- Padova, Veneto, Italy
- Environmental Science, Earth Sciences, Cultural Heritage, Cultural Heritage Conservation, Science for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, Atmospheric Science, and 22 moreMonuments, Conservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings and Monuments, Conservation and protection of monuments, Microclimatology, Climate Change, Air pollution, Hydrology, Environmental History, Meteorology, Historical Geography, Volcanology, Climate Change Impacts, Atmospheric Physics, Physical Volcanology, Precipitation, Acid Rain, Little Ice Age, Hydrogeology, Environmental Studies, Geophysics, Climatology, and Heritage Conservationedit
There are concerns that recent climate change is altering the frequency and magnitude of river floods in an unprecedented way1. Historical studies have identified flood-rich periods in the past half millennium in various regions of... more
There are concerns that recent climate change is altering the frequency and magnitude of river floods in an unprecedented way1. Historical studies have identified flood-rich periods in the past half millennium in various regions of Europe2. However, because of the low temporal resolution of existing datasets and the relatively low number of series, it has remained unclear whether Europe is currently in a flood-rich period from a long-term perspective. Here we analyse how recent decades compare with the flood history of Europe, using a new database composed of more than 100 high-resolution (sub-annual) historical flood series based on documentary evidence covering all major regions of Europe. We show that the past three decades were among the most flood-rich periods in Europe in the past 500 years, and that this period differs from other flood-rich periods in terms of its extent, air temperatures and flood seasonality. We identified nine flood-rich periods and associated regions. Among the periods richest in floods are 1560–1580 (western and central Europe), 1760–1800 (most of Europe), 1840–1870 (western and southern Europe) and 1990– 2016 (western and central Europe). In most parts of Europe, previous flood-rich periods occurred during cooler-than-usual phases, but the current flood-rich period has been much warmer. Flood seasonality is also more pronounced in the recent period. For example, during previous flood and interflood periods, 41 per cent and 42 per cent of central European floods occurred in summer, respectively, compared with 55 per cent of floods in the recent period. The exceptional nature of the present-day flood-rich period calls for process-based tools for flood-risk assessment that capture the physical mechanisms involved, and management strategies that can incorporate the recent changes in risk.
Research Interests: History, European History, Modern History, Geography, Physical Geography, and 15 moreEuropean Studies, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Flood Risk Management, Environmental Studies, Environmental History, River Ecology, History of climate studies, História Ambiental-Eco-História / Environmental History, River Restoration, Climate history, Flood Risk, Floods, Flood Mangement, and Eco-hydrology of Rivers
5a mostra internazionale dei servizi pubblici e delle tecniche ed attrezzature contro gli inquinamenti padova • quartiere della fiera • 18-22 giugno 1974 Estratto dalla Giornata di Studio sugli INQUINAMENTI ATMOSFERICI 79 giugno EDITRICE... more
5a mostra internazionale dei servizi pubblici e delle tecniche ed attrezzature contro gli inquinamenti padova • quartiere della fiera • 18-22 giugno 1974 Estratto dalla Giornata di Studio sugli INQUINAMENTI ATMOSFERICI 79 giugno EDITRICE FIERA DI PADOVA
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Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Uno dei temi attorno ai quali I'AIQUA ha inteso sviluppare la propria attivita nel triennio 1998-2000 estato quello relativo all'evoluzione del c1ima degli ultimi 10.000 anni. Si epensato ad un approccio innovativo, che si awalesse della... more
Uno dei temi attorno ai quali I'AIQUA ha inteso sviluppare la propria attivita nel triennio 1998-2000 estato quello relativo all'evoluzione del c1ima degli ultimi 10.000 anni. Si epensato ad un approccio innovativo, che si awalesse della integrazione dei dati geo- logici con quelli naturalistici, archeologici, storici, ecc. Estato creato, pertanto, un gruppo di lavoro, formato da esperti nelle diverse discipli- ne, il cui obiettivo e stato quello di redarre degli extended abstract sulle ricerche ed i risultati di studi paleoclimatici afferenti a diversi marker. I markers sui significato dei quali si pubblica 10 stato dell'arte sono: Ie variazioni dei ghiacciai alpini, dellivello del mare, dei laghi, e della temperatura superficiale del mare; Ie serie di dati storici, dei pollini, Ie analisi su speleotemi e travertini ed i dati provenienti da ice co- re. Estato infine effettuato I'aggiornamento sulle calibrazioni e la metodologia delle datazioni 14C. L'arco temporale nell'ambito del quale si e deciso di indagare e l'Olocene, COSI come definito da Orombelli & Ravazzi (1996) e da Walker et al. (1999). A partire quindi da una eta 14C convenzionale di 10 ka BP, owero tra 11.263 e 11.549 anni BP secondo la calibrazione di Stuiver et al. 1998 (per I'atmosfera) owero 11.500 anni se ci si awale del conteggio degli annual glacial layer nella carota del GRIP. Gli Autori si sono riproposti di riassumere risultati e metodologie riferite a ricerche paleoclimatiche in ambito italiano con ampi riferimenti, quando possibile, a quello mondiale.
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Per conoscere a fondo i meccanismi delle variazioni climatiche ed ambientali è grande interesse il loro studio su base storica. Un'accurata ricostruzione della situazione climatico-ambientale dei secoli passati fornisce informazioni... more
Per conoscere a fondo i meccanismi delle variazioni climatiche ed ambientali è grande interesse il loro studio su base storica. Un'accurata ricostruzione della situazione climatico-ambientale dei secoli passati fornisce informazioni importanti su alcuni processi naturali rilevanti e sui loro meccanismi di attuazione, introducendone l'analisi fisica; permette infatti di tracciare un quadro generale realistico, utile nel confronto con quello attuale o con quello possibile nel futuro. La documentazione finora sondata a questo scopo copre 1500 anni, includendo così periodi di estremo interesse climatico e le varie fasi di transizione. Dallo studio di tali periodi, degli eventi eccezionali associati e dei cosiddetti "segni premonitori" si hanno notizie utili per la difesa da queste calamità, tra cui le possibili conseguenze dovute all'effetto serra. Saranno qui presentati gli eventi più significativi, relativi all 'Italia meridionale, fmora estratti dalla documentazione vagliata; seguirà il testo originale e i riferimenti bibliografici. L'interpretazione e l'ampliamento della banca dati sono in corso e verranno esposti nel prossimo futuro.
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Damage to crops due to the volcanic activity in Italy, over the last millennium Nel passato l'inquinamento antropico era limitato a zone relativamente ristrette, anche se localmente si potevano raggiungere concentrazioni notevoli;... more
Damage to crops due to the volcanic activity in Italy, over the last millennium
Nel passato l'inquinamento antropico era limitato a zone relativamente
ristrette, anche se localmente si potevano raggiungere concentrazioni notevoli;
tuttavia, nei secoli scorsi esso non raggiunse mai un livello tale da
elevare di molto quello di fondo, determinato sostanzialmente da fenomeni
naturali, tra i quali ad esempio gli incendi di boschi e l'attività vulcanica.
L'inquinamento naturale sul territorio italiano raggiunse un periodo di maggiore
intensità negli ultimi secoli a causa dell'attività vulcanica, per poi
diminuire in tempi recenti: tra il 1500 e il 1900 l'Etna, il Vesuvio, il Vulcano
e lo Stromboli ebbero una fase di elevata attività. Per queste ragioni nei
secoli scorsi si verificarono numerosi episodi ben documentati di acidificazione
dell'atmosfera che causarono darmi specialmente alla vegetazione.
Oltre alle piogge acide, queste emissioni vulcaniche causarono il fenomeno
della cosiddetta nebbia secca, consistente in una più o meno densa
caligine composta di gas e aerosoli, maleodorante, caratterizzata da un colore
rossiccio, che poteva comparire e permanere anche in condizioni di bassi
livelli di umidità relativa, come harmo evidenziato le misure psicrometriche
eseguite in tali occasioni. Pur potendo presentarsi anche in altre stagioni,
questo fenomeno appariva con la massima frequenza all'inizio della stagione
calda, e poteva persistere più giorni o settimane.
Queste nubi di gas e aerosoli vulcanici si formavano a fine primavera e
nell'inizio dell'estate quando le acque del Tirreno relativamente fredde causavano
localmente una forte stabilità atmosferica e l'anticiclone estivo determinava
dei periodi di calma di vento. In tali condizioni le emissioni vulcaniche
rilasciate a bassa quota potevano rimanere imprigionate nello strato
stabile per poi spostarsi versq la terraferma. L'analisi MESA ha messo in
evidenza il fatto che i picchi dello spettro di potenza dei tempi di ritorno
corrispondono a quelli dell'attività vulcanica, con una certa concordanza
anche con i cicli delle macchie solari (11 armi) e dell'attività eliomagnetica
(22 anni).
Le messi venivano seriamente darmeggiate e in seguito subivano frequenti
attacchi parassitari; la vegetazione presentava foglie scolorite con
numerose lesioni puntiformi, o necrosi ai (sintomatologia tipica dei floruri e
confondibile con lo stress idrico). Si ritiene che al danno contribuissero
particolarmente gli aero soli acidi che, aderendo a lungo al tessuto fogliare;
potevano distruggere la protezione naturale della foglia lasciandola esposta
alle aggressioni ambientali e provocare le necrosi osservate. Il fenomeno era
tanto frequente, che nei testi di meteorologia agraria della metà del 1800 si
distingue tra nebbie secche caustiche che creano danno alla vegetazione e
nebbie umide che invece la favoriscono.
L'episodio più importante avvenne nel 1783; fu dovuto all'attività di vulcani
islandesi (cui si aggiunsero quelli italiani) e durò parecchi mesi su tutto
il territorio europeo e su buona parte dell'emisfero nord includendo Europa,
Asia e Nord America con danni a persone, animali e vegetazione. Simili
estensioni raggiunse anche la nebbia secca che fece seguito all'eruzione del
Vesuvio del 1831. Dal 1500 a oggi occorsero alcune decine di nebbie secche
di cui si è trovata una sufficiente documentazione; la frequenza di questi
eventi culminò tra la metà del 1700 e quella del 1800.
Si ha motivo di credere che il fenomeno, ben documentato neit;::mpi passati,
possa essere ancora attuale e possa ancora causare seri danni alla vegetazione,
sia nell'Aspromonte (che dista circa 80 km da questi vulcani nella
direzione dei venti prevalenti e dove sono stati accertati danni ai boschi), sia
in altre parti d'Italia.
Nel passato l'inquinamento antropico era limitato a zone relativamente
ristrette, anche se localmente si potevano raggiungere concentrazioni notevoli;
tuttavia, nei secoli scorsi esso non raggiunse mai un livello tale da
elevare di molto quello di fondo, determinato sostanzialmente da fenomeni
naturali, tra i quali ad esempio gli incendi di boschi e l'attività vulcanica.
L'inquinamento naturale sul territorio italiano raggiunse un periodo di maggiore
intensità negli ultimi secoli a causa dell'attività vulcanica, per poi
diminuire in tempi recenti: tra il 1500 e il 1900 l'Etna, il Vesuvio, il Vulcano
e lo Stromboli ebbero una fase di elevata attività. Per queste ragioni nei
secoli scorsi si verificarono numerosi episodi ben documentati di acidificazione
dell'atmosfera che causarono darmi specialmente alla vegetazione.
Oltre alle piogge acide, queste emissioni vulcaniche causarono il fenomeno
della cosiddetta nebbia secca, consistente in una più o meno densa
caligine composta di gas e aerosoli, maleodorante, caratterizzata da un colore
rossiccio, che poteva comparire e permanere anche in condizioni di bassi
livelli di umidità relativa, come harmo evidenziato le misure psicrometriche
eseguite in tali occasioni. Pur potendo presentarsi anche in altre stagioni,
questo fenomeno appariva con la massima frequenza all'inizio della stagione
calda, e poteva persistere più giorni o settimane.
Queste nubi di gas e aerosoli vulcanici si formavano a fine primavera e
nell'inizio dell'estate quando le acque del Tirreno relativamente fredde causavano
localmente una forte stabilità atmosferica e l'anticiclone estivo determinava
dei periodi di calma di vento. In tali condizioni le emissioni vulcaniche
rilasciate a bassa quota potevano rimanere imprigionate nello strato
stabile per poi spostarsi versq la terraferma. L'analisi MESA ha messo in
evidenza il fatto che i picchi dello spettro di potenza dei tempi di ritorno
corrispondono a quelli dell'attività vulcanica, con una certa concordanza
anche con i cicli delle macchie solari (11 armi) e dell'attività eliomagnetica
(22 anni).
Le messi venivano seriamente darmeggiate e in seguito subivano frequenti
attacchi parassitari; la vegetazione presentava foglie scolorite con
numerose lesioni puntiformi, o necrosi ai (sintomatologia tipica dei floruri e
confondibile con lo stress idrico). Si ritiene che al danno contribuissero
particolarmente gli aero soli acidi che, aderendo a lungo al tessuto fogliare;
potevano distruggere la protezione naturale della foglia lasciandola esposta
alle aggressioni ambientali e provocare le necrosi osservate. Il fenomeno era
tanto frequente, che nei testi di meteorologia agraria della metà del 1800 si
distingue tra nebbie secche caustiche che creano danno alla vegetazione e
nebbie umide che invece la favoriscono.
L'episodio più importante avvenne nel 1783; fu dovuto all'attività di vulcani
islandesi (cui si aggiunsero quelli italiani) e durò parecchi mesi su tutto
il territorio europeo e su buona parte dell'emisfero nord includendo Europa,
Asia e Nord America con danni a persone, animali e vegetazione. Simili
estensioni raggiunse anche la nebbia secca che fece seguito all'eruzione del
Vesuvio del 1831. Dal 1500 a oggi occorsero alcune decine di nebbie secche
di cui si è trovata una sufficiente documentazione; la frequenza di questi
eventi culminò tra la metà del 1700 e quella del 1800.
Si ha motivo di credere che il fenomeno, ben documentato neit;::mpi passati,
possa essere ancora attuale e possa ancora causare seri danni alla vegetazione,
sia nell'Aspromonte (che dista circa 80 km da questi vulcani nella
direzione dei venti prevalenti e dove sono stati accertati danni ai boschi), sia
in altre parti d'Italia.
Research Interests:
Il Meridione è esposto al pericolo delle. piogge acide per quanto riguarda i laghetti appeninici di origine vulcanica, le colture e i monumenti. Si è visto però che le piogge in occasione dei venti sciroccali trasportano una certa... more
Il Meridione è esposto al pericolo delle. piogge acide per quanto riguarda i
laghetti appeninici di origine vulcanica, le colture e i monumenti. Si è visto però
che le piogge in occasione dei venti sciroccali trasportano una certa quantità di
pulviscolo sahariano che agisce da agente tamponante riducendo il rischio di
eccessiva acidificazione di questi laghetti. Esposti maggiormente a rischio sono
invece i palazzi storici e i monumenti costruiti in materiale lapideo poco
resistente alla disoluzione. Per prevedere la futura durata una tale situawione di
rischio. Un'indagine effettuata su fonti d'archivio e su antiche pubblicazioni ha
mostrato che il fenomeno delle piogge acide è molto più antico di quanto
generalmente si creda (la prima documentazione certa di cui si disponga risale
al 1670) e la sorgente di acidificazione naturale è individuabile nell'attività
vulcanica del Vesuvio, dell'Etna, dello Stromboli e di Vulcano, che ebbe negli
ultimi cinque secoli un periodo di intensa attività eruttiva. Tuttavia, anche se
l'acidità nel passato non fu trascurabile, al tempo presente si trovano in
atmosfera molti nuovi inquinanti e catalizzatori il cui effetto non può più esser
paragonato a quello dei tempi precedenti, nè può esser controllato come prima
dall'azione tamponante del pulviscolo sahariano.
laghetti appeninici di origine vulcanica, le colture e i monumenti. Si è visto però
che le piogge in occasione dei venti sciroccali trasportano una certa quantità di
pulviscolo sahariano che agisce da agente tamponante riducendo il rischio di
eccessiva acidificazione di questi laghetti. Esposti maggiormente a rischio sono
invece i palazzi storici e i monumenti costruiti in materiale lapideo poco
resistente alla disoluzione. Per prevedere la futura durata una tale situawione di
rischio. Un'indagine effettuata su fonti d'archivio e su antiche pubblicazioni ha
mostrato che il fenomeno delle piogge acide è molto più antico di quanto
generalmente si creda (la prima documentazione certa di cui si disponga risale
al 1670) e la sorgente di acidificazione naturale è individuabile nell'attività
vulcanica del Vesuvio, dell'Etna, dello Stromboli e di Vulcano, che ebbe negli
ultimi cinque secoli un periodo di intensa attività eruttiva. Tuttavia, anche se
l'acidità nel passato non fu trascurabile, al tempo presente si trovano in
atmosfera molti nuovi inquinanti e catalizzatori il cui effetto non può più esser
paragonato a quello dei tempi precedenti, nè può esser controllato come prima
dall'azione tamponante del pulviscolo sahariano.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The evolution ofr elative sea level (RSL) in Venice, Italy, is crucial for the safeguarding of the city and it is now possible to extend our knowledge back to 1350, including the whole Little Ice Age and modern global warming. The... more
The evolution ofr elative sea level (RSL) in Venice, Italy, is crucial for the safeguarding of the city and it is now possible to extend our knowledge back to 1350, including the whole Little Ice Age and modern global warming. The existing tide gauge record is extensive, going back to 1871, but it is affected by the superposition of multidecadal swings and short-term fluctuations, including both natural and manmade forcing factors. A biological proxy, i.e. the green algae belt reported on paintings made with the help of a camera obscura by the Venetian painters Canaletto and Bellotto (eighteenth century) and Veronese (sixteenth century), helps us to go back to 1571. This paper presents an exceptionally long series (i.e. 664 years) and adds a novel proxy: the submersion of water stairs of the historic palaces facing the Grand Canal. Originally, the bottom step of the water stairs was built in relation to the sea level and the slippery algae belt, while today, the water stairs are mostly submerged. An underwater survey of 78 water stairs has provided new data about the RSL since 1350. The results show that RSL in Venice was always rising at an increasingly fast rate. By subtracting local land subsidence (LLS) from RSL, absolute (eustatic) sea level (ASL) has been calculated. For both RSL and ASL, the apparent acceleration is +0.0030 ± 0.0004 mm year−2. This figure becomes unstable when the record length is reduced. A discussion is made about the interpolation functions, i.e. the second-order polynomial and the exponential that provide almost the same best-fit over the common period. The RSL and ASL trend lines and the possibility of turning points are also discussed and compared with other scholarly studies. A eustatic turning point is suggested for the mid fifteenth century, consistent with the literature. However, the comparison between scholarly papers is difficult due to geographic and geological differences between sites and record durations.
Research Interests:
The book reports the results of the EU funded project "Climate for Culture" developed under the 7th Framework Programme under Grant Agreement No. 226973
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Two multidisciplinary field surveys, one in winter and the other in summer have monitored the indoor microcli-mate, air pollution, deposition and origin of the suspended particulate matter and microorganisms of the Correr Museum, Venice.... more
Two multidisciplinary field surveys, one in winter and the other in summer have monitored the indoor microcli-mate, air pollution, deposition and origin of the suspended particulate matter and microorganisms of the Correr Museum, Venice. In addition, this study was focused to identify the problems caused by the heating and air Ž. conditioning system HAC and the effects due to the presence of carpets. Heating and air conditioning systems Ž. HACs , when chiefly designed for human welfare, are not suitable for conservation and can cause dangerous temperature and humidity fluctuations. Improvements at the Correr Museum have been achieved with the assistance of environmental monitoring. The carpet has a negative influence as it retains particles and bacteria which are resuspended each time people walk on it. The indoorroutdoor pollutants ratio is greater in the summertime, when doors and windows are more frequently open to allow for better ventilation, illustrating that this ratio is mainly governed by the free exchange of the air masses. The chemical composition, size and origin of the suspended particulate matter have been identified, as well as the bacteria potentially dangerous to the paintings. Some general suggestions for improving indoor air quality are reported in the conclusions.
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Indoor and outdoor atmospheres of the 'Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten' (KMSK, Royal Museum of Fine Arts) in Antwerp, Belgium, were thoroughly characterised to determine the air quality inside the museum and the factors controlling... more
Indoor and outdoor atmospheres of the 'Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten' (KMSK, Royal Museum of Fine Arts) in Antwerp, Belgium, were thoroughly characterised to determine the air quality inside the museum and the factors controlling it. During a winter and a summer campaign aerosol particles, pollutant gases, bacteria and fungi were sampled and different indoors microclimatic parameters were measured. The chemical composition of particulates suspended in indoor and outdoor air was analysed, both with reference to bulk aerosol matter and to individual particles. Outdoor sources largely determined the composition of indoor aerosol. The main particle types identified in winter were Ca-rich, Ca–Si and sea salt particles. In summer, S-rich particles were most abundant. Dry deposition was sampled in order to determine the amount of particulate matter that could potentially deposit onto the works of art. The concentrations of NO 2 and SO 2 amounted to 12 and 5–6 ppb, respectively, both in winter and in the summer. The microclimates inside the exhibition rooms were affected by poorly balanced heating and airconditioning , free-standing humidifiers, ventilating and lighting systems and the daily flux of visitors, which produced rapid changes and marked thermo-hygrometric gradients. Based on these results, suggestions for the improvement of the heating and airconditioning system could be made. Microbial loads were higher in summer than in winter. However, the proportion of microorganisms capable of degrading proteins or hydrolysing fats, and thus pernicious to works of art, was not significantly increased inside the museum.
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For some years, the free acidity in rainfall has been measured. Sampling was carried out on a weekly basis and in real time, in order to determine the effects of precipitation that are masked by dry deposition or post-precipitation... more
For some years, the free acidity in rainfall has been measured. Sampling was carried out on a weekly basis and in real time, in order to determine the effects of precipitation that are masked by dry deposition or post-precipitation equilibrium values. First, three classes of rainfall were established, MA, MB and MN (i.e. mainly acid, mainly alkaline and mainly neutral), based on the mean pH value during rainfall. A second classification, based on the trend of the pH curve at the initial stage of precipitation, was made: IA, IB and IC (i.e. initial stage more acid than the mean value, more alkaline, constant). The second grouping was made because the greatest variation in the pH value during rainfall occurs in the initial stage. Surprisingly, when a seasonal analysis was made, the MA class was much less frequent than expected, and was found to be lowest in winter (when SO 2 emission is highest) and highest in autumn. The MB class of rainfall was found most frequently in spring, whereas the MN class was most frequent in summer, when precipitation is mainly in the form of showers or thunderstorms, brought about by local conditions of atmospheric instability. Rainfall is often more acidic initially due to the presence of highly soluble anthropogenic emissions, but as it continues, its pH value may change because of the buffering action of soil particles and Saharan dust, which have slower kinetic reactions. It would seem, therefore, that a short-lasting drizzle would be more damaging, as it is in itself more acidic, and because it activates any already existing dry deposition. When the taking of acidity measurements is delayed, the resulting pH represents the equilibrium value rather than the real degree of rainfall acidity. Consequently, the real effect that precipitation has on an exposed surface is not clear. Analysis of the acidity roses showed that the nearby towns of Treviso and Venice, with its industrial zone, have an unfavourable contribution on a local scale. Under certain, well-defined circumstances, it is possible to forecast the relationship between pH and meteorological conditions, on the basis of three different systems of classifying weather types (i.e. Borghi and Giuliacci; U.K. Meteorological Office; Aerospace Science Division). This approach was useful in demonstrating the relationship between acid rain and physical processes, and meteorological conditions involved in the formation and transport of air masses. This approach also proved particularly useful in determining the alkalizing role of both the Bora (which transports soil particles) and the Scirocco (carrying Saharan dust) winds. 0048-9697/88/$03.50
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Research Interests:
In order to obtain a rational strategy for the control and management of emissions from the industrial area of Venice, determination of the air quality is made from different perspectives. A source~receptor oriented approach shows a... more
In order to obtain a rational strategy for the control and management of emissions from the industrial area of Venice, determination of the air quality is made from different perspectives. A source~receptor oriented approach shows a remarkable scatter of data due to the complex source field and variability of atmospheric conditions at a coastal site. As many pollution episodes are initiated by local diffusion potentials induced by the interaction between topographic irregularities (i.e. Alpine chain and Adriatic Sea) and the mesoscale atmospheric circulation system, a correlation between pollution events and synoptic conditions is made. Two periods of two years each were considered, the former characterized by very frequent, moderate episodes, the latter by more rare but potentially more severe episodes, although the emission rate was reduced. Four different criteria (i.e. weather types as classified by the U.K. Meteorological Office, by Borghi and Giuliacci, and by Urbani, and the passage of fronts) are considered and compared in order to describe the synoptic conditions and to make a reasonable prediction of the local dynamic climatol-ogy. A risk index (RI) is computed for each weather type. The U.K. classification appears to be the most suitable as it classifies the maximum number of synoptic maps and has the greatest spread of RI, thus making a more sound prediction. The analysis shows that the pollution episodes are associated with instability phenomena, i.e. passage of fronts or the onset of moderate to fresh winds, and not with stationary conditions. Also, the areal extension over which the highest pollution levels are recorded is related to particular weather types. The statistics of the meteorological weather types occurring during the pollution events give satisfactory results for some weather types, especially for those correlating highly or poorly with pollution events. INTRODUCTION AND CRITERIA USED
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A significant amount of uncertainty is generated in the process of combining projections of future climate, building simulations and damage functions to produce risk maps for historic buildings. The objective of this paper is to identify... more
A significant amount of uncertainty is generated in the process of combining projections of future climate, building simulations and damage functions to produce risk maps for historic buildings. The objective of this paper is to identify and qualitatively describe the main uncertainties in the production of such maps. The main sources of uncertainty for each modeling step are identified. It is concluded that the level of uncertainty in risk maps is so high that deterministic approaches have severe limitations, and that further research is needed to assess the levels of uncertainty introduced by each modelling step.
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Research Interests:
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Because of meteorological and microclimatic factors ~.g. solar radiation, gradients of temperature and moisture, air speed and turbulence) the Trajan Column is subject to deposi-tion processes on a diurnal cycle, which alternatively... more
Because of meteorological and microclimatic factors ~.g. solar radiation, gradients of temperature and moisture, air speed and turbulence) the Trajan Column is subject to deposi-tion processes on a diurnal cycle, which alternatively increase and decrease the deposition rate of airborne pollutants. The diurnal trend of the pollutant concentration in Rome is bi-modal and the two maxima are associated with different deposition velocities, so that a simple correlation between stone deterioration ~,d pollutant concentration averages appears to be meaning!ess. Field tests were carried out on the monumem to investigate the diurnal and seasonal trend of factors that affect dry deposition in relation to the meteorological variables and pollution levels, i.e. phoretic forces due to temperature :.g-cadients (thermophoresis), condensation and evaporation (diffusiophoresis and Stefan flow), inertial impaction, electrostatic capture and gravitational settling. In particular, when the marble is warmer than the surrounding air, a layer of warm air rises continually along the warm part of the column, increases the upward drag of the falling particles and results in a net decrease of the gravitational settling of the coarse particles (i.e. with diameter d > 1 /~m); when the marble is colder, the downwaid drag increases the sedimentation rate. The wind field around the monument was measured in order to investigate the diffusion potential. Turbulence generated by the shape of the column and its roughness clearly dominates the natural turbulence of the free flow. Rainwater has been recognized as being the cause of severe dissolution except in zones where whewellite is present. This is seen by comparing the deterioration pattern with the rainfall rose, and by following the runoff path which is determined by the geometry of the bas-reliefs. Dissolution is due to the chemical activity of the dry and wet depositions; it is also dependent on the physical regime of the runoff , i.e. laminar or turbulent. In the past, in addition to the physico-chemical weathering, biological deterioration occurred where meteoric water remained longer. Micrometeorological field test were carried out on the Trajan Column to investigate the diurnal and seasonal evolution of the main temperature and humidity parameters to know the microclimate of the column. Four seasonal tests have been made, each of 6 days under different weather conditions. The measurements have been made on horizontal and vertical profiles at different distances from the surface to study the heat and moisture exchanges between marble and atmosphere, fhe wind loads and their effects on the mechanical structure resulted in being negligible.
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The results of the characterization of individual airborne particles collected during two separate sampling campaigns at the Correr Museum, situated at the San Marco Square in Venice, Italy, are reported. The chemical composition and... more
The results of the characterization of individual airborne particles collected during two separate sampling campaigns at the Correr Museum, situated at the San Marco Square in Venice, Italy, are reported. The chemical composition and associated diameter of individual aerosol particles in the size range of 0.2-20 µm were determined by electron probe X-ray microanalysis and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray measurement (SEM-EDX). Multivariate techniques were used for the reduction of the data set. Based on hierarchical cluster analysis results, the majority of samples from both campaigns appeared to be composed of six to eight different particle types from which the Ca-rich particles together with the aluminosilicates and organic material can be identified as the most important ones. The correlation between the abundance of the particle types and their diameters as well as between the sampling periods was investigated. Factor analysis revealed similar results. To provide a better view on the nature, composition, and possible sources of the indoor aerosol particles, the indoor and outdoor aerosol compositions of three sampling periods were compared, and additionally two possible indoor particle sources were investigated. The results indicated the existence of a Ca-rich indoor particle source, probably the deterioration of the interior plaster walls. The homogeneity study of giant aerosol particles >8 µm, using the X-ray mapping facilities on the SEM-EDX instrument under optimal conditions, revealed that these particles are heterogeneous and mainly consist of Ca and Si. The other particle types were identified as small aluminosilicate and CaSO 4 particles or very small Fe-rich particles, and they seemed to be adsorbed at the surface of the Ca-Si-rich particles. Preliminary results of scanning transmission electron microscopy and scanning proton microprobe measurements on submicrometer indoor aerosol particles and giant indoor Ca-rich aerosol particles, respectively, are discussed as well.
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In a European multidisciplinary research project concerning environmental diagnostics, museums have been selected, having di!erent climate and pollution conditions, i.e.: Correr Museum, Venice (Italy); Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna... more
In a European multidisciplinary research project concerning environmental diagnostics, museums have been selected, having di!erent climate and pollution conditions, i.e.: Correr Museum, Venice (Italy); Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (Austria); Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp (Belgium); Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich (UK). Some "eld tests investigated the microclimate, the gaseous and particulate air pollution and the biological contamination to suggest mitigative techniques that may reduce the potential for damage in the long run. Potential risk factors are generated by imbalance in temperature and humidity, generated by heating, air conditioning or ventilating system (HVAC), or the building structures, exchange of outside air, or large visitor numbers. HVAC may also enhance indoor gaseous pollution. Plants and carpets represent potential niches for bacterial colonisation. Pollutants and particles have been recognised having partly external and partly internal origin. Tourism has a direct negative impact, i.e. transport of external particles, release of heat, vapour and CO , as well as generation of turbulence, which increases the deposition rate of particulate matter. However, the main problem is that the microclimate has been planned for the well being of visitors during only the visiting time, disregarding the needs of conservation that requires a constant climate by day and by night. In some of these cases, better environmental niches have been obtained with the help of showcases. In other cases, showcases worsened the situation, especially when incandescent lamps were put inside.
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To characterise the evolution of the internal climate in some of the rooms of the Uffizi Gallery (Florence), the main thermo-hygrometric parameters (air temperature, relative humidity, specific humidity, dew point, atmospheric stability)... more
To characterise the evolution of the internal climate in some of the rooms of the Uffizi Gallery (Florence), the main thermo-hygrometric parameters (air temperature, relative humidity, specific humidity, dew point, atmospheric stability) were measured automatically for some years, and also manually, with seasonal measuring surveys. Measurements were started in 1997 and are still continuing. The use of heating, air conditioning, ventilation and lighting and the daily flux of a huge number of visitors produce rapid changes and marked thermo-hygrometric gradients in the rooms. Sharp variations are found when the system is switched on in the morning, and switched off in the evening, instead of operating day and night, which is desirable for the preservation of the paintings. The humidifying system in the Pollaiolo room was found to be much too powerful, so that, instead of mitigating the relative humidity drop that is expected after a daily rise in air temperature, it increases it, forming an undesired excess of moisture. In the long run, all these cycles risk becoming harmful to the exhibits if air-temperature and air-humidity control is not regulated in accordance with the results of this study. These problems and the possible approaches to the installation of a new plant and the mitigation of these negative effects are discussed.
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The impact of lighting, heating and people in re-using historical buildings are discussed for the case study concerning the ceremony room (i.e. the Giant Hall) of a mediaeval palace in Padova. The Hall has substantially four major... more
The impact of lighting, heating and people in re-using historical buildings are discussed for the case study concerning the ceremony room (i.e. the Giant Hall) of a mediaeval palace in Padova. The Hall has substantially four major problems for conservation: (i) the impact of heating, lighting and people when the room is used; (ii) many cracks on the oak panels of the coffered ceiling; (iii) the soiling by dust and soot particles deposited on the frescoes; (iv) the stained glass windows. A microclimate study was performed to know the impact of the environmental variables, and the use of the room, on the artworks preserved inside. The study has proved the impact of the lamps (both incandescence and compact fluorescent lamps) on the ceiling, the penetration of external air in the room, the heat and the moisture released by people, the impact of sunshine through windows and the scatter diagram of the daily cycles in temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH). During winter concerts, the strips of lead which are wrapped round the edge of the cut glass pieces in stained glass windows easily drop below the dew point and form condensation, starting corrosion. A discussion concerns the allowed variability, which should not exceed risk thresholds. A safe interval can be established within the area determined by the most frequent T and RH natural cycles. In fact, both of the cycles were compatible with the artefacts, or the artefacts were already damaged to allow the exceeding dimensional changes. Attention should be paid in the variability external to this area, especially approaching or exceeding a limit equal to twice the mode of the natural variability.
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This paper analyses the response of alcohol thermometers in relation to the departure from linearity and the choice of the calibration points. The result is that alcohol thermometers are affected by large departures that reach the maximum... more
This paper analyses the response of alcohol thermometers in relation to the departure from linearity and the choice of the calibration points. The result is that alcohol thermometers are affected by large departures that reach the maximum (i.e. -6°C) at 50°C ambient temperature. This may have caused a severe bias in early records, when alcohol thermometers were popular, especially in the Little Ice Age. Choosing a lower temperature for the upper point calibration may reduce very much this bias. Examples are made with thermometers in use in the 17th and 18th centuries. A careful correction of long series is necessary to avoid misleading climate interpretations.
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This paper is focused on the closed-tube Stancari air thermometer that was developed at the beginning of the 18th century as an improvement of the Amontons thermometer, and used to record the temperature in Bologna, Italy, from 1715 to... more
This paper is focused on the closed-tube Stancari air thermometer that was developed at the beginning of the 18th century as an improvement of the Amontons thermometer, and used to record the temperature in Bologna, Italy, from 1715 to 1737. The problems met with this instrument, its calibration and the building technology in the 18th century are discussed in order to correct the record. The used methodological approach constitutes a useful example for other early series. The analysis of this record shows that the temperature in Bologna was not different from the 1961-1990 reference period. This result is in line with the contemporary record taken in Padua, Italy, confirming that this period of the Little Ice Age was not cold in the Mediterranean area.
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The known documentary climatic evidence from six European countries - Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, ancient Hungary, Italy and Spain - is presented and classified in this article and then further analyzed in subsequent papers... more
The known documentary climatic evidence from six European countries - Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, ancient Hungary, Italy and Spain - is presented and classified in this article and then further analyzed in subsequent papers included in this volume. The sixteenth century witnessed an increase in the number and variety of sources in Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic as well as in the western and northern parts of ancient Hungary (present Slovakia). In northern Italy, the relevant sources are more abundant and widespread than in central Europe, but they have hardly been explored. Town chronicles written by members of the literate elite comprise the basic type of evidence in central Europe (including northern Italy and Hungary). This kind of source reports exceptional climatic events (e.g. anomalies and natural disasters) along with their impact on the environment and on society. Documentary data are the only evidence known to exist for reconstructing time series of natural disasters prior to the twentieth century. In order to document the extreme character of an event, chroniclers frequently referred to features in the cryosphere, biosphere or hydrosphere that were known to be more accurate yardsticks of temperature and precipitation patterns than subjective impressions. When records of such events are compiled with the description of some of the known effects, the results can be transformed into a severity index. Whereas chroniclers usually focused upon extreme events, long, continuous and seemingly homogeneous series of different kinds of proxy data are drawn from administrative records. Most of them are connected to the timing of certain kinds of agricultural work (hay-making, beginning of grain harvest or vintage) or to the amount and quality of agricultural production (per hectare yield of vineyards, sugar content of wine, etc.). In most cases the timing of these works was found to be directly related to temperature patterns over the preceding months and weeks. All the Iberian peninsula towns, which had an institutionalized municipal authority, have preserved documents generated from the late Middle Ages. These records frequently contain references to floods and meteorological anomalies such as droughts and long wet spells. They also include mention of the system of rogations, those religious rites performed in a standardized way within the Spanish world with a view to putting an end to an alleged meteorological stress. The data for Switzerland, Hungary and Spain as well as much of the data for Germany are stored in the EURO-CLIMHIST database set up at the Institute of History at the University of Bern. At present, EURO-CLIMHIST comprises some 600,000 data for the period from AD 750 to the beginning of the period of instrumental networks. About 120,000 records for Germany are currently stored in a data bank called HISKLID located at the Department of Geography of the University of Würzburg. The database for the Czech Republic includes records for the time-span AD 975-1900 and is housed with the Department of Geography of Masaryk University in Brno. Data on Italy were collected with different purposes and are stored in two data banks, the CNR-ICTIMA (climatic data and natural disasters) and the SGA (extreme events).
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" Presents updated scientific and technological findings based on the novel European standards on microclimate and cultural heritage Includes the latest information on experimental research on environmental factors and their impact... more
" Presents updated scientific and technological findings based on the novel European standards on microclimate and cultural heritage
Includes the latest information on experimental research on
environmental factors and their impact on materials, such as the
behavior of water and its interactions with cultural heritage materials
Contains case studies of outdoor and indoor microclimate conditions and their effects, providing ideas for readers facing similar problems caused by heat, water, radiation, pollution, or air motions
Covers instruments and methods for practical applications to help
readers understand, to observe and interpret observations, and avoid errors"
Includes the latest information on experimental research on
environmental factors and their impact on materials, such as the
behavior of water and its interactions with cultural heritage materials
Contains case studies of outdoor and indoor microclimate conditions and their effects, providing ideas for readers facing similar problems caused by heat, water, radiation, pollution, or air motions
Covers instruments and methods for practical applications to help
readers understand, to observe and interpret observations, and avoid errors"
Research Interests: Cultural Heritage, Atmospheric Physics, Cultural Heritage Conservation, Environmental Monitoring, Air pollution, and 7 moreApplied thermodynamics, Lightning, Conservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings and Monuments, Museology, Museography, Temporary Exhibitions, Microclimate, Enviromental Engineering, and Dampness In Buildings
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Climatic Change is a journal dedicated to the problem of climatic variability and change in its entirety its descriptions, causes, implications and interactions. For this reason it welcomes contributions of a multidisciplinary nature,... more
Climatic Change is a journal dedicated to the problem of climatic variability and change in its entirety its descriptions, causes, implications and interactions. For this reason it welcomes contributions of a multidisciplinary nature, based on extensive research projects which advance our ...
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The book reports the results of the EU funded project "Climate for Culture" developed under the 7th Framework Programme under Grant Agreement No. 226973
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the book is a cutting-edge, theoretical and practical handbook focused on the conservation of cultural heritage objects as they relate to microclimatic and environmental factors. This unique handbook is devoted to applying the theories... more
the book is a cutting-edge, theoretical and practical handbook focused on the conservation of cultural heritage objects as they relate to microclimatic and environmental factors. This unique handbook is devoted to applying the theories for environmental conservation to practice by coupling relevant case studies with updated scientific and technological findings. The approach is not only rigorous and comprehensive, but also provides many friendly discussions and examples. The book is a practical reference for conservators who focus on the works of art and specialists who work in the multidisciplinary fields of environmental science, micrometeorology and atmospheric physics.
Key features:
-includes the latest information on experimental research on environmental factors and their impact on materials, such as the behaviour of water and its interactions with cultural heritage materials;
-contains case studies of outdoor and indoor microclimatic conditions and their effects, providing ideas for readers facing similar problems caused by heat, water, radiation, pollution and air motions;
- covers instruments and methods for practical applications to help readers to understand, to observe and interpret observations, and to avoid errors;
- presents the novel European standards on microclimate and cultural heritage
Key features:
-includes the latest information on experimental research on environmental factors and their impact on materials, such as the behaviour of water and its interactions with cultural heritage materials;
-contains case studies of outdoor and indoor microclimatic conditions and their effects, providing ideas for readers facing similar problems caused by heat, water, radiation, pollution and air motions;
- covers instruments and methods for practical applications to help readers to understand, to observe and interpret observations, and to avoid errors;
- presents the novel European standards on microclimate and cultural heritage
Research Interests: Cultural Heritage, Cultural Heritage Conservation, Technologies Applied to Cultural Heritage, Cultural Heritage Management, World Cultural Heritage, and 2 moreScience for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage and Built Heritage, Cultural Heritage, Urban Art, Urban Design, Urban Regeneration Through Art, Urban Light, Urban Development, Rehabilitation, Reuse of Industrial Buildings.
This paper discusses the concept of historic climate under some different points of view. The historic climate for the specific case of buried archaeological monuments: its respect warrants the conservation of archaeological monuments... more
This paper discusses the concept of historic climate under some different points of view. The historic climate for the specific case of buried archaeological monuments: its respect warrants the conservation of archaeological monuments arrived in reasonably good conditions. These aspects are particularly relevant for archaeological monuments for which the historic climate constitutes an excellent test to verify whether the past conditions have been suitable, and to which extent. An example is made with the Thracian tomb in Alexandrovo, Bulgaria. The historic climate as a reference for risk assessment in times of global warming; it is a useful reference to assess risks or evaluate the impact of climate changes. The historic climate for collections composed of organic hygroscopic materials, as introduced by the EU standard EN15757: 2010. This is a basic concept for the conservation of organic hygroscopic materials that have been adapted to some climate conditions and cannot tolerate dimensional changes and mechanical stress. The EN15757: 2010 standard, however, advices against potential conflict with other negative situations, e.g. pest infestation, break down through hydrolysis of the cellulose molecule. The historic climate and church heating according to the EU standard EN15759-1: 2011.
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Vengono brevemente ricordati i problemi scientifici che si dovettero affrontare per garantire il microclima più adatto per la conservazione degli affreschi nella Cappella Sistina, allora in fase di restauro. Questi possono essere... more
Vengono brevemente ricordati i problemi scientifici che si dovettero affrontare per garantire il microclima più adatto per la conservazione degli affreschi nella Cappella Sistina, allora in fase di restauro. Questi possono essere sintetizzati come segue. La conoscenza del microclima della Cappella e dei fattori perturbanti. Come ridurre la deposizione del particolato sospeso e l’annerimento delle superfici affrescate.
Valutare le conseguenze del riscaldamento ad aria calda allora esistente e come sostituirlo con un sistema di climatizzazione più avanzato. A che condizioni
microclimatiche si sarebbe dovuto fare riferimento ai fini progettuali e di utilizzo del nuovo sistema di climatizzazione. Rivedere l’illuminazione esistente: luce solare diretta dalle finestre e illuminazione artificiale. Era possibile ridurre l'impatto del turismo culturale di massa e renderlo sostenibile? Gli studi si basarono su due principi: era preferibile agire in termini di prevenzione; il microclima era la chiave
per risolvere molti problemi conservativi.
Valutare le conseguenze del riscaldamento ad aria calda allora esistente e come sostituirlo con un sistema di climatizzazione più avanzato. A che condizioni
microclimatiche si sarebbe dovuto fare riferimento ai fini progettuali e di utilizzo del nuovo sistema di climatizzazione. Rivedere l’illuminazione esistente: luce solare diretta dalle finestre e illuminazione artificiale. Era possibile ridurre l'impatto del turismo culturale di massa e renderlo sostenibile? Gli studi si basarono su due principi: era preferibile agire in termini di prevenzione; il microclima era la chiave
per risolvere molti problemi conservativi.
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See : https://mediterranee.revues.org/7983 The paper reconstructs when the Lagoon of Venice, Italy, was frozen over in the last 1400 years. The paper combines various proxies and instrumental readings, i.e.: written documentary sources... more
See : https://mediterranee.revues.org/7983
The paper reconstructs when the Lagoon of Venice, Italy, was frozen over in the last 1400 years. The paper combines various proxies and instrumental readings, i.e.: written documentary sources since the origin of Venice; evidence from visual arts referring to 1709, 1789 and 1791 as well as some pictures taken in 1929 and 2012; finally, instrumental observations since 1716. A critical revision has been made of all sources in order to reject duplications or exaggerations introduced by late compilations.
By Dario Camuffo, Chiara Bertolin, Alberto Craievich, Rossella Granziero and Silvia Enzi
The paper reconstructs when the Lagoon of Venice, Italy, was frozen over in the last 1400 years. The paper combines various proxies and instrumental readings, i.e.: written documentary sources since the origin of Venice; evidence from visual arts referring to 1709, 1789 and 1791 as well as some pictures taken in 1929 and 2012; finally, instrumental observations since 1716. A critical revision has been made of all sources in order to reject duplications or exaggerations introduced by late compilations.
By Dario Camuffo, Chiara Bertolin, Alberto Craievich, Rossella Granziero and Silvia Enzi