% of the recommended dietary allowance for calcium, sodium, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus, and over 15% of the recommended dietary intake for copper and magnesium. Toxic elements, such as Cd, As, Hg, and Pb, were frequently not quantified or measured at concentrations of toxicological interest. Linear discriminant analysis was used to discriminate between the two types of pecorino cheese with an accuracy of over 95%. The cheese-making process affects the elemental fingerprint, which can be used for authentication purposes. Seasonal variations in several elements have been observed and discussed