Meteorite impacts in the ocean: the danger of tsunamis on the coast of Buenos Aires Province,Argentina     

Perez  Iael  Wörner  Stefania  Dragani  Walter  Bacino  Guido  Medina  Rubén 《Natural Hazards》2020,103(2):2339-2354

Natural Hazards - Comets, meteorites, or asteroids impacting against the Earth are not unusual events. Such impacts on the ocean could produce tsunamis which can reach coastal areas. This paper...  相似文献   

New coring study in Augusta Bay expands understanding of offshore tsunami deposits (Eastern Sicily,Italy)     

Alessandra Smedile  Flavia Molisso  Catherine Chagué  Marina Iorio  Paolo Marco De Martini  Stefania Pinzi  Philip E. F. Collins  Leonardo Sagnotti  Daniela Pantosti 《Sedimentology》2020,67(3):1553-1576

Tsunami deposits present an important archive for understanding tsunami histories and dynamics. Most research in this field has focused on onshore preserved remains, while the offshore deposits have received less attention. In 2009, during a coring campaign with the Italian Navy Magnaghi, four 1 m long gravity cores (MG cores) were sampled from the northern part of Augusta Bay, along a transect in 60 to 110 m water depth. These cores were taken in the same area where a core (MS06) was collected in 2007 about 2·3 km offshore Augusta at a water depth of 72 m below sea level. Core MS06 consisted of a 6·7 m long sequence that included 12 anomalous intervals interpreted as the primary effect of tsunami backwash waves in the last 4500 years. In this study, tsunami deposits were identified, based on sedimentology and displaced benthic foraminifera (as for core MS06) reinforced by X-ray fluorescence data. Two erosional surfaces (L1 and L2) were recognized coupled with grain-size increase, abundant Posidonia oceanica seagrass remains and a significant amount of Nubecularia lucifuga, an epiphytic sessile benthic foraminifera considered to be transported from the inner shelf. The occurrence of Ti/Ca and Ti/Sr increments, coinciding with peaks in organic matter (Mo incoherent/coherent) suggests terrestrial run-off coupled with an input of organic matter. The L1 and L2 horizons were attributed to two distinct historical tsunamis (ad 1542 and ad 1693) by indirect age-estimation methods using ²¹⁰Pb profiles and the comparison of Volume Magnetic Susceptibility data between MG cores and MS06 cores. One most recent bioturbated horizon (Bh), despite not matching the above listed interpretative features, recorded an important palaeoenvironmental change that may correspond to the ad 1908 tsunami. These findings reinforce the value of offshore sediment records as an underutilized resource for the identification of past tsunamis.  相似文献   

Spatial land use regression of nitrogen dioxide over a 5-year interval in Calgary,Canada     

Stefania Bertazzon  Isabelle Couloigner  Fox E. Underwood 《International journal of geographical information science》2019,33(7):1335-1354

We analysed the spatial distribution of nitrogen dioxide over Calgary (Canada) in summer 2010 and winter 2011 and in summer 2015 and winter 2016, and estimated land use regressions for 2015–16 (2010–11 models were estimated previously). As nitrogen dioxide exhibited spatial clustering, we evaluated the following spatial specifications against a linear model: spatially autoregressive (lag), spatially autoregressive (error), and geographically weighted regression. The spatially autoregressive (lag) specification performed best, achieving goodness-of-fit aligned with or greater than values reported in the literature. We compared the 2015–16 spatially autoregressive models with the 2010–11 models and reparametrized them on the 2010–11 and the 2015–16 data. Finally, we identified a single set of predictors to best fit the data. Nitrogen dioxide concentration decreased over the 5 years, retaining consistent spatial and seasonal patterns, with higher concentrations over traffic corridors and industrial areas, and greater variation in summer than winter. The multi-temporal analysis suggested that spatial land use regressions were robust over the time interval, despite moderate land use change. Multi-temporal spatial land use regressions yielded consistent predictors for each season over time, which can aid estimation of air pollution at fine spatial resolution over an extended time period.  相似文献   

A robust empirical model to estimate earthquake-induced excess pore water pressure in saturated and non-saturated soils     

Mele  Lucia  Chiaradonna  Anna  Lirer  Stefania  Flora  Alessandro 《Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering》2021,19(10):3865-3893

In engineering practice, the liquefaction potential of a sandy soil is usually evaluated with a semi-empirical, stress-based approach computing a factor of safety in free field conditions, defined as the ratio between the liquefaction resistance (capacity) and the seismic demand. By so doing, an estimate of liquefaction potential is obtained, but nothing is known on the pore pressure increments (often expressed in the form of normalized pore pressure ratio r_u) generated by the seismic action when the safety factor is higher than 1. Even though r_u can be estimated using complex numerical analyses, it would be extremely useful to have a simplified procedure to estimate them consistent with the stress-based approach adopted to check the safety conditions. This paper proposes such a procedure with reference to both saturated and unsaturated soils, considering the latter as soils for which partial saturation has been artificially generated with some ground improvement technology to increase cyclic strength and thus tackle liquefaction risk. A simple relationship between the liquefaction free field safety factor FS, and r_u(S_r) is introduced, that generalizes a previous expression proposed by Chiaradonna and Flora (Geotech Lett, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgele.19.00032) for saturated soils. The new procedure has been successfully verified against some experimental data, coming from laboratory constant amplitude cyclic tests and from centrifuge tests with irregular acceleration time histories for soils having different gradings and densities.

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Assessment of toxicological status of a SW Mediterranean segment population of striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) using skin biopsy     

Fossi MC  Marsili L  Lauriano G  Fortuna C  Canese S  Ancora S  Leonzio C  Romeo T  Merino R  Abad E  Jiménez B 《Marine environmental research》2004,58(2-5):269-274

Various studies have revealed high concentrations of contaminants such as organochlorines (OCs) and heavy metals in Mediterranean cetaceans. A geographical trend of contamination (PCBs and DDTs) has been found for striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). In this study we used a non-lethal approach (skin biopsy) to investigate bioaccumulation of OCs, including polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), DDTs, polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs), trace elements (Hg, Cd, Pb) and CYP1A activity (BPMO) in nine striped dolphins sampled in the Aeolian area (Sicily - Italy) in summer 2002. The arithmetic mean value of BPMO activity in this group was 43.46 AUF/g tissue/h. This value is approximately 3 times and 5 times lower, respectively, than the value found in the Ionian and in the Ligurian groups. Skin biopsies of striped dolphins emerged as a suitable material for assessing the toxicological status of the various Mediterranean groups.  相似文献   

Do endocrine disrupting chemicals threaten Mediterranean swordfish? Preliminary results of vitellogenin and Zona radiata proteins in Xiphias gladius     

M. Cristina Fossi  Silvia Casini  Stefania Ancora  Alessandra Moscatelli  Antonella Ausili  Giuseppe Notarbartolo-di-Sciara 《Marine environmental research》2001,52(5)

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) have the potential to alter hormone pathways that regulate reproductive processes in wildlife and fishes. In this research the hypothesis that Mediterranean top predator species (such as large pelagic fish) are potentially at risk due to EDCs is investigated. These marine organisms tend to accumulate high concentrations of EDCs such as polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs). The potential effects of EDCs on a fish species of commercial interest, the top predator Xiphias gladius (swordfish), were investigated using vitellogenin (Vtg) and Zona radiata proteins (Zrp) as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Dramatic induction of typically female proteins (Vtg and Zrp) was detected by ELISA and Western Blot in adult males of the species. These results are the first warning of the potential risk for reproductive function of Mediterranean top predators, and suggest the need for continuous monitoring of this fragile marine environment.  相似文献   

The effect of the Fernando de Noronha plume on the mantle lithosphere in north-eastern Brazil     

Giorgio Rivalenti  Alberto Zanetti  Vicente A.V. Girardi  Maurizio Mazzucchelli  Colombo C.G. Tassinari  Gustavo W. Bertotto 《Lithos》2007,94(1-4):111-131

New xenolith occurrences in the Cenozoic alkali basalts of north-eastern Brazil have been studied in order to constrain the possible imprint on the continental mantle lithosphere of its passage over the Fernando de Noronha plume and the regional mantle processes. Texturally, the lherzolite and harzburgite xenoliths define three groups: group 1, porphyroclastic; group 2, protogranular; group 3, transitional between groups 1 and 2. Equilibrium temperatures are highest for group 1 and lowest for group 2. Clinopyroxenes from group 1 peridotites have Primitive Mantle (PM)-normalised REE patterns varying from L-MREE-enriched convex-upward, typical of phases in equilibrium with alkaline melts, to LREE-enriched, spoon-shaped, to LREE-enriched, steadily fractionated in a wehrlite. Group 2 clinopyroxenes show patterns slightly depleted in LREE to nearly flat. The M-HREE are at 3–5 ×PM concentration level, as typical in fertile lithospheric lherzolites. Most of group 3 clinopyroxenes show LREE-depleted patterns similar to the group 2 ones, but in two samples the clinopyroxenes are characterised by LREE-enriched, spoon-shaped profiles. Sr and Nd isotopes of the group 1 clinopyroxenes form an array between DM and EMI-like components, both of them are also present in the host basalts. Melts estimated to be in equilibrium with the group 1 clinopyroxenes having L-MREE-enriched, convex-upward patterns are similar to the Cenozoic alkaline magmas. The groups 2 and 3 clinopyroxenes define two distinct compositional fields at higher ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values, correlated with their LREE composition. The isotopes of the groups 2 and 3 LREE-depleted clinopyroxenes form an array from DM towards the isotopic composition of Mesozoic tholeiitic basalts from north-eastern Brazil. Melts in equilibrium with these clinopyroxenes are similar to these basalts, thus suggesting that such xenoliths record geochemical imprint from older melt-related processes.

The LREE-enriched spoon-shaped group 3 clinopyroxenes are characterised by the highest ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values at any given ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr composition. These results are interpreted in terms of a lithospheric mantle section which underwent thermo-chemical and mechanical erosion by infiltration of asthenospheric alkali basalts having EMI-like isotope characteristics during Cenozoic time. At that time, the lithospheric mantle consisted of fertile lherzolites and harzburgites recording the geochemical imprint of Mesozoic mantle processes. The onset of the interaction between lithospheric peridotites and alkaline melts was characterised by the porous flow percolation of small melt volumes that induced chromatographic enrichments in highly incompatible elements and the isotope signature of the spoon-shaped, group 3 clinopyroxenes. Group 1 peridotites represent the base of the lithospheric column eroded by the ascending alkaline melts, whereas the group 2 documents the shallower lithospheric section, with group 3 being the transition. The similarity of processes and isotope components in the protogranular xenoliths from Fernando de Noronha area and north-eastern Brazil supports the hypothesis that the lithosphere beneath Fernando de Noronha is a detached portion of the continental one. Furthermore, the similarity in terms of textural and geochemical features documented by the mantle samples coming from the two different regions seems to confirm the interference of the two regions with the same plume.  相似文献   

The European Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC in the evaluation of the ecological status of watercourses. Case study: the river Chienti (central Apennines,Italy)     

Stefania Scuri  Mariacristina Torrisi  Mario Cocchioni  Antonio Dell'Uomo 《洁净——土壤、空气、水》2006,34(5):498-505

The quality of the river Chienti (eastern‐central Apennines, Italy) has been evaluated according to the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, taking into consideration both biotic (animal and vegetable) and chemical parameters. In studying the biotic component, two indices were used: the E.B.I, Extended Biotic Index (version adapted to the Italian rivers), based on macroinvertebrates, and the EPI‐D, the Eutrophication and/or Pollution Index, based on diatoms. For both macroinvertebrates and diatoms, two samplings were conducted, one in June and the other in October 2003. Instead, according to the Italian Law 152/99 the chemical and bacteriological analyses were conducted monthly for the entire year. The results of biomonitoring and chemical‐bacteriological analyses unanimously demonstrated a good ecological situation for the upper section of the Chienti, though the situation tends to worsen as the river continues its descent and undergoes increased anthropogenic pressure. Data obtained were correlated with Spearman's coefficients and principal component analysis. Both statistical calculations showed clear, direct correlation between the two biotic indices and an inverse correlation between these and the chemical and bacteriological parameters. However, a few differences of judgement that emerged among the various indices highlight the importance of using them simultaneously in order to obtain a more accurate diagnosis of the ecological status of the watercourses.  相似文献   

The Palaeocene–Middle Eocene deposits of Sardinia (Italy) and their palaeoclimatic significance     

Marco Murru  Concetta Ferrara  Stefania Da Pelo  Angelo Ibba 《Comptes Rendus Geoscience》2003,335(2):227-238

The Palaeocene of southern Sardinia includes a continental ferruginous sedimentation, with a high content of Al and Fe, indicative of a subhumid tropical climate. The subsequent microcodium carbonated detrital microcodium levels, containing an abundant quartzose fraction, rather suggest semiarid conditions. In SW Sardinia, the marine deposits, referred to Late Thanetian–Lower Ypresian (=Ilerdian) times, are limestones including larger foraminifers and contain significant amounts of quartz. A lower content of detrital kaolinite points a sediment source from the surrounding areas with a semiarid climate. The occurrence, at the top of this unit, of small trochospiral rotaliids and larger amount of detrital kaolinite suggests a transition to a rainy tropical climate in the adjacent areas. These limestones pass gradually to carbonate sediments characterized by large amounts of detrital kaolinite and intercalated coal layers, with pollen of tropical palms, attributed to the Late Ypresian (=Cuisian)–Early Lutetian and referred to a humid-subhumid tropical climate.  相似文献   

Neural networks and landslide susceptibility: a case study of the urban area of Potenza   总被引：4，自引：1，他引：3  

Donatella Caniani  Stefania Pascale  Francesco Sdao  Aurelia Sole 《Natural Hazards》2008,45(1):55-72

For those working in the field of landslide prevention, the estimation of hazard levels and the consequent production of thematic maps are principal objectives. They are achieved through careful analytical studies of the characteristics of landslide prone areas, thus, providing useful information regarding possible future phenomena. Such maps represent a fundamental step in the drawing up of adequate measures of landslide hazard mitigation. However, for a complete estimation of landslide hazard, meant as the degree of probability that a landslide occurs in a given area, within a given space of time, detailed and uniformly distributed data regarding their incidence and causes are required. This information, while obtainable through laborious historical research, is usually partial, incomplete and uneven, and hence, unsatisfactory for zoning on a regional scale. In order to carry this out effectively, the utilization of spatial estimation of the relative levels of landslide hazard in the various areas was considered opportune. These areas were classified according to their levels of proneness to landslide activity without taking recurrence periods into account. Various techniques were developed in order to obtain upheaval numerical estimates. The method used in this study, which was applied in the area of Potenza, is based on techniques derived from artificial intelligence (Artificial Neural Network—ANN). This method requires the definition of appropriate thematic layers, which parameterize the area under study. These are recognized by means of specific analyses in a functional relationship to the event itself. The parameters adopted are: slope gradient, slope aspect, topographical index, topographical shape, elevation, land use and lithology.  相似文献