Western Italy Research Articles

Agrostis canina L. subsp. monteluccii Selvi, subsp. nov. (Poaceae)

Summary The new subspecies Agrostis canina subsp. monteluccii, an ecological endemism of CO2 geothermal gaseous springs of central western Italy, is described. The origin of these ecodemes strictly confined around the gas-vents is discussed under the light of peculiar physical factors which have led to the selection and fixation of distinct phenotypical characters. The geographical isolation of populations, which prevent genetical exchanges, suggests the hypothesis of a politopic origin of this entity.

Residence of REE in Low-Temperature Eclogites from Ligurian Alps, North Western Italy: The Role of Accessory Minerals

The ophiolites of Ligurian Alps were subjected to pervasive re-equilibration under low-temperature eclogite facies conditions, as a result of a subduction event probably of Cretaceous-Eocene age (Ernst, 1976). Eclogitized Fe-Ti-gabbros developed the bimineralic assemblage of omphacite and Fe-rich garnet, with coronitic to mylonitic textures caused by stress gradient during synmetamorphic deformation. The involvement of fluids during eclogite facies metamorphism, probably related to the breakdown of hydrous minerals developed during the preceding ocean-floor metamorphism, is testified by the local occurrence of garnet (__. omphacite __+ rutile)veins. In coronitic eclogites, high pressure clinopyroxenes have different REE compositions which reflect the original distribution of the major igneous minerals (Messiga et al., 1994). Clinopyroxenes from mylonitic eclogites show homogeneous REE compositions, due to the enlargement of reaction domains into the shear zones. The eclogitic clinopyroxenes, as well as garnets, invariably show a marked LREEdepletion (Fig. 1), stronger than that of igneous diopside relics from coronitic eclogites which have LaN/SmN ~ 0.2. In order to unravel the REE redistribution during the eclogite facies metamorphism, accessory apatites and allanites from an eclogite sample were analyzed using a Cameca IMS 4F ion microprobe. modal percentage is lower than 1%. Other accessory phases are quartz and Fe-sulphides. Apatites display high REE contents (~ 103 x C1), their pattern is characterized by slight MREE-enrichment and negative Eu anomaly (Fig. 1). Allanites have extremely high amounts o f L R E E (,~ 105 x CI; Fig. 1), with a slight Nd-

Biomonitoring of workers exposed to pesticides.

The potential clastogenic effects of pesticides was investigated in 71 floriculturists exposed to complex chemical mixtures. Exposed and referent subjects were selected from the same geographical area located in north western Italy. A significant association between micronuclei frequency and occupational exposure to pesticides was found (RR = 1.25). A positive dose-response gradient was observed with years of employment (used as an index of cumulative exposure) as a floriculturist. Individuals working exclusively in greenhouses (confined spaces) showed higher micronuclei levels than subjects working in open fields. The study supports the hypothesis that human exposure to pesticides causes a clastogenic damage.

A multivariate analysis of amphibian habitat determinants in north western Italy

AbstractThe distribution of Bufo bufo, Rana esculenta complex, Rana dalmatina, Hyla arborea, Triturus carnifex and Triturus vulgaris were studied in 61 ponds in NW Italy, in relation to a number of specific habitat features. Multivariate analysis identifies those habitat parameters which classify ponds into characteristic habitat groups. Several multivariate statistical tests were carried out to identify habitat features characteristic of each species and to delineate ecological factors that influence amphibian distributions and size of breeding populations. Variables scored at each pond were: extent of aquatic vegetational cover, age of the pond, terrestrial habitats occurring near the ponds, degree of human interference, surface areas, maximum depth, chemical water factors (such as pH and water hardness). The first four of these parameters influenced breeding population presence of R. dalmatina, H. arborea, T. vulgaris and T. cristatus significantly. Densities of H. arborea, R. dalmatina, B. bufo and R. esculenta were apparently unaffected by any of these parameters; these species seem to colonize available habitats almost at random.

Niche overlap in tadpole populations ofPelobates fuscus insubricusandHyla arboreaat a pond in north western Italy

Abstract The niche structure was studied for tadpole populations of Pelobates fuscus insubricus and Hyla arborea at a pond in north western Italy. Duration of larval periods, growth rates, biometrie data, diet and relative abundance are described for the two species. The larval period was about 80 days for P. fuscus, with tadpoles reaching maximum lengths of 105 mm. H. arborea had two spawn periods: first, one of 65 days, overlapped in time with that of P. fuscus, and a second one which was followed by a shorter larval period (46 days). There was a temporal overlap between P. fuscus and H. arborea, and between tadpoles of H. arborea of two different age and size classes. Significant differences in the length of larval stages were observed between these two species. The larval diets of the two species were similar. They are both basically herbivorous: algae and phanerogams are the most abundant type of food ingested. The populations studied were characterized by a high level of niche overlap both in time a...

Segmentation and configuration of subducted lithosphere in Italy: An important control on thrust-belt and foredeep-basin evolution

The Apennine foredeep-basin system, located on continental crust, consists of four roughly parallel basin segments, each containing a flexural outer rise and an inner trough that deepens continuously toward the thrust belt. Flexural modeling of subsidence data across the basin indicates that this foredeep basin results mainly from deep subsurface loads acting on the subducted slab from within the subduction zone rather than from the topographic load of the Apennine Mountains. The geometry of the four basin segments observed within the Apennine foredeep is thus inferred to reflect subduction of segmented lithosphere, where each lithospheric segment corresponds to a segment of the foredeep basin. Beneath the basin and in the foreland the lithosphere is continuous: segmentation occurs only at depth beneath the thrust belt. This pattern olf segmentation of the subducted lithosphere at depth is reflected in the large-scale geometry of the outer part of the Apennine thrust belt and appears to control it. Similarly, the pattern of segmentation also appears to control the position of the eastern limit of back-arc type extension in western Italy. These relations strongly suggest a genetic relation between subduction-zone processes, foredeep-basin geometry, and thrust-belt evolution, in which the configuration of the subducted lithosphere largely controls the large-scale surface deformation observed in the Apennine system.

Syntectonic sedimentation in a Middle Triassic rift, Northern Apennines, Italy

The anatomy of the sedimentary and volcanic fill of a Middle Triassic continental rift at the western margin of the Tethys is illustrated by the study of a 250 m thick sequence on the Tyrrhenian coasts of the Northern Apennines. This sequence contains two cycles of sedimentation: 1. (a) The lower cycle comprises a basal transgressive sequence from continental alluvial fans to shallow marine carbonates, and an upper sequence which correspond to an increasing tectonic activity (submarine syntectonic facies assemblage). The lower part of the last assemblage is characterized by a thick (22 m), rapidly deposited sequence of coarse carbonate breccias with minor calcareous sandy turbidites. This is overlain by channelized red beds of submarine fans composed of close interstratification and juxtaposition of carbonate breccias with red clastic matrix, and red sandy quartz pebble conglomerates and silty sands. Interbedded alkaline pillow lava record penecontemporaneous submarine eruptions. The lavas are capped by thin red cherty ( diaspri) crusts. The lower cycle of sedimentation ends with a karstic surface on relatively deep marine carbonate layers. This suggests a rapid emersion due to the arrest and reversal of the downsinking of the initial (“aborted” or failed) rift. 2. (b) The upper cycle of sedimentation starts with more mature fluvial red beds and changes upward into shallow marine sands and carbonates. This upper cycle represents an early stage of evolution of a new major rift. This second major rift led, in Jurassic times, to the opening of an oceanic area between Europe and western Italy.

Complex zoning of clinopyroxenes in the lavas of vulsini, latium, Italy: Evidence for magma mixing

Microprobe analyses of pyroxene phenocrysts occurring in two tephritic leucitites, two leucite phonolites and one trachyte from Vulsini are reported. Three compositionally distinct types of pyroxene occur in the tephritic leucitites: (a) salite, forming resorbed cores in pyroxene phenocrysts; (b) diopside, forming euhedral-anhedral cores in pyroxene phenocrysts: and (c) pyroxene of intermediate composition to (a) and (b), which occurs as mantels around the phenocryst cores, as separate phenocrysts and as microphenocrysts. The pyroxenes in the leucite phonolites and in the trachyte do not show discontinuous zoning such as that shown by pyroxenes in the tephritic leucitites. The compositional characteristics of the latter are most easily explained by the mixing of two magmas, both tephritic leucitite in composition, one of which was relatively evolved (Fe-rich) and carried salite phenocrysts, the other relatively primitive (Mg-rich) which carried diopside phenocrysts. A review of petrographic and geochemical evidence indicates that magma mixing may have been an important process, in addition to fractional crystallization, at Vulsini and at other central Italian volcanic centres. The implications for theories about the origin of potassium-rich magmas in western Italy are briefly discussed.

A New Turkish Crocus (Iridaceae)

Following the classification of Crocus by Herbert (in Journ. Roy. Hort. Soc. 2: 249 (1847)), Crocus baytopiorum can be placed in Divison I Involucrati, Section 5 Reticulati. The discovery of this new species is interesting, since there is no previous record of any spring flowering Crocus belonging to this division and section from Turkey. The nearest related species is C. etruscus Parl. from western Italy, which shares the character of having a spathe ('basal spathe') subtending the inflorescence, at the top of the corm, and a solitary bract ('floral spathe') produced at the base of the ovary. All the species in the "C. vernus" aggregate, which includes C. albiflorus Kit., C. napolitanus Mord. & Lois., C. heuffelianus Herb., and C. tomasinianus Herb., have these characters but differ markedly in their corm tunics, which consist of rather silky fibres, finely and rather obscurely reticulated. Like C. etruscus, C. baytopiorum has a tunic of thick fibres, coarsely netted right to the base. However, the leaves of the latter are less than I mm broad, readily distinguishing it from the former in which they are 4-6 mm in breadth. Furthermore, the nearly spherical brownish seeds of C. etruscus are quite distinct from the rather pointed, distinctly arillate, red seeds of C. baytopiorum. I have named the new species in honour of my colleagues Professors Turhan and Asuman Baytop from Istanbul, to whom I am indebted for sending many interesting Turkish Crocus.

Pollen stratigraphy of the lake of vico (Central Italy)

A pollen diagram is presented from a crater lake in central western Italy. Eight pollen zone are established, showing fluctuations between a steppe and a more closed vegetation. The steppe vegetation presumably developed under a cool and dry climate. The diagram probably covers the period from the Early Würm Brørup Interstadial to Late Holocene Subboreal times.

The shoshonite association: A review

Abstract The absarokite‐shoshonite‐banakite series described from Yellowstone Park by Iddings and the ciminite‐toscanite series described from western Italy by Washington are compared. In both regions these rocks are associated with leucite‐bearing rocks, potassium‐rich trachytes and with andesitic rocks with above average potassium. A similar association of rock‐types is described from Indonesia and several other regions including the Rift Valley of Africa where, at Bufumbira, Holmes & Harwood have described members of the absarokite‐shoshonite‐banakite, potassium trachytes and leucite rocks. It is concluded that the absarokite‐shoshonite‐banakite series and the ciminite‐toscanite series are parts of a single rock association here called the shoshonite association. Intrusive members, such as monzonites, are also briefly discussed. The relation of the shoshonite association to the tholeiite, alkali basalt, calcal‐kaline and carbonatite associations are examined and an attempt is made to relate these to te...

Rb [sbnd]Sr isotopic evidence in the origin of potash-rich lavas of Western Italy

The 87Sr/ 86Sr ratio in the potassic lavas of the Roman province has been found to vary from 0.706 to 0.711, with the ratio rather constant for each volcano, but generally increasing from south to north. The increase in 87Sr/ 86Sr is found to be correlated roughly with total Rb and Sr, both of which reach unusually high levels of concentration. It is concluded that the continental potassic volcanic association in general (leucite-basalt to potash-trachyte), by analogy with this volcanic province, could not have derived its unusually high Sr from carbonatites or the normal types of basalt, or from the assimilation of limestone. The Sr isotopic evidence suggests that these unusual magmas were derived from the refusion or anatexis of ancient continental sialic rocks. The concentrations of Sr and other trace elements suggest that the sialic rocks were deeply depressed into the high pressure regime where garnet and clinopyroxene are dominant residual phases.

Neo-Fascism in Western Germany and Italy

The action of the French National Assembly in the late summer of 1954 finally ended the hopes of proponents of the European Defense Community Treaty. Today the treaties and protocols of the London and Paris Conferences which proposed the creation of a Western European Union are the objects of official scrutiny. Both Italy and Germany will become members of the Western European Union after the appropriate ratifications of these documents. The restoration of Germany to a status of equality with that of other Western European states and her admission into NATO have been proposed by the Foreign Ministers of the Western powers.But behind these actions there has lurked a fear which is reflected in many European countries, the fear of a neo-fascist rebirth in Western Germany and Italy. The image of a rearmed Germany, feeding on the industry of the Ruhr and associated with a Nazi revival, frightens many French parliamentarians. In Britain, the Bevanites have expressed left-wing Laborite fears of German rearmament and have associated it with probable fascist direction. Said their leader on November 18, 1954, in a parliamentary exchange: “Do you think the people of this Country will be safer against the prospects of war if German armies and their Nazi officers have atom and hydrogen bombs?” The neutralism prevalent among some groups in Western Europe can be interpreted in part as their reaction to similar questions. And in the United States, there has not been lacking in some quarters a belief that there is a dangerous spectre which is haunting Western Europe and the world, namely a neo-fascist revival on the north side of the Rhine.

Communist Strategy and Tactics in Western European Labor Movements

The analysis of political conditions in the labor movements of Western Europe, particularly France and Italy, presented here is not a cheering one. In addition to numerous advantages inherent in the economic and political situation, the Communists possess, according to Mr. Lorwin, a seemingly inexhaustible arsenal of weapons with which to harass the forces of democracy in the struggle for the allegiance of the European workingman. To make the situation worse, the groups and institutions of Western Europe which should be leading the fight against communism seem to have lost both ability and spirit. (Author's abstract courtesy EBSCO.)

Search for Oil in Parma District, Western Italy

The Parma district of northern Italy offers many difficult geological and geophysical problems. The writers briefly outline the stratigraphy and major structural features of the northern foothills of the Apennines, and the hidden subsurface structure of the Po Valley. Results of recent drilling have substantiated many of the geophysical interpretations. There is a series of parallel folds trending northwest and southeast in the foothills; also in the subsurface of the plains. Secondary folding at right angles has produced closed domal structure, with Tertiary strata coming near the surface. Some dislocation with diapirism has been suspected from geophysical studies and proved by drilling.

Art. VIII.—Notes on the Early History of Northern India. Part IV.Essay on the Pre-Vedic History of India and the Identity of the Early Mythologieṣ of Europe and Asia, founded on a Study of the Brāhmaṇas and of Sacrificial Observances

In the previous papers of this series I have tried to trace in outline a truthful sketch of the general course of early Indian History. The evidence I have consulted and set forth has led me to believe that the government, social institutions, and the fundamental principles of the religion of the country all originated among tribes for the most part of Dravidian race, who came into India from the Euphrates valley. In dealing with this evidence I have tried to trace the origin of the tribes who successively and simultaneously ruled India, the races to which they belonged, and the religious beliefs they held. In doing this I have also adduced proofs to show that the same races who introduced civilized and stable government into India performed the same task in the countries of Western Asia, in Egypt, Greece, and Italy. In the course of my argument I have laid stress on the value of early religious and astronomical history as a guide, not only to the social history of India, but to that of all countries ruled by immigrant tribes of Akkadian race. My conclusions as to Indian history were formed chiefly from a study of the Mahābhārata and Rigveda, and these authorities were largely supplemented by references to Greek and Latin historians, to Akkadian and Assyrian history, and by information derived from the present state of the country, its religious movements and social institutions.