The town of Biancavilla is noted for the presence of the anomalous incidence of pleural mesothelioma, brought to light during a statistical-epidemiological study [Di Paola et al., 1996]. Subsequent mineralogical and volcanological investigations in this area revealed the presence of a new calcic amphibole, uoro-edenite NaCa2Mg5(Si7Al)O22F2, which is not classied as asbestos [Gianfagna & Oberti, 2001]. This new amphibole has a variable morphology, from prismatic to brous, and micrometric dimensions [Gianfagna et al., 2003] and it is considered carcinogenic and, in fact, the cause of the pathology in this area. On the basis on these studies, the Italian Environment Ministry issued a decree (D.M. 18.07.2002, G.U. n. 231 of 2.10.2002) establishing Biancavilla as a Site of National Interest in order to secure and restore the bre-polluted area. The research involves the mineralogical characterization of the prismatic and fibrous fluoro-edenite, recently discovered in this area. This project has focused on the study of the mineral fibres and the host rock-types with the aim of understanding the genetic process. In the area, samples were taken to look for the presence of the uorine-rich amphibole, particularly that with brous morphology. The principal site where uoro-edenite was found is at Mount Calvario, where there are quarries used extensively for local buildings. The host rock-type consists of a locally metasomatized benmoreitic lava from a dome and dyke complex, and associated autoclastic breccias of the early alkaline eruptive activity of Mount Etna. The brous amphibole morphology is not homogenously distributed and it occurs in some portions of the autoclastic breccia. My study of the presence and distribution of this mineral gives a picture of the aereal extent and concentration of the hazardous mineralisation.
L'argomento della presente tesi di dottorato, concernente lo studio dei caratteri mineralogici, genetici e ambientali degli anboli di uoro presenti nell'area di Biancavilla, scaturisce da alcune osservazioni preliminari inerenti, lo studio delle relazioni esistenti tra la presenza di bre anboliche nell'area di Biancavilla (CT) e l'impatto ambientale connesso. La presenza di particolari anboli di uoro con dierenti morfologie nei prodotti vulcanici dell'area in esame ha suggerito un approfondito studio di tali materiali, sia per aumentare le conoscenze mineralogiche su detti anboli, sia nel tentare di comprendere i processi che hanno portato alla loro formazione. Inoltre, l'aspetto ambientale relativo alla presenza di detti minerali, ha richiesto una corretta valutazione dell'impatto ambientale e dell'eventuale rischio per la popolazione locale. Sulla base di quanto evidenziato, il carattere multidisciplinare dell'argomento presenta numerose sfaccettature alcune delle quali sono state arontate e risolte, altre risolte solo in parte ed altre ancora individuat e in corso d'opera. Nuove linee di ricerca e prospettive metodologiche inerenti la preparazione e lo studio analitico dei campioni sono emerse nel corso di questo progetto.
“Caratteri minero-genetici degli anfiboli fibrosi di interesse ambientale presenti nell’area vulcanica di Biancavilla (CT, Italia)” / Tagliani, Simona. - STAMPA. - (2007).
“Caratteri minero-genetici degli anfiboli fibrosi di interesse ambientale presenti nell’area vulcanica di Biancavilla (CT, Italia)”.
TAGLIANI, SIMONA
01/01/2007
Abstract
The town of Biancavilla is noted for the presence of the anomalous incidence of pleural mesothelioma, brought to light during a statistical-epidemiological study [Di Paola et al., 1996]. Subsequent mineralogical and volcanological investigations in this area revealed the presence of a new calcic amphibole, uoro-edenite NaCa2Mg5(Si7Al)O22F2, which is not classied as asbestos [Gianfagna & Oberti, 2001]. This new amphibole has a variable morphology, from prismatic to brous, and micrometric dimensions [Gianfagna et al., 2003] and it is considered carcinogenic and, in fact, the cause of the pathology in this area. On the basis on these studies, the Italian Environment Ministry issued a decree (D.M. 18.07.2002, G.U. n. 231 of 2.10.2002) establishing Biancavilla as a Site of National Interest in order to secure and restore the bre-polluted area. The research involves the mineralogical characterization of the prismatic and fibrous fluoro-edenite, recently discovered in this area. This project has focused on the study of the mineral fibres and the host rock-types with the aim of understanding the genetic process. In the area, samples were taken to look for the presence of the uorine-rich amphibole, particularly that with brous morphology. The principal site where uoro-edenite was found is at Mount Calvario, where there are quarries used extensively for local buildings. The host rock-type consists of a locally metasomatized benmoreitic lava from a dome and dyke complex, and associated autoclastic breccias of the early alkaline eruptive activity of Mount Etna. The brous amphibole morphology is not homogenously distributed and it occurs in some portions of the autoclastic breccia. My study of the presence and distribution of this mineral gives a picture of the aereal extent and concentration of the hazardous mineralisation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
