Archeological sites close to coastal volcanic-sedimentary aquifers are threatened by groundwater contaminated by natural and anthropogenic processes. The paper reports on a hydrogeological, chemical (major, minor and trace elements) and isotopic (δD-H₂O, δ¹⁸O-H₂O, δ¹⁵N-NO₃, δ¹⁸O-NO₃, δ¹¹B, ²²²Rn) survey of groundwater at the Cumae archaeological site, which is located in the coastal north-western sector of the volcanic district of Phlegraean Fields (southern Italy), where groundwater flooding phenomena occur. Results show the presence of a complex coastal volcanic-sedimentary aquifer system where groundwater quality is influenced mainly by: (i) aquifer lithology and localized ascent of magmatic fluids along buried volcano-tectonic discontinuities, (ii) mixing of groundwater, deep mineralized fluids and seawater during groundwater pumping, and (iii) nitrate contamination >50 mg/L from non-point agricultural sources. Moreover, δD and δ¹⁸O point toward fast recharge from seasonal precipitations, while the isotopic ratios of N and O in nitrate reveal the contribution of mineral and organic fertilizers as well as leakage from septic tanks. Results can assist the local archaeological authority for the safeguarding and management of the archaeological heritage of the Cumae site.

Diagnostic analyses on a contemporary painting on canvas were performed with X-ray fluorescence (XRF), multispectral imaging and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The results of each method provided complementary information to deepen the knowledge of the pictorial technique. Multispectral imaging provided insight into the topmost layers. XRF analysis made it possible to characterize the chemical composition of some materials and pigments used by the artist. Additional information such as that relating to canvas preparation emerged with the SEM/EDS technique. The results reveal (i) the use of pre-treated industrial canvas; (ii) the preparatory layer consists of plaster covered with a primer with titanium white, zinc and lithopone; (iii) a layer of cadmium yellow ground was inserted to give depth and three-dimensionality to the painting; (iv) the absence of underlying design; (v) the characterized pigments are all contemporary and (vi) a fixative spray covers the paint.

Using Monte Carlo (with Geant4) and COMSOL simulations, the authors have defined a useful tool to reproduce the alpha spectroscopy of ²²²Rn, ²²⁰Rn and their ionized daughters by measurement systems based on electrostatic collection on a silicon detector, inside a metallic chamber. Several applications have been performed: (i) simulating commercial devices worldwide used, and comparing them with experimental theoretical results; (ii) studying of realization of new measurement systems through investigation of the detection efficiency versus different chamber geometries. New considerations and steps forward have been drawn. The present work is a novelty in the literature concerning this research framework.

For a healthy indoor environment, it is important to understand which materials and factors favor the generation of high levels of indoor radon. A preliminary multivariate statistical analysis was carried out on two datasets concerning indoor radon and building materials in the Campania Region using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the k-means partitional analysis technique. A total of 13 parameters related to building materials were used. The results show the greater contribution of building materials of volcanic origin to the concentration of indoor radon and thoron activity and the different influence of the parameters of the 31 materials analyzed. The same analyses applied to the indoor radon values of 694 rooms in the Campania Region were equally effective in assessing the structural characteristics of indoor environments that most influence indoor radon levels. The study provided an effective assessment of the influence on radon activity of several environmental parameters, which are often not adequately considered.

In the framework of the PREDIS EU project, a wireless battery-operated gamma-ray detection system was developed in order to provide a medium-to-long-term monitoring system for radioactive waste drums. It was initially proposed to monitor the gamma radioactivity outcoming from steel drums containing cemented radwaste, even though it could be usefully employed in a wider range of applications. Gamma rays are penetrating and convey information from the drum's internal structure, as the count rate measured on the surface depends on the thickness and density of the crossed materials. A number of sensors arranged around a drum, typically four units, provide indications of the emission anisotropy, and any sensitive change in the measured count rate would hint at some anomaly, thus triggering a suitable inspection by operators.

We report a high sensitivity study of actinides content in water and sediment matrices performed for the first time along the Garigliano river, near the nuclear power plant currently undergoing decommissioning, and in the marine environment surrounding the river mouth up to a depth of 100 m. Ultrasensitive accelerator mass spectrometry measurements were carried out to estimate the absolute values of ²³⁶U, ²³⁸U, ²³⁹Pu, and ²⁴⁰Pu concentrations and ²³⁶U/²³⁸U, and ²³⁹Pu/²⁴⁰Pu ratios. The accuracy of the measurements and the spatial distribution of the radionuclides enable us to discriminate the anthropogenic from the natural radionuclide’s contribution to the environmental radioactivity. The results indicate that the contribution to the anthropogenic contamination of past power plant operations is, in most of the examined environmental compartments, negligible compared to fallout. High resolution γ-ray spectrometry measurements for ¹³⁷Cs and ⁴⁰K show interesting correlations with the actinides results.