ABSTRACT LXXIX, December 2010 n. 3:

Abstract - The crystal structure of baghdadite, ideally Ca₃Zr(Si₂O₇)O₂, was refined using 1986 reflections to R = 0.034. Baghdadite is monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, with cell parameters a 10.432(3), b 10.163(2), c 7.356(2) Å, ß 90.96(2)°. The refined crystal structure is in agreement with the structure of synthetic Ca₃ZrSi₂O₉. The structure is characterized by the presence of walls of cation polyhedra, four columns large, linked together by both direct connection as well as by disilicate groups. Baghdadite is the first phase in the cuspidine group in which the Pauling’s fourth rule is violated.

Anna M. De Francesco, Roberta Scarpelli, Donatella Barca, Annamaria Ciarallo, and Luigi Buffone - Preliminary chemical characterization of Roman glass from Pompeii.

Abstract - Eleven fragments of Roman glass were analysed by XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) and LA-ICP- MS (laser ablation inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) to determine major, minor and trace elements, including rare earth elements. The fragments come from the archaeological site of Pompeii (Naples, Italy) and belong to various types of blue-green glass objects. Analytical investigation of glass was performed in order to determine which melting, colouring and opacifying techniques were adopted to prepare these materials. The results indicate that the samples, dated to the first century A.D., before A.D. 79, by archaeological suggestions, are soda-lime-silica glass, obtained by using pure sand, natron and recycled glasses. Colouring, decolouring and opacifying agents were not used.

Francesco Burragato, Giovanni Gaglianone, Giovanni Gerbasi, Simona Mazziotti-Tagliani, Luciano Papacchini, Francesco Rossini and Bruno Sperduto - Fibrous mineral detection in natural soil and risk mitigation (1^st paper).

Abstract - The paper describes a fibrous mineral detection methodology, which is based on the use of alternating rotary motion sieving equipment. The equipment was redesigned to meet additional requirements with respect to initial ones. Under this methodology, the fine fraction passing through the sieves was recovered and analysed to determine the sedimentology, mineralogy and morphology of the potentially particulating fraction. Reliance was made on the following analytical techniques: laser granulometry, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM/EDS) and polarised and phase contrast light microscopy (PLM, PCLM) for fibrous mineral identification and Walton-Beckett / whole field fibre counting. The samples for the analyses came from known areas with fibrous minerals, e.g. Lauria (Basilicata), and less known areas, e.g. the Natural Reserve of Mt. Rufeno (Latium) and Biancavilla (Sicily). With this methodology, fibres may be directly detected in both farmed and unfarmed soil with fibrous minerals and the process may be repeated in the various stages of farming or during works for creation of fire barriers or lanes, hydrogeological restoration etc. The goal is to identify risks arising from the natural occurrence of asbestos upon atypical activities, such as farming and forestry. With regard to exposure, consideration was given to fibrous minerals not currently classified in the relevant legislation, thus going beyond the search for asbestiform minerals in quarry sites located in ophiolite outcrop areas.

Elisa Fornero, Maya Musa, Alessandro Croce, Mario Allegrina, Paolo Trivero and Caterina Rinaudo- ACCOUNT of an innovative procedure for the assessment of inorganic particles and mineral phases in the PM₁₀.

Abstract - A modus operandi to move on suitable support for morphological, chemical and mineralogical characterization under Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) of the inorganic component of PM₁₀, collected on depth filters routinely used by the Environmental Protection Agencies (in Italy A.R.P.A.) for the air quality assessment, is described. The proposed methodology has been tested on six membranes, sampled according to the EN 12341/99 procedure, in areas characterized by natural and anthropogenic sources of Particulate Matter. First outcomes prove that the methodology, allowing the morphological-chemical and mineralogical characterization of the particles, may be a useful tool for the Environmental Protection Agencies to detect the contribution of the natural background and of the anthropogenic sources to the air pollution.