Chemical Characterization of Particulate Matter in the Renaissance City of Ferrara

Abstract

Atmospheric aerosols are today a key issue in air pollution, mostly related to public health. Two test areas in Ferrara, one in the city center (urban location) and one in the industrial area (industrial location), were studied in June–July 2016 using the SEM technique to identify the environmental impact of some potential pollutant sources. Collection was performed using adhesive tapes applied on the surface of road signs, which allows to select particulate matter moving on air with diffusion movement and to exclude the particles usually deposed by the gravitational process. Dimensional characterization has shown that, usually, smaller particles tend to aggregate themselves in bigger polycrystalline particles with the geometric diameter of up to 10 μm. Micro-analytical data have revealed a wide heterogeneous range of compositions: more abundant silicate followed by carbonate, chlorine, sulphate, carbon, and organic. This preliminary study has highlighted that the Renaissance city of Ferrara is affected by an environmental problem linked to the presence of particulate matter induced by industrial activities, as is the case with some of the most polluted cities in the world. The observations and analytical data pointed out the need for further investigation to better define the features of the fine particulate matter. This will be useful to preserve the cultural heritage of this Medieval-Renaissance city.

Geochemical-Microscopical Characterization of the Deterioration of Stone Surfaces in the Cloister of Santa Maria in Vado (Ferrara, Italy)

“…The surface of the samples collected on the arch that decorates the entrance portal to the cloister was analyzed by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Zeiss model EVO ® 40 Basic Instrument (Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen, Germany) for morphological and chemical characterization [33][34][35][36]. SEM instrument worked with a magnification range between 7-1,000,000× and with a working voltage of 20 kV, corresponding to a detection limit = 1 µm particle size [37,38]. SEM images were obtained using the SmartSEM software (Zeiss).…”

Climate Change Threats to Stone Cultural Heritage: State of the Art of Quantitative Damage Functions and New Challenges for a Sustainable Future

“…Climate change and its consequences are becoming mandatory issues to be tackled by international and local authorities in charge of risk assessment and responsible for taking actions to mitigate their effects: this is true not only with regard to the environment, but also with respect to cultural heritage. Indeed, the combined action of natural weathering agents (e.g., rainfall, fog, snow, or salts) and atmospheric pollutants derived from anthropogenic activity drastically changes the material-atmosphere interface, causing the loss of the surface material and, consequently, the loss of its aesthetic quality [2][3][4][5][6].…”