First measurement of kaonic helium-3 X-rays

The first observation of the kaonic 3He 3d - 2p transition was made using slow K- mesons stopped in a gaseous 3He target. The kaonic atom X-rays were detected with large-area silicon drift detectors using the timing information of the K+K- pairs of phi-meson decays produced by the DAFNE e+e- collider. The strong interaction shift of the kaonic 3He 2p state was determined to be -2+-2 (stat)+-4 (syst) eV.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.

Measurements of the strong-interaction widths of the kaonic 3He and 4He 2p levels

The kaonic 3He and 4He X-rays emitted in the 3d-2p transitions were measured in the SIDDHARTA experiment. The widths of the kaonic 3He and 4He 2p states were determined to be Gamma_2p(3He) = 6 \pm 6 (stat.) \pm 7 (syst.) eV, and Gamma_2p(4He) = 14 \pm 8 (stat.) \pm 5 (syst.) eV, respectively. Both results are consistent with the theoretical predictions. The width of kaonic 4He is much smaller than the value of 55 \pm 34 eV determined by the experiments performed in the 70's and 80's, while the width of kaonic 3He was determined for the first time.Comment: Accepted in Phys. Lett.

Integrated geophysical characterization of a hydrocarbon contaminated site

The characterization of contaminated sites requires that direct investigations be supplemented with a suitable set of less-invasive, and more extensive, measurements. A combination of geophysical methods and direct push penetrometric techniques has been recently proposed as the backbone of site characterization within the EU FP7 project ModelPROBE. Here we present the first results of the investigations conducted at a field site in Trecate (NW Italy) which was affected in 1994 by crude oil contamination from a well blowout. The investigations include surface GPR, ERT, IP, SIP and SP surveys, together with direct push sampling and EC logs and limited cross-hole measurements. Many of the geophysical measurements have been conducted in time-lapse mode in order to separate static and dynamic signals, the latter particularly linked to strong seasonal changes in water table elevations. The goal is to identify (a) the structural characteristics that controlled the contaminant penetration into the subsurface and its current possible movements, and (b) assess possible correlation between measured geophysical properties and contamination levels and/or biodegradation of contaminants. Our preliminary results help provide a reasonable description of the contaminant infiltration mechanisms into the subsurface, while further analyses are necessary to establish a direct link with contamination and biodegradation

Integrated Geophysical Characterization of a Hydrocarbon Contaminated Site

The characterization of contaminated sites requires that direct investigations be supplemented with a suitable set of less-invasive, and more extensive, measurements. A combination of geophysical methods and direct push penetrometric techniques has been recently proposed as the backbone of site characterization within the EU FP7 project ModelPROBE. Here we present the first results of the investigations conducted at a field site in Trecate (NW Italy) which was affected in 1994 by crude oil contamination from a well blowout. The investigations include surface GPR, ERT, IP, SIP and SP surveys, together with direct push sampling and EC logs and limited cross-hole measurements. Many of the geophysical measurements have been conducted in time-lapse mode in order to separate static and dynamic signals, the latter particularly linked to strong seasonal changes in water table elevations. The goal is to identify (a) the structural characteristics that controlled the contaminant penetration into the subsurface and its current possible movements, and (b) assess possible correlation between measured geophysical properties and contamination levels and/or biodegradation of contaminants. Our preliminary results help provide a reasonable description of the contaminant infiltration mechanisms into the subsurface, while further analyses are necessary to establish a direct link with contamination and biodegradation

Strategies to mitigate methane emissions in lowland rice fields in South Brazil.

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