Geochemical and isotopical variations within the Campanian Comagmatic Province: implications on magma source composition

A spatial variation in chemical and isotopical composition is observed between the volcanoes belonging to the Campanian Comagmatic Province. At a given MgO content, magmas from volcanic islands (Procida and Ischia) are enriched in Ti, Na, depleted in La, Ba, Rb, Sr, Th, K contents, and shows lower LREE/HFSE (e.g., La/Nb = = 1-2), lower Sr-Pb isotopic ratios and higher Nd isotopic ratios with respect to magmas from volcanoes locat- ed inland (Campi Flegrei and Somma-Vesuvius). The observed compositional variations are explained involving two different mantle sources in the genesis of the magmas erupted in this region: a deeper asthenospheric man- tle source, from which the Tyrrhenian magmas also derived and a lithospheric mantle source enriched by slab- derived fluids. The contribution of the enriched-lithospheric mantle became more pronounced moving from the Tyrrhenian abyssal plain through the Italian Peninsula where it dominates, likely in response to the thickening of the lithosphere observed under the Peninsul

Mineralogical, geochemical and isotopic features of tuffs from the CFDDP drill hole: Hydrothermal activity in the eastern side of the Campi Flegrei volcano (southern Italy)

Abstract A 506 m drill-hole has been recently drilled in the framework of the Campi Flegrei Deep Drilling Project (CFDDP) and the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP) with the intention of coring the subsurface in the eastern sector of the Campi Flegrei caldera. The borehole, located in the western district of the Neapolitan city (Bagnoli Plain) 3 km to the east of the most active volcanic area and about 5 m above sea level, is now targeted for monitoring purposes. This paper reports the results obtained from the analysis of two short cores collected at depths of − 443 and − 506 m below the ground level. The cores sampled two pre-caldera tuffs. Observations performed by optical and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction were used to achieve data on the primary lithology, both primary and secondary mineralogical assemblages, and the relationship between texture and secondary mineralization. Sr isotope ratios were determined on selected primary feldspars, whereas δ13C and δ18O analyses were performed on carbonates from veins and filled-voids in tuffs. Our results provide information on the hydrothermal system in the eastern sector of the caldera that was not among the goals in the previous drilling programs. Secondary mineralization suggests a saline hydrothermal environment characterized by fluids that progressively evolved from boiling toward more alkaline and cooler conditions. A paleo-temperature of ca. 160 °C has been inferred from authigenic mineral occurrences and calculated on the basis of equilibria between cored calcites and fluids presently emitted at the surface, by using carbon and oxygen isotope data. The temperature measured at the bottom of the drilling is about 80 °C

Genomic Insight of Alicyclobacillus mali FL18 Isolated From an Arsenic-Rich Hot Spring

Extreme environments are excellent places to find microorganisms capable of tolerating extreme temperature, pH, salinity pressure, and elevated concentration of heavy metals and other toxic compounds. In the last decades, extremophilic microorganisms have been extensively studied since they can be applied in several fields of biotechnology along with their enzymes. In this context, the characterization of heavy metal resistance determinants in thermophilic microorganisms is the starting point for the development of new biosystems and bioprocesses for environmental monitoring and remediation. This work focuses on the isolation and the genomic exploration of a new arsenic-tolerant microorganism, classified as Alicyclobacillus mali FL18. The bacterium was isolated from a hot mud pool of the solfataric terrains in Pisciarelli, a well-known hydrothermally active zone of the Campi Flegrei volcano near Naples in Italy. A. mali FL18 showed a good tolerance to arsenite (MIC value of 41 mM), as well as to other metals such as nickel (MIC 30 mM), cobalt, and mercury (MIC 3 mM and 17 μM, respectively). Signatures of arsenic resistance genes (one arsenate reductase, one arsenite methyltransferase, and several arsenite exporters) were found interspersed in the genome as well as several multidrug resistance efflux transporters that could be involved in the export of drugs and heavy metal ions. Moreover, the strain showed a high resistance to bacitracin and ciprofloxacin, suggesting that the extreme environment has positively selected multiple resistances to different toxic compounds. This work provides, for the first time, insights into the heavy metal tolerance and antibiotic susceptibility of an Alicyclobacillus strain and highlights its putative molecular determinants

The protohistoric briquetage at Puntone (Tuscany, Italy):A multidisciplinary attempt to unravel its age and role in the salt supply of Early States in Tyrrhenian Central Italy

While processes involved in the protohistoric briquetage at Puntone (Tuscany, Italy) have been reconstructed in detail, the age of this industry remained uncertain since materials suited for traditional dating (14C dating on charcoal and typological dating of ceramics) were very scarce. We attempted to assess its age by radiocarbon dating organic matter and carbonates in strata that were directly linked to the industry. Microbial DNA and C isotope analyses showed that the organic matter is dominantly composed of labile organic matter, of which the age is coeval with the briquetage industry. Carbonates had a complex origin and were overall unsuited for radiocarbon dating: Shells in process residues exhibited a large, uncertain ‘marine reservoir effect’, hampering their use for dating the industry; the secondary carbonates in these residues had a quite varied composition, including much more recent carbonate that precipitated from infiltrated lateral run-off, as could be concluded from C and Sr isotope analyses. Dates found that were deemed reliable (c. 1000–100 cal BCE) show that this ancient industry, which started in the Late Bronze Age - Early Iron Age (1107–841 cal BCE), extended into the Roman Republican period and was contemporary with the saltern-based larger scale salt industry in Central Lazio

A rare Mid-Wurmian lithoid tuff in the Agro Pontino graben (Southern Lazio, Italy) and its identification as an Albano 5-7 related distal tephra deposit (40-36 kaBP):characteristics, provenance and palaeogeographical implications

A lithoid tuff, found in 2011 (Ricci pit, Agro Pontino, Southern Lazio, Italy), was studied for its composition, origin and palaeogeographical implications. This tuff was the first occurrence of a Wurmian-age tephra layer, encountered in the coastal basins of Southern Lazio. Based on its mineralogy and isotopic composition (Sr and Nd), its stratigraphic position and the pre- and post-depositional soil formation and weathering, it was identified as a distal tephra deposit from the Colli Albani volcano, connected with the Albano 5-7 eruptive stage and dating from 40-36 ka BP. The lithoid tuff consists of tephra that were slightly reworked and subsequently lithified, when this central part of the Agro Pontino graben still consisted of a non-dissected, level lagoonal plain. The study confirms the earlier established importance of this tephra layer as stratigraphic marker for Central Italy, and shows that its distribution is wider than earlier assumed, notably to the SE of the Colli Albani volcano

La Sassa cave:Isotopic evidence for Copper Age and Bronze Age population dynamics in Central Italy

This study focuses on the changes in diet and mobility of people buried in the La Sassa cave (Latium, Central Italy) during the Copper and Bronze Ages to contribute to the understanding of the complex contemporary population dynamics in Central Italy. To that purpose, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses, strontium isotope analyses, and FT-IR evaluations were performed on human and faunal remains from this cave. The stable isotope analyses evidence a slight shift in diet between Copper and Bronze Age individuals, which becomes prominent in an individual, dating from a late phase, when the cave was mainly used as a cultic shelter. This diachronic study documents an increased dietary variability due to the introduction of novel resources in these protohistoric societies, possibly related to the southward spread of northern human groups into Central Italy. This contact between different cultures is also testified by the pottery typology found in the cave. The latter shows an increase in cultural intermingling starting during the beginning of the middle Bronze Age. The local mobility during this phase likely involved multiple communities scattered throughout an area of a few kilometers around the cave, which used the latter as a burial site both in the Copper and Bronze ages.</p

Correlation between olfactory function, age, sex, and cognitive reserve index in the Italian population

Purpose: Loss of smell decreases the quality of life and contributes to the failure in recognizing hazardous substances. Given the relevance of olfaction in daily life, it is important to recognize an undiagnosed olfactory dysfunction to prevent these possible complications. Up to now, the prevalence of smell disorders in Italy is unknown due to a lack of epidemiological studies. Hence, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in a sample of Italian adults. Methods: Six hundred and thirty-three participants (347 woman and 286 men; mean age 44.9 years, SD 17.3, age range 18-86) were recruited from 10 distinct Italian regions. Participants were recruited using a convenience sapling and were divided into six different age groups: 18-29 years (N = 157), 30-39 years (N = 129), 40-49 years (N = 99), 50-59 years (N = 106), &gt; 60 years (N = 142). Olfactory function, cognitive abilities, cognitive reserve, and depression were assessed, respectively, with: Sniffin' Sticks 16-item Odor Identification Test, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Cognitive Reserve Index, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Additionally, socio-demographic data, medical history, and health-related lifestyle information were collected. Results: About 27% of participants showed an odor identification score &lt; 12 indicating hyposmia. Multiple regression analysis revealed that OI was significantly correlated with age, sex, and cognitive reserve index, and young women with high cognitive reserve index showing the highest olfactory scores. Conclusion: This study provides data on the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in different Italian regions

Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Genesis of Zeolites in Cenozoic Pyroclastic Flows from the Asuni Area (Central Sardinia, Italy)

Natural zeolite occurrences have been recognized in several Cenozoic pyroclastic deposits in central Sardinia. This study concerns the mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the zeolitized tuffites in the Asuni area (Oristano province) and aims to complement information regarding the zeolitization processes developed in the nearby Allai deposits. Optical and scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, qualitative vs. quantitative microanalyses and bulk‐rock geochemistry were performed. Analytical results allow defining the mineral distribution, textural relationships and geochemical features of the zeolite‐bearing rocks. The most abundant secondary minerals are Ca‐Na mordenites. Contrarily to the most common worldwide clinoptilolite + mordenite paragenesis, mordenite is dominant and occurs in different morphologies, rarely coexisting with clinoptilolite in the studied volcanic tuffites. Glauconite and dioctahedral smectite complete the authigenic assemblages. The primary volcanic components mostly include plagioclase, quartz and glass shards, roughly retaining their original appearance. The tuffites range in composition from dacite to rhyolite. The collected dataset shows that zeolitization is most abundant in coarser‐grained deposits and points to a genetic process that mainly involves an open hydrothermal environment governed by aqueous fluids with significant marine component, in post eruption conditions.Publishedid 2685V. Processi eruttivi e post-eruttiviJCR Journa

The acid-sulfate zone and the mineral alteration styles of the Roman Puteolis (Neapolitan area, Italy): clues on fluid fracturing progression at the Campi Flegrei volcano

Active fumarolic solfataric zones represent important structures of dormant volcanoes, but unlike emitted fluids,their mineralization are omitted in the usual monitoring activity. This is the case for the Campi Flegrei caldera in Italy, among the most hazardous and best-monitored explosive volcanoes in the World, where the landscape of Puteolis is characterized by acid sulfate alteration that is active at least since Roman time. This paper provides temperature, mineralogical, textural,compositional and stable isotope data for those solfataric terrains sampled at the crater and Pisciarelli slope of the Solfatara volcano between 2012 and 2019. Temperatures vary between 40 ° and 95 °C. Minerals include alunite with grain sizes generally larger than 20 μm, alunogen, native sulfur, well-ordered kaolinite, and, common at Pisciarelli, pyrite and NH4-sulfates. Sulfate terrains have higher contents of Ti, Ba, Au, As Hg and Tl relative to their parent substrate. The Pisciarelli slope is anomalous in terms of the presence of NH4. δ34S values for sulfides and native S range between -3.00 and 0.49 ‰ and from -4.42 to 0.80 ‰, respectively. Sulfates show δ 34S and δ 18O values in the range of -3.35 to 3.80 ‰ and between 0.3 and 31.33 ‰, respectively. The style of mineralization and the stable isotope geochemistry do produce complex and not completely consistent classifications and genetic information. We merge our data with volcanological information, data from exploration drillings and geophysical results. With the conceptual model we suggest a series of shallow and deep aquifers interconnected like “communicating vessels” through a main fault system that downthrows Solfatara with respect to Pisciarelli. Fluid outflow from the different discrete aquifers hosted in sediments – and possibly bearing biological imprints – is the main dataset that allows determination of the steam-heated environment with a supergene settings superimposed. Supergene conditions and high-sulfidation relicts, together with the narrow sulfate alteration zone buried under the youngest volcanic deposits, point to the existence of a paleo-conduit. The data will contribute to monitor and evaluate the volcanic hazardsPublished1809–18313V. Proprietà chimico-fisiche dei magmi e dei prodotti vulcaniciJCR Journa