In recent years, the identification and monitoring of polluted sites have become very important due tothe widespread of contamination phenomena. The environmental assessment of contaminated sites iscomplex and difficult for the variety of the pollutants and for the physical and chemical heterogeneity ofpolluted sites. Some studies promote an integrated approach, which combines geophysical investigationwith geochemical analysis carried out on subsoil samples to quantitatively estimate the extent and thelevel of the contamination. In this work, a contaminated site located close to Taranto city, in the southof Apulia Region (Italy), has been investigated by chemical and geophysical surveys in order tocharacterize and evaluate the pollution which is occurring since years. Soil chemical analyses of texture,electrical conductivity, pH, organic carbon content, nitrogen, available phosphorous and carbonatecontent have been carried out to characterize soil properties of this site. Analytical investigations ofpollutants have been performed using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) andInductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to identify organic or inorganic compounds,respectively. Geophysical survey has been carried out to assess the geological features of the test siteand support the results of the physical and chemical soil analysis. Particularly, an Electrical ResistivityTomography (ERT) profile has been performed to visualize geo-lithological layers and hydrogeologicalproperties for evaluating the vulnerability of the area. Moreover six high resolution ERT and InducedPolarization (IP) profiles have been conducted close to the soil sampling points to image electricalstructures in the upper part of the soil, severely contaminated by inorganic and organic pollutants.Preliminary results highlight that this integrated approach can efficiently support soil contaminationassessment.

Rapid, precise and quantitative assessment of soil quality is crucial for sustainable evaluation andmonitoring of the effects of management on soil resource under agricultural systems and for thecharacterization and monitoring of land degradation processes. Over the past three decades, Visible (VIS)and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy have been shown to be an effective alternative to conventionallaboratory analysis, and can provide time and cost effective approaches for the prediction of several soilproperties related to soil quality indicators. For this study, VIS-NIR spectroscopic and chemometricanalysis were employed for the assessment of soil quality indicators in three degraded areas (two surveysites depleted in organic carbon and one polluted by organic and inorganic compounds) located inSouthern Italy (Apulia Region). The soil reflectance properties in the wavelengths range between350-2500 nm were measured in three experimental sites(fields) selected for the project, before and after arecovery treatment by using compost (organic fertilizer). The objectives was to evaluate the efficiency ofsoil VIS-NIR spectra for prediction of selected soil indicators closely related to soil quality inMediterranean areas, such as those investigated in this study, affected by land degradation processes(contamination and/or organic carbon impoverishment).

Land degradation processes like organic matter impoverishment, loss of biodiversity and contamination are among the main threats to soil quality. The use of organic amendments positively influences soil chemical reactions such as pollutant degradation, sorption, precipitation and complexation that play a key role in mitigation of environmental risks. The compost has been demonstrated be useful to assist natural soil remediation because enhances microbial activity, plant colonisation and development and thus promotes a restart nutrient cycling in degraded soils (Madejon et al., 2006).In this study an integrated approach, which combines chemical and microbiological investigation techniques, was developed in order to assess the soil quality restoration of a historically contaminated site after a compost treatment.

Plant-assisted bioremediation is emerging as one of the most effective means by which plants and their associated rhizosphere microorganisms can degrade organic contaminants in soils. Among biostimulation approaches, vegetation of different contaminated matrices with plant species found applications for accelerating the depletion of recalcitrant contaminants comprising Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This process is mainly due to the stimulation of organic contaminant biodegradation by natural occurring microorganisms through root exudates that can eventually increase the bioavailability of the contaminants and induce a natural selection of the microbial community. However, the efficiency of a phytoremediation process depends mainly on the presence and activity of plant-associated microorganisms carrying degradation genes required for the enzymatic breakdown of contaminants. In case the plant is growing in presence of contaminants, there is an interaction between contaminant, soil, and plant species that determines the structure and the metabolic activity of the plant associated microbial communities. The knowledge of this interaction is far from being complete, even though it is essential for designing an efficient plant based biostimulation of contaminants biodegradation. PCBs are ubiquitous and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), generated exclusively from human sources. They are found in the environment as a mix of several congeners (e.g. Apirolio, produced in Italy and used for electrical transformers). PCB biodegradation can potentially occur through aerobic and anaerobic microbial processes, but their poor bioavailability and the requirement for an inducer in anaerobic conditions may hinder microbial degradation. In this work the results of pot studies conducted in a greenhouse for 8 months for investigating the effect of the forage species Medicago sativa on PCBs degradation are reported. Soil samples were collected from a historically contaminated soil and used for setting-up different microcosms in presence/absence of the plant and/or of municipal solid waste compost. An additional amount of Apirolio was added to half microcosms. Finally, eight different experimental conditions were set-up.Microbiological and chemical analysis were performed at different experimental times in order to evaluate the changes in the structure and functioning of microbial populations in relation to the different experimental conditions and the PCB degradation. The microbial community was studied in terms of abundance (DAPI counts), viability (live/dead methods), diversity (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization) and activity (dehydrogenase activity). PCBs decreased in all conditions 8 months after the microcosm set-up. Each treatment acted in a different way and times on transformation/degradation of the various congeners. The addition of Apirolio not only did not affect negatively the microbial community, but it also stimulated their degradation activity

Presso il panificio "da Teresa", sito in San Teramo in Colle (Bari), sono stati effettuati campionamenti indoor di PM2,5 (Silent Sequential Air Sampler, FAI Instruments) ed analisi dimensionale mediante un analizzatore ottico di particelle (OPC Monitor multichannel, FAI Instruments) dal 7 al 19 Aprile 2013. Sui campioni di PM2,5 sono state effettuate analisi chimiche per la determinazione di OC (carbonio organico), EC (carbonio elementare), LG (levoglucosano) Cl- (cloruri), NO2- (nitriti), NO3- (nitrati), SO42- (solfati), C2O42- (ossalati), Na+ (sodio), NH4+ (ammonio), K+ (potassio), Mg2+ (magnesio) e Ca2+ (calcio). Il campionamento durante l'arco della giornata ha avuto una durata minima di 4.30 ore e massima di 7 ore in modo da coprire le diverse attività lavorative svolte all'interno del panificio, dotato di due forni: uno a legna ed uno a gas. Le concentrazioni medie massime di OC (36.01 ?g/m3), EC (1.08 ?g/m3) e Levoglucosano (0.76??g/m3) si sono registrate nelle ore 3-9 dei vari giorni di campionamento, ovvero nelle ore di massima attività del panificio. Le particelle più fini, ovvero di dimensioni comprese tra 0.28 e 0.50 ?m, hanno rivelato una maggiore concentrazione durante le prime ore lavorative (3.40-7) ed hanno mostrato picchi più intensi in corrispondenza degli orari di accensione dei forni. Gli autori ringraziano la FAI Instruments per il supporto tecnico prestato ed il titolare del panificio "da Teresa".

Il telerilevamento è sempre più utilizzato nel monitoraggio ambientale e le immagini acquisite da sensori aviotrasportati rappresentano al giorno d'oggi uno strumento capace di utilizzare un numero elevato di bande spettrali a differenti risoluzioni geometriche al fine di discriminare i fenomeni che interessano il territorio investigato. In tale contesto, gli studi correlati all'impiego della spettroscopia Vis-NIR hanno evidenziato le potenzialità di quest'ultima, in termini di rapidità ed economicità, nella restituzione di informazioni inerenti i principali processi di degradazione del suolo (e.g. contaminazione, desertificazione, ecc.). Infatti, nel corso degli ultimi due decenni, l'uso della spettroscopia (Vis-NIR) nella scienza del suolo è stato ampiamente finalizzato allo studio della composizione del suolo e caratterizzazione delle sue principali proprietà. Le attività presentate in questo lavoro sono state finalizzate a sviluppare protocolli innovativi per il data fusiondi dati iperspettrali acquisiti su un'area interessata da processi di degradazione (contaminazione) mediante tecniche di proximal e remote sensing. Nello specifico, sono state acquisite immagini da remoto con sensore iperspettrale aviotrasportato (CASI-1500) nel range 380-1050 nm su di un'area contaminata da composti organici (policlorobifenili) ed inorganici (metalli pesanti), localizzata nel Sud Italia. Al contempo, sono state condotte indagini spettroradiometriche in situ su campioni di suolo prelevati dal sito di indagine, mediante spettroradiometro portatile (ASD FieldSpec Pro FR 4) nel range 350-2500 nm. L'elaborazione dei dati iperspettrali, attraverso sperimentazione di tecniche di data fusion, ha mirato allo sviluppo di specifici algoritmi in grado di correlare l'informazione relativa al contenuto di alcuni contaminanti alle firme spettrali dei suoli con il fine ultimo di produrre mappe di contaminazione.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays an important role in soil quality definition. In fact, soil organic matter (SOM) decline is one of the most relevant land degradation processes [1]. Therefore, an innovative methodology able to monitoring this soil property, collecting data more rapidly and economically, is needed. In this regard, remote sensing technique can open new scenarios of research. In particular, few studies have shown the capability to accurately determine SOC contents from airborne-hyperspectral sensors [2], [3], [4]. With this work we demonstrate that is possible to evaluate the Soil Organic Carbon in a test site in Apulia Region, Italy, through hyperspectral measurements by the airborne sensor CASI 1500, achieving very promising results.

Mechanochemistry, a technique concerning with milling contaminated samples for prolonged times, induces massive degradation of pollutants by grinding them in ball mills with different soil components or additives. In the present study, laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of aging on the mechanochemical efficiency of the Mn-oxide birnessite in degrading pentachlorophenol (PCP). A comparative study on an aged birnessite (KBiA), used after 3 years from synthesis, and a fresh birnessite (KBiF), employed immediately after synthesis, was carried out. The differences between the two birnessites, evidenced by spectroscopic and diffractometric techniques, are mainly relative to reduction of the Mn(IV) centered at the MnO6 octahedra layers from the birnessite structure, which represent the most reactive sites for PCP degradation. The long term air drying at room temperature, by favouring reduction of Mn( IV) to Mn(III), produces an inorganic substrate that offers paucity of the less reactive sites for PCP degradation, thus reducing the oxidative potential of the KBiA. Accordingly, the more reactive fresh birnessite was employed in the experiment with a polluted soil. Adding a small amount of KBiF to soil only induces a light increase in PCP removal, probably due to the mechanically induced PCP adsorption and transformation onto clay minerals present in the soil. Besides, adding a higher dose of birnessite causes a stronger degradation of PCP.

Among the different pharmaceuticals present in soil and water ecosystems as micro-contaminants, considerable attention has been paid to antibiotics, since their increasing use and the consequent development of multi-resistant bacteria pose serious risks to human and veterinary health. Moreover, once they have entered the environment, antibiotics can affect natural microbial communities. The latter play a key role in fundamental ecological processes, most importantly the maintenance of soil and water quality. In fact, they are involved in biogeochemical cycling and organic contaminant degradation thanks to their large reservoir of genetic diversity and metabolic capability. When antibiotics occur in the environment, they can hamper microbial community structure and functioning in different ways and have both direct (short-term) and indirect (long-term) effects on microbial communities. The short-term ones are bactericide and bacteriostatic actions with a consequent disappearance of some microbial populations and their ecological functioning. The indirect impact includes the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria and in some cases bacterial strains able to degrade them by metabolic or co-metabolic processes. Biodegradation makes it possible to completely remove a toxic compound from the environment if it is mineralized.Several factors can influence the significance of such direct and indirect effects, including the antibiotic's concentration, the exposure time, the receiving ecosystem (e.g. soil or water) and the co-occurrence of other antibiotics and/or other contaminants.This review describes the current state of knowledge regarding the effects of antibiotics on natural microbial communities in soil and water ecosystems

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous and persistent organic pollutants generated exclusively from human sources and found in the environment as several congeners (e.g. Apirolio, produced in Italy and used for electrical transformers). To evaluate the ability of the natural microbial community of historically PCB-contaminated soil to transform or degrade PCBs after fresh contamination through the addition of Apirolio, a microcosm experiment was conducted in a greenhouse for approximately 8 months. Compost and Medicago sativa (alfalfa) were additionally used in the microcosms to stimulate microbial PCB degradation. Chemical analyses were performed to evaluate PCB concentrations in the soil and plant tissue. Changes in the microbial community under the different experimental conditions were evaluated in terms of total abundance, viability, diversity, and activity. Interestingly, the addition of Apirolio did not negatively affect themicrobial community but did stimulate the degradation of the freshly added PCBs. The plant and compost copresence did not substantially increase PCB degradation, but it increased the microbial abundance and activity and the occurrence of ?-Proteobacteria and fungi.

In this paper we describe a novel approach to environmental control in a bakery, based on an integration system of qualitative and quantitative information. The aim is to identify prevention policy for allergic diseas. Specifically, the dust concentration evaluated continuously by deposimeters and the realization of chemical-analytical investigations on flours samples, used in the production cycle, have given qualitative evaluation on powders dispersion; the integration of an electronic device, characterized by measurement reliability and low cost implementation, supported the development and evaluation of an environmental monitoring system in a bakery. The environmental control system could be used in other work environments where occupational asthma occurred. © PI-ME, Pavia 2012.

Gasification represents a viable solution for the treatment of biomass aiming at producing asyngas with an overall conversion efficiency reaching the 75% level. Apart the syngas, the processproduces solid residuals (ashes and unburned carbon-char) as well as heavy hydrocarbons (tars)that must be separated from the main gas flow. Here we present the outcomes of a gasificationtreatment conducted on poplar biomass samples collected from a multi contaminated area ofSouthern Italy restored by plant assisted bioremediation (PABR) aiming at reducing heavy metal(HM) and PCB contents in the contaminated soil. Pruning residues were collected from the poplartreated area located close to Taranto city. HM and PCB analyses were carried out to evaluate theoverall content of these contaminants in the biomass. This preliminary evaluation is necessary forassessing the quality of the biomass and estimating the ensuing pollution in comparison with noncontaminatedbiomass. In fact, at the moment, the PABR residuals are classified by the Italianlegislation as wastes and not as biomass usable for energy purposes when they are produced incontaminated areas. Our aim is to indicate the specific additional treatments possibly requiredfor trapping HMs and PCBs in ashes, thus demonstrating that the PABR biomass gasification isnot more pollutant than non-contaminated biomass.The gasification process was carried out in a lab-scale gasifier system, designed at the Faculty ofCivil and Industrial Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome. Moreover, we investigated thecatalytic effect (and its related impact) associated to the presence of HMs in the biomass as wellas the distribution of the HMs and PCBs among the ashes, filters and tars.

Nowadays due to the worldwide increase of environmental contaminations, the characterization of polluted sites has become very important. In light of this/As a consequence, the development of new methodologies, able to quickly and cheaply evaluate contamination is an arduous challenge but necessary. The use of geophysical techniques combined with the direct measurement techniques (such as groundwater and soil analysis) can be useful adopted as an integrated approach for a rapid pollution detection and assessment. In this work, a PCB historically contaminated area located close to Taranto city (Southern Italy) was investigated by chemical pollutant analyses and geophysical surveys in order to characterize and evaluate the pollution, which is occurring since years. Particularly, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) profiles were carried out close to the soil sampling points to image electrical structures in the upper part of the soil, severely contaminated by organic pollutants. The obtained results evidenced that geophysical surveys can efficiently support soil contamination assessment in an area of Southern Italy severally affected by high recalcitrant organic contaminants (PCB).

La conoscenza della quantità di carbonio organico nel suolo (SOM - Soil Organic Matter) puòessere di notevole aiuto nel pianificare le attività per la gestione sostenibile dei sistemi agricolifinalizzate sia all'aumento della produttività sia alla riduzione del rischio di degrado ambientale(processi di desertificazione). Negli ultimi anni pertanto, sono state messe a punto diversemetodologie per il monitoraggio di questo parametro. Tra queste la spettroscopia nel visibile evicino infrarosso, a scala di laboratorio, di campo e da remoto, si è rivelata uno strumentoparticolarmente efficace anche in relazione alle analisi chimiche tradizionali.In questo lavoro, tramite acquisizioni iperspettrali da aereo effettuate con il sensore CASI 1500, èstata valutata l'efficacia del telerilevamento nel monitoraggio del SOM. A tal fine due sorvoli hannopermesso di ottenere immagini pre e post trattamento di un sito degradato (con ridotto contenuto diSOM) in provincia di Taranto, arricchito in sostanza organica (spandimento di compost).Contestualmente ai sorvoli, sono state effettuate misure radiometriche al terreno e sono statiprelevati campioni di suolo successivamente analizzati in laboratorio per il contenuto in SOM.Dalla correlazione tra le analisi chimiche, la radiometria di campo e la classificazione delleimmagini è stata prodotta una mappa tematica che rappresenta la distribuzione della concentrazionedi SOM nel sito di indagine. I risultati preliminari sono incoraggianti e mostrano una rispostasignificativa dello metodologia utilizzata nel rilevare carbonio organico nel suolo, suggerendo chele tecniche di telerilevamento possono rappresentare uno strumento e adeguato per il monitoraggiodel SOM rapido ed efficace su scala locale.

The assessment of aquifer vulnerability to agricultural nitrates pollution plays a particularly important role for waterresource management and territorial planning. As well know, nitrates are a major cause of pollution affecting surfacewater bodies and groundwater. The European Directive 91/676/EC (groundwaters protection against contaminationcaused by nitrates from agricultural sources), provides a guidance with the actions/measures to be put in place to reducecontamination caused by inadequate management of manure and/or for the widespread use of synthetic fertilizers. In thepresent work, the data obtained from the activities of apulian groundwater monitoring, conducted by the WaterResearch Institute of the Italian National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), in collaboration with the "Associazione deiConsorzi di Difesa della Puglia" (ASSOCODIPUGLIA), were used to achieve, through modeling approach, a timelyassessment of the potential risk of nitrate pollution on regional scale. In particular, the integration of appropriateinvestigative models, such as DRASTIC to assess the vulnerability of aquifers and, the IPNOA index to estimate thehazard ratios caused by contamination due to agricultural activities, is efficient in mapping the potential risk ofcontamination from nitrates.

Interazioni meccanochimiche di minerali argillosi con inquinanti organici: strategia innovativa per la decontaminazione di siti inquinati.

The existence of a lot of worldwide pentachlorophenol-contaminated sites has induced scientists to concentrate their effort in finding ways to degrade it. Therefore, an effective tool to decompose it from soil mixtures is needed. In this work the efficiency of the phyllomanganate birnessite (KBi) in degrading pentachlorophenol (PCP) through mechanochemical treatments was investigated. To this purpose, a synthesized birnessite and the pollutant were ground together in a high energy mill. The ground KBi-PCP mixtures and the liquid extracts were analyzed to demonstrate that mechanochemical treatments are more efficient in removing PCP than a simple contact between the synthesized birnessite and the pollutant, both in terms of time and extent. The mechanochemically induced PCP degradation mainly occurs through the formation of a surface monodentate inner-sphere complex between the phenolic group of the organic molecules and the structural Mn(IV). This is indicated by the changes induced in birnessite MnO6 layers as a consequence of the prolonged milling with the pollutant. This mechanism includes the Mn(IV) reduction, the consequent formation of Mn(III) and new vacancies, and free Mn2+ ions release. The PCP degradation extent is limited by the presence of chloro-substituents on the aromatic ring.

The aim of this work is to investigate the efficiency of the phyllomanganate birnessite in degrading catechol after mechanochemical treatments. A synthesized birnessite and the organic molecule were grounded together in a high energy mill and the xenobiotic-mineral surface reactions induced by the grinding treatment have been investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, thermal analysis and spectroscopic techniques as well as high-performance liquid chromatography and voltammetric techniques.If compared to the simple contact between the birnessite and the organic molecule, mechanochemical treatments have revealed to be highly efficient in degrading catechol molecules, in terms both of time and extent. Due to the two phenolic groups of catechol and the small steric hindrance of the molecule, the extent of the mechanochemically induced degradation of catechol onto birnessite surfaces is quite high. The degradation mechanism mainly occurs via a redox reaction. It implies the formation of a surface bidentate inner-sphere complex between the phenolic group of the organic molecules and the Mn(IV) from the birnessite structure. Structural changes occur on the MnO 6 layers of birnessite as due to the mechanically induced surface reactions: reduction of Mn(IV), consequent formation of Mn(III) and new vacancies, and free Mn 2+ ions production.

Research Institute, Rome, ItalySoil quality is defined as the capacity of a soil to function as a vital system, within natural or managed ecosystemboundaries, sustain plant and animal health and productivity, maintain or enhance air and water environmentquality and support human health and habitation. Soil organisms are extremely diverse and contribute to a widerange of ecosystem services that are essential to the sustainable functioning of natural and managed ecosystems.In particular, microbial communities provide several ecosystem services, which ensure soil quality and fertility. Infact, they adapt promptly to environmental changes by varying their activity and by increasing the reproduction ofpopulations that have favourable skills.The structure (e.g. cell abundance) and functioning (e.g. viability and activity) of natural microbial communitiesand changes in them under different environmental conditions can be considered useful indicators of soil qualitystate.In this work we studied the quality state of three different soils, located in Taranto Province (Southern Italy),affected by land degradation processes, such as organic matter depletion, desertification and contamination (PCBand metals). Moreover, compost, produced from selected organic waste, was added to the soils studied in order toimprove their quality state.Soil samples were collected before and after compost addition and both microbial and chemical analyses were performedin order to evaluate the soil quality state at each site at different times. For this purpose, the microbiologicalindicators evaluated were bacterial abundance (DAPI counts), cell viability (Live/Dead method), dehydrogenaseactivity (DHA) and soil respiration. At the same time, the main physico-chemical soil characteristics (organiccarbon, available phosphorous, total nitrogen, carbonate and water content, texture and pH) were also measured.Moreover, in the contaminated soil samples PCB and inorganic (e.g. Pb, Se, Sn, Zn) contaminants were analysedrespectively by GC-MS and ICP-MS.The overall results showed that the bacterial structure and functioning were affected in different ways by theorganic carbon availability and quality, and contaminant occurrence (organic or inorganic compounds). Thecompost treatment contributed to improve soil fertility and to increase cell number and activity after 7 months inthe two low organic carbon content soils. At the polluted site a general increase in bacterial activity after compostaddition was also observed and this might be related to a decrease in inorganic and organic contamination levels.

Soil quality represents an integral value of the compositional structures and natural functions of soil inrelation to soil use and environmental conditions on site. Among the main soil components, differentorganisms and in particular microorganisms play a key role in ecologically biogeochemical processes. Inthis way, soil microorganisms contribute to the maintenance of the matter and energy transfer interrestrial environments. Under anthropogenic stress conditions such as intensive agriculture anddiffusion of pollutants, biochemical activities of soil microorganisms can be differently affected. Severalmicrobiologically-related parameters contribute to provide an ecological evaluation of soil statetherefore, they can be considered as indicators of soil quality.In this regard, we report some preliminary results of a Research Project dealing with three sites, locatedclose to Taranto City, in the South of Apulia Region (Italy), affected by land degradation processes suchas soil organic matter decline and/or organic (PCB) and inorganic contamination. Soil samples werecollected and both chemical and microbial analyses were performed in order to evaluate the quality ofthe soils and to compare the three sites.For this purpose, the main physico-chemical soil characteristics (organic carbon, available phosphorous,total nitrogen, carbonate and water content, texture and pH) were determined. Moreover, somesamples have been analysed by GC-MS and ICP-MS in order to identify organic (PCB) and inorganic(e.g. Pb, Se, Sn, Zn) contaminants, respectively. Finally, the structure and functioning of the bacterialcommunity was studied by evaluating the bacterial abundance (DAPI counts), the cell viability(Live/Dead method), the dehydrogenase activity (DHA), and the Microbial Community Composition byFluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH). The overall results showed that the bacterial structure andfunctioning were affected in different way by the organic carbon availability and contaminant occurrence(organic or inorganic compounds), showing how land degradation processes can affect ecosystem soilbiodiversity and functioning.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are organic hydrophobic persistent pollutants which are found as diffuse contaminants both in soil and sediment. Their degradation occurs mainly by biotic aerobic and anaerobic processes mediated by microorganisms. Their degradative activity can be promoted in soil by plant occurrence, because plant roots releasing exudates influence directly and indirectly PCB biodegradation. The effectiveness of PCB degradation is based on the use of toxicant tolerant plant species. Moreover, compost can be added to promote both plant and microbial activity. In order to better investigate the relationships between plant roots and natural microbial populations, soil samples from a PCB contaminated site, localized near Taranto, were used for performing degradation experiments in microcosms. The species Medicago sativa and compost derived from municipal solid waste were differently added to soil samples. The experimental set up was maintained in a greenhouse for about 8 months under temperature and water controlled conditions. Microbiological and chemical analysis were carried out at different times (0 , 4 and 8 months) in order to assess the changing in structure and functioning of microbial populations related to PCB degradation. The overall results show the complexity of PCB degradation processes and that each treatment (e.g. plant occurrence/absence or presence/absence of compost) acts differently on the degradation of the various PCBs analyzed, promoting the decrease of some congeners and the formation and accumulation of others.

In 2005 Apulia Region approved the first Nitrates Action Plan (D.G.R. n° 2036) proposing the designation of regional NitratesVulnerable Zones (NVZs) caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, as required by the European Directive "91/676/CEE" and theNational one's (D.Lgs 152/06). These polluted areas were confirmed in 2010 (D.G.R. n. 1317). Successively, in 2012, all the Italianregions have been called to update Nitrates Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) designation. Therefore, a detailed study has been carried outin order to investigate what has been change during the last four-year period (2008-2011) in which an elaborate regional waterresources monitoring has been conducted.Data analyses and elaboration of all available monitoring results allowed to: (i) identify the main pollution sources emerging in theregion, (ii) analyze the influence of previous policy actions evaluating their efficiency on the regional land, and last (iii) draft newsuitable policies aimed to reduce the actual nitrates pollution evidenced during the last examined four years. In particular, it wasfound that a positive effect of the previous policy actions occurred in the reduction of some of the regional NVZs and, at the sametime, new opportune mitigation strategies to control and manage nitrates pollution in the updated NVZs have been identified andproposed to improve regional environmental sustainability.

A preliminary ecological characterisation of an open quarry that had been used for the disposal of pharmaceutical wastes from a factory producing antibiotics was performed. Pharmaceutical wastes and groundwater samples were collected and analysed in order to assess both the bacterial community structure and functioning, and the contamination by organic compounds, including antibiotics. Bacterial abundance measured using the epifluorescence direct count method, cell viability measured by using two fluorescent dyes, species diversity measured by assessing the bacterial community structure using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and soil microbial activity based on dehydrogenase activity were used as microbiological indicators to evaluate the 'quality state' of the area studied. The overall results show that groundwater has a low-quality state in terms of bacterial viability, activity and diversity, associated with trace contamination by antibiotics and chlorinated volatile organics.

Phytoremediation comprises a set of technologies (e.g. plant assisted bioremediation,phytoextraction, phytostabilisation) based on some specific plant capabilities directlyor indirectly promoting contaminant removal. Bioremediation of contaminated sites isin line with environmental sustainability and with so called Green Remediation. Itmeans "the practice of considering all environmental effects of remedy implementationand incorporating options to maximize the net environmental benefit of cleanup actions".Phytoremediation or more properly plant assisted bioremediation provides arelatively low cost, environment friendly treatment for many multi contaminated areas.In this work, the results of the first 14th months of poplarassisted bioremediationof a historically PCB contaminated area in Southern Italy is reported. The Monviso clone was selected forits tested capability to promote hexachlorocyclohexane degradation in another CNR field study. The areainvestigated has been used for several decades as an unsupervised waste disposal tip and it is contaminatedas well as PCBs by heavy metals. Six hundred poplar cuttings (Monviso clone) were planted in anarea of 785 m2 previously fertilized with compost. After 14 months, of plant cuttings, soils, roots andleaves of selected target trees were analysed in order to identify PCBs and heavy metals contamination(HM). Chemical investigations were conducted before and after poplar planting using GC-MS and ICP-MSinstruments, respectively. At the same time, the abundance, cell viability and dehydro-genase activity(DHA) of the autochthonous microbial community were assessed to investigate micro-organisms' role inthe reclamation processes. The comparison of the initial chemical analysis of the contaminated area withthose performed 14 months after the poplar cutting planting, makes it possible to show:- a general decrease in most of PCB congeners in all soil samples analysed and in no case was the legallimit (60 ppb) exceeded. Trace concentrations of PCBs were found in roots and leaves (their amountwas always below the legal limits).- HMs, which were initially found as widespread contaminants and at concentrations generally higherthan the legal limits, had by 14 months after the poplar-cuttings planting drastically, decreased at allthe sampling points. Zn, Cd, Se and Sn were detected in leaf and root samples of the target tree investigated.The HM plant bioconcentration factor (BAF, considering roots and leaves) and translocationfactor (TF) suggest that poplars are also able to partially phytoextract and phyto-stabilise HMs.Microbial results show a significant improvement in microbial activity. In fact microbial DHA increasedin all samples analysed 14 months after the poplar-cuttings planting, although it maintained differentvalues at the different sampling points. Overall experimental results suggest an improvement insoil quality in terms of decreasing of P

Plant-based clean up technologies are gaining popularity as sustainable solutions to contaminated soil remediation. In particular, plant-assisted bioremediation or phyto-assisted bioremediaton exploits the synergistic action between plant root system and natural microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) to remove, convert or contain toxic substances in soil and water. It relies on the use of a selected appropriate plant for stimulating in the rhizosphere (e.g. through root exudates production, oxygen transport) the biodegradation activity of natural soil microorganisms. In this context, a poplar-assisted bioremediation strategy has been applying for three years to a multi-contaminated (PCBs and heavy metals) area in Southern Italy using a specific poplar clone (Monviso). It was chosen thanks to its capabilities previous tested for promoting hexachlorocyclohexane degradation. At selected times (0, 420, 900 days) PCB and heavy metal (HMs: V, Cr, Sn, Pb) concentrations were assessed on soil samples at different depths and distance from tree trunks inside some contaminated plots. Similarly, microbial analyses were performed on soil samples to assess total microbial abundance, cell viability, dehydrogenase activity and the phylogenetic composition of the autochthonous microbial community. Three years after the poplar planting a significant decrease in PCB and HMs concentrations was observed. Currently, the values of all PCBs detected are under the Italian legislation limits in the plots investigated. The microbiological analysis show an overall improvement in soil quality in terms of an increase in microbial abundance, cell viability and organic carbon content in the rhizosphere soil samples. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis of the microbial community showed a higher percentage of Bacteria in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil. In particular, a significant increase in Actinobacteria and Alpha-Gamma-Proteobacteria, which include several speciesable to degrade PCBs, was observed. Overall results show that the poplar-assisted bioremediation strategy was able to promote both the persistent organic contaminant degradation and the phytostabilization of the inorganic ones.

A plant-assisted bioremediation strategy was applied in an area located in Southern Italy, close to the city of Taranto, historically contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals. A specific poplar clone (Monviso) was selected for its ability to promote organic pollutant degradation in the rhizosphere, as demonstrated elsewhere. Chemical and microbiological analyses were performed at the time of poplar planting in selected plots at different distances from the trunk (0.25-1m) and at different soil depths (0-20 and 20-40cm), at day 420. A significant decrease in PCB congeners and a reduction in all heavy metals was observed where the poplar trees were present. No evidence of PCB and heavy metal reduction was observed in the non poplar-vegetated soil. Microbial analyses (dehydrogenase activity, cell viability, microbial abundance) of the autochthonous microbial community showed an improvement in soil quality. In particular, microbial activity generally increased in the poplar-rhizosphere and a positive effect was observed in some cases at up to 1m distance from the trunk and up to 40cm depth. The Monviso clone was effective in promoting both a general decrease in contaminant occurrence and an increase in microbial activity in the chronically polluted area a little more than one year after planting.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent pollutants (POPs), exclusively manufactured for industrial applications. Although their production and use was banned almost all over the world more than 30 years ago, they are still commonly found in many ecosystem compartments owing to their high persistence. They are complex technical mixtures of about 30-60 congeners (e.g. Apirolio, produced in Italy and used for electrical transformers). Their biotic degradation can occur through aerobic and anaerobic microbial processes, by metabolism or co-metabolism (where microorganisms need other sources of carbon and energy and the transformation of pollutants occurs as a concurrent process), but the poor contaminant bioavailability and the requirement for an inducer may hinder microbial degradation. These problems may be overcome through processes based on the interactions between plants and their associated rhizobacteria (Bioassisted phytoremediation or rhyzoremediation). Plant may help the contaminant removing, releasing exudates that may serve as growth substrates for the rhizospheric bacteria. Multitudes of soils are considered degraded for both contamination and low organic matter content; in this case, the remediation of contaminated soil by planting and compost addition are essential for improving soil quality. In particular, selected plant species, which are able to promote microbial community activity through the formation of a thick rhizosphere and, consequently, to enrich soil in nutrient content, together with the compost addition can be a useful green remediation technique for promoting contaminant degradation.In order to investigate the interactions between plants and autochthonous microorganisms in the rhizosphere, soil samples were collected from a PCB contaminated area and used for greenhouse microcosm experiments in the presence of the forage species Medicago sativa and/or in the presence of Apirolio and municipal solid waste (MSW) compost. Microbiological and chemical analyses were carried out at different times in order to evaluate the changes in the structure and function of microbial populations in relation to the different experimental conditions.

Indoor air pollution assessment in work environments remains challenging due to a combination of logistic reasons and availability of costly instrumentation for data acquisition and post-processing. Existing literature focuses on energy production environments, hospitals, and less so on food production spaces. Studies on indoor air quality in bakeries are scarce or even absent. Motivated by this, the present study investigates indoor air quality in a bakery located in Bari province in South Italy, using a combination of approaches including analytical chemistry analyses and compu- tational fluid dynamics to reconstruct the air ventilation in response to air temperature gradients within the working environment. PM2.5 indoor samplings were collected every 6 h from 7 to 19 April 2013 in the proximity of two bakery ovens powered by gas and wood, respectively. For each sampling day, 4 PM2.5 samples were collected: from 3:00 to 9:00 h (first), from 9:00 to 13:30 h (second), from 14:00 to 21:00 h (third), and from 21:00 to 3:00 h (fourth). In total, 40 samples were collected. On each sample, several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were deter- mined such as benzo[a]anthracene (228), benzo[b]fluoranthene (252), benzo[k]fluoranthene (252), benzo[a]pyrene (252), benzo[g,h,i]perylene (276), indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (276), and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (278), the main com- pounds of 16 priority US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) PAHs in particulate phase. The PAH mean concentrations showed higher values during the first (from 3:00 to 9:00 h) and fourth (from 21:00 to 3:00 h) sampling intervals than the other two with benzo[a]pyrene mean values exceeding the Italian law limit of 1 ng/m3. Taking into account benzo[a]pyrene mean concentration for the first interval and the first plus the second one, which are the hours with the largest working activity, we have estimated that the baker and co-workers are exposed to a cancer risk of 4.3 × 10-7 and 5.8 × 10-7, respectively (these values are lower than US-EPA recommended guideline of 10-6). Our study was complemented by numerical analyses using state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics to reconstruct at high resolution air movement from the various working places, i.e., the bakery and the selling area which were connected via a door. The numerical simulations were possible given that surface temperature using infrared thermog- raphy as well as air temperature was continuously recorded throughout the sampling acquisition. The use of this approach allowed us to estimate the transport and diffusion of benzo[a]pyrene from one area to the other thus complementing the point sampling information. Computational fluid dynamic simulation results confirm the presence of benzo[a]pyrene in the laboratory as obtained from the measurements and suggests its presence in the sales' area of the bakery with concentrations similar those found in the laboratory.

Plant-assisted bioremediation, the use of plants to promote the extraction, the sequester or detoxification of pollutants through biological processes is a green, effective, in situ, non intrusive, low cost, aesthetically pleasing and, socially accepted technology to remediate contaminated soil. Potential for plant-assisted bioremediation depends upon the interactions among, soil, contaminants, microorganisms (bacteria and microfungi) and plants occurring in the rhizosphere where, the release of root exudates and oxygen with circadian rhythm can stimulate the biodegradation activity of natural soil microorganisms. This technology has been applying for three years to a multi-contaminated (PCBs and heavy metals) area in Southern Italy using as plant a selected poplar clone (Monviso).

The pollution of soils by organic contaminants, such as phenols, is a serious problem because of the high toxicity and persistence in the environment. Mechanochemical treatments (MTs) of polluted soils with minerals, such as clays and oxides, which have surfaces that exhibit catalytic properties, have been suggested to be a new useful strategy to promote both organic and inorganic pollutant degradation. Nevertheless, much still remains to be studied about the capability of clays to promote pollutant removal by means of the mechanochemical activation of the mineral surfaces. This work investigates the efficiency of the mineral kaolinite in promoting the sequestration of catechol (CAT) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) by MT. A well crystallized kaolinite (KGa-1b) was milled for prolonged times with different amounts of organic molecules so as to obtain two different clay: organic compound ratios. Prolonged grinding and a higher clay mineral: organic compound ratio were found to be more effective in promoting a stronger removal than simple contact. After 1 h of mechanochemical treatment, the PCP and CAT removal percentages were 32% and 20%, respectively. Additionally, a 7-day undisturbed incubation of the milled mixtures produced a trend for increased CAT removal (up to 40%). The interaction mechanism between kaolinite and each organic compound (i.e. CAT and PCP) after a MT was inferred by integrating information from spectroscopic, diffractometric, and chromatographic analyses. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared data suggested a strong interaction between CAT and KGa-1b. This interaction mechanism likely occurs through the formation of an inner-sphere complex by H-bonding between the organic molecules and the oxygens of the kaolinite tetrahedral sheet. On the other hand, a weak interaction (i.e. van der Waals type) can occur between the KGa-1b O-planes and the PCP molecules, which likely bind to the external surfaces of KGa-1b.

Soil pollution is one of the most soil relevant threats recognized in the world. Contamination affects soil qualityand soil capacity to react against several land degradation processes (erosion, organic depletion, desertification,etc.). The identification of opportune strategies to hinder pollution is a fundamental requirement to restore soilquality. In particular, large attentions have got the techniques, which promote the decontamination, and at thesame time, improve fertility allowing a new use of a soil restored.In this work we present a preliminary study to assess the use of compost (an organic fertilizer produced througha process of transformation and controlled stabilization of selected organic waste at the source) in remediating aheavily polluted soil in southern Italy. The study site is located in Taranto city (Apulia Region) and is contaminatedpredominantly by heavy metals and lightly by organic toxic compounds such us polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).An exhaustive chemical characterization has been carried out on soil samples and then, a treatment with compostwas applied on the study site. Successively, two data acquisition campaigns have been realized (after 4 and 7months by compost treatment, respectively).Soil chemical analyses of texture, electrical conductivity, pH, organic carbon content, total nitrogen, availablephosphorous, carbonate and water content have been carried out to investigate soil properties.In the polluted site chemical analyses of characterization showed low content of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous)and high level of carbonate. Heavy metals screenings, carried out through ICP-MS equipment, evidenceda massive contamination by Be, Se, Sn, Pb, Cr, Zn, while GC-MS investigations revealed a lower pollution byPCBs.The results of the monitoring campaigns showed a consistent reduction of the heavy metals concentrations: ahigher decrease is observed after 7 months by compost treatment. At the same time, a considerable increase oforganic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus is also registered.The overall results suggest that the use of compost contributed to improve soil physico-chemical properties andpromote a relevant decrease of pollution suggesting that a process of soil quality restoration is performing.

Land degradation processes like organic matter impoverishment and contamination are growing increasingly allover the world due to a non-rational and often sustainable spread of human activities on the territory. Consequentlythe need to characterize and monitor degraded sites is becoming very important, with the aim to hinder such mainthreats, which could compromise drastically, soil quality.Visible and infrared spectroscopy is a well-known technique/tool to study soil properties. Vis-NIR spectralreflectance, in fact, can be used to characterize spatial and temporal variation in soil constituents (Brown et al.,2006; Viscarra Rossel et al., 2006), and potentially its surface structure (Chappell et al., 2006, 2007). It is a rapid,non-destructive, reproducible and cost-effective analytical method to analyse soil properties and therefore, it canbe a useful method to study land degradation phenomena.In this work, we present the results of proximal sensing investigations of three degraded sites (one affected byorganic and inorganic contamination and two affected by soil organic matter decline) situated southern Italyclose to Taranto city (in Apulia Region). A portable spectroradiometer (ASD-FieldSpec) was used to measure thereflectance properties in the spectral range between 350-2500 nm of the soil, in the selected sites, before and aftera recovery treatment by using compost (organic fertilizer). For each measurement point the soil was sampled inorder to perform chemical analyses to evaluate soil quality status.Three in-situ campaigns have been carried out (September 2012, June 2013, and September 2013), collectingabout 20 soil samples for each site and for each campaign.Chemical and spectral analyses have been focused on investigating soil organic carbon, carbonate content, textureand, in the case of polluted site, heavy metals and organic toxic compounds.Statistical analyses have been carried out to test a prediction model of different soil quality indicators based on thespectral signatures behaviour of each sample ranging.