G. Badino

Ecology and sampling techniques of an understudied subterranean habitat: the Milieu Souterrain Superficiel (MSS)

The term Milieu Souterrain Superficiel (MSS) has been used since the early 1980s in subterranean biology to categorize an array of different hypogean habitats. In general terms, a MSS habitat represents the underground network of empty air-filled voids and cracks developing within multiple layers of rock fragments. Its origins can be diverse and is generally covered by topsoil. The MSS habitat is often connected both with the deep hypogean domain—caves and deep rock cracks—and the superficial soil horizon. A MSS is usually characterized by peculiar microclimatic conditions, and it can harbor specialized hypogean, endogean, and surface-dwelling species. In light of the many interpretations given by different authors, we reviewed 235 papers regarding the MSS in order to provide a state-of-the-art description of these habitats and facilitate their study. We have briefly described the different types of MSS mentioned in the scientific literature (alluvial, bedrock, colluvial, volcanic, and other types) and synthesized the advances in the study of the physical and ecological factors affecting this habitat—i.e., microclimate, energy flows, animal communities, and trophic interactions. We finally described and reviewed the available sampling methods used to investigate MSS fauna.

First mycological assessment in hydrothermal caves of Monte Kronio (Sicily, southern Italy)

Abstract A mycological investigation carried out in the hydrothermal caves of Monte Kronio, located in Sicily (southern Italy), is reported. This particular hydrothermal cave system is characterized by temperatures up to 37 °C and relative humidity close to 100%. In spite of the harsh conditions, which are prohibitive for most organisms, we counted 160 vital Morphological Taxonomic Units and identified 14 taxa during a survey of the system. The most prevalent genera were Penicillium, Cladosporium and Trametes. Furthermore, we report the first recorded occurrence of Metarhizium flavoviride var. flavoviride in a hypogean environment.

Primary cosmic ray composition in the 1013 – 1017 eV energy range from the analysis of multiple muon events in the NUSEX experiment

Abstract Absolute multiple muon rates have been measured in the NUSEX detector at Mont Blanc during more than 6 years of data taking. We present here a comparison with the expected rates according to different current models of primary cosmeric ray composition in the energy range 1013–1017 eV. The predictions are based on a Monte Carlo simulation of the atmospheric cascade including the most recent accelerator results on the hadronic interactions.

On the neutrino burst from SN 1987a detected in the Mt. Blanc LSD experiment

In this paper we discuss the event, consisting of 5 interactions recorded during 7 seconds, detected in the Mont Blanc Underground Neutrino Observatory (UNO) on February 23, 1987. The updated pulse amplitudes, and the background imitation probability of the event are reported. It is also shown that some interactions recorded at the same time in other underground experiments, with lower detection efficiency, are consistent with the Mont Blanc event.

THE EFFECT OF WAVELENGTH SHIFTERS ON WATER CHERENKOV DETECTORS

Abstract We report the results of a test showing that concentrations of ≈2 mg/l of wavelength shifter in water give almost the maximum efficiency of detection without losing the directionality of Cherenkov light.

Study of the low energy background radiation and the effects of the 222Rn in the LSD underground experiment

Abstract A systematic study of the low energy background radiation has been performed under several conditions in the underground experiment at Mt. Blanc laboratory. The information gathered using three different types of detectors: LSD (90 tons of liquid scintillator) with energy threshold E th > 800 KeV , Nal (5” × 5”) with E th > 220 KeV and a Radon-meter (alpha spectrometer) running at the same time, has been analyzed during long and continuous time periods. It was found that the variations in counting rate of the low energy background is due to the presence of 222Rn in the laboratory room. Three types of variations were found: 1) a correlation with the tunnel ventilation system, 2) a daily modulation and 3) a sporadic increase in the counting rate not correlated to any man-made intervention. We emphasize the importance of knowing the background and its variations in underground laboratories dedicated to low energy neutrinos and dark matter searches.

U.H.E. γ‐ray observations with the EAS‐TOP array

The EAS‐TOP array at Gran Sasso (Italy) has been fully operating as a gamma‐ray astronomy observatory since the beginning of 1989 (energy range 1014‐1017 eV). We present the results on search for gamma ray emission from candidate point sources in northern hemisphere obtained by data collected through 1989‐1990. The UHE energy event observed from Crab Nebula on February 23rd, 1989, is also discussed.

Observation of excess muon events from the direction of Cygnus X-3 in the NUSEX experiment

Abstract Cygnus X-3 has been continuously monitored with NUSEX detector since June 1982. Data recorded during the year 1982–1984 yielded evidence for a time modulated flux of high energy muons pointing back to this source. A muon excess is observed again in data collected in the years 1987–1988. The updated analysis of all data recorded by NUSEX between June 1982 and December 1988 is presented here.

Primary Cosmic Ray Spectrum in the

Abstract Absolute multiple muon rates have been measured in the NUSEX detector at Mont Blanc during more than 6 years of data taking. We present here a comparison with the expected rates according to different current models of primary cosmeric ray composition in the energy range 1013–1017 eV. The predictions are based on a Monte Carlo simulation of the atmospheric cascade including the most recent accelerator results on the hadronic interactions.

10^{13-ev}

An Underground Neutrino Observatory (UNO) should have some very important characteristics in searching for neutrino bursts.