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Prof. Pietro Marescotti
University of Genova

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Journal article
Published: 22 October 2020 in Minerals
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The importance of magnesite for the EU economy and industry is very high, making the understanding of their genesis for the exploration for new deposits a priority for the raw materials scientific community. In this direction, the study of the magnesite-hosting ultramafic rocks can be proved very useful. For the present study, ultramafic rock samples were collected from the magnesite ore-hosting ophiolite of the Gerakini mining area (Chalkidiki, Greece) to investigate the consecutive alteration events of the rocks which led to the metallogenesis of the significant magnesite ores of the area. All samples were subjected to a series of analytical methods for the determination of their mineralogical and geochemical characteristics: optical microscopy, XRD, SEM, EMPA, ICP–MS/OES and CIPW normalization. The results of these analyses revealed that the ultramafic rocks of the area have not only all been subjected to serpentinization, but these rocks have also undergone carbonation, silification and clay alteration. The latter events are attributed to the circulation of CO2-rich fluids responsible for the formation of the magnesite ores and locally, the further alteration of the serpentinites into listvenites. The current mineralogy of these rocks was found to be linked to one or more alteration event that took place, thus a significant contribution to the metallo- and petrogenetic history of the Gerakini ophiolite has been made. Furthermore, for the first time in literature, Fe inclusions in olivines from Greece were reported.

ACS Style

Evangelos Tzamos; Micol Bussolesi; Giovanni Grieco; Pietro Marescotti; Laura Crispini; Andreas Kasinos; Niccolò Storni; Konstantinos Simeonidis; Anastasios Zouboulis. Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Ultramafic Rocks from Rachoni Magnesite Mine, Gerakini (Chalkidiki, Northern Greece). Minerals 2020, 10, 934 .

AMA Style

Evangelos Tzamos, Micol Bussolesi, Giovanni Grieco, Pietro Marescotti, Laura Crispini, Andreas Kasinos, Niccolò Storni, Konstantinos Simeonidis, Anastasios Zouboulis. Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Ultramafic Rocks from Rachoni Magnesite Mine, Gerakini (Chalkidiki, Northern Greece). Minerals. 2020; 10 (11):934.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Evangelos Tzamos; Micol Bussolesi; Giovanni Grieco; Pietro Marescotti; Laura Crispini; Andreas Kasinos; Niccolò Storni; Konstantinos Simeonidis; Anastasios Zouboulis. 2020. "Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Ultramafic Rocks from Rachoni Magnesite Mine, Gerakini (Chalkidiki, Northern Greece)." Minerals 10, no. 11: 934.

Original article
Published: 23 August 2019 in Environmental Earth Sciences
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A small sulphide-rich waste-rock dump from the derelict Libiola mine (eastern Liguria, Italy) was studied for evaluating the fungal richness as well as the correlation among microfungi and lithology, mineralogy, and contaminants. The waste-rock dump is characterized by severe environmental conditions in particular for the (1) high metal and sulphur contents, (2) presence of reactive sulphides (mainly pyrite) triggering acid mine drainage processes, (3) acid-to-strong acid pH values, and (4) high cementation grade of the sediments evolving up to hardpans. Despite these critical and dangerous environmental conditions, a total of 603 CFUs belonging to 30 filamentous fungal species were isolated. Correlations analyses underlined that serpentinite-rich samples resulted particularly poor of fungal richness, with respect to sulphide-mineralized basalts. Only some Penicillium species, in fact, resulted adapted to survive in serpentinitic samples. Finally, among the isolated species, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. iridis, C. tenuissimum, Metarhizium anisopliae, Penicillium brevicompactum, P. expansum, and Phanerochaete sordida appeared particularly well adapted to the extreme edaphic conditions of the Libiola mine. These results allowed the selection of particularly adapted and tolerant fungal strains usable in biotechnological processes for bioremediation.

ACS Style

Grazia Cecchi; Pietro Marescotti; Simone Di Piazza; Sandro Zappatore; Mirca Zotti. Fungal richness in the extreme environments of the Libiola mine (eastern Liguria, Italy): correlations among microfungi, lithology, mineralogy, and contaminants. Environmental Earth Sciences 2019, 78, 541 .

AMA Style

Grazia Cecchi, Pietro Marescotti, Simone Di Piazza, Sandro Zappatore, Mirca Zotti. Fungal richness in the extreme environments of the Libiola mine (eastern Liguria, Italy): correlations among microfungi, lithology, mineralogy, and contaminants. Environmental Earth Sciences. 2019; 78 (17):541.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Grazia Cecchi; Pietro Marescotti; Simone Di Piazza; Sandro Zappatore; Mirca Zotti. 2019. "Fungal richness in the extreme environments of the Libiola mine (eastern Liguria, Italy): correlations among microfungi, lithology, mineralogy, and contaminants." Environmental Earth Sciences 78, no. 17: 541.

Journal article
Published: 20 August 2019 in Minerals
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Ultramafic soils are characterized by severe edaphic conditions induced by a low content of essential nutrients, an adverse Ca/Mg ratio, a low water-holding capacity, and high contents of geogenic potentially toxic elements (PTEs), in particular Cr, Ni, and Co. These metals commonly exceed the content limits set by environmental agencies and governments, representing serious environmental risks for ecosystems and human health. In alpine environments, ultramafic soils are characterized by modest thickness and poor horizon differentiation. Several studies on ultramafic soils have shown that their properties may be directly related to the characteristics of the parent rocks, but most of these studies deal with soil chemistry, metal availability, isotopic composition, and pedological characterization. The aim of this research is to investigate how much the geotectonic characteristics of ultramafic bedrocks, such as the degree of serpentinization, metamorphic imprint, and deformation, may affect the mineralogical and chemical variations of ultramafic soils, including the occurrence and potential mobility of the PTEs. Using a multiscale and multi-analytical approach, we fully characterize the properties and mineralogical composition of soil profiles with different ultramafic parent rocks, i.e., partially serpentinized peridotite, massive serpentinites, and foliated serpentinites, sampled within the Voltri Massif High Pressure–Low Temperature (HP–LT) metaophiolite (Western Alps, Italy). Our results, related to soils located at comparable latitude, altitude, landscape position, and pedological environment, outline that the degree of serpentinization, the metamorphic imprint, and the deformation history of the ultramafic parent rocks are key factors influencing soil evolution, mineralogy, and chemistry, as well as PTEs distribution and mobility. Moreover, this study shows that the high content of Cr, Ni, and Co in the studied ultramafic soils has to be considered of geogenic origin and highlights the need for new approaches and methods to obtain indications on the potential contamination of natural or anthropogenic soils.

ACS Style

Pietro Marescotti; Paola Comodi; Laura Crispini; Lara Gigli; Azzurra Zucchini; Silvia Fornasaro. Potentially Toxic Elements in Ultramafic Soils: A Study from Metamorphic Ophiolites of the Voltri Massif (Western Alps, Italy). Minerals 2019, 9, 502 .

AMA Style

Pietro Marescotti, Paola Comodi, Laura Crispini, Lara Gigli, Azzurra Zucchini, Silvia Fornasaro. Potentially Toxic Elements in Ultramafic Soils: A Study from Metamorphic Ophiolites of the Voltri Massif (Western Alps, Italy). Minerals. 2019; 9 (8):502.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Marescotti; Paola Comodi; Laura Crispini; Lara Gigli; Azzurra Zucchini; Silvia Fornasaro. 2019. "Potentially Toxic Elements in Ultramafic Soils: A Study from Metamorphic Ophiolites of the Voltri Massif (Western Alps, Italy)." Minerals 9, no. 8: 502.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2019 in Heliyon
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Evidence of pyrite dissolution by Telephora terrestris Ehrh were observed for the first time in the abandoned sulphide Libiola mine in May 2017 (Sestri Levante, Liguria, Italy). This fungus is an ectomycorrhizal species able to colonize this extreme environment and bioaccumulate metals such as copper and silver in its fruiting bodies, and it is known to establish symbiosis with maritime pines present in the area, thus favouring their recolonization of the site. This paper presents evidence of T. terrestris promoted dissolution of sulphide minerals. This species can remove from soil not only metals possibly toxic to the pine trees, but it can also contribute to the ions bioaccumulation through the bioweathering of sulphide mineral grains (especially pyrite).

ACS Style

Grazia Cecchi; Simone Di Piazza; Pietro Marescotti; Mirca Zotti. Evidence of pyrite dissolution by Telephora terrestris Ehrh in the Libiola mine (Sestri Levante, Liguria, Italy). Heliyon 2019, 5, e02210 .

AMA Style

Grazia Cecchi, Simone Di Piazza, Pietro Marescotti, Mirca Zotti. Evidence of pyrite dissolution by Telephora terrestris Ehrh in the Libiola mine (Sestri Levante, Liguria, Italy). Heliyon. 2019; 5 (8):e02210.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Grazia Cecchi; Simone Di Piazza; Pietro Marescotti; Mirca Zotti. 2019. "Evidence of pyrite dissolution by Telephora terrestris Ehrh in the Libiola mine (Sestri Levante, Liguria, Italy)." Heliyon 5, no. 8: e02210.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2019
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The aim of the work is to assess the role of local-scale lithological, textural, and structural factors in the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in different ultramafic rocks from the high-pressure ophiolitic Voltri Massif (Central Liguria, NW Italy). The results evidenced that Cr (up to 4183 ppm), Ni (up to 3900 ppm), and Co (up to 334 ppm) are invariably the PTEs with the highest concentrations; in addition, V, Cu, and Zn are systematically found in non-negligible amounts. Spinel-group minerals (chromium spinel, ferrian chromite, chromium magnetite, and magnetite) are by far the main potential source of the PTEs. Nevertheless, several PTEs are also present within serpentines, olivines, pyroxenes, chlorites, as well as within accessory phases (e.g., ilmenite and Ni-sulphides) and within authigenic minerals formed in the early stages of rock weathering (cryptocrystalline to amorphous Fe-oxides and -oxyhydroxides). The result obtained allowed to evidence that the main factors controlling the PTEs distribution within the rocks resulted to be the serpentinization degree and the deformation style and intensity which, in turn, strictly control the mineral assemblages and the mineral chemistry.

ACS Style

Silvia Fornasaro; Paola Comodi; Laura Crispini; Cristina Malatesta; Azzurra Zucchini; Pietro Marescotti. Potentially toxic elements distribution in the serpentinized and deformed ultramafic rocks from the Voltri Massif (NW, Italy). 2019, 88, 1 .

AMA Style

Silvia Fornasaro, Paola Comodi, Laura Crispini, Cristina Malatesta, Azzurra Zucchini, Pietro Marescotti. Potentially toxic elements distribution in the serpentinized and deformed ultramafic rocks from the Voltri Massif (NW, Italy). . 2019; 88 (3):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Silvia Fornasaro; Paola Comodi; Laura Crispini; Cristina Malatesta; Azzurra Zucchini; Pietro Marescotti. 2019. "Potentially toxic elements distribution in the serpentinized and deformed ultramafic rocks from the Voltri Massif (NW, Italy)." 88, no. 3: 1.

Journal article
Published: 28 May 2018 in Minerals
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Derelict mining districts represent anthropogenically influenced landscapes that are often characterized by important geological, ecological, environmental, industrial, cultural, and archeological values. Nevertheless, after mining activities cease, several environmental problems are left behind, associated with soil and water pollution, hydrogeological instability, subsidence, ecosystem damages, and landscape degradation or devastation. In this article we present a case study focused on a sulfide mining district (Petronio and Gromolo valleys, Genova) located on the ophiolitic sequences of the Northern Apennines (Eastern Liguria, Italy), with the aim of applying a GIS (Geographic Information System)-based model for the complete census of derelict mines and for the assessment of their geoheritage and geotourist values, potential risks, and environmental impact. All information has been integrated to produce a multicriteria approach for the evaluation of hazards and/or critical issues and geoheritage values. Based on the results obtained in this pilot area, an integrated cultural and touristic route has been proposed, which combines several points of interest (POIs) chosen within an area of about 8 km2.

ACS Style

Pietro Marescotti; Gerardo Brancucci; Giulia Sasso; Monica Solimano; Valentina Marin; Christian Muzio; Paola Salmona. Geoheritage Values and Environmental Issues of Derelict Mines: Examples from the Sulfide Mines of Gromolo and Petronio Valley (Eastern Liguria, Italy). Minerals 2018, 8, 229 .

AMA Style

Pietro Marescotti, Gerardo Brancucci, Giulia Sasso, Monica Solimano, Valentina Marin, Christian Muzio, Paola Salmona. Geoheritage Values and Environmental Issues of Derelict Mines: Examples from the Sulfide Mines of Gromolo and Petronio Valley (Eastern Liguria, Italy). Minerals. 2018; 8 (6):229.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Marescotti; Gerardo Brancucci; Giulia Sasso; Monica Solimano; Valentina Marin; Christian Muzio; Paola Salmona. 2018. "Geoheritage Values and Environmental Issues of Derelict Mines: Examples from the Sulfide Mines of Gromolo and Petronio Valley (Eastern Liguria, Italy)." Minerals 8, no. 6: 229.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2018 in Geomicrobiology Journal
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The potential role played by fungi in the weathering of sulfide abandoned mines and waste rock dumps is scarcely investigated, yet. In particular microfungi may produce biofilms that work as sites of metals and minerals precipitation. This study aimed to investigate interactions, bioalteration, and biocorrosion between three microfungi (Trichoderma harzianum group, Penicillium glandicola, P. brevicompactum) isolated from the Libiola sulfide mine (Liguria, Italy) and pyrite-rich mineralizations occurring within the waste rock dumps. After six weeks of incubation, Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) analyses showed how single pyrite crystals were completely corroded and altered by all the selected species. These results represent the first step to establish that fungi play a central role in the biogeochemical cycles of extreme and contaminated sites such as sulfide mines, and that they actively contribute to the evolution of the degraded ecosystem to more harmonized scenery.

ACS Style

Grazia Cecchi; Andrea Ceci; Pietro Marescotti; Anna Maria Persiani; Simone Di Piazza; Paolo Ballirano; Mauro Giorgio Mariotti; Mirca Zotti. The Geological Roles Played by Microfungi in Interaction with Sulfide Minerals from Libiola Mine, Liguria, Italy. Geomicrobiology Journal 2018, 35, 564 -569.

AMA Style

Grazia Cecchi, Andrea Ceci, Pietro Marescotti, Anna Maria Persiani, Simone Di Piazza, Paolo Ballirano, Mauro Giorgio Mariotti, Mirca Zotti. The Geological Roles Played by Microfungi in Interaction with Sulfide Minerals from Libiola Mine, Liguria, Italy. Geomicrobiology Journal. 2018; 35 (7):564-569.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Grazia Cecchi; Andrea Ceci; Pietro Marescotti; Anna Maria Persiani; Simone Di Piazza; Paolo Ballirano; Mauro Giorgio Mariotti; Mirca Zotti. 2018. "The Geological Roles Played by Microfungi in Interaction with Sulfide Minerals from Libiola Mine, Liguria, Italy." Geomicrobiology Journal 35, no. 7: 564-569.

Journal article
Published: 29 December 2017 in Geomicrobiology Journal
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ACS Style

Grazia Cecchi; Pietro Marescotti; Simone Di Piazza; Gabriella Lucchetti; Mauro Mariotti; Mirca Zotti. Gypsum Biomineralization in Sulphide-rich Hardpans by a Native Trichoderma harzianum Rifai Strain. Geomicrobiology Journal 2017, 35, 209 -214.

AMA Style

Grazia Cecchi, Pietro Marescotti, Simone Di Piazza, Gabriella Lucchetti, Mauro Mariotti, Mirca Zotti. Gypsum Biomineralization in Sulphide-rich Hardpans by a Native Trichoderma harzianum Rifai Strain. Geomicrobiology Journal. 2017; 35 (3):209-214.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Grazia Cecchi; Pietro Marescotti; Simone Di Piazza; Gabriella Lucchetti; Mauro Mariotti; Mirca Zotti. 2017. "Gypsum Biomineralization in Sulphide-rich Hardpans by a Native Trichoderma harzianum Rifai Strain." Geomicrobiology Journal 35, no. 3: 209-214.

Journal article
Published: 25 January 2017 in Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B
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Metal contamination constitutes a major source of pollution globally. Many recent studies emphasized the need to develop cheap and green technologies for the remediation or reclamation of environmental matrices contaminated by heavy metals. In this context, fungi are versatile organisms that can be exploited for bioremediation activities. In our work, we tested silver (Ag) bioaccumulation capabilities of three microfungal strains (Aspergillus alliaceus Thom & Church, Trichoderma harzianum Rifai, Clonostachys rosea (Link) Schroers, Samuels, Seifert & W. Gams) isolated from a silver polluted site. The aim was to select silver tolerant native strains and test their potential silver uptake. Among the three species tested, T. harzianum was the most efficient strain to tolerate and accumulate silver, showing an uptake capability of 153 mg L−1 taken at the Ag concentration of 330 mg L−1. Our study highlights the potential use of native microfungi spontaneously growing in sulphide-rich waste rock dumps, for silver bioaccumulation and bioremediation.

ACS Style

Grazia Cecchi; Pietro Marescotti; Simone Di Piazza; Mirca Zotti. Native fungi as metal remediators: Silver myco-accumulation from metal contaminated waste-rock dumps (Libiola Mine, Italy). Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B 2017, 52, 191 -195.

AMA Style

Grazia Cecchi, Pietro Marescotti, Simone Di Piazza, Mirca Zotti. Native fungi as metal remediators: Silver myco-accumulation from metal contaminated waste-rock dumps (Libiola Mine, Italy). Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B. 2017; 52 (3):191-195.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Grazia Cecchi; Pietro Marescotti; Simone Di Piazza; Mirca Zotti. 2017. "Native fungi as metal remediators: Silver myco-accumulation from metal contaminated waste-rock dumps (Libiola Mine, Italy)." Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B 52, no. 3: 191-195.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2017 in International Journal of Environmental Science and Development
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ACS Style

G. Brancucci; M. Brancucci; P. Marescotti; M. Solimano; I. Vagge; R. Vegnuti. The Geodiversity of the Ligurian DOC Vineyards and Its Relationships with the Terroir. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development 2017, 8, 686 -690.

AMA Style

G. Brancucci, M. Brancucci, P. Marescotti, M. Solimano, I. Vagge, R. Vegnuti. The Geodiversity of the Ligurian DOC Vineyards and Its Relationships with the Terroir. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development. 2017; 8 (9):686-690.

Chicago/Turabian Style

G. Brancucci; M. Brancucci; P. Marescotti; M. Solimano; I. Vagge; R. Vegnuti. 2017. "The Geodiversity of the Ligurian DOC Vineyards and Its Relationships with the Terroir." International Journal of Environmental Science and Development 8, no. 9: 686-690.

Conference paper
Published: 06 September 2015 in First Conference on Proximal Sensing Supporting Precision Agriculture
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The study has presented an integrated approach to viticultural soil characterization using geophysical and geochemical methods. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the presence of geophysical and geochemical anomalies in soil within a vineyard located in well-known Cinque Terre Zone, North-Western Italy. To this scope soil and bedrock features have been studied with electromagnetic induction (EMI) and spettrophotometry method: both the methods have allowed to realize maps of conductivity anomalies values and major chemical elements distribution respectively for the investigated area. Although still at a preliminar stage, the results presented here are encouraging, indicating a good agreement between EMI and EDXRF data. The geological heterogeneity of the study area is clearly reflected both in the conductivity data and in the geochemical composition of the near-surface soils examined. The approach applied here can be extended to larger agricultural areas used by the agrofood industry, either alone or with the aim of integrating data from standard approaches based on pedological analysis. Correlation among data of different nature can nowadays be simply examined through the use of GIS software

ACS Style

R. De Ferrari; S. Barani; E. Poggi; M. Brancucci; R. Vegnuti; P. Marescotti; M. Solimano. An Integrated Geophysical-geochemical Approach for Soil Precision Mapping in a Cinque Terre Vineyard (Italy). First Conference on Proximal Sensing Supporting Precision Agriculture 2015, 1 .

AMA Style

R. De Ferrari, S. Barani, E. Poggi, M. Brancucci, R. Vegnuti, P. Marescotti, M. Solimano. An Integrated Geophysical-geochemical Approach for Soil Precision Mapping in a Cinque Terre Vineyard (Italy). First Conference on Proximal Sensing Supporting Precision Agriculture. 2015; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

R. De Ferrari; S. Barani; E. Poggi; M. Brancucci; R. Vegnuti; P. Marescotti; M. Solimano. 2015. "An Integrated Geophysical-geochemical Approach for Soil Precision Mapping in a Cinque Terre Vineyard (Italy)." First Conference on Proximal Sensing Supporting Precision Agriculture , no. : 1.

Book chapter
Published: 17 April 2015 in Biodiversity in Ecosystems - Linking Structure and Function
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Biodiversity in Metal-Contaminated Sites – Problem and Perspective – A Case Study | InTechOpen, Published on: 2015-04-17. Authors: E. Roccotiello, P. Marescotti, S. Di Piazza, et

ACS Style

E. Roccotiello; Pietro Marescotti; S. Di Piazza; G. Cecchi; M.G. Mariotti; M.G. Mariotti And M. Zotti. Biodiversity in Metal-Contaminated Sites – Problem and Perspective – A Case Study. Biodiversity in Ecosystems - Linking Structure and Function 2015, 1 .

AMA Style

E. Roccotiello, Pietro Marescotti, S. Di Piazza, G. Cecchi, M.G. Mariotti, M.G. Mariotti And M. Zotti. Biodiversity in Metal-Contaminated Sites – Problem and Perspective – A Case Study. Biodiversity in Ecosystems - Linking Structure and Function. 2015; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Roccotiello; Pietro Marescotti; S. Di Piazza; G. Cecchi; M.G. Mariotti; M.G. Mariotti And M. Zotti. 2015. "Biodiversity in Metal-Contaminated Sites – Problem and Perspective – A Case Study." Biodiversity in Ecosystems - Linking Structure and Function , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2014 in Chemosphere
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Copper is one of the most dangerous soil contaminants. Soils affected by high copper concentrations show low biodiversity and, above all, inadequate environmental quality. Microorganisms such as fungi can play a key role in metal-polluted ecosystems via colonization and decontamination. The study is devoted to characterize the microfungal community in highly Cu-contaminated bare soil from derelict Fe–Cu sulphide mines and to isolate microfungal strains able to tolerate and accumulate Cu. 11 Different taxa to be isolated has been isolated during two sampling campaigns (in Autumn and in Spring). Among these, Clonostachys rosea, Trichoderma harzianum, and Aspergillus alliaceus were tested at increasing Cu(II) concentrations and showed a Cu(II)-tolerance capability ranging from 100 to 400 mg L−1. Moreover, the strains of T. harzianum and C. rosea presented a high Cu(II)-bioaccumulation capability, 19 628 and 22 222 mg kg−1, respectively. These microfungi may be fruitfully exploited in mycoremediation protocols

ACS Style

Mirca Zotti; Simone Di Piazza; Enrica Roccotiello; Gabriella Lucchetti; Mauro Mariotti; Pietro Marescotti. Microfungi in highly copper-contaminated soils from an abandoned Fe–Cu sulphide mine: Growth responses, tolerance and bioaccumulation. Chemosphere 2014, 117, 471 -476.

AMA Style

Mirca Zotti, Simone Di Piazza, Enrica Roccotiello, Gabriella Lucchetti, Mauro Mariotti, Pietro Marescotti. Microfungi in highly copper-contaminated soils from an abandoned Fe–Cu sulphide mine: Growth responses, tolerance and bioaccumulation. Chemosphere. 2014; 117 ():471-476.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mirca Zotti; Simone Di Piazza; Enrica Roccotiello; Gabriella Lucchetti; Mauro Mariotti; Pietro Marescotti. 2014. "Microfungi in highly copper-contaminated soils from an abandoned Fe–Cu sulphide mine: Growth responses, tolerance and bioaccumulation." Chemosphere 117, no. : 471-476.

Book chapter
Published: 26 August 2014 in Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 5
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We report the results of preliminary field and laboratory multidisciplinary investigations developed during the geological mapping of the 1:50,000 Spigno Monferrato quadrangle (Project of Geological mapping, Regione Liguria); this study was aimed: (1) to georefer and classify meta-ophiolitic outcrops, not only on the basis of the occurrence of asbestos-bearing rocks, but also with regard to the potential risks induced by the release of asbestos fibers into the environment; (2) to test a pilot protocol for the selection and classification of the most significant asbestos-bearing outcrops in meta-ophiolitic terrains. The results indicate that asbestos minerals occur widely in serpentinite (chrysotile) and to lesser extent in chlorite-amphibole schist and amphibole-bearing metabasite (mainly tremolite, actinolite, and riebeckite). The highest asbestos fiber concentrations in the studied rocks and their potential to be released are strictly related to the tectonic fabric of the host rocks, with mylonitic and cataclastic zones representing the worst scenario. As mylonitic and cataclastic rocks along shear and fault zones are mostly foliated and brecciated, they represent critical sites for accelerated erosion. Hence, their exposure to weathering and physical erosion commonly determines the natural release of asbestos fibers and fiber-bundles that accumulate in the debris at the foot of the outcrops and in the derived soils.

ACS Style

Marescotti Pietro; Crispini Laura; Poggi Eugenio; Capponi Giovanni; SolimanO Monica. The Asbestos Risk in Meta-Ophiolitic Rocks: A Protocol for Preliminary Field and Laboratory Investigations During Geological Mapping. Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 5 2014, 623 -626.

AMA Style

Marescotti Pietro, Crispini Laura, Poggi Eugenio, Capponi Giovanni, SolimanO Monica. The Asbestos Risk in Meta-Ophiolitic Rocks: A Protocol for Preliminary Field and Laboratory Investigations During Geological Mapping. Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 5. 2014; ():623-626.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marescotti Pietro; Crispini Laura; Poggi Eugenio; Capponi Giovanni; SolimanO Monica. 2014. "The Asbestos Risk in Meta-Ophiolitic Rocks: A Protocol for Preliminary Field and Laboratory Investigations During Geological Mapping." Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 5 , no. : 623-626.

Original article
Published: 20 April 2014 in Environmental Earth Sciences
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The mineralogical and chemical variations of ochreous precipitates forming from acid sulphate waters discharged from the lowest mine adit (“Sf. Cruci din Orlea”) of the Roşia Montană Gold Mine (Romania) were investigated by a multianalytical approach (XRPD, IR, TEM, ICP) applied to surface precipitates and associated waters. The mineralogy of the precipitates changed significantly as a consequence of the variations in the chemical parameters of the circulating solutions (mainly pH, Eh, and sulphate concentrations) which were mainly controlled by mixing with unpolluted waters of Roşia River. Ochreous precipitates are characterized by high concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs; in particular Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) and consist of a mixture, in variable proportion, of jarosite and schwertmannite, which represent the stable secondary minerals along the investigated transect of Roşia River. Particular regard is given to the ability of authigenic phases to selectively scavenge selected PTEs from contaminated solutions during their genesis and minerogenetic evolution. Furthermore, laboratory kinetic batch experiments on natural heterogeneous samples of ochreous precipitates were carried out to investigate the release processes involving PTEs and to verify the type and the amount of elements that can be temporarily/permanently trapped by the solid phase from the contaminated solutions. The comparative analysis of the precipitates and waters of the Roşia Montană mining area indicated that the role of secondary minerals as “mitigating agents” can be limited because even minor pH–Eh oscillations would cause mineralogical transformations that could lead to trace elements mobilization in the environment.

ACS Style

E. Azzali; Pietro Marescotti; F. Frau; Enrico Dinelli; C. Carbone; G. Capitani; G. Lucchetti. Mineralogical and chemical variations of ochreous precipitates from acid sulphate waters (asw) at the Roşia Montană gold mine (Romania). Environmental Earth Sciences 2014, 72, 3567 -3584.

AMA Style

E. Azzali, Pietro Marescotti, F. Frau, Enrico Dinelli, C. Carbone, G. Capitani, G. Lucchetti. Mineralogical and chemical variations of ochreous precipitates from acid sulphate waters (asw) at the Roşia Montană gold mine (Romania). Environmental Earth Sciences. 2014; 72 (9):3567-3584.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Azzali; Pietro Marescotti; F. Frau; Enrico Dinelli; C. Carbone; G. Capitani; G. Lucchetti. 2014. "Mineralogical and chemical variations of ochreous precipitates from acid sulphate waters (asw) at the Roşia Montană gold mine (Romania)." Environmental Earth Sciences 72, no. 9: 3567-3584.

Journal article
Published: 08 July 2013 in Journal of Geochemical Exploration
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Weathering of sulphide minerals produces a large variety of Fe-oxide-bearing ochreous, varicoloured precipitates and efflorescences of variably soluble sulphate salts. These secondary minerals play an important role in acid mine drainage processes and, more generally, for environmental pollution, since they can be either a sink or a source for acidity and toxic metals. At Libiola mine, eastern Liguria (Italy), the secondary minerals directly form through precipitation from acid sulphate waters within waste-rock dumps and outcropping mineralized bodies as well as within streams and runoff channels. Within waste-rock dumps they are present mainly as cement, filling the inter-clast porosity, and/or as coating and ephemeral efflorescences on the outcropping surfaces. Their stability represents a major environmental issue due to the potential importance of these phases in controlling metal distribution in the surface environment. This paper presents a detailed mineralogy and geochemistry characterisation of these materials, investigating the tendency for different types of secondary minerals (hardpans, ochreous consolidated precipitates, ochreous colloids, non ochreous colloids) to release metals after a simple mixing with deionised water for 12 days. Within the different types of deposits, hardpans showed the lowest tendency to release metals, in contrast to ochreous colloids and ochreous concretions that gave the highest concentrations. Nickel was the element most easily extracted by this treatment, even from non-ochreous colloids, while iron was much less readily leached. Dissolution experiments carried out on efflorescent sulphate salts demonstrated that these materials have a strong acid producing affinity which led to their complete dissolution. These results indicate that secondary phases associated with acid mine drainage can play an important role in controlling trace metal mobility, acting either as scavengers, to remove metals, from solutions or also as secondary sources of metal contamination during the interaction of these materials with surface waters.

ACS Style

C. Carbone; E. Dinelli; P. Marescotti; G. Gasparotto; G. Lucchetti. The role of AMD secondary minerals in controlling environmental pollution: Indications from bulk leaching tests. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 2013, 132, 188 -200.

AMA Style

C. Carbone, E. Dinelli, P. Marescotti, G. Gasparotto, G. Lucchetti. The role of AMD secondary minerals in controlling environmental pollution: Indications from bulk leaching tests. Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 2013; 132 ():188-200.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C. Carbone; E. Dinelli; P. Marescotti; G. Gasparotto; G. Lucchetti. 2013. "The role of AMD secondary minerals in controlling environmental pollution: Indications from bulk leaching tests." Journal of Geochemical Exploration 132, no. : 188-200.

Journal article
Published: 01 April 2013
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This work illustrates the results of a multidisciplinary study aimed at understanding the relations among the mineralogy and chemistry of a sulphidic waste rock-dumps from the Libiola mine (eastern Liguria, Italy) and the metal uptake by fungi and plants spontaneously growing in a flat part at the bottom of this dump. The soil of the studied dump is characterized by severe edaphic conditions, mainly represented by high concentration of several toxic metals (Cr, Cu, Co, Ni, and Zn), low pHs, paucity of nutrients (in particular P, Ca, and K) and presence of superficial Fe-rich hardpans. Despite these harsh environmental conditions, the studied waste rock dump has been progressively colonized by several plants of Pinus pinaster. We found that this species is able to cope with some of these limiting factors by completely avoiding toxic metals from its tissues. The success of Pinus pinaster colonization is mainly due to the presence of Telephora terrestris and Scleroderma polyrhizum, ectomycorrhizic with pine. These fungi are also able to actively absorb in their basidiomata most of the potential toxic elements occurring in the mine spoil. The recognized absorption sequence Cu > Zn > Cr > Ni > Co obtained for these macrofungi well matches with the sequences resulted from water leaching tests and EDTA extractions.

ACS Style

Pietro Marescotti; Enrica Roccotiello; Mirca Zotti; Luisa De Capitani; Cristina Carbone; Eva Azzali; Mauro G. Mariotti; Gabriella Lucchetti. Influence of soil mineralogy and chemistry on fungi and plants in a waste-rock dump from the Libiola mine (eastern Liguria, Italy). 2013, 1 .

AMA Style

Pietro Marescotti, Enrica Roccotiello, Mirca Zotti, Luisa De Capitani, Cristina Carbone, Eva Azzali, Mauro G. Mariotti, Gabriella Lucchetti. Influence of soil mineralogy and chemistry on fungi and plants in a waste-rock dump from the Libiola mine (eastern Liguria, Italy). . 2013; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Marescotti; Enrica Roccotiello; Mirca Zotti; Luisa De Capitani; Cristina Carbone; Eva Azzali; Mauro G. Mariotti; Gabriella Lucchetti. 2013. "Influence of soil mineralogy and chemistry on fungi and plants in a waste-rock dump from the Libiola mine (eastern Liguria, Italy)." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 15 November 2012 in Environmental Earth Sciences
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Roşia Montană, the largest European gold mine, could be re-opened. Environmental problems led to severe pollution of the Roşia and Abrud Rivers. The two main potentially toxic element (PTE) sources in mine sites are, in general, the abandoned underground workings and the piles of waste rock. Since the composition of waste rocks is often heterogeneous, this study faces the problem of estimating their mineralogical and chemical features starting from a set of sampling point. Twenty-five samples were collected on the main waste dump of the Roşia Montană mine following a virtual squared grid (knots distance about 25 m). Grain size, color, bulk chemistry, mineralogy, acid mine drainage potential and a set of selected PTE (Ag, As, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) concentrations were determined on each sample. In a first approximation two main waste rock groups were identified: WR1 bulk composition is dacite-dominated, while WR2 is andesite-dominated. In both of them the concentrations of PTEs are below the regulatory limits for soils, with the exception of As. In terms of acid mine drainage, WR1 has a net acid-producing potential, while WR2 has a net neutralizing potential. The anisotropy of WR properties were analysed by means of semi-variograms and displayed with contour maps. Application of positive matrix factorization for the analysis of all the data relative to waste rocks allowed defining, in a semi-quantitative way, the factors controlling pollution and their spatial distribution. The processing of score matrix G factor associated with the geostatistical elaboration promises to be a powerful tool to discern the composition of mine dumps and support the exploitation and remediation phases.

ACS Style

Diego Servida; Sara Comero; Mara Dal Santo; Luisa De Capitani; Giovanni Grieco; Pietro Marescotti; Silvia Porro; Ferenc Lázár Forray; Ágnes Gál; Alexandru Szakács. Waste rock dump investigation at Roşia Montană gold mine (Romania): a geostatistical approach. Environmental Earth Sciences 2012, 70, 13 -31.

AMA Style

Diego Servida, Sara Comero, Mara Dal Santo, Luisa De Capitani, Giovanni Grieco, Pietro Marescotti, Silvia Porro, Ferenc Lázár Forray, Ágnes Gál, Alexandru Szakács. Waste rock dump investigation at Roşia Montană gold mine (Romania): a geostatistical approach. Environmental Earth Sciences. 2012; 70 (1):13-31.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Diego Servida; Sara Comero; Mara Dal Santo; Luisa De Capitani; Giovanni Grieco; Pietro Marescotti; Silvia Porro; Ferenc Lázár Forray; Ágnes Gál; Alexandru Szakács. 2012. "Waste rock dump investigation at Roşia Montană gold mine (Romania): a geostatistical approach." Environmental Earth Sciences 70, no. 1: 13-31.

Journal article
Published: 31 March 2012 in Journal of Geochemical Exploration
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This study reports the results of simultaneous micro X-ray diffraction (μ-XRD) and micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) analyses, performed on a partially altered sulphide mineralization fragment sampled within the main waste-rock dump of the Fe–Cu sulphide Libiola Mine (northern Apennines, Italy) at ID18F beamline (ESRF, Grenoble), The study site is characterized by active acid mine drainage processes that, other than acid generation, determine the mobilization of metals and metalloids of environmental concern and other harmful elements that can be concentrated in waters and soils. The Fe-oxyhydroxides that form extensively as the main secondary products of sulphide oxidation processes are the key minerals in controlling the fate of these mobile elements, being able to effectively scavenge most of them through structural incorporation, adsorption, and co-precipitation mechanisms. When they occur as direct replacement of sulphide mineralization, or as precipitates rimming sulphides or filling porosity, they make it possible to reconstruct the mineralogical and chemical evolution of the system, spatially and temporally, and to understand the mechanism of migration and the fate of the toxic elements involved in the whole process. In this study we were able to follow, with micron-scale resolution, the spatial distribution of the chemical elements released during the sulphide- and gangue-mineral alteration and to evaluate their relationships with the newly forming Fe-oxyhydroxides. In particular, the mobility of Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, and Mo appears to be controlled by the goethite genesis which is able to take up these elements through several mechanisms such as structural incorporation (Ni), coprecipitation, and/or adsorption.

ACS Style

Cristina Carbone; Pietro Marescotti; Gabriella Lucchetti; Alberto Martinelli; Riccardo Basso; Jean Cauzid. Migration of selected elements of environmental concern from unaltered pyrite-rich mineralizations to Fe-rich alteration crusts. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 2012, 114, 109 -117.

AMA Style

Cristina Carbone, Pietro Marescotti, Gabriella Lucchetti, Alberto Martinelli, Riccardo Basso, Jean Cauzid. Migration of selected elements of environmental concern from unaltered pyrite-rich mineralizations to Fe-rich alteration crusts. Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 2012; 114 ():109-117.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Carbone; Pietro Marescotti; Gabriella Lucchetti; Alberto Martinelli; Riccardo Basso; Jean Cauzid. 2012. "Migration of selected elements of environmental concern from unaltered pyrite-rich mineralizations to Fe-rich alteration crusts." Journal of Geochemical Exploration 114, no. : 109-117.

Journal article
Published: 31 March 2012 in Applied Geochemistry
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The mineralogical and chemical evolution of ochreous precipitates forming from acid mine drainage (AMD) from the abandoned Libiola Fe–Cu-sulfide mine (Eastern Liguria, Italy) was followed through a multianalytical approach (XRD, TEM, XRF, ICP) applied to surface precipitates and associated waters collected from several mine adits. The mineralogy of the precipitates changed significantly as a consequence of the variations of the chemical parameters of the circulating solutions (mainly pH, Eh, and sulfate concentrations) which, in turn, were mainly controlled by mixing with unpolluted stream and rill waters of the mining area. A progressive transition from jarosite-, to schwertmannite-, to goethite-, to ferrihydrite-, to amorphous-dominated precipitates was observed, mainly as a consequence of an increase in the pH of the associated solutions. This mineralogical evolution agrees well with the aqueous speciation and Eh–pH stability calculations performed on the waters associated with the different precipitate types. Furthermore, TEM analysis indicated that metastable pristine phases (schwertmannite) tend to transform progressively to well-crystallized more stable species, here represented by goethite. The comparison of the water chemistry and the crystal chemistry of the different precipitates showed a significant decrease in the Zn, Cu, Ni, Co contents in waters where the coexisting precipitates were almost exclusively composed of goethite. The distribution of V, Sr, As concentrations within the different precipitates showed that the most efficient scavenging phase for these elements was jarosite, whereas ferrihydrite efficiently took up Pb ions, and schwermannite acted as a natural sink for Cr. The comparative analysis of the precipitates and waters of the Libiola mining area indicated that the authigenic Fe-oxyhydroxides play an important role in controlling the composition of the highly polluted AMD waters, but this role as “cleaning agents” was mostly ephemeral. Minor pH–Eh oscillations facilitated quick mineralogical transformations, via dissolution–reprecipitation or solid state transformation, which, in turn, controlled the trace elements that were mobilized or permanently stored within the solid phases.

ACS Style

Pietro Marescotti; Cristina Carbone; Paola Comodi; Francesco Frondini; Gabriella Lucchetti. Mineralogical and chemical evolution of ochreous precipitates from the Libiola Fe–Cu-sulfide mine (Eastern Liguria, Italy). Applied Geochemistry 2012, 27, 577 -589.

AMA Style

Pietro Marescotti, Cristina Carbone, Paola Comodi, Francesco Frondini, Gabriella Lucchetti. Mineralogical and chemical evolution of ochreous precipitates from the Libiola Fe–Cu-sulfide mine (Eastern Liguria, Italy). Applied Geochemistry. 2012; 27 (3):577-589.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Marescotti; Cristina Carbone; Paola Comodi; Francesco Frondini; Gabriella Lucchetti. 2012. "Mineralogical and chemical evolution of ochreous precipitates from the Libiola Fe–Cu-sulfide mine (Eastern Liguria, Italy)." Applied Geochemistry 27, no. 3: 577-589.