Terroir e Glera: Indagini geochimiche per la definizione dei marker geografici

During the last twenty-years, the increasing demand of Prosecco in the international commerce has required more control in order to avoid falsification and incorrect use of denomination labels. The geographical indication is based on the relationship between the characteristic of the wine and the concept of Terroir. The Terroir, indeed, describes a particular grape variety with specific organoleptic characteristics of the wine, linked to a precise climate area, a geologic setting and a particular wine district or wine region. Considering that, the main purpose of this study is to determine the correspondence among geo-lithological features of the area, geochemistry of vineyard soil and chemical composition of grape (juice and solid residue). This research led on to identify the characteristic territorial markers of Glera cultivar. The analysed vineyards belong to ten distinct wineries, which are located in Veneto-Friuli Region alluvial plain and included in DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) area of Prosecco wine. The detection of major and trace elements contents in soil was carried out by means of XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy), whereas the grape samples were analysed by using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). Moreover, the heavy metal content in soil, grape and in wine was determined to evaluate a possible human activity, such as the use of fertilizer and pesticide. For each vineyard, in addition, the assimilation coefficient was calculated in order to assess the uptake of minerals in the grape (juice and solid residue) and in the wine, as fingerprints of their own specific content in soil. Through geochemical analysis and statistical approaches (LDA, PCA), the vineyard soils were discriminated according to the geo-lithological characteristic of the area and the trace elements were individuated in grape. Finally, the results of this research are useful to identified the correct relationship between the winery district and the Glera cultivar, demonstrating as some trace and ultra-trace elements could be considered as possible marker for geographical origin

Rationalist architecture in rural villages: petro-morphological characterization of natural asbestos fibers in decorative plasters used for artificial stones

At the beginning of the twentieth century, artificial stones became commonly used as structural building materials, masonry materials, and architectural decorative elements. The main purpose of this work was to characterize the building materials used in a historical building in Codigoro, a small town near Ferrara, northeastern Italy. This building was constructed according to the Italian rationalist rules for monumental architecture and is an example of the rationalist architecture found in rural villages, which uses innovative materials and decorations including artificial stone. The samples analyzed in this work were imitation natural stone, such as “fake travertine” and “fake Ceppo di Grè”, composed of reinforced concrete slabs coated with white mortar. Asbestos minerals have been observed in the fillers in these materials. Petrographic, mineralogical, and chemical characterization of samples of artificial stones and concrete was performed with optical transmitted light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The results revealed chemical and biological degradation in almost all the artificial stones examined and enabled identification of the presence of calcite, iron oxychloride complexes, and asbestos lizardites used as fillers in two of the analyzed samples. This study aimed to describe a general investigation methodology used to examine the artificial stone façades of the Ex Casa del Fascio of Codigoro, whose architecture is particularly representative of the rationalist architecture in rural villages. The results highlight the relevance of compatible and suitable conservation measures that should be monitored during all restoration interventions to minimize post-degradation fracturing and transformation into elements harmful to human health and the environment

THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF POWER LINES ON BIRDS IN SICILY

Electrocution is a serious conservation problem worldwide for a large number of bird species (BEVANGER, 1994, 1998; BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL, 2004; PRINSEN et al., 2011). Due to its wide extension, it is necessary to seek methods that optimize the identification of the most dangerous pylons (JANSS and FERRER, 2001; MANOSA, 2001), lines and the highest risk areas (TINTÓ et al., 2010; GUIL et al., 2011). Actually, the data on bird mortality caused by electrocution and collision in Sicily are deficient, however, a preliminary study suggests that the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia L., 1758) is one of the most threatened species inside two Special Protection Areas (SPA) (ZAFARANA and BARBERA, 2016). The project C.L.E.S.A. aims at making a complete checklist of the species at risk, collecting information from published articles and personal reports. Unpublished data were collected through a request for information widely circulated among professional and dabbler ornithologists, local sections of bird conservation ONG and wildlife services. A standard monitoring method was used to collect data, monthly during the entire sampling period. First, we selected different transects randomly, and, subsequently, we counted and removed all the birds found dead. A total of 152 cases were collected from 1996 to 2017, of which 85 caused by electrocution and 67 by collision. The 55.5% of the founded species are considered as “Birds of Community Importance” (included in Annex I of the Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds). C. ciconia is the most species killed by electrocution and Phoenicopterus roseus Pallas, 1811 by collision. These preliminary results suggest that this problem, as well as having serious consequences in terms of conservation, could has serious economic repercussions for human societies, as power failures, loss of revenue, necessity of repairs infrastructures and cost of legal compliance (LEHMAN et al., 2007). The monitoring activities of the C.L.E.S.A. volunteers have the purpose of implementing direct conservation actions for endangered species. The synergy between power companies and C.L.E.S.A. will be basic to adopt the measures suggested by the Conference of the Parties in Resolution 7.4 "Electrocution of migratory birds" (BONN, 2002) and the current management plans for SPAs. This partnership will improve the effective field actions in Sicily

Geochemical fingerprints of “Prosecco” wine based on major and trace elements

The terroir can be defined as interactive ecosystem that includes climate, geology, soil and grapevine, and it is used to explain the hierarchy of high quality of wine. In order to understand the terroir functions, it is necessary to analyse the interactions among the geology, soil and wine. To define a geochemical fingerprint, the relationship between geochemistry of vineyard soil and chemical composition of wine from Veneto Italian Region was studied. The vineyards tested belonged to four distinct wineries located in the Veneto alluvial plain, included in the Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) area of Prosecco. We investigated the relationship between major and trace elements in soil and their concentrations in Prosecco wine according to geographical origin. The detection of chemical composition in soil and wine were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and data were elaborated by nonparametric test and multivariate statistics Linear Discrimination Analysis. The geochemical and statistical analyses allowed to discriminate the vineyard soils according to geo-lithological characteristics of each area and to identify the geochemical ‘‘Prosecco’’ fingerprints, useful against fraudulent use of DOC wine labels

Chemical elements as fingerprints of geographical origin in cultivars of Vitis vinifera L. raised on the same SO4 rootstock

The uptake of major and trace elements in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) can be influenced by soil, climate, geographic origin, and rootstock type. Rootstocks were mainly selected to resist phylloxera and for specific tolerance to lime, mineral uptake, drought, and salinity. The relationship among concentrations of major, trace, and rare earth elements was studied in soil and leaves from two Italian grapevine cultivars, BCabernet Sauvignon^ and BCorvina,^ employed to produce renowned controlled designation of origin (DOC) wines. The cultivars were raised on the same rootstock SO4 in two different areas of the Veneto Region (Northern Italy). The elements were studied by X-ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and data were elaborated by non-parametric tests and multivariate linear discrimination analysis. The related index of bioaccumulation was calculated to define the specific assimilation of the elements from soil to leaves. A statistically significant correspondence between soil and leaf samples was observed for Mg, Sm, V, and Zr. The results allowed to discriminate soil and leaf samples of the two cultivars according to geographical provenance, possibly providing geochemical markers (fingerprints) useful against fraudulent use of DOC wine labels

Rare earth elements absorption patterns in grapevine “Vitis vinifera L.” cultivated in carbonate terrains (south-eastern Sicily, Italy)

Vitis vinifera L. vineyards grown on carbonate soil (Hyblean Plateau, SE Sicily) have been characterized in terms of rare earth elements (REEs) distribution. Results highlighted that the absorption of REEs by plants depends on the composition of the underlying soil, which in this case derives from limestone parent rock, allowing us to recognize the area of origin. Indeed, even slight differences in REEs content in soils may affect the absorption pattern of each grapevine cultivar. Importantly, the various parts of the plants showed differences in REEs absorption; such REEs fractionation is particularly evident in the leaf and juice samples. In general, the uptake and concentrations of REEs in plant tissues may be related to many factors such as geographical, climatic and lithological features. This is also pointed out by the statistical investigation, which took into account either the grapevine variety or each part of the plant. By taking into consideration both the grape variety and the type of soil, the present “multi-elemental” approach aims to provide a useful geochemical tool for assessing the geographical origin of the production area of wine

Determining the geographic origin of caper in Aeolian Islands by geochemical analysis

Caper is one of the most renowned Italian products in the world. For this reason, it is important to develop a scientific method for determining geographic origin to safeguard this product of “Made in Italy”. To identify the relationship between geochemistry of soil and chemical composition of caper, a geochemical characterization of caper from Aeolian Islands, was performed. The Aeolian Islands are recognized to be an important place of caper production due to favourable environmental conditions such as Mediterranean climate, the volcanic soil and exposure to wind and sea spray deposition (Barbera & Di Lorenzo 1982). All these features permit to define the geographic context and the territoriality of agricultural products. The sites tested refer to three cultivations area located in Lipari and Salina. The studied areas in the Island of Lipari, Lami and Pianogreca, belong to the Pomiciazzo and Pianoconte Formation respectively (Forni et al., 2013), while the area of Salina Island, Leni, is on colluvial deposits produced by erosion of the Formations Punta Fontanelle, Pianoconte and Serra di Sciarato (Lucchi et al., 2013). Geologic features of the production area, such as soil type, are assumed to be important factors affecting the determination of origin (Bong et al., 2013). We detected the relationship between major and trace elements in soil and their concentration in caper according to geographic origin. Major and trace elements were investigated by x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Data were elaborated with multivariate statistics (Principal Component Analysis, PCA). The analyses of soil by XRF and ICP-MS allowed us to geologically characterize each one of the three areas and to determine a chemical composition of major and trace elements in caper. By the geochemical and statistical analyses we discriminated the soils according to geo-lithological characteristics of each area and identified possible geochemical fingerprint of caper in the Islands of Lipari and Salina

Distribution of rare earth elements in soil and grape berries of Vitis vinifera cv. “Glera”

The renowned Vitis vinifera L. cultivar “Glera” (Magnoliopsida Vitaceae) has been grown for hundreds of years in the Italian regions of Veneto and Friuli to produce the sparkling Prosecco wine, with controlled designation of origin (DOC). We evaluated the relationship among the concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) in soil and in “Glera” grape berries in vineyards belonging to five different localities in the Veneto alluvial plain, all included in the DOC area of Prosecco. The concentration of REE in samples of soil and juice or solid residues of grape berries was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the index of bioaccumulation was calculated to define the specific assimilation of these elements from soil to grape berries. The concentration of REE in soil samples allowed an identification of each locality examined, and REE were mostly detected in solid grape berry residues in comparison to juice. These data may be useful to associate REE distribution in soil and grape berries to a specific geographical origin, in order to prevent fraudulent use of wine denomination labels

Psychoanalysts’ work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: An empirical study on teleanalysis during the Italian lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought several limitations in everyday life, which have, in turn, influenced psychoanalysts’ work with their patients. In Italy, in March 2020, a national lockdown was applied to the population, and this has led many psychoanalysts to work remotely with their patients. The aims of this study were to analyze psychoanalysts’ (N = 100) interventions’ style before and during the COVID-19 lockdown and to evaluate the impact of analysts’ feelings on their interventions style. Measures included the Comparative Psychotherapy Process scale, the Psychoanalytic Periodical Rating Scale, and the Feeling Word Checklist-24. Analysts rated an adult patient with no psychotic disorder whom they saw before (in-person) and during (remotely) the lockdown. Mixed robust analysis of variance showed that there were statistically significant differences in psychoanalysts’ interventions before and during the lockdown. These differences were also related to patients’ level of functioning, with an increase in cognitive behavioral (CB) interventions with neurotic patients during the lockdown and a decrease in interventions (both CB or psychodynamic) with borderline patients during the lockdown. Moreover, psychoanalysts tended to focus more on affects and less on unconscious experiences during the lockdown, compared to before. Resultsshowed the presence of significantly higher levels of negative-anxious feelings during the lockdown. CB interventions were significantly predicted by positive feelings and by negative-anxious feelings. These results seem to point toward some peculiarities related to the remote work with the patients during the lockdown, which should be addressed in everyday clinical practice