Pagán is an ancient city located in Myanmar that is renowned for the remains of about 4000 pagodas, stupas, temples and monasteries dating from the 11th to 13th centuries. Due to a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in 2016, more than 300 ancient buildings were seriously damaged. As a part of the post-earthquake emergency program, a diagnostic pilot project was carried out on Me-taw-ya temple wall paintings to acquire further information on the materials and on their state of conservation. This article presents our attempts at characterising the painting materials at Me-taw-ya temple using non-invasive portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF), portable Raman spectroscopy and micro-invasive attenuated total reflectance—Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), micro-Raman spectroscopy (µ-Raman), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), polarized light microscopy (PLM) and environmental scanning electron microscope—X-ray energy dispersive system (ESEM-EDS) investigations with the aim of identifying the composition of organic binders and pigments. The presence of a proteinaceous glue mixed with the lime-based plaster was ascertained and identified by GC-MS. In addition, this technique confirmed the occurrence of plant-derived gums as binders pointing to the a secco technique. Fe-based compounds, vermillion, carbon black and As-compounds were identified to have been incorporated in the palette of the murals.

Plastic marine litter is a critical issue that threatens marine ecosystems. This study investigated microplastics (MPs) contamination in the Italian seas, involving regions significantly affected by pollution from urban, industrial and agricultural sources. The research, conducted in collaborations between 10 different Experimental Zooprophylactic Institutes throughout Italy, analyzed Mytilus galloprovincialis (common mussels) for its filtration capacity and suitability as a bioindicator. Using data from two projects funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, MPs were detected from 7% to 13% of mussel samples, mainly polypropylene and polystyrene fragments and fibers. These findings align with previous studies highlighting the pervasive presence of MPs and their potential risks as mussels are consumed whole, allowing MPs to be ingested. The study underscores the need for standardized detection methods and coordinated policies to mitigate plastic pollution. Public awareness campaigns and improved waste management practices are key to addressing the environmental and health impacts of MPs. Further research on the long-term effects of MPs on marine ecosystems and human health is essential to developing comprehensive mitigation strategies.

Microscopic observation correlated with chemical–mineralogical characterization was performed on pigment samples from “Abrigo del Lince” rock art site (V-IV millennium BC), in order to provide contributions to the study of prehistoric schematic art on granite in the province of Badajoz (Spain). The research objectives include the understanding of technological and cultural aspects, as well as of conservation and deterioration issues related to the pictographs. The multi-analytical approach encompasses the integration of microscopic observation, SEM–EDS analysis, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and ATR-FTIR and allowed to achieve a multispectral overview of the samples and to describe their varied composition and the alteration pattern which connects them. The main phases overlying the granitic bedrock and involved in this sequence are as follows: hematite, whewellite, and gypsum. While hematite could be stratigraphically considered the most ancient layer and assigned to the use of red ochre as a pigment, whewellite and gypsum are the main constituent of the alteration layer which forms a patina over the pictographs, due to weathering processes. Finally, the role of biofilms in rock art conservation is discussed, suggesting that, especially for what concern thin and homogenous layers of oxalates, their presence should not be necessarily considered an issue.