The environmental challenge of the future: “Microplastic pollution”
The term “plastic” today encompasses thousands of products of various types. These cover a wide range of uses in everyday life and across the global population. Modern plastics exhibit vastly different characteristics from one another and are composed not only of the main polymer but also thousands of different molecules added to achieve the required properties for their use (plasticizers, colorants, softeners, flame retardants, etc.). The main characteristic of plastic is its durability over time, making it practically “eternal”: a plastic material product retains its characteristics and properties for decades, even when exposed to atmospheric agents. However, these agents have a significant abrasive effect and over time lead to the fragmentation of the polymer, resulting in “microplastics” (MPs). Microplastics have been found in every terrestrial environment, from the poles to glaciers, from surface soils to the deepest seas. To the extent that scientists worldwide now consider them one of the most significant environmental issues to address and resolve in the coming years…
Hydrological processes: insights from a three-year study in Alpine basins based on a multichemical approach
In mountainous regions, snow, glaciers, and rock glaciers play a significant role as valuable hydrological assets by supplying substantial quantities of meltwater for both surface and subsurface flows. The current climate changes are resulting in a global phenomenon of fast glacier retreat and an earlier onset of the snowmelt runoff season. Consequently, this trend is leading to a reduction in mountain water resources, which has repercussions on aquatic ecosystems and human societies…
Isotope analysis for the traceability of regional products
Our latest publication about “ Geographic tracing of cereals from South Tyrol (Italy) and neighboring regions via 87Sr/86Sr isotope analysis ” is now available on Food Chemistry (OpenAccess).
In this paper, we summarize the results of a study focused on the application of the strontium isotope ratio analysis for the characterization and determination of the geographic origin of cereals cultivated in South Tyrol and neighboring regions of Trentino and Tyrol, with an in-depth analysis of the link between this marker and the geo-lithological features of each area…
Isotope labeling, a tool to quantify the water uptake by trees
Our new publication about ” Water uptake dynamics in apple trees assessed by an isotope labeling approach ” is now available on Agricultural Water Management (OpenAccess). In this paper, we summarize the results of our study focused on the application of deuterium-labeled water to investigate the dynamics of absorption and translocation of irrigation water from the soil to the tree….