Analysis of particulate matter (PM) trapped by four different plant species in an urban forest: Quantification and characterization

Urban forests provide a series of ecosystem services, as recognized from the European 2030 Forestry Strategy; among them, they have the ability to capture particulate matter (PM) from the atmosphere, retaining it on leaves surface. This study analyses the efficiency in PM capturing of four broadleaved species: Celtis australis, Fraxinus ornus, Morus alba and Tilia cordata, set in an experimental urban forest in the city of Reggio Emilia (Italy). The airborne particles have been quantitatively and qualitatively analysed through SEM/x-EDS. Furthermore, the role played by leaf micromorphology in the efficiency of these four species to intercept PM has been assessed. Considering the total average number of particles trapped and collected by leaves for three years (from 2019 to 2021), F. ornus showed the highest capture-capacity (5.0 ± 3.1 × 103 particles/mm2), collecting 49 % more particles than Celtis australis, 86 % more than Tilia cordata and 135 % more than Morus alba. Qualitative analyses on PM have found that the majority (from 68 % to 74 %) of total particles show a diameter lower than 2,5 μm. Leaf micromorphology proved to be important, however it was no possible to identify a micromorphological trait more influential than others in determining the ability of the species to capture PM. The particles trapped by leaves were mainly rich in non-toxic or low-toxic elements, but some of them can be considered potentially dangerous for human health and the environment for the presence of Ni, Cr and Ba. The PCA highlights as the principal source of pollution in this study seems to be the erosion soil, followed by vehicle traffic. These results can give useful knowledge to understand what the contribution of different plants species in PMs retention ability is, also identified as a regulation ecosystem service

How accelerated biological aging can affect solar reflective polymeric based building materials

Among the main issues concerning building materials, in particular outdoor ones, one can identify the colonization by microorganisms referred to as biological aggression. This can affect not only the aesthetical aspect but also the thermal performance of solar reflective materials. In order to improve the reliability of tests aimed to assess the resistance to biological aggression and contextually reduce the test duration, an accelerated test method has been developed. It is based on a lab reproducible setup where specific and controlled environmental and boundary conditions are imposed to accelerate as much as possible biological growth on building materials. Due to their widespread use, polymeric materials have been selected for the present analysis, in the aim of reaching an advanced bio-aged level in a relatively short time (8 weeks or less) and at the same time comparatively evaluate different materials under a given set of ageing conditions. Surface properties before, during and after ageing have been investigated by surface, microstructural and chemical analyses, as well as by examination of time progressive images to assess bacterial and algal growth rate

An experimental protocol using N. commune as pioneer organism to induce bio-deterioration of surfaces: comparison between new and soiled surfaces

Biological growth on building surfaces can be responsible for degradation of their aesthetical and functional properties. This is damaging for solar reflective materials (SRM), which are characterised by the ability to reflect solar radiation in the whole wavelength spectrum. SRM represent one of the most efficient countermeasures to the urban heat Island effect. The present study compares different experimental setups to expose SRM samples to laboratory bio-ageing and define which setup is the most repeatable in terms of biodegradation on surfaces

Zero-waste approach for combined energy and fertilizer production: The case of Ravenna, Italy

There is a need to find a solution to solve the problem of increasing agricultural practices which can lower the pressure on soil. Application of compost or biochar to the soil is proved to be a suitable solution to counteract this problem. Mixed application of these two products is even more sustainable environmental solution due to its effectiveness in the long-term carbon preservation. The biochar can be produced through gasification of municipal waste as a method for renewable energy production. This makes a new market for the unused biomass which is currently incinerated or landfilled. This paper summarizes the technical and economic aspect of system innovation toward utilizing organic and green waste for composting and energy production via gasification and application of the products (compost and biochar) for soil amendment, considering the case of Ravenna city in Italy. The municipal statistic data on waste management were used for this purpose. Gasification experiment of green waste for electricity production was performed in an open-top gasifier. The obtained results showed that the available waste in Ravenna could be used for production of large portion of energy consumption and at the same time provide biochar and compost mixture to be used in 700 hectare/y of the agricultural land in Ravenna. Moreover, the available methods and conditions in literature for mixing of biochar and compost were reviewed. The related European directives were also discussed

Co-composted biochar (Combi) production and its effects on ocimum basilicum plants growth

In agriculture, in recent years, more and more attention has been given to the COMBI. COMBI is a soil improver obtained from a composting process of organic material with biochar, added at the beginning of the process itself. Biochar has been used for several years and many studies have shown the benefits it brings when applied to soils, while COMBI is still little studied. This article aims to demonstrate both the effects of COMBI on the growth of Ocimum basilicum specie plants and to quantify the best quantity to be applied within the substrate. The experimental trials were performed in a greenhouse with controlled temperature and humidity, according to the following growth tests theses: Control: Soil for gardens composed mainly of peat (CTRL); thesis 1: Soil mixed with COMBI at 10% v/v (COMBI10); thesis 2: Soil mixed with COMBI at 20% v/v (COMBI20); thesis 3: Soil mixed with COMBI at 40% v/v (COMBI40); thesis 4: Soil mixed with COMBI at 80% v/v (COMBI80); thesis 5: 100% COMBI (COMBI100). The results showed good growth of basil plants in the COMBI10 and COMBI20 cases, compared to the control. COMBI80 and COMBI100 theses, on the other hand, did not lead to positive results; in particular COMBI100 did not allow either seeds germination in most cases. To compare the quality of the basil plants, the total amount of essential oil for CTRL, COMBI10, COMBI20 and COMBI 40 theses was extracted and quantified

Medicina generale: casistica e profili di rischio

gli autori analizzano una casistica di responsabilità professionale nel campo della medicina generale, delineandone le principali caratteristich

otorinolaringoiatria: casistica e mappatura dei rischi

l'otorinolaringoiatra è uno specialista che come pochi altri riconosce nel suo bagaglio culturale competenze cliniche e chirurgiche. Tale peculiarità ha trovato pieno riscontro nella nostra esperienza caratterizzata da contenzioso conseguito all'attualizzarsi tanto di rischi propri dell'agire per c.d. medico, quanto da più numerosi rischi dell'agire chirurgico

Accelerated biological ageing of solar reflective and aesthetically relevant building materials

The properties of building materials relevant to their thermal or aesthetical performance can be seriously influenced by the colonization of external surfaces by microorganisms. Deterioration phenomena due to biological aggression cause the loss of energy performance of solar reflective materials because of the decrease of solar reflectance. Bio-deterioration also affects cultural heritage, damaging the aesthetic appearance and thus the historic value. In order to investigate the consequences of biological aggression in short times, an accelerated test method based on a laboratory-reproducible set-up is proposed. Specific and controlled environmental conditions are chosen to accelerate as much as possible biological growth on building materials. In this regard, a reproducible bio-ageing protocol has been outlined and it allows a set of materials to reach an advanced bio-aged level in a short time (8 weeks or less). This test method is aimed to comparatively evaluate different materials under a given set of ageing conditions. Through surface, microstructural and chemical analysis, the evolution of the materials’ properties after ageing is investigated. Attention is also paid to bacterial and algal growth rate by analysing time-progressive images

Per partum death at term pregnancy due to spontaneous cord hematoma.

hematoma of the umbilical cord is rare but the outcome is poor in the half of the cases. spontaneous cord hematoma can present morphologically in a different manner so in all cases in which acute asphyxia is verified, it is necessary to proceed to an accurate study of the cord, in fact we feel that the diagnosis of spontaneous cord hematoma is understimated because a study wich multiple section in not performed routinel