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Coupled level set and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) methods are adopted in this work to track the moving gas–liquid interfaces in the riser of an external loop airlift photobioreactor (ALR) in which microalgae are used to produce biofuels and capture CO2 from flue-gas. Modeling the behavior of gas bubbles is a crucial aspect for the fine-tuning of the operation of the reactor when inserted into a closed-loop biorefinery at the pilot-scale. The experimental data used for simulation were completely acquired or calculated from hydrodynamic experimental campaigns carried out on the ALRs. The rise, coalescence, and shape dynamics of the bubbles of the flue-gas are simulated in a rectangular domain representing the vertical section of the ALR riser. Different correction approaches, such as the conservative level set method (CLSM), are proposed to face the volume loss characteristic of LSM. Computational results evidenced strong agreement with the experimental data (bubble shapes and trajectories). The physically-based CLSM model was then effectively used for the fine-tuning of the multiphase flow regime inside the ALRs, suggesting operating conditions for the outdoor cultivation with Reynolds number = 10000 – 11000, Sherwood number between 1400 and 1800, and spherical-caps bubbles in the upper half of the riser, mildly churning the microalgae while avoiding damages to their cells.
Matteo Neviani; Patrizia Bagnerini; Ombretta Paladino. Gas bubble dynamics in airlift photo-bioreactors for microalgae cultivation by level set methods. Fuel 2021, 292, 120402 .
AMA StyleMatteo Neviani, Patrizia Bagnerini, Ombretta Paladino. Gas bubble dynamics in airlift photo-bioreactors for microalgae cultivation by level set methods. Fuel. 2021; 292 ():120402.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatteo Neviani; Patrizia Bagnerini; Ombretta Paladino. 2021. "Gas bubble dynamics in airlift photo-bioreactors for microalgae cultivation by level set methods." Fuel 292, no. : 120402.
This study aims to set up the operating conditions of a battery of airlift photo-bioreactors (AL-PBRs) for Chlorella vulgaris cultivation integrated into a pilot-scale Biowaste-to-Biofuels (BtB) production plant, producing both biodiesel by transesterification of waste frying oils and syngas by wood chips gasification. Microalgae are fed with both wastewater rich in glycerol and flue gas. Mixing, mass transport, kinetics, and light conditions inside the AL-PBRs are chosen by keeping some dimensionless numbers (Re, Sh, DaII and A) fixed around the values found at lab-scale (11000, 1550, 23, 35, respectively). pH, T, nutrient-related ratios, and light intensity are adjusted inside the optimal ranges found at indoor conditions. The number of AL-PBRs, feeding/extraction time intervals, and flowrates are designed by mass balancing the entire pilot-plant in order to operate in continuous quasi-zero waste. Outdoor tests confirmed that 12–15 AL-PBRs with a total volume of 125–155 L reuse 28.8 L d−1 of wastewater by-produced from the biodiesel units providing 228 L d−1 of biodiesel and reuse the total of about 90 m3 h−1 of flue gas in exit from the syngas combustion unit with power generation of 9–9.5 kW. The battery works at an initial concentration for each cycle of around 0.5 g L−1 and concentration at extraction of around 1.05 g L−1.
Ombretta Paladino; Matteo Neviani. Airlift photo-bioreactors for Chlorella vulgaris cultivation in closed-loop zero waste biorefineries. Biomass and Bioenergy 2020, 144, 105926 .
AMA StyleOmbretta Paladino, Matteo Neviani. Airlift photo-bioreactors for Chlorella vulgaris cultivation in closed-loop zero waste biorefineries. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2020; 144 ():105926.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOmbretta Paladino; Matteo Neviani. 2020. "Airlift photo-bioreactors for Chlorella vulgaris cultivation in closed-loop zero waste biorefineries." Biomass and Bioenergy 144, no. : 105926.
The Nitrates Directive, EU 91/676/EEC, obliged all European Union member states to introduce laws that guarantee the use of proper agriculture and farm methods, with the aim to reduce pollution resulting from the excessive use of nitrates. In this work, we estimated the potential and effective nitrogen load from agriculture, farms, civil, and industrial sources in Umbria region, Italy, and assessed the previous (and actual) contamination by nitrates at different scales. The adopted methodology uses databases of the sources, such as the type of fertilizer (inorganic or manure), the type of industrial site, the census of livestock and field data at a local, basin, and regional scale. Hydrological and geological models are used to compute infiltration. The study shows that the contribution of farms to nitrate pollution is in the order of swine > cattle > sheep and goats; while the highest agricultural load is due to arable land, followed by olive and grape. The study also shows that municipalities that have values of nitrates over the threshold for both groundwater and surface water can rapidly change their status during consecutive years. This means that rules for farm sustainability, complying with the Nitrates Directive, EU 91/676/EEC, should be defined at a sub-basin scale, where the hydrogeological conditions strongly influence infiltration.
Ombretta Paladino; Marco Massabò; Edoardo Gandoglia. Assessment of Nitrate Hazards in Umbria Region (Italy) Using Field Datasets: Good Agriculture Practices and Farms Sustainability. Sustainability 2020, 12, 9497 .
AMA StyleOmbretta Paladino, Marco Massabò, Edoardo Gandoglia. Assessment of Nitrate Hazards in Umbria Region (Italy) Using Field Datasets: Good Agriculture Practices and Farms Sustainability. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (22):9497.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOmbretta Paladino; Marco Massabò; Edoardo Gandoglia. 2020. "Assessment of Nitrate Hazards in Umbria Region (Italy) Using Field Datasets: Good Agriculture Practices and Farms Sustainability." Sustainability 12, no. 22: 9497.
Dioxins, PCBs and VOCs are the main hazardous chemicals emitted by gaseous streams from catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics. In this work we propose a methodology to assess toxic and cancer risk under uncertainty, due to inhalation and ingestion of these chemicals by considering complex scenarios, as repeated start-ups and short continuous operation that may occur in a pilot-plant. Different simulation tools are combined to evaluate the expected concentration of pollutants in the environmental compartments and food. Hazard Index and Cancer Risk remain under the threshold for both dioxins (HI < 0.012, CR < 5.03 10−7) and PCBdl (HI < 1.3 10−7, CR < 2.49 10−12) in all the simulated scenarios, also for the worst case of children ingesting vegetables and meat and uncertainty factors up to 1000. Different results are obtained for VOCs since repeated leakages during the pilot-plant operation are possible. All the risk indexes for benzene are under the threshold (HI < 0.175, CR < 1.41 10−7); acute toxic risk due to inhalation and cancer risk due to ingestion of grain/vegetables are over the threshold if all the uncertainties are considered. Lesson learned: HHRA is important also during scale-up; pilot-plants for pyrolysis of waste plastics must always be equipped with all the abatement systems designed for the final plant.
Ombretta Paladino; Arianna Moranda. Human Health Risk Assessment of a pilot-plant for catalytic pyrolysis of mixed waste plastics for fuel production. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2020, 405, 124222 .
AMA StyleOmbretta Paladino, Arianna Moranda. Human Health Risk Assessment of a pilot-plant for catalytic pyrolysis of mixed waste plastics for fuel production. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2020; 405 ():124222.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOmbretta Paladino; Arianna Moranda. 2020. "Human Health Risk Assessment of a pilot-plant for catalytic pyrolysis of mixed waste plastics for fuel production." Journal of Hazardous Materials 405, no. : 124222.
Oceans and seas are of paramount importance to the health of planet Earth and human kind. Marine ecosystems should be defended against attack of polluting agents by continuous monitoring; the means of such monitoring should be as green as possible, i.e. based on sensors manufactured by biocompatible and easily disposable raw materials. In this study, we lay the basis for the future development of biosensors of marine environment based on sea urchin cells cultured on nanoporous aluminium oxide. These cells are promising as in previous works they demonstrated high response to stressors, and the proposed substrates have low costs since fabricated by inexpensive anodization process from consumer quality aluminium foils. Coelomocytes of the Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus were cultured on the nanoporous alumina for up to 5 days in vitro. Then, a biochemical characterization was carried out, checking the cholinergic system pathway by means of serotonin autofluorescence induced by aldehyde exposure and by expression and functionality of neuroactive molecules, such as acetylcholinesterase and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Both living cell quality and system biochemistry were not affected after the culture, and both electrical modulation and non-self-reactivity were maintained. These findings suggest the possibility of using the sea urchin immune cells cultured on nanoporous alumina as tools for monitoring the marine water quality, based on their electrical response.
C. Gambardella; C. Falugi; M. Salerno; M. Neviani; O. Paladino. Sea urchin coelomocytes cultured on nanoporous aluminium oxide as a potential tool for marine environmental monitoring. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 2020, 17, 2937 -2948.
AMA StyleC. Gambardella, C. Falugi, M. Salerno, M. Neviani, O. Paladino. Sea urchin coelomocytes cultured on nanoporous aluminium oxide as a potential tool for marine environmental monitoring. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 2020; 17 (5):2937-2948.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Gambardella; C. Falugi; M. Salerno; M. Neviani; O. Paladino. 2020. "Sea urchin coelomocytes cultured on nanoporous aluminium oxide as a potential tool for marine environmental monitoring." International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 17, no. 5: 2937-2948.
The use of completely automated systems for collecting sensor data with the aim of monitoring and controlling the quality of small-scale food processes is not widespread. Small and micro-enterprises usually do not carry out their own precompetitive research or prototype development as regards to automation technologies. This study proposes a web-based, low-cost monitoring and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system whose kernel is available for free, as a possible solution that could be adopted by these food producers. It is mainly based on open SW/HW so as its configuration is adaptable to the application and type of plant. It presents a modular architecture and its main functionalities encompass the acquisition, management, aggregation and visualization of process data, providing an operating database. It also provides food tracking and process quality control: The time series are browsable due to QR-Code generation and different early warning detection strategies are implemented. A tool for solving migration problems based on Fick’s equation is offered as a packaging decision support system.
Ombretta Paladino; Francesca Fissore; Matteo Neviani. A Low-Cost Monitoring System and Operating Database for Quality Control in Small Food Processing Industry. Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks 2019, 8, 52 .
AMA StyleOmbretta Paladino, Francesca Fissore, Matteo Neviani. A Low-Cost Monitoring System and Operating Database for Quality Control in Small Food Processing Industry. Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks. 2019; 8 (4):52.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOmbretta Paladino; Francesca Fissore; Matteo Neviani. 2019. "A Low-Cost Monitoring System and Operating Database for Quality Control in Small Food Processing Industry." Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks 8, no. 4: 52.
Robust microalgae cultivation at industrial scale needs complex scale-up of photobioreactors since the same yields obtained at lab-scale are hardly reached during pilot or industrial production. In this paper we propose a procedure based on Buckingham π-theorem to perform the scale-up of photobioreactors used to cultivate Chlorella Vulgaris fed by CO2 and wastewater rich in glycerol. This theoretical approach is usually overlooked in favor of the synergy of modeling tailored on the process and piloting, but it grants excellent generalizability. An experimental campaign at three levels was designed and carried out to evaluate the characteristic dimensionless numbers individuated by the theoretical formulation. Since scale-up regards both geometrical dimensions and type of reactor, passing from lab-scale stirred tanks (STRs) to pilot scale tubular and airlift, particular attention was devoted to defining characteristic lengths inside the dimensionless numbers. Moreover, since scale-up also regards the operating mode, scaling from discontinuous to semi-continuous to continuous, some interesting dimensionless numbers arise other than Re, Sh, DaII. They are mainly related to the type of biological process and its operating mode and are the ratios O2/CO2 and T/Topt, the ratio between the incident light intensity and the saturation constant, the absorbance, the ratio between the final and the initial concentration c/c0, the ratio between the maximum increase in cell population and its initial concentration, the ratio between the estimated specific kinetic constant and a variable representing the characteristic time of mixing inside the chosen reactor. Preliminary outdoor tests confirmed the operability of the scaled-up airlift reactors reaching c/c0 = 5.3–7.5, with c = 1.15 g L−1 at extraction intervals of 5 days. They were operated under optimal light conditions of incident light greater than Chlorella v. saturation constant and absorbance = 40 and at incipient churn flow (Re = 10000–11000) with dimension of fluegas bubbles around 5 mm, apt to guarantee Sh = 1500–2500; and with a calculated DaII around 25.
Ombretta Paladino; Matteo Neviani. Scale-up of photo-bioreactors for microalgae cultivation by π-theorem. Biochemical Engineering Journal 2019, 153, 107398 .
AMA StyleOmbretta Paladino, Matteo Neviani. Scale-up of photo-bioreactors for microalgae cultivation by π-theorem. Biochemical Engineering Journal. 2019; 153 ():107398.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOmbretta Paladino; Matteo Neviani. 2019. "Scale-up of photo-bioreactors for microalgae cultivation by π-theorem." Biochemical Engineering Journal 153, no. : 107398.
This chapter focuses on the use of different modeling approaches for the study of the dynamic behavior of environmental interfaces. It provides an overview of the main recent simulation schemes to deal with multiscale physically based models, with particular reference to both moving interfaces and moving environmental compartments. The chapter also provides a brief review of the most commonly used phenomenological bottom-up modeling approaches, state-space and black-box models, data-based mechanistic models. Two case studies in the field of wastewater treatment/biofuel production and groundwater contamination are presented to illustrate the application of some recent techniques described in the chapter.
Ombretta Paladino; Gassan Hodaifa; Matteo Neviani; Mahdi Seyedsalehi; Ana Malvis. Modeling in environmental interfaces. Interface Science and Technology 2019, 30, 241 -282.
AMA StyleOmbretta Paladino, Gassan Hodaifa, Matteo Neviani, Mahdi Seyedsalehi, Ana Malvis. Modeling in environmental interfaces. Interface Science and Technology. 2019; 30 ():241-282.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOmbretta Paladino; Gassan Hodaifa; Matteo Neviani; Mahdi Seyedsalehi; Ana Malvis. 2019. "Modeling in environmental interfaces." Interface Science and Technology 30, no. : 241-282.
The growth of population and the diversification of its activities have resulted in an exponential increase in the generation of liquid and solid wastes in recent years. In view of the new scenario, the role of novel technologies intended to reduce these wastes, transform them into new sources, and reincorporate them to different processes is gaining a remarkable importance and has resulted in an environmentally concerned society. This chapter includes the main green technology processes applied for wastewater treatment. Conventional or nonconventional methods are specifically selected according to the characteristics of wastewater to be treated. Wastewaters containing high percentage of biodegradable matter are usually treated through conventional techniques. On the contrary, nonconventional techniques are extensively used for the treatment of wastewaters with high nondegradable matter percentages. These technologies constitute an effective response to the current needs of the earth to combat climate change, whose effects are dramatically increasing.
Gassan Hodaifa; Ombretta Paladino; Ana Malvis; Mahdi Seyedsalehi; Matteo Neviani. Green techniques for wastewaters. Interface Science and Technology 2019, 30, 217 -240.
AMA StyleGassan Hodaifa, Ombretta Paladino, Ana Malvis, Mahdi Seyedsalehi, Matteo Neviani. Green techniques for wastewaters. Interface Science and Technology. 2019; 30 ():217-240.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGassan Hodaifa; Ombretta Paladino; Ana Malvis; Mahdi Seyedsalehi; Matteo Neviani. 2019. "Green techniques for wastewaters." Interface Science and Technology 30, no. : 217-240.
Air-lift reactors offer an interesting option as a microalgae cultivation system, especially for biorefineries. To optimize this application, a precise description of the moving interfaces formed by the liquid and gas phase is critical. In this paper, a coupled Level Set Method (LSM) and finite difference method is used to simulate gas bubbles dynamics in a pilot-scale external loop air-lift photobioreactor in which microalgae are used to capture CO2 from flue gas and to treat wastewater. Numerical simulations are carried out on a rectangular domain representing the section on the vertical axis of the riser. The data employed were either acquired from previous experimental campaigns carried out in the ALR or found in the literature. The rise, shape dynamics and coalescence process of the bubbles of flue gas are studied. The issue of volume loss characteristic of standard LSM is dealt with the conservative level set method. Computation results show good correspondence with the experimental ones.
Patrizia Bagnerini; Matteo Neviani; Ombretta Paladino. Simulation of the rising of gas bubbles in a pilot-scale external loop airlift photobioreactor. E3S Web of Conferences 2019, 113, 03023 .
AMA StylePatrizia Bagnerini, Matteo Neviani, Ombretta Paladino. Simulation of the rising of gas bubbles in a pilot-scale external loop airlift photobioreactor. E3S Web of Conferences. 2019; 113 ():03023.
Chicago/Turabian StylePatrizia Bagnerini; Matteo Neviani; Ombretta Paladino. 2019. "Simulation of the rising of gas bubbles in a pilot-scale external loop airlift photobioreactor." E3S Web of Conferences 113, no. : 03023.
A procedure to evaluate the technological feasibility at pilot scale of the extraction process of polyphenols from olive pomace is presented in this work. The proposed approach takes into consideration the extended kinetic route coupled with mathematical simulation. Detailed physically-based dynamic mathematical models, taking into account mass and energy balance equations, are adopted to describe both the lab-scale and the pilot-scale reactors. Chemical physical parameters appearing in the models are estimated from the experimental data at lab-scale or are partially taken from literature. Different heating systems are designed for the pilot scale reactor and their performance is tested by simulation. Characteristic times are evaluated also during start-ups and different control loops are analyzed in order to set-up the best process and operating variables. Average yields in polyphenols are finally evaluated for both the batch and the continuous operated pilot reactor, by considering feed variability and fluctuations of process parameters.
Matteo Neviani; Bahar Aliakbarian; Patrizia Perego; Ombretta Paladino. Extraction of polyphenols from olive pomace: Mathematical modeling and technological feasibility in a high temperature and high pressure stirred reactor. Chemical Engineering Research and Design 2018, 141, 32 -46.
AMA StyleMatteo Neviani, Bahar Aliakbarian, Patrizia Perego, Ombretta Paladino. Extraction of polyphenols from olive pomace: Mathematical modeling and technological feasibility in a high temperature and high pressure stirred reactor. Chemical Engineering Research and Design. 2018; 141 ():32-46.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatteo Neviani; Bahar Aliakbarian; Patrizia Perego; Ombretta Paladino. 2018. "Extraction of polyphenols from olive pomace: Mathematical modeling and technological feasibility in a high temperature and high pressure stirred reactor." Chemical Engineering Research and Design 141, no. : 32-46.
O. Paladino; M. Neviani. A closed loop biowaste to biofuel integrated process fed with waste frying oil, organic waste and algal biomass: Feasibility at pilot scale. Renewable Energy 2018, 124, 61 -74.
AMA StyleO. Paladino, M. Neviani. A closed loop biowaste to biofuel integrated process fed with waste frying oil, organic waste and algal biomass: Feasibility at pilot scale. Renewable Energy. 2018; 124 ():61-74.
Chicago/Turabian StyleO. Paladino; M. Neviani. 2018. "A closed loop biowaste to biofuel integrated process fed with waste frying oil, organic waste and algal biomass: Feasibility at pilot scale." Renewable Energy 124, no. : 61-74.
An analytical solution in closed form of the advection-dispersion equation in one-dimensional contaminated soils is proposed in this paper. This is valid for non-conservative solutes with first order reaction, linear equilibrium sorption, and a time-dependent Robin boundary condition. The Robin boundary condition is expressed as a combined production-decay function representing a realistic description of the source release phenomena in time. The proposed model is particularly useful to describe sources as the contaminant release due to the failure in underground tanks or pipelines, Non Aqueous Phase Liquid pools, or radioactive decay series. The developed analytical model tends towards the known analytical solutions for particular values of the rate constants.
Arianna Moranda; Roberto Cianci; Ombretta Paladino. Analytical Solutions of One-Dimensional Contaminant Transport in Soils with Source Production-Decay. Soil Systems 2018, 2, 40 .
AMA StyleArianna Moranda, Roberto Cianci, Ombretta Paladino. Analytical Solutions of One-Dimensional Contaminant Transport in Soils with Source Production-Decay. Soil Systems. 2018; 2 (3):40.
Chicago/Turabian StyleArianna Moranda; Roberto Cianci; Ombretta Paladino. 2018. "Analytical Solutions of One-Dimensional Contaminant Transport in Soils with Source Production-Decay." Soil Systems 2, no. 3: 40.
The use of fertilizers in greenhouse-grown crops can pose a threat to groundwater quality and, consequently, to human beings and subterranean ecosystem, where intensive farming produces pollutants leaching. Albenga plain (Liguria, Italy) is an alluvial area of about 45 km2 historically devoted to farming. Recently the crops have evolved to greenhouses horticulture and floriculture production. In the area high levels of nitrates in groundwater have been detected. Lysimeters with three types of reconstituted soils (loamy sand, sandy clay loam and sandy loam) collected from different areas of Albenga plain were used in this study to evaluate the leaching loss of nitrate (NO3−) over a period of 12 weeks. Leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was selected as a representative green-grown crop. Each of the soil samples was treated with a slow release fertilizer, simulating the real fertilizing strategy of the tillage. In order to estimate the potential risk for aquifers as well as for organisms exposed via pore water, nitrate concentrations in groundwater were evaluated by applying a simplified attenuation model to the experimental data. Results were refined and extended from comparison of single effects and exposure values (Tier I level) up to the evaluation of probabilistic distributions of exposure and related effects (Tier II, III IV levels). HHRA suggested HI >1 and about 20% probability of exceeding RfD for all the greenhouses, regardless of the soil. ERA suggested HQ > 100 for all the greenhouses; 93% probability of PNEC exceedance for greenhouses containing sand clay loam. The probability of exceeding LC50 for 5% of the species was about 40% and the probability corresponding to DBQ of DEC/EC50 > 0.001 was >90% for all the greenhouses. The significantly high risk, related to the detected nitrate leaching loss, can be attributed to excessive and inappropriate fertigation strategies.
Ombretta Paladino; Mahdi Seyedsalehi; Marco Massabò. Probabilistic risk assessment of nitrate groundwater contamination from greenhouses in Albenga plain (Liguria, Italy) using lysimeters. Science of The Total Environment 2018, 634, 427 -438.
AMA StyleOmbretta Paladino, Mahdi Seyedsalehi, Marco Massabò. Probabilistic risk assessment of nitrate groundwater contamination from greenhouses in Albenga plain (Liguria, Italy) using lysimeters. Science of The Total Environment. 2018; 634 ():427-438.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOmbretta Paladino; Mahdi Seyedsalehi; Marco Massabò. 2018. "Probabilistic risk assessment of nitrate groundwater contamination from greenhouses in Albenga plain (Liguria, Italy) using lysimeters." Science of The Total Environment 634, no. : 427-438.
A procedure for assessing harbour pollution by heavy metals and PAH and the possible sources of contamination is proposed. The procedure is based on a ratio-matching method applied to the results of principal component analysis (PCA), and it allows discrimination between point and nonpoint sources. The approach can be adopted when many sources of pollution can contribute in a very narrow coastal ecosystem, both internal and outside but close to the harbour, and was used to identify the possible point sources of contamination in a Mediterranean Harbour (Port of Vado, Savona, Italy). 235 sediment samples were collected in 81 sampling points during four monitoring campaigns and 28 chemicals were searched for within the collected samples. PCA of total samples allowed the assessment of 8 main possible point sources, while the refining ratio-matching identified 1 sampling point as a possible PAH source, 2 sampling points as Cd point sources, and 3 sampling points as C > 12 point sources. By a map analysis it was possible to assess two internal sources of pollution directly related to terminals activity. The study is the prosecution of a previous work aimed at assessing Savona-Vado Harbour pollution levels and suggested strategies to regulate the harbour activities.
Ombretta Paladino; Arianna Moranda; Mahdi Seyedsalehi. A Method for Identifying Pollution Sources of Heavy Metals and PAH for a Risk-Based Management of a Mediterranean Harbour. Scientifica 2017, 2017, 1 -9.
AMA StyleOmbretta Paladino, Arianna Moranda, Mahdi Seyedsalehi. A Method for Identifying Pollution Sources of Heavy Metals and PAH for a Risk-Based Management of a Mediterranean Harbour. Scientifica. 2017; 2017 ():1-9.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOmbretta Paladino; Arianna Moranda; Mahdi Seyedsalehi. 2017. "A Method for Identifying Pollution Sources of Heavy Metals and PAH for a Risk-Based Management of a Mediterranean Harbour." Scientifica 2017, no. : 1-9.
The aim of the present paper is to show how an approach based on human health risk analysis can be used as a decisional tool for the evaluation of impacts on population and for deciding between different waste treatment processes. The situation in which the increasing production of solid wastes cannot be confined in the old existing Municipal Solid Waste landfill (settled in Genoa, Liguria Region, Italy) is used as a case study. Risk assessment for human health due to air, surface water, groundwater and soil contamination is performed in different scenarios for the old landfill and compared with alternative Waste-to-Energy management solutions that consider thermal treatment by gasification of the total waste or gasification of the dry fraction coupled with anaerobic digestion of the wet fraction, plus biogas combustion with or without sludge and bottom ash/slag disposal in the old landfill. Hazard Index (HI) and Cancer Risk (CR) in case of operating landfill and under the suspected situation of failure of the sealing system, were respectively 1.15 and 1.1∗10(-7). Unacceptable HI were found due to groundwater contamination, while HI due to river pollution was slightly under the threshold. Vegetables ingestion was the most important pathway and ammonia the most responsible of toxic adverse effects. Fish ingestion and dermal contact with contaminated water were found to be the most important exposure pathways for carcinogenic risk, due mainly to BTEX. HI and CR in the supposed scenario of total waste gasification were respectively 9.4∗10(-1) and 1.1∗10(-5) while they were respectively 3.2∗10(-1) and 6∗10(-6) in case of gasification of the dry fraction. CR in both scenarios was over the threshold mainly due to dioxins, where milk and meat ingestion were found to be the highest risk pathways. Inhalation resulted as the highest not-carcinogenic risk exposure pathway, mainly due to NOx. Decision making was made by weighing up the different scenarios, and results suggested to definitively close the landfill and to eliminate gasification of the total waste as a possible waste treatment process.
O. Paladino; M. Massabò. Health risk assessment as an approach to manage an old landfill and to propose integrated solid waste treatment: A case study in Italy. Waste Management 2017, 68, 344 -354.
AMA StyleO. Paladino, M. Massabò. Health risk assessment as an approach to manage an old landfill and to propose integrated solid waste treatment: A case study in Italy. Waste Management. 2017; 68 ():344-354.
Chicago/Turabian StyleO. Paladino; M. Massabò. 2017. "Health risk assessment as an approach to manage an old landfill and to propose integrated solid waste treatment: A case study in Italy." Waste Management 68, no. : 344-354.
Despite the availability of numerical models, interest in analytical solutions of multidimensional advection-dispersion systems remains high. Such models are commonly used for performing Tier I risk analysis and are embedded in many regulatory frameworks dealing with groundwater contamination. In this work, we develop a closed-form solution of the three-dimensional advection-dispersion equation with exponential source decay, first-order reaction, and retardation, and present an approach based on some ease of use diagrams to compare it with the integral open form solution and with earlier versions of the closed-form solution. The comparison approach focuses on the relative differences associated with source decay and the effect of simulation time. The analysis of concentration contours, longitudinal sections, and transverse sections confirms that the closed-form solutions studied can be used with acceptable approximation in the central area of a plume bound transversely within the source width, both behind and beyond the advective front and for concentration values up to two orders of magnitude less than the initial source concentration. As the proposed closed-form model can be evaluated without nested numerical computations and with simple mathematical functions, it can be very useful in risk assessment procedures.
Ombretta Paladino; Arianna Moranda; Marco Massabò; Gary A. Robbins. Analytical Solutions of Three-Dimensional Contaminant Transport Models with Exponential Source Decay. Groundwater 2017, 56, 96 -108.
AMA StyleOmbretta Paladino, Arianna Moranda, Marco Massabò, Gary A. Robbins. Analytical Solutions of Three-Dimensional Contaminant Transport Models with Exponential Source Decay. Groundwater. 2017; 56 (1):96-108.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOmbretta Paladino; Arianna Moranda; Marco Massabò; Gary A. Robbins. 2017. "Analytical Solutions of Three-Dimensional Contaminant Transport Models with Exponential Source Decay." Groundwater 56, no. 1: 96-108.
The present work aims to study the drought stress effects on polyamine content and its relationship with growth and development in seeds, during cell division (from the beginning and until 17 days after pollination) and grain filling (until reaching the physiological maturity) stages. Factorial experiment based on Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design was carried out with three replications. Two factors of the experiment were considered: the level of irrigation (irrigation without and with drought stress during cell division stage and with drought stress during grain filling stage) and the level of wheat genotype (drought-resistant, semi-resistant and sensitive genotypes). As control treatment, soil moisture content of the field was considered. For drought-stress treatment, the 50% of the soil moisture content in control treatment was established. According to the experimental results, Putrescine content value is higher in control treatment which develops seeds of drought-resistant genotypes than that are registered for semi-resistant and sensitive genotypes. Both drought stress treatments induced significant rises in putrescine amount in the different genotypes of the study. The rises of putrescine content in sensitive and semi-resistant genotypes, however, were higher than in resistant ones, and the highest rise in putrescine content appeared in manning semi-resistant genotype during the stage of grain filling (27 days after pollination). Exerting drought stress in both stages of cell division and grain filling led to significant increase in spermine and spermidine contents of developing seeds of entire genotypes of the study. The highest spermidine content during grain filling stage occurred in sensitive genotypes of Shark and Tevee’s, and the lowest occurred in semi-resistant genotype of Sabalan. The highest spermine content during cell division stage, though, happened in semi-resistant genotype of manning. In fact, spermine and spermidine act as analogous to plant hormones such as Auxin and Cytokine, or they cooperate with these hormones in order to take a role in cell division regulation of developing wheat seeds and development of sink strength. They, additionally, stabilize the cell division process of developing seeds under drought condition. According to the findings of the study, manning semi-resistant genotype is capable of having a high grain yield under drought condition by reason of reserving high amounts of polyamines.
Mahdi Seyedsalehi; Parisa Sharifi; Ombretta Paladino; Gassan Hodaifa; Elba C. Villegas; Randa M. Osman. Variation in Polyamine Content among 12 Pollinated Wheat Genotypes under Drought Stress Condition. Open Journal of Geology 2017, 07, 1094 -1109.
AMA StyleMahdi Seyedsalehi, Parisa Sharifi, Ombretta Paladino, Gassan Hodaifa, Elba C. Villegas, Randa M. Osman. Variation in Polyamine Content among 12 Pollinated Wheat Genotypes under Drought Stress Condition. Open Journal of Geology. 2017; 07 (08):1094-1109.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMahdi Seyedsalehi; Parisa Sharifi; Ombretta Paladino; Gassan Hodaifa; Elba C. Villegas; Randa M. Osman. 2017. "Variation in Polyamine Content among 12 Pollinated Wheat Genotypes under Drought Stress Condition." Open Journal of Geology 07, no. 08: 1094-1109.
A method for assessing environmental contamination in harbour sediments and designing the forthcoming monitoring activities in enlarged coastal ecosystems is proposed herein. The method is based on coupling principal component analysis of previous sampling campaigns with a discrete optimisation of a value for money function. The objective function represents the utility derived for every sum of money spent in sampling and chemical analysis. The method was then used to assess actual contamination and found to be well suited for reducing the number of chemicals to be searched during extended monitoring activities and identifying the possible sources of contamination. Data collected in Savona Harbour (Porto Vado), Italy, where construction of a new terminal construction is planned, were used to illustrate the procedure. 23 chemicals were searched for within a total of 213 samples in 68 sampling points during three monitoring campaigns. These data were used to test the procedure. Subsequently, 28 chemicals were searched for within 14 samples in 10 sampling points and collected data were used to evaluate the experimental error and to validate the proposed procedure.
Ombretta Paladino; Marco Massabò; Francesca Fissore; Arianna Moranda. Assessment of sediment contamination and sampling design in Savona Harbour, Italy. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2015, 91, 54 -64.
AMA StyleOmbretta Paladino, Marco Massabò, Francesca Fissore, Arianna Moranda. Assessment of sediment contamination and sampling design in Savona Harbour, Italy. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2015; 91 (1):54-64.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOmbretta Paladino; Marco Massabò; Francesca Fissore; Arianna Moranda. 2015. "Assessment of sediment contamination and sampling design in Savona Harbour, Italy." Marine Pollution Bulletin 91, no. 1: 54-64.
O. Paladino; Marco Massabò. Authors' Reply. Groundwater 2011, 50, 178 -179.
AMA StyleO. Paladino, Marco Massabò. Authors' Reply. Groundwater. 2011; 50 (2):178-179.
Chicago/Turabian StyleO. Paladino; Marco Massabò. 2011. "Authors' Reply." Groundwater 50, no. 2: 178-179.