Gabriele Tartari - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Gabriele Tartari
Here we present the first edition of the "Khumbu Himal lake cadastre" build in the fram... more Here we present the first edition of the "Khumbu Himal lake cadastre" build in the framework of the Ev-K2-CNR Strategic Project. The cadastre consists of 90 high altitude lakes, here we present the 69 lakes that was visited and sampled during scientific expedition between 1989 and 1997 in order to collect data on geology, chemistry and biology.
Mikrochimica Acta, 1996
Three intercomparison exercises on simulated rainwater were held in the period 1991–93 involving ... more Three intercomparison exercises on simulated rainwater were held in the period 1991–93 involving 72 to 99 laboratories in Europe and South America. The exercises required the analysis of pH, conductivity, main anions (Cl-, NO3- and SO42-) and main cations (Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+ and NH4+). The concentrations of the single ions ranged between 5 and 150 µmoll-1. Results were used
Since 1963 Lake Orta has been an emblematic case of industrial pollution by heavy metals and acid... more Since 1963 Lake Orta has been an emblematic case of industrial pollution by heavy metals and acidifying compounds (ammo- nium sulphate), to the extent that up to 1989 it was the largest acidified deep lake in the world. The low pH values of between 3.9 and 4.4 helped to keep high the levels of toxic compounds in solution, such as
Developments in Earth Surface Processes, 2007
The most remote regions of globe represent some of the least disturbed ecosystems, yet they are t... more The most remote regions of globe represent some of the least disturbed ecosystems, yet they are threatened by air pollution and by climatic change. The Himalaya is one of the most isolated regions in the world and least explored wildernesses outside the Polar Regions; and it is for this reason that the Tibetan Plateau is often referred to as the 'Third Pole'. Limnological survey (including chemistry, biology and sediment core studies) of lakes located between ca. 4500 and 550Dm a.s.l. has been performed from 1992 in the Kumbhu Valley, Nepal. Lake water chemical surveys reveal a constant increase of the ionic content of the lake water probably related to glacier retreat. Modern phytoplankton data compared with previous data point to an in creasing trend in lake productivity. Zooplankton, benthos and thechamoebians pro vide useful biogeographical information. Paleoli mnological reconstructions show the potential use of these sites in providing proxy data of past climatic changes in high altitude regions. Data collected of persistent organic pollutants show that the studied sites receive input related to long-range transport pollution. The aims and rationale for the future development of the Ev-K 2 -CNR Limnological Information System is discussed.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, 2010
The possible minimal range of reduction in snow surface albedo due to dry deposition of black car... more The possible minimal range of reduction in snow surface albedo due to dry deposition of black carbon (BC) in the pre-monsoon period (March-May) was estimated as a lower bound together with the estimation of its accuracy, based on atmospheric observations at the Nepal Climate Observatory-Pyramid (NCO-P) sited at 5079 m a.s.l. in the Himalayan region. We estimated a total BC
Journal of Limnology, 2008
, were used to calculate empirical relationships between DOC and the difference between the sum o... more , were used to calculate empirical relationships between DOC and the difference between the sum of cations and the sum of anions, with the aim to evaluate a formal charge per mg of organic C. Regression coefficients were obtained for data from each laboratory, as well as for all the data combined. The coefficients were further tested using an independent set of data from each country. The differences between the individual laboratory and the overall regression coefficients are discussed. The results are also considered in the light of formal charge values for DOC/TOC obtained in studies on freshwater. The formal DOC charge proved to be useful for estimating the contribution of organic acids in the ion balance test, thus considerably improving the applicability of the ion balance as a validation criterion for samples with high DOC values.
Journal of Limnology, 2008
Eighteen small shallow lakes located in the Northern Patagonian Lake District, in southern South ... more Eighteen small shallow lakes located in the Northern Patagonian Lake District, in southern South America, were sampled in 2001 and analysed for the main chemical variables (pH, conductivity, alkalinity, major ions and nutrients). The study lakes span a wide geographical and altitudinal range and belong partly to the Pacific and partly to the Atlantic watershed. The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between water chemistry and physical/geographical properties of these lakes. Secondly, the nitrogen content of the lakes was considered in detail, and results compared to those obtained in previous studies carried out in other remote areas of the globe (the Central Southern Alps in Italy, the Sierra da Estrela region in Portugal, the Svalbard Islands in the Arctic, the Khumbu-Himal region in Nepal, and the Terra Nova Bay area in Antarctica). In the Alps, lakes are characterised by markedly high nitrogen concentrations, manly as nitrate, due to the high inputs of nitrogen compounds from downwind sources like the Po Plain in Northern Italy. Conversely, lakes at remote locations such as the Andes, Antarctica and Himalaya are characterised by a low nitrogen content, mainly as organic nitrogen. This status is related to the limited atmospheric inputs of nitrogen affecting these regions.
Journal of Limnology, 2001
are used to evaluate the relative contributions of atmospheric deposition and urban/industrial wa... more are used to evaluate the relative contributions of atmospheric deposition and urban/industrial wastewaters to the nitrogen budget of Lago Maggiore. The atmospheric load of nitrogen was about 80% of the total input to the lake, with negligible variations in dry (1997) and wet (1996) years. A comparison of the two study years with the yearly N budgets evaluated from 1978 to 1998, showed that the N load was higher with increasing amounts of precipitation/water inflow. Soils and vegetation act as N sinks; the % retention varies between 40-60% for the forested catchments with low population density in the central-northern part of the basin, to values close to zero or even negative in the south, indicating a net leaching from the soils. The approach revealed that all the catchments of the major inflowing rivers were oversaturated with nitrogen. The long-term trend of nitrogen concentrations in Lago Maggiore is analogous to the trend for atmospheric deposition , which is related to emissions of nitrogen oxides and ammonia in the atmosphere. The relationships between the present N load and in-lake concentrations are discussed using a budget model, which is also used to infer the pristine load of N. The close relationships between N trends in lakes Maggiore, Como and Iseo, and the geographical and anthropogenic features common to their catchments, suggest that the results obtained for Lago Maggiore can be extended to a wider area.
Journal of Limnology, 2002
Under the CONECOFOR programme, allied to the UE and UN-ECE programme on forests (ICP Forests), th... more Under the CONECOFOR programme, allied to the UE and UN-ECE programme on forests (ICP Forests), the chemistry of open field, throughfall and stemflow deposition was measured in 15 permanent plots over a two year period. Characteristics of the plots, sampling methods, treatment and analyses are in strict agreement with those adopted in the European programme. The plots are representative of different geographical conditions, from the Mediterranean area of the southern plots to the Alpine environment. Results show the highest amount of ion deposition related to anthropogenic emissions in the northern (PIE1, VEN1, FRI2) and central (EMI1, TOS1) stations, while most of the central and southern sites show a net flux of alkalinity. The acidity is however buffered by dust and dry deposition present on the canopy, so that the throughfall deposition is always alkaline. Nitrogen, both as ammonium and nitrate, is an important component of precipitation and critical loads are exceeded in most of the areas. This situation is confirmed by analyses of nitrate in runoff, performed in four plots, which show a release from the watershed in all seasons, indicating an overload of nitrogen compared to its possible uptake by vegetation and soil. N saturation is high in the northern and central plots of PIE1 and EMI2, moderate in the central and alpine plots of LAZ1 and FRI2.
Journal of Limnology, 2004
Two small high mountain lakes in the Alps were monitored in [1984][1985][1986][1987][1988][1989][... more Two small high mountain lakes in the Alps were monitored in [1984][1985][1986][1987][1988][1989][1990][1991][1992][1993][1994][1995][1996][1997][1998][1999][2000][2001][2002][2003] to follow their response to changes in human impact, such as deposition of atmospheric pollutants, fish stocking and climate change. The results were compared to occasional samplings performed in the 1940s, and to the remains found in sediment cores. When monitoring started, the most acid-sensitive of them, Lake Paione Superiore, was acidified, with evident effects in its flora and fauna: benthic diatoms assemblage was shifted towards acidophilous species, and zooplankton lost the dominant species, Arctodiaptomus alpinus. Palaeolimnological studies outlined that lake acidification paralleled the increasing input of long-range transported industrial pollutants, traced by spherical carbonaceous particles. On the contrary, the biota of Lake Paione Inferiore appeared to be mainly affected by fish stocking. In the last twenty years, decrease in acid load from the atmosphere led to an improvement in lake water quality, with an increase in both pH and alkalinity. First signs of biological recovery were identified, such as change in diatom flora and appearance of sensitive species among benthic insects. However, climate change and episodic deposition of Saharan dust were important driving factors controlling lake water chemistry. Further monitoring to assess the effects of climate change and of the increasing load of nitrogen and other pollutants is recommended. biomass abundance ex-eph.
Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 2009
A Working Ring Test (WRT) was organised in the framework of the EU Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 (... more A Working Ring Test (WRT) was organised in the framework of the EU Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 ("Forest Focus") and of the UN/ECE Program "ICP Forests" to evaluate the overall performance of the laboratories monitoring atmospheric deposition and soil solution in European Forests. Seven natural samples of atmospheric deposition and soil solutions and 5 synthetic solutions were distributed to 52 laboratories, which analysed them using their routine methods. Thirteen variables are considered in this paper: pH, conductivity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, sulfate, nitrate, chloride, total alkalinity, total dissolved nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon. For each variable, the relative standard deviation of the results was evaluated, after outlier rejection, to estimate the analytical error of the measurements. The results are evaluated considering the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedure included in the ICP Forests monitoring manual: consistency check of the data and use of control charts and internal standards. A Data Quality Objective (DQO) is defined for each of the variables and the number of data meeting the DQOs are discussed in relation to the QA/QC procedures adopted. Although 38% of the results did not meet the DQO, the laboratories adopting QA/QC procedures produced a larger proportion of results meeting the objective and a consistent part of the outliers could be detected a posteriori checking analyses consistence.
Journal of Chromatography A, 2006
Studies of inorganic carbon cycle in natural waters provide important information on the biologic... more Studies of inorganic carbon cycle in natural waters provide important information on the biological productivity and buffer capacity. Determination of total inorganic carbon, alkalinity and dissolved carbon dioxide gives an indication of the balance between photosynthesis and respiration by biota, both within the water column and sediments, and carbon dioxide transfers from the water column to the atmosphere. There are few methods to measure and distinguish the different forms of inorganic carbon, but all require a measure or an indirect quantification of total inorganic carbon. A direct measurement of TIC in water is made possible by the introduction of electrolytic generated hydroxide eluent in ion chromatography which allows to detect a chromatographic peak for carbonate. The advantage of this method is that all the inorganic forms of carbon are converted in carbonate at eluent pH and can be detected as a single peak by conductivity detection. Repeatability of carbonate peak was evaluated at different levels from 0.02 to 6 mequiv. l −1 both in high purity water and in real samples and ranged from 1 to 9%. The calibration curve was not linear and has to be fitted by a quadratic curve. Limit of detection was estimated to be 0.02 mequiv. l −1 . Accuracy has been estimated by comparing ion chromatography method with total inorganic carbon calculated from alkalinity and pH. The correlation between the two methods was good (R 2 = 0.978, n = 141). The IC method has been applied to different typologies of surface waters (alpine and subalpine lakes and rivers) characterised by different chemical characteristics (alkalinity from 0.05 to 2 mequiv. l −1 and pH from 6.7 to 8.5) and low total organic carbon concentrations. This analytical method allowed to describe the distribution of TIC along the water column of two Italian deep lakes.
Journal of Chromatography A, 1995
The repeatability of the measurements of peak areas for calibration solutions and the precision o... more The repeatability of the measurements of peak areas for calibration solutions and the precision of anion and cation determinations (3-600 p~M) in freshwater are discussed on the basis of 2 years of measurements on calibration solutions and stabilized internal standards. Anion measurements show higher repeatability of the measurements of peak areas for calibration solutions (R.S.D 2-5%) and precision (R.S.D. 2-8%) than those of cations (R.S.D. 2-10% and 2-15%, respectively). Results for the calibration technique show that multi-point (6-8 concentrations), quadratic or cubic regressions permit a correct quantification over a wide range (l.5-2 orders of magnitude) of concentrations. Thanks to the repeatability of the measurements of peak areas for calibration solutions, only two calibrations, at the beginning and end of a batch of 20-30 samples, are adequate. These conditions give better results than calibrations performed with 2-3 points and repeated every 8-10 samples.
Journal of Chromatography A, 1995
Three intercomparison exercises on simulated rainwater were held in 1991–1993 involving 72–98 lab... more Three intercomparison exercises on simulated rainwater were held in 1991–1993 involving 72–98 laboratories in Europe and South America. Ion chromatography was used for the determination of anions (chloride, nitrate and sulphate) by 59–72% of the participating laboratories and for the determination of cations (Na, K, Mg and Ca) by 14–22% of them. The concentration of the single ions ranged between
Hydrobiologia, 2012
Different precipitation regimes across Patagonia generate an environmental gradient that is expec... more Different precipitation regimes across Patagonia generate an environmental gradient that is expected to reflect upon the solute composition and concentration of lake water through the ensuing differences in water balance. In turn, this hydrochemical gradient could influence the occurrence and distribution of ostracods in the area. A cluster analysis on hydrochemical data of 36 Southern Patagonian waterbodies shows that low salinity, bicarbonatedominated waters characterize Andean and ecotonal lakes, located in the wetter part of the precipitation gradient, while their steppe counterparts, which receive a much lower precipitation input, are more saline, enriched in all major anions and sodiumdominated. Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by Mann-Whitney pairwise comparisons show statistically significant differences in the ostracod species each water type hosts, with L. patagonica, E. cecryphalium, P. smaragdina and P. incae being found in the more dilute waters characteristic of Andean and ecotonal lakes and Limnocythere rionegroensis in the mesohaline, evaporatively evolved waters typical of steppe lakes. Other species studied do not appear to have such distinct distributions, having been found throughout the range of conditions studied. These findings promote the use of the aforementioned ostracods as semi-quantitative paleohydrological indicators, which could improve paleoclimatic reconstructions in Patagonia.
Environmental Chemistry, 2009
Environmental context. Nitrite is an important nutrient in surface waters, a key intermediate in ... more Environmental context. Nitrite is an important nutrient in surface waters, a key intermediate in the interconversion of nitrate into ammonium, and a considerable photochemical source of reactive species such as the hydroxyl radical. We have found that scavengers of hydroxyl radicals such as dissolved organic matter, which are usually supposed to inhibit the photodegradation of dissolved compounds, are able on the contrary to enhance the phototransformation of nitrite. The three weeks' lifetime of nitrite in the surface layer of lakes, derived from the results of the present work, would make photochemistry an important issue in determining the concentration of nitrite in lake water.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 1996
Pore waters extracted by centrifugation from Lake Orta (Northern Italy) sediments were studied wi... more Pore waters extracted by centrifugation from Lake Orta (Northern Italy) sediments were studied with a modified Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) procedure using the Microtox bacterial luminescence toxicity test system. The most toxic pore water samples were from stations near a rayon factory, known as a source of copper and ammonium discharges. The TIE manipulations used were filtration, EDTA chelation, and C18 solid-phase resin adsorption. The most effective treatments to remove toxicity were the EDTA and C18, indicating that both metals and nonpolar organic compounds contribute to the observed toxicity.
Mem. Ist. Ital. Idrobiol, 1998
A. Lami & G. Giussani (Guest Editors) Limnology of high altitude lakes in the Mt Everest Region (... more A. Lami & G. Giussani (Guest Editors) Limnology of high altitude lakes in the Mt Everest Region (Nepal) Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol.: 57: 51-76 ... Water chemistry of high altitude lakes in the Khumbu and Imja Kola valleys (Nepalese Himalayas) ... Gabriele A. TARTARI, Gianni TARTARI1) ...
Here we present the first edition of the "Khumbu Himal lake cadastre" build in the fram... more Here we present the first edition of the "Khumbu Himal lake cadastre" build in the framework of the Ev-K2-CNR Strategic Project. The cadastre consists of 90 high altitude lakes, here we present the 69 lakes that was visited and sampled during scientific expedition between 1989 and 1997 in order to collect data on geology, chemistry and biology.
Mikrochimica Acta, 1996
Three intercomparison exercises on simulated rainwater were held in the period 1991–93 involving ... more Three intercomparison exercises on simulated rainwater were held in the period 1991–93 involving 72 to 99 laboratories in Europe and South America. The exercises required the analysis of pH, conductivity, main anions (Cl-, NO3- and SO42-) and main cations (Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+ and NH4+). The concentrations of the single ions ranged between 5 and 150 µmoll-1. Results were used
Since 1963 Lake Orta has been an emblematic case of industrial pollution by heavy metals and acid... more Since 1963 Lake Orta has been an emblematic case of industrial pollution by heavy metals and acidifying compounds (ammo- nium sulphate), to the extent that up to 1989 it was the largest acidified deep lake in the world. The low pH values of between 3.9 and 4.4 helped to keep high the levels of toxic compounds in solution, such as
Developments in Earth Surface Processes, 2007
The most remote regions of globe represent some of the least disturbed ecosystems, yet they are t... more The most remote regions of globe represent some of the least disturbed ecosystems, yet they are threatened by air pollution and by climatic change. The Himalaya is one of the most isolated regions in the world and least explored wildernesses outside the Polar Regions; and it is for this reason that the Tibetan Plateau is often referred to as the 'Third Pole'. Limnological survey (including chemistry, biology and sediment core studies) of lakes located between ca. 4500 and 550Dm a.s.l. has been performed from 1992 in the Kumbhu Valley, Nepal. Lake water chemical surveys reveal a constant increase of the ionic content of the lake water probably related to glacier retreat. Modern phytoplankton data compared with previous data point to an in creasing trend in lake productivity. Zooplankton, benthos and thechamoebians pro vide useful biogeographical information. Paleoli mnological reconstructions show the potential use of these sites in providing proxy data of past climatic changes in high altitude regions. Data collected of persistent organic pollutants show that the studied sites receive input related to long-range transport pollution. The aims and rationale for the future development of the Ev-K 2 -CNR Limnological Information System is discussed.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, 2010
The possible minimal range of reduction in snow surface albedo due to dry deposition of black car... more The possible minimal range of reduction in snow surface albedo due to dry deposition of black carbon (BC) in the pre-monsoon period (March-May) was estimated as a lower bound together with the estimation of its accuracy, based on atmospheric observations at the Nepal Climate Observatory-Pyramid (NCO-P) sited at 5079 m a.s.l. in the Himalayan region. We estimated a total BC
Journal of Limnology, 2008
, were used to calculate empirical relationships between DOC and the difference between the sum o... more , were used to calculate empirical relationships between DOC and the difference between the sum of cations and the sum of anions, with the aim to evaluate a formal charge per mg of organic C. Regression coefficients were obtained for data from each laboratory, as well as for all the data combined. The coefficients were further tested using an independent set of data from each country. The differences between the individual laboratory and the overall regression coefficients are discussed. The results are also considered in the light of formal charge values for DOC/TOC obtained in studies on freshwater. The formal DOC charge proved to be useful for estimating the contribution of organic acids in the ion balance test, thus considerably improving the applicability of the ion balance as a validation criterion for samples with high DOC values.
Journal of Limnology, 2008
Eighteen small shallow lakes located in the Northern Patagonian Lake District, in southern South ... more Eighteen small shallow lakes located in the Northern Patagonian Lake District, in southern South America, were sampled in 2001 and analysed for the main chemical variables (pH, conductivity, alkalinity, major ions and nutrients). The study lakes span a wide geographical and altitudinal range and belong partly to the Pacific and partly to the Atlantic watershed. The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between water chemistry and physical/geographical properties of these lakes. Secondly, the nitrogen content of the lakes was considered in detail, and results compared to those obtained in previous studies carried out in other remote areas of the globe (the Central Southern Alps in Italy, the Sierra da Estrela region in Portugal, the Svalbard Islands in the Arctic, the Khumbu-Himal region in Nepal, and the Terra Nova Bay area in Antarctica). In the Alps, lakes are characterised by markedly high nitrogen concentrations, manly as nitrate, due to the high inputs of nitrogen compounds from downwind sources like the Po Plain in Northern Italy. Conversely, lakes at remote locations such as the Andes, Antarctica and Himalaya are characterised by a low nitrogen content, mainly as organic nitrogen. This status is related to the limited atmospheric inputs of nitrogen affecting these regions.
Journal of Limnology, 2001
are used to evaluate the relative contributions of atmospheric deposition and urban/industrial wa... more are used to evaluate the relative contributions of atmospheric deposition and urban/industrial wastewaters to the nitrogen budget of Lago Maggiore. The atmospheric load of nitrogen was about 80% of the total input to the lake, with negligible variations in dry (1997) and wet (1996) years. A comparison of the two study years with the yearly N budgets evaluated from 1978 to 1998, showed that the N load was higher with increasing amounts of precipitation/water inflow. Soils and vegetation act as N sinks; the % retention varies between 40-60% for the forested catchments with low population density in the central-northern part of the basin, to values close to zero or even negative in the south, indicating a net leaching from the soils. The approach revealed that all the catchments of the major inflowing rivers were oversaturated with nitrogen. The long-term trend of nitrogen concentrations in Lago Maggiore is analogous to the trend for atmospheric deposition , which is related to emissions of nitrogen oxides and ammonia in the atmosphere. The relationships between the present N load and in-lake concentrations are discussed using a budget model, which is also used to infer the pristine load of N. The close relationships between N trends in lakes Maggiore, Como and Iseo, and the geographical and anthropogenic features common to their catchments, suggest that the results obtained for Lago Maggiore can be extended to a wider area.
Journal of Limnology, 2002
Under the CONECOFOR programme, allied to the UE and UN-ECE programme on forests (ICP Forests), th... more Under the CONECOFOR programme, allied to the UE and UN-ECE programme on forests (ICP Forests), the chemistry of open field, throughfall and stemflow deposition was measured in 15 permanent plots over a two year period. Characteristics of the plots, sampling methods, treatment and analyses are in strict agreement with those adopted in the European programme. The plots are representative of different geographical conditions, from the Mediterranean area of the southern plots to the Alpine environment. Results show the highest amount of ion deposition related to anthropogenic emissions in the northern (PIE1, VEN1, FRI2) and central (EMI1, TOS1) stations, while most of the central and southern sites show a net flux of alkalinity. The acidity is however buffered by dust and dry deposition present on the canopy, so that the throughfall deposition is always alkaline. Nitrogen, both as ammonium and nitrate, is an important component of precipitation and critical loads are exceeded in most of the areas. This situation is confirmed by analyses of nitrate in runoff, performed in four plots, which show a release from the watershed in all seasons, indicating an overload of nitrogen compared to its possible uptake by vegetation and soil. N saturation is high in the northern and central plots of PIE1 and EMI2, moderate in the central and alpine plots of LAZ1 and FRI2.
Journal of Limnology, 2004
Two small high mountain lakes in the Alps were monitored in [1984][1985][1986][1987][1988][1989][... more Two small high mountain lakes in the Alps were monitored in [1984][1985][1986][1987][1988][1989][1990][1991][1992][1993][1994][1995][1996][1997][1998][1999][2000][2001][2002][2003] to follow their response to changes in human impact, such as deposition of atmospheric pollutants, fish stocking and climate change. The results were compared to occasional samplings performed in the 1940s, and to the remains found in sediment cores. When monitoring started, the most acid-sensitive of them, Lake Paione Superiore, was acidified, with evident effects in its flora and fauna: benthic diatoms assemblage was shifted towards acidophilous species, and zooplankton lost the dominant species, Arctodiaptomus alpinus. Palaeolimnological studies outlined that lake acidification paralleled the increasing input of long-range transported industrial pollutants, traced by spherical carbonaceous particles. On the contrary, the biota of Lake Paione Inferiore appeared to be mainly affected by fish stocking. In the last twenty years, decrease in acid load from the atmosphere led to an improvement in lake water quality, with an increase in both pH and alkalinity. First signs of biological recovery were identified, such as change in diatom flora and appearance of sensitive species among benthic insects. However, climate change and episodic deposition of Saharan dust were important driving factors controlling lake water chemistry. Further monitoring to assess the effects of climate change and of the increasing load of nitrogen and other pollutants is recommended. biomass abundance ex-eph.
Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 2009
A Working Ring Test (WRT) was organised in the framework of the EU Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 (... more A Working Ring Test (WRT) was organised in the framework of the EU Regulation (EC) No 2152/2003 ("Forest Focus") and of the UN/ECE Program "ICP Forests" to evaluate the overall performance of the laboratories monitoring atmospheric deposition and soil solution in European Forests. Seven natural samples of atmospheric deposition and soil solutions and 5 synthetic solutions were distributed to 52 laboratories, which analysed them using their routine methods. Thirteen variables are considered in this paper: pH, conductivity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, sulfate, nitrate, chloride, total alkalinity, total dissolved nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon. For each variable, the relative standard deviation of the results was evaluated, after outlier rejection, to estimate the analytical error of the measurements. The results are evaluated considering the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedure included in the ICP Forests monitoring manual: consistency check of the data and use of control charts and internal standards. A Data Quality Objective (DQO) is defined for each of the variables and the number of data meeting the DQOs are discussed in relation to the QA/QC procedures adopted. Although 38% of the results did not meet the DQO, the laboratories adopting QA/QC procedures produced a larger proportion of results meeting the objective and a consistent part of the outliers could be detected a posteriori checking analyses consistence.
Journal of Chromatography A, 2006
Studies of inorganic carbon cycle in natural waters provide important information on the biologic... more Studies of inorganic carbon cycle in natural waters provide important information on the biological productivity and buffer capacity. Determination of total inorganic carbon, alkalinity and dissolved carbon dioxide gives an indication of the balance between photosynthesis and respiration by biota, both within the water column and sediments, and carbon dioxide transfers from the water column to the atmosphere. There are few methods to measure and distinguish the different forms of inorganic carbon, but all require a measure or an indirect quantification of total inorganic carbon. A direct measurement of TIC in water is made possible by the introduction of electrolytic generated hydroxide eluent in ion chromatography which allows to detect a chromatographic peak for carbonate. The advantage of this method is that all the inorganic forms of carbon are converted in carbonate at eluent pH and can be detected as a single peak by conductivity detection. Repeatability of carbonate peak was evaluated at different levels from 0.02 to 6 mequiv. l −1 both in high purity water and in real samples and ranged from 1 to 9%. The calibration curve was not linear and has to be fitted by a quadratic curve. Limit of detection was estimated to be 0.02 mequiv. l −1 . Accuracy has been estimated by comparing ion chromatography method with total inorganic carbon calculated from alkalinity and pH. The correlation between the two methods was good (R 2 = 0.978, n = 141). The IC method has been applied to different typologies of surface waters (alpine and subalpine lakes and rivers) characterised by different chemical characteristics (alkalinity from 0.05 to 2 mequiv. l −1 and pH from 6.7 to 8.5) and low total organic carbon concentrations. This analytical method allowed to describe the distribution of TIC along the water column of two Italian deep lakes.
Journal of Chromatography A, 1995
The repeatability of the measurements of peak areas for calibration solutions and the precision o... more The repeatability of the measurements of peak areas for calibration solutions and the precision of anion and cation determinations (3-600 p~M) in freshwater are discussed on the basis of 2 years of measurements on calibration solutions and stabilized internal standards. Anion measurements show higher repeatability of the measurements of peak areas for calibration solutions (R.S.D 2-5%) and precision (R.S.D. 2-8%) than those of cations (R.S.D. 2-10% and 2-15%, respectively). Results for the calibration technique show that multi-point (6-8 concentrations), quadratic or cubic regressions permit a correct quantification over a wide range (l.5-2 orders of magnitude) of concentrations. Thanks to the repeatability of the measurements of peak areas for calibration solutions, only two calibrations, at the beginning and end of a batch of 20-30 samples, are adequate. These conditions give better results than calibrations performed with 2-3 points and repeated every 8-10 samples.
Journal of Chromatography A, 1995
Three intercomparison exercises on simulated rainwater were held in 1991–1993 involving 72–98 lab... more Three intercomparison exercises on simulated rainwater were held in 1991–1993 involving 72–98 laboratories in Europe and South America. Ion chromatography was used for the determination of anions (chloride, nitrate and sulphate) by 59–72% of the participating laboratories and for the determination of cations (Na, K, Mg and Ca) by 14–22% of them. The concentration of the single ions ranged between
Hydrobiologia, 2012
Different precipitation regimes across Patagonia generate an environmental gradient that is expec... more Different precipitation regimes across Patagonia generate an environmental gradient that is expected to reflect upon the solute composition and concentration of lake water through the ensuing differences in water balance. In turn, this hydrochemical gradient could influence the occurrence and distribution of ostracods in the area. A cluster analysis on hydrochemical data of 36 Southern Patagonian waterbodies shows that low salinity, bicarbonatedominated waters characterize Andean and ecotonal lakes, located in the wetter part of the precipitation gradient, while their steppe counterparts, which receive a much lower precipitation input, are more saline, enriched in all major anions and sodiumdominated. Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by Mann-Whitney pairwise comparisons show statistically significant differences in the ostracod species each water type hosts, with L. patagonica, E. cecryphalium, P. smaragdina and P. incae being found in the more dilute waters characteristic of Andean and ecotonal lakes and Limnocythere rionegroensis in the mesohaline, evaporatively evolved waters typical of steppe lakes. Other species studied do not appear to have such distinct distributions, having been found throughout the range of conditions studied. These findings promote the use of the aforementioned ostracods as semi-quantitative paleohydrological indicators, which could improve paleoclimatic reconstructions in Patagonia.
Environmental Chemistry, 2009
Environmental context. Nitrite is an important nutrient in surface waters, a key intermediate in ... more Environmental context. Nitrite is an important nutrient in surface waters, a key intermediate in the interconversion of nitrate into ammonium, and a considerable photochemical source of reactive species such as the hydroxyl radical. We have found that scavengers of hydroxyl radicals such as dissolved organic matter, which are usually supposed to inhibit the photodegradation of dissolved compounds, are able on the contrary to enhance the phototransformation of nitrite. The three weeks' lifetime of nitrite in the surface layer of lakes, derived from the results of the present work, would make photochemistry an important issue in determining the concentration of nitrite in lake water.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 1996
Pore waters extracted by centrifugation from Lake Orta (Northern Italy) sediments were studied wi... more Pore waters extracted by centrifugation from Lake Orta (Northern Italy) sediments were studied with a modified Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) procedure using the Microtox bacterial luminescence toxicity test system. The most toxic pore water samples were from stations near a rayon factory, known as a source of copper and ammonium discharges. The TIE manipulations used were filtration, EDTA chelation, and C18 solid-phase resin adsorption. The most effective treatments to remove toxicity were the EDTA and C18, indicating that both metals and nonpolar organic compounds contribute to the observed toxicity.
Mem. Ist. Ital. Idrobiol, 1998
A. Lami & G. Giussani (Guest Editors) Limnology of high altitude lakes in the Mt Everest Region (... more A. Lami & G. Giussani (Guest Editors) Limnology of high altitude lakes in the Mt Everest Region (Nepal) Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol.: 57: 51-76 ... Water chemistry of high altitude lakes in the Khumbu and Imja Kola valleys (Nepalese Himalayas) ... Gabriele A. TARTARI, Gianni TARTARI1) ...