Area Of Rome Research Articles

Atmospheric aerosols in Rome, Italy: sources, dynamics and spatial variations during two seasons

Abstract. Investigations on atmospheric aerosols and their sources were carried out in October/November 2013 and May/June 2014 consecutively in a suburban area of Rome (Tor Vergata) and in central Rome (near St Peter's Basilica). During both years a Saharan dust advection event temporarily increased PM10 concentrations at ground level by about 12–17 µg m−3. Generally, in October/November the ambient aerosol was more strongly influenced by primary emissions, whereas higher relative contributions of secondary particles (sulfate, aged organic aerosol) were found in May/June. Absolute concentrations of anthropogenic emission tracers (e.g. NOx, CO2, particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, traffic-related organic aerosol) were generally higher at the urban location. Positive matrix factorization was applied to the PM1 organic aerosol (OA) fraction of aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) data to identify different sources of primary OA (POA): traffic, cooking, biomass burning and (local) cigarette smoking. While biomass burning OA was only found at the suburban site, where it accounted for the major fraction of POA (18–24 % of total OA), traffic and cooking were more dominant sources at the urban site. A particle type associated with cigarette smoke emissions, which is associated with a potential characteristic marker peak (m∕z 84, C5H10N+, a nicotine fragment) in the mass spectrum, was only found in central Rome, where it was emitted in close vicinity to the measurement location. Regarding secondary OA, in October/November, only a very aged, regionally advected oxygenated OA was found, which contributed 42–53 % to the total OA. In May/June total oxygenated OA accounted for 56–76 % of the OA. Here a fraction (18–26 % of total OA) of a fresher, less oxygenated OA of more local origin was also observed. New particle formation events were identified from measured particle number concentrations and size distributions in May/June 2014 at both sites. While they were observed every day at the urban location, at the suburban location they were only found under favourable meteorological conditions, but were independent of advection of the Rome emission plume. Particles from sources in the metropolitan area of Rome and particles advected from outside Rome contributed 42–70 and 30–58 % to the total measured PM1, respectively. Apart from the general aerosol characteristics, in this study the properties (e.g. emission strength) and dynamics (e.g. temporal behaviour) of each identified aerosol type is investigated in detail to provide a better understanding of the observed seasonal and spatial differences.

Non-destructive method for the identification of ceramic production by portable X-rays Fluorescence (pXRF). A case study of amphorae manufacture in central Italy

Portable X-rays Fluorescence (pXRF) represents one of the most effective tools for in situ, non-destructive elemental analysis, which has a valuable application in the study of ceramic production. However, whilst the qualitative assessment of the composition of artefacts is reliable, the quantitative analysis can be biased by some limitations, due to instrumental features or materials properties. The analysis of ceramic materials is particularly challenging due to the lack of representative calibrations and standards, as well as the low density and poor homogeneity of samples. In this contribution, a method is proposed to fingerprint a ceramic production through pXRF analysis. At the site of Montelabate (Perugia) in central Italy four kilns were excavated revealing a production of amphorae. This site was therefore selected as a suitable case study for fingerprinting a ceramic production. After qualitative analysis, representative calibration standards were created based on different commercial clays and feldspars. These can help overcoming the well-known matrix effect, both physical and chemical, and may offer a representative and reproducible standard to be used in different laboratories.Alongside the precise assessment of composition, the possibility to fingerprint a production was also assessed using a different method, based on the intensity ratio between selected elements. The relevant elements were chosen based on their correlation and non-correlation. Correlated elements were attributed to the raw clay used for ceramic production and non-correlated elements were attributed to the specific fabric recipe. Accordingly, some benchmarks to identify the clays and fabric used in the site of Montelabate were identified. Amphorae found at other ancient commercial sites in the area of Rome were therefore also compared with these benchmarks in order to assess their provenience.

A demand-side approach to the optimal deployment of electric vehicle charging stations in metropolitan areas

Despite all the acknowledged advantages in terms of environmental impact reduction, energy efficiency and noise reduction, the electric mobility market is below expectations. In fact, electric vehicles have limitations that pose several important challenges for achieving a sustainable mobility system: among them, the availability of an adequate charging infrastructure is recognized as a fundamental requirement and appropriate approaches to optimize public and private investments in this field are to be delineated. In this paper we consider actual data on conventional private vehicle usage in the urban area of Rome to carry out a strategy for the optimal allocation of charging infrastructures into portions (subareas) of the urban area, based on an analysis of a driver sample under the assumption of a complete switch to an equivalent fleet of electric vehicles. Moreover, the energy requirement for each one of the subareas is estimated in terms of the electric energy used by the equivalent fleet of electric vehicles to reach their destination. The model can be easily generalized to other problems regarding facility allocation based on user demand.

Paleo-surfaces of glacio-eustatically forced aggradational successions in the coastal area of Rome: Assessing interplay between tectonics and sea-level during the last ten interglacials

Abstract Recently acquired geochronological and stratigraphic data provide new information on the sedimentary successions deposited by the Paleo-Tiber River in the coastal and near-coastal area of Rome in consequence of the glacio-eustatic changes, allowing to better define their inner geometry and palaeogeographic spatial distribution. In the present work we use this revised sedimentary dataset to provide a geochronologically constrained and tectonically adjusted record of paleo sea-level indicators. Aimed at this scope, we review literature data acquired in the last 35 years and using the new geochronological constraints we pinpoint the coastal-to-fluvial terraces of MIS 5 and MIS 7, mapping their relic surfaces in an area of 30 km along the coast north and south of the Tiber River mouth, and 20 km inland of the fluvial valleys of Tiber and Aniene rivers. The geometry of these paleo-surfaces provides constraints on the relative elevation of the sea-level during the last interglacials and on the uplift rates in this region during the last 200 ka. In particular, we recognize the previously undetected terraces of MIS 5.3 and MIS 5.1 interstadials, and we assess their spatial relationship with respect to MIS 5.5, providing important information on sea-level oscillations during this time span. Comparison with sea-level indicators provided by previous aggradational successions deposited during past interglacials spanning MIS 9 through MIS 21 in the coastal area of Rome, also allows us to reconstruct the tectonic history and investigate its relationships with the Middle-Pleistocene volcanic activity of the Roman Comagmatic Region along the Tyrrhenian Sea margin of Italy in the last 900 ka.

Assessing the volcanic hazard for Rome: 40Ar/39Ar and In‐SAR constraints on the most recent eruptive activity and present‐day uplift at Colli Albani Volcanic District

AbstractWe present new 40Ar/39Ar data which allow us to refine the recurrence time for the most recent eruptive activity occurred at Colli Albani Volcanic District (CAVD) and constrain its geographic area. Time elapsed since the last eruption (36 kyr) overruns the recurrence time (31 kyr) in the last 100 kyr. New interferometric synthetic aperture radar data, covering the years 1993–2010, reveal ongoing inflation with maximum uplift rates (>2 mm/yr) in the area hosting the most recent (<200 ka) vents, suggesting that the observed uplift might be caused by magma injection within the youngest plumbing system. Finally, we frame the present deformation within the structural pattern of the area of Rome, characterized by 50 m of regional uplift since 200 ka and by geologic evidence for a recent (<2000 years) switch of the local stress‐field, highlighting that the precursors of a new phase of volcanic activity are likely occurring at the CAVD.

Affrontarsi o confrontarsi? Il "rischio" immigrati sulla stampa italiana e nella periferia di Tor Sapienza a Roma

The article examines migration in the light of the distinction between the concepts of risk and threat. Through an analysis of representations in the Italian press, the authors argue that by framing immigration as a threat, media discourse ignores negative consequences for migrants as well as positive effects for reception’s society. A case study in a sensitive urban area in Rome, using a survey and a citizens’ jury, shows how residents’ negative if not violent reactions to migrants’ are often nurtured by a sense of relative deprivation and political neglect. More information and citizens’ involvement in local policies may facilitate dialogue and lead to more creative and shared solutions.

The MIS 5.5 terraced deposit of Fosso del Cupo (Montecelio, Central Italy) and its Mousterian lithic assemblage: Re-evaluation of a nineteenth-century discovery

Abstract By means of a geomorphological study and the correlation with the geochronologically constrained terraced deposits of the greater area of Rome, we attribute to the aggradational phase during marine isotopic stage (MIS) 5.5 a terraced deposit firstly described in the earliest local geological reports of the 19th century, in which a small set of lithic artifacts and vertebrate fossil remains was recovered. After this correlation, the sedimentary deposit of Fosso del Cupo represents the only inland occurrence of an aggradational deposit of MIS 5.5 so far recognized in the area of Rome, where a rich record of lithic industries and faunal assemblages has been yielded by the sedimentary successions deposited in response to deglaciation during sea-level rises of MIS 15 through MIS 7. We have implemented the lithic and faunal assemblages through a collection during the geological survey performed in the area where the terraced deposit crops out. With an age tightly constrained around 125 ka, the lithic industry and the faunal assemblage from Fosso del Cupo, although limited in number, represent an important witness of the early development of the local Pontinian culture and should be considered a regional marker, which may concur to improve the knowledge on the Mousterian of Central Italy.

Shooting is still a main threat for raptors inhabiting urban and suburban areas of Rome, Italy

Assessing threats and causes of mortality is crucial for understanding the factors driving population dynamics and planning effective conservation actions. Investigating the causes for admission into wildlife rehabilitation centres can contribute to assessing the main threats affecting animal populations inhabiting urban and suburban habitats. After analysing 2367 raptors belonging to 28 species admitted at the LIPU/Bioparco wildlife rehabilitation centre of Rome during 12 years (2000–2011), we found that collisions with man-made structures were the most frequent cause for admission, with shooting the second most frequent cause of admission. However, for Falconiformes, excluding kestrels, shooting was the most common cause for admission (52% of all admissions). Comparing urban with suburban landscapes, we found that the occurrence of birds admitted with evidence of gunshot wounds was higher in the suburban landscape for both Strigiformes and Falconiformes. Considering only the 17 species listed in Annex I to Bird Directive 147/2009/EC, shooting was the most frequent cause of admission and accounted for more than 40% of cases. The high frequency of admissions of raptors due to shooting in urban and suburban Rome shows that persecution of raptors is not restricted to rural areas of Italy.

Provenance study of building and statuary marbles from the Roman archaeological site of "Villa dei Quintili" (Rome, Italy)

The present work represents the first study addressed to the provenance attribution of marbles from the Villa dei Quintili, an important Roman archaeological site located in the south-eastern area of Rome (Italy). The monumental villa was built in the 2nd century A.D. at the behest of the brothers Sesto Quintilio Condiano and Sesto Quintilio Valerio Massimo. Later (182 A.D.), the Emperor Commodus confiscated the villa, transforming it into an imperial residence until the 3rd century A.D. Different analytical techniques, including polarized optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), carbon and oxygen stable isotope ratio determinations, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction, were used to identify the provenance sources of seventeen white marble samples belonging to statues, covering slabs and architectural elements of the villa. For such a purpose, data obtained were compared with existing databases relative to white marbles commonly used in antiquity collected from historic quarries in the Mediterranean area.Results show that several precious marbles from different Mediterranean sites were used for the statuary as well as for decorative and architectural elements of the Villa thus remarking the importance of the archaeological site.

LIFE DYNAMAP project: The case study of Rome

The DYNAMAP project (Dynamic Acoustic Mapping – Development of low cost sensors networks for real time noise mapping) is a LIFE project aiming at developing a dynamic noise mapping system able to detect and represent in real time the acoustic impact due to road infrastructures. Scope of the project is the European Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise (END).The main project idea is focused on the research of a technical solution able to ease and reduce the cost of noise mapping, through an automatic monitoring system, based on customized low-cost sensors and a software tool implemented on a general purpose GIS platform, performing the update of noise maps in real time (dynamic noise maps). The feasibility of this approach will be proved implementing the system in two pilot areas with different territorial and environmental characteristics: an agglomeration and a major road. The first pilot area will be located in Milan, in a significant portion of the town, while the second one will be situated along the motorway A90 surrounding the city of Rome. The two pilot areas show peculiar needs and characteristics, such as the presence of multiple noise sources, roads junctions, traffic and weather conditions, that require a different system’s implementation approach. In this paper the main issues related to the design of the system configuration in the pilot area of Rome are described.

A digital flora of Rome

A complete guide to the rich flora of the metropolitan area of Rome (more than 1600 infrageneric taxa) was made available both as an online multi-entry query interface and as a stand-alone dichotomous key for mobile devices. From the general key, it will be possible to derive many smaller (and hence easier) guides to different parks and gardens of Rome, while teachers have been provided with additional software which permits them to create their own keys for any subset of species.

Advanced interpretation of interferometric SAR data to detect, monitor and model ground subsidence: outcomes from the ESA-GMES Terrafirma project

Land subsidence is a common natural hazard striking extensive areas worldwide, with severe impacts on economy and environment. Subsidence has been recognized as one of geohazards needing research efforts and knowledge transfer at international level, especially when urban fabrics and infrastructures are directly involved in the land settling. Policies and solutions for land subsidence management can be different. Despite this variability, where mitigation methods need to be adopted, mapping, monitoring and simulation of subsidence have to precede their design and implementation. In this framework, Earth Observation (EO) and remote sensing have a major role to play. Satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry, thanks to its wide spatial coverage and its millimeter accuracy, provides a valuable contribution in the management of hazard posed by subsidence-related deformation. The ESA-GMES Terrafirma project (2003–2014) has worked for the promotion of the persistent scatterer interferometry, a family of techniques ideally suited for the assessment of magnitude of surface deformations associated with subsidence phenomena. Within the Terrafirma Project a series of products, based on the integration of EO technologies and in situ data, has been established and delivered to a wide community of end user. Three case studies, outcomes of the Terrafirma project, are presented: the wide area of Rome (Italy), the Anthemountas basin and the Kalochori village (Greece). These case studies have been selected with the purpose of showing the essential contribution of interferometric data during the main activities that must be covered when dealing with geohazard investigations (i.e., mapping, monitoring and modeling). These three case studies are meant to be representative of the suite of services delivered by the Terrafirma project to specific end users with the legal mandated to manage the geohazard.

Comparative analysis of implicit models for real‐time short‐term traffic predictions

Predicting future traffic conditions in real-time is a crucial issue for applications of intelligent transportation systems devoted to traffic management and traveller information. The increasing number of connected vehicles equipped with locating technologies provides a ubiquitous updated source of information on the whole network. This offers great opportunities for developing data-driven models that extrapolate short-term future trend directly from data without modelling traffic phenomenon explicitly. Among several different approaches to implicit modelling, machine-learning models based on a network structure are expected to be more suitable to catch traffic phenomenon because of their capability to account for spatial correlations existing between traffic measures taken on different elements of the road network. The study analyses and applies different implicit models for short-term prediction on a large road network: namely, time-dependent artificial neural networks and Bayesian networks. These models are validated and compared by exploiting a large database of link speeds recorded on the metropolitan area of Rome during seven months.

A multi-platform approach to marine environment assessment in the Civitavecchia (Rome) area

ABSTRACTMulti-platform systems for coastal environment monitoring are important tools that enable a better understanding of the dynamics of coastal ecosystems and their forcings; these observation networks can be used to highlight changes in marine ecosystems in response to anthropogenic impacts, identifying specific evolution. trends. This paper reports the results of a field study conducted in summer 2012 to test the efficacy of the multi-platform Civitavecchia Coastal Environment Monitoring System (C-CEMS). An observation programme was employed to analyse the fate of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) in bathing areas, to predict its dynamics and to prevent the sanitary risk associated with the presence of this microorganism in seawater.

Design, construction, and monitoring of a building with deep basements in Rome

In this paper, excavations for the construction of a tall building with deep basements in a congested area in Rome, close to the Tiber river are described. The project was technically challenging due to the close proximity of existing buildings, the interaction with the river, and the poor geotechnical properties of the alluvial deposits. This well-documented case study addresses the geotechnical and structural issues involved in the development of the design and construction process. Particular attention is focused on the prediction of excavation-induced displacements and on the efficiency of the water wells introduced to increase safety margins against the hydraulic uplift of the excavation bottom.

Black flies (Diptera, Simuliidae) as ecological indicators of stream ecosystem health in an urbanizing area (Rome, Italy).

The effectiveness of Simuliidae (Diptera, Nematocera) as indicators of stream health was tested in the urbanizing area of Rome, Central Italy. 108 sampling sites were investigated in the spring to acquire data on environmental variables and black fly species. The comparison of sampling and literature data highlighted the disappearance of some species (Simulium reptans, S. vernum, S. liriense), possibly due to water pollution and land use changes. Correspondence analysis confirms altitude as the main factor influencing black fly species' distribution. However, water quality becomes predominant when considering exclusively plain sites: "ornatum" and "equinum" species groups show the greatest tolerance to chemical pollution. The high course of the Aniene river and its tributaries were sampled bimonthly, confirming the spatial-temporal black fly successions previously observed in central Apennines. The results also indicate that S. ornatum may supplant all other species in areas where the rural use is substituted by urban landscape. In conclusion, black flies can be considered good environmental indicators to assess ecological health of both watercourses and surrounding landscapes.

Assessment and Improvement of the Seismic Safety of the “Bastione Farnesiano”, in the Central Archeological Area of Rome: A Calculation Method Between Need to Preserve and Uncertainties

ABSTRACTThis article presents a study aiming at assessing the seismic safety and developing the rehabilitation design of a masonry retaining wall, known as Bastione Farnesiano, and placed around the Palatinum hill, in the central archeological area of Rome, in Italy. It is a singular artifact of its kind and hardly identifiable with known stereotypes or constructive models. The phase of survey, together with both the material and degradation analyses, showed the impossibility to define with certainty some features, even geometrical, of the monument, necessary to reach a judgment about its safety. Therefore, it was necessary to formulate the risk assessment problem by taking into due consideration all uncertainties and evaluating them in probabilistic terms. A simple mechanical model, considering different and alternative collapse modes, was developed and, after characterizing the uncertain parameters in probabilistic terms, Monte Carlo simulations were carried out. Based on the obtained results: (a) the value of the current risk index has been determined and (b) a sensitivity analysis has been performed in order to identify the parameters that mostly affect the monument safety. This sensitivity analysis has provided useful information that has allowed to orient the seismic amelioration design strategy by acting on one of the parameters that have greater impact on the risk reduction.

Mapping and Assessing Urban Agriculture in Rome

Abstract The paper focus on the concept of food and agriculture as an infrastructure – which is both spatial and relational -, within the context of the urban Mediterranean phenomenon, where, with all its political, cultural, economical, social and environmental differences, there is a common relationship with food and food production in an urban setting. The aim of this paper is to explore the agricultural context of Rome, focusing on its relationships with development in the metropolitan area, within the framework of sustainable food planning. Starting from the relationship between food and city, we have mapped the foodscape, identifying a number of representative conditions - typologies - in the metropolitan area of Rome. Through a of criteria - relationships with the urban fabric, production patterns, flows, services, infrastructures, environmental characters, social behaviour linked with the production - the study tries to summarise Roman agriculture. We focus on a set of recurring elements, involving both criticalities and opportunities, that bring together city and food production. Rome has what we could call a compact structure compared to the dispersed urban model and this has encouraged the development of local agricultural systems, where both flows and landscapes involve the city. While production is organised into wedge-shaped areas, the places where exchanges occur are mainly within the municipal area of Rome, with the exception of farms involved in direct sales. Despite a strong urbanization pressure caused a reduction of 42% of the utilised agricultural area (UAA) between 1990 and 2000, this trend was reverted back between 2000 and 2010, with an increase of the UAA of 14%. The analysis of land use (CLC, 2006) reveals a system of wedge-shaped agricultural areas, where short supply chain models can be used efficiently to manage and promote the use of land and landscape. In synthesis, in terms of their production systems, there is a high number of short supply chain farms in Rome (over 40%), mostly with mixed production systems linked to multifunctional farming. The role played by the local food network in Rome is remarkable, particularly in case of farmers’ market, SPG’ and those linked to box schemes experiences have seen significant success. The increasing importance of Alternative and Local Food Networks is showed in the data: the 60% of Rome municipalities farms sell directly (Istat, 2010) it was registered an increase of + 57% Farmers’ market at municipality level and of + 64% in Rome's province (2010/13) ( Marino et al., 2013 ). The local food network behind agriculture in the city, within a number of integrated social agrarian cooperative, who represented an alternative food production system and landmark for many initiatives carried out by the civil society, associations, cooperatives, volunteer and school sectors, community supported agriculture (CSA) initiatives. This account of short supply chains in Rome is inevitably the account of an urban phenomenon. It is indeed the city that determines its special characteristics for both physical and relational aspects. The mapped farms are mostly located near the main routes that radiate from the city to the countryside, underlining the centrality of the flow of exchanges that take place with the city. The processes of transformation affecting the primary sector in urban and suburban environments reflect an agriculture that forms (and produces) new landscape and functions, typically reconnected to the historical value of agriculture in and around the Mediterranean cities. Food, because of its cultural and historical place in Mediterranean tradition, has a significant role in configuring the areas where exchanges takes place, which are, therefore, specific places for meeting and forming relationships within the public spaces of a city. The system identified by the paper configures the set of all the different forms of agriculture and food in Rome as a device of resilience for the city, made up of places where flows, relationships and processes become increasingly more sustainable, and where both physical and intangible spaces act as an infrastructure in their exchange with the city.

Restocking in Touristic and CBD Areas: Deterministic and Stochastic Behaviour in the Decision-making Process

The paper examines urban activity restocking process. The proposed models aim at examining how city logistics measures could modify the restocking process of retailers and ho.re.ca. managers located within the urban area. The process is considered in terms of distribution channel: pull or push movements to bring freight to the economic activities. The analysis has been based on surveys carried out in the inner area of Rome. The study points out that deterministic behaviour exists in relation to goods types and that the choices for acquisition (i.e. distribution channel and restocking area) are generally joint choices. For this scope, different behavioural models were tested according to different hypothesis on random residual distributions.

Evolution of Design and Construction Approaches in the Field of Tunnelling: The Results of Applying ADECO-RS When Constructing Large Underground Works in Urban Areas

In the last 25 years in Italy, over 1000km of tunnels have been constructed in urban and extra-urban areas. Despite being constructed in very complex and difficult grounds; generally these were completed (from the design stage to the construction and actual opening of activity) with industrial methods, and within the technical times and costs foreseen by the design laid out by the tenders. This extraordinary result has been made possible since the public administrations have adopted modern design and construction approaches in their contract specifications, based on strictly scientific criteria and which leave nothing to the typical vagueness of those design and construction systems from the twentieth century, which remedied cavity instability solely by means of partitioning the excavation face. Today we know that full-face advancement is all the more necessary the more difficult the excavation conditions are. Memory serves to illustrate the criteria that helped define modern design and construction concepts and an example of their application for constructing a great twin tunnel (258 m2 + 258 m2 in section) in the urban area of Rome.