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This work aims to increase the floristic knowledge of southern Tuscany by means of a floristic investigation which took place in the Miniera di Murlo (southern Tuscany, Italy). The study area, located in the province of Siena, has an extension of 2.26 km2 and hosts a heterogeneity of habitats like rocky outcrops, woodlands, meadows and riparian formations. The prevalent geological type is an acidic sedimentary rock known as diaspri formation (jasper). The checklist of vascular flora consists of 501 taxa and includes six endemics and 13 alien species, among which Vitislabrusca is a newly-found species for the Province of Siena along with the native Rosabalsamica and Rosasquarrosa. The most interesting species, such as Anthoxanthumaristatum, Gageabohemica, Paragymnopterismarantae, Saxifragagranulata, and Teesdaliacoronopifolia, are found on acidic rocks. Species of the Italian Red List, such as Ruscusaculeatus, and species of Regional conservation interest, such as Centaureaaplolepasubsp.carueliana, Ervilialoiseleurii, and Vicianigricans, were recorded. The chorological spectrum reveals a dominance of Mediterranean species indicating warm climate conditions and mild winters whereas the life-form spectrum shows a slight dominance of hemicryptophytes followed by therophytes. However, a clear dominance of one life-form type over the other is lacking, since the acidic and dry rocky substrate partially compensates for the humidity provided by the stream. This study highlights the relevant floristic value of the Miniera di Murlo area and supports the possible creation of a protected area or its inclusion in the adjacent one.

The growing industrial minerals demand, in the perspective of a sustainable development of mining activities, implies a strong orientation to underground operations in the near future. In complex geological areas, for the definition of a reliable 3D ore body model a methodological approach, aimed to improve geological and geotechnical model reliability allows a confident mineral deposit evaluation and a reliable mine design, or, in other terms, costs reduction, safety increase and mining project sustainability. The described method finds its maximum application in complex geological and structural contexts, such as the Valmadonna-Pedemonte “Marmorino” quarry.

Recent lake acidification: reversibility studies using lake sediments. 1 Anderson. N.J. Variability of diatom stratigraphy In varved lake sediments. 2 Anselml. B., Catalano, F.. Dal Pra, G.. Hagri, G. and Narcisl, B. Lithostratigraphy of the 250.000-year lacustrine sediments core from Valle di Castiglione crater (Roma): Palaeohydrological Inferences. 3 Appleby. P.G., Richardson. N. and Nolan, P.J. 241-Am dating of lake sediments. 4 Axelsson, V. Function of sedimentary structures as palmolimnological indicators.

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