Giovanna Antonella Dino

Fragments of the Western Alpine Chain as Historic Ornamental Stones in Turin (Italy): Enhancement of Urban Geological Heritage through Geotourism

In Piemonte, stone has always been the most widely used raw material for buildings, characterizing the architectural identity of the city of Turin. All kinds of rocks, metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary, are represented, including gneisses, marbles, granitoids, and, less commonly, limestones. The great variety of ornamental stones is clearly due to the highly composite geological nature of the Piemonte region related to the presence of the orogenic Alpine chain and the sedimentary Tertiary Piemonte Basin. This paper provides a representative list of the most historic ornamental stones of Piemonte, which have been used over the centuries in buildings and architecture. The main stones occurring in Turin have been identified and described from a petrographic and mineralogical point of view in order to find out the corresponding geological units and quarry sites, from which they were exploited. This allows the associated cultural and scientific interest of stones to be emphasized in the architecture of a town which lies between a mountain chain and a hilly region.

Reuse of residual sludge from stone processing: differences and similarities between sludge coming from carbonate and silicate stones—Italian experiences

Residual sludge coming from dimension stone working activities represents a serious environmental and economic problem for both stone industry and community. Indeed, most of the time, residual sludge is landfilled because of the difficulties to recover it; such difficulties are mainly connected to local legislation and to a lack of proper protocols. In general, two different categories of sludge can be identified: residual sludge coming from carbonate rocks (CS) and those coming from silicate rocks (SS). Both of them are characterised by a very fine size distribution. CS is mainly made up of the same compounds of the processed stones (i.e. marble, limestone, travertine). On the contrary, SS is characterised by high heavy metal content, due to the composition of the tools employed during processing activities and to the original rock characteristics. Furthermore, total petroleum hydrocarbon content can often be recognised in residual sludge. In general, residual sludge, management of which in Italy is administered in accordance with ILD 152/06, can be used as waste for environmental restoration or for cement plants. Several researches investigate possible reuses of residual sludge, after a proper processing phase, as new products. Such “new products” should be certified not only on the basis of their technical and physical characteristics but also by means of appropriate chemical analyses to guarantee that the products are not polluted. The aim of this research was to evidence that, on the basis of a correct sludge characterisation, treatment and management, it is possible to produce secondary raw materials (filler, etc.) or new products (artificial soil, etc.), in order not to waste “sludge resources”. Some examples from Italian experimentations are here reported, focusing on the treatment and recovery of SS and CS.

Environmental Issues Connected to the Quarry Lakes and Chance to Reuse Fine Materials Deriving from Aggregate Treatments

Nowadays the number of quarries below water table is increasing due to the raising demand of aggregates. This kind of quarry implies an irreversible change of land use, since it forms artificial lakes which remain also when the activity is over. Quarry lakes are particularly numerous in alluvial plains, as we can find in Northern Italy, along the main streams of the Po plain. A quarry lake alters the pre-existent piezometric water table morphology and there is the possibility of a mixing between shallow aquifer and deep aquifers. Furthermore, a quarry lake creates an area of high vulnerability, especially because potential contaminants could reach the aquifer. The presence of a quarry lake can affect the local hydrological balance due to a high evaporation in the quarry. At last, the working activities connected to aggregate exploitation cause the production of fine materials (silt and clay) potentially employable in quarry rehabilitation. Most of time, these materials are used in quarry lake backfilling with a consequent hydrogeological alteration. This research deals with a study and an analysis of problems concerning quarry lakes in plain areas, their relationship with the hydrogeological setting and the issues connected to the production of fine waste. These problems are examined both from a theoretical point of view and from the analysis of real contexts, focusing on the legislation in force in Italy.

Stone materials used for monumental buildings in the historical centre of Turin (NW Italy): architectonical survey and petrographic characterization of Via Roma

Abstract One of the peculiarities of Turin (NW Italy) lies on the presence of monumental arcades which mainly consist of stone material. These arcades, characterized by more than 12 km of interconnected paths, represent one of the widest city promenades of Europe and are an architectural, aesthetic and socio-economic example unique in the world. This paper, analysing the urban axis of Via Roma (Rome Street), aims to study the material used in arcade construction. The main stones occurring in Via Roma have been identified and described from a petrographic and mineralogical point of view in order to find out the corresponding geological units and original quarry sites. The minero-petrographic study is accompanied by an architectural survey that was performed applying different methods, as well as the geometric mapping and the perspective rectification of span-types, of block terminations and of other architectonical elements, in plan and in elevation, of the arcades. This allows us to emphasize the merging of cultural and scientific interest for the stone materials used in the historical architecture of a town closely interconnected to the surrounding Western Alps orogenic chain.

Industrial Chance to Recover Residual Sludge from Dimension Stones in Civil and Environmental Applications

Residual sludge coming from dimension stones working plants represents a problem for European Stone Industries. The difficulties to opportunely exploit such waste are related to their chemical and physical characteristics. Moreover the management of sludge is subject to periodic updating regulatory developments (DLgs 152/06, DLgs 13/09 and DLgs 61/2012 in Italian legislation) which can complicate their correct management. The topic of the research, financed by Camera di Commercio VCO (Verbano Cusio Ossola—Piedmont Region—NW Italy), is the evaluation of the best methodologies for residual sludge treatment and exploitation. A chemical and physical characterisation on the sludge as such, and on several mixes produced to individuate the more suitable recycled products, was foreseen. Laboratory and in situ tests are in progress (2012–2014). The paper aims to demonstrate that, on the basis of a strict characterisation, appropriate treatment and correct management it is possible to turn residual sludge (waste) into resources (potentially alternative to the natural ones).

The Stone Bridges on the Po River at Turin (NW Italy): A Scientific Dissemination Approach for the Development of Urban Geological Heritage

This paper presents a minero-petrographic study of the rocks employed in the building of stone bridges over the Po River in the city of Turin (Piemonte Region—NW of Italy). In all the bridges, the dimension stones are present in different quantities and elements, either representing the only building material or associated with several artificial materials. The total number of bridges on the Po River is six, three of which are made of natural stones (Princess Isabella Bridge, King Umberto I Bridge and King Vittorio Emanuele I Bridge) and three are built with artificial materials with minor dimension stones (Balbis Bridge, Queen Margherita Bridge and Sassi Bridge). The lithologies of the six bridges have been identified in order to find out the corresponding geological units and the original quarry site. The stones mainly consist of rocks from the western Alps, with a prevalence of metamorphic rocks such as gneisses, as well as intrusive igneous rocks. Sedimentary rocks are minor represented.

Treatment and Exploitation of Waste Coming from Quarry Industries: Reuse as Aggregate

The recovery and reuse of Quarry Waste (QW) has to be included in a wider discussion concerning the exploitation and the rationalization of the natural resources. Using waste from resource can be a potential benefits for both the environment and human health (because of the reduction of waste in dumps—with a consequent potential pollution hazard—and because of the preservation of land—not occupied by waste dumping). Our imperative must be not only to find new “scopes” for recycled products but also to make such “new products” competitive. Thanks to the systematic exploitation of QW it will be possible to reduce the pressure on Raw Materials (RM). The use of produced Secondary Raw Materials (SRM) and of “NEW PRODUCTS” obtained will preserve the environment, in fact on the one hand the exploitation of RM will be integrated by the use of such “NEW PRODUCTS and SRM” and, on the other hand, QW systematic reuse will decrease the waste disposal in dumps, with a consequent land preservation. Air and soil pollution will be reduced minimizing the amount of waste in dumps. The paper outlines some considerations about European and Italian regulations and some interesting results of QW employment for Large Public Works in Piedmont Region (NW Italy).

Ornamental stones of the Verbano Cusio Ossola quarry district: characterization of materials, quarrying techniques and history and relevance to local and national heritage

Abstract This paper reports the results of an Interreg Project (OSMATER – Sub-Alpine Observatory Materials Territory Restoration) that investigated the present and historical quarrying and processing activities in the cross-border area between the Ossola Valley (Italy) and the Canton Ticino (Switzerland), and the use of dimension stones in local and national architecture. These materials are in many ways unique for their abundance and lithological variety. In the past, their extraction, processing and application characterized in a decisive way the architectural and constructive culture, both in terms of prestigious architecture and civil buildings, establishing a relationship between ‘stones and culture’, and ‘territory and its resources’. In recent years, many traditions of the quarrying, processing and architectural activities are losing importance and interest is being loss, resulting in a loss of knowledge and historical memory. The loss of this knowledge is likely to become irreversible in the short term, with the disappearance of people and social groups as depositaries of tradition. We conclude that the creation of an ‘observatory’, like OSMATER, is desirable and, indeed, essential if we want to preserve the historical memory of the stone industry of an entire production area.

Extractive waste management: A risk analysis approach

Abandoned mine sites continue to present serious environmental hazards because the heavy metals associated with extractive waste are continuously released into the environment, where they threaten human life and the environment. Remediating and securing extractive waste are complex, lengthy and costly processes. Thus, in most European countries, a site is considered for intervention when it poses a risk to human health and the surrounding environment. As a consequence, risk analysis presents a viable decisional approach towards the management of extractive waste. To evaluate the effects posed by extractive waste to human health and groundwater, a risk analysis approach was used for an abandoned nickel extraction site in Campello Monti in North Italy. This site is located in the Southern Italian Alps. The area consists of large and voluminous mafic rocks intruded by mantle peridotite. The mining activities in this area have generated extractive waste. A risk analysis of the site was performed using Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA) guidelines, considering the properties of extractive waste and water for the properties of environmental matrices. The results showed the presence of carcinogenic risk due to arsenic and risks to groundwater due to nickel. The results of the risk analysis form a basic understanding of the current situation at the site, which is affected by extractive waste.

Recycling of rock materials as part of sustainable aggregate production in Norway and Italy

Resource preservation and increased waste recycling are important for sustainability in Europe. Thus, it is essential to achieve environmentally safe and sound management of quarry waste (QW) at European and national level. Rock materials recycling practice has therefore been studied in Norway and Italy. At present, recycling levels vary and systematic recovery is not common in European countries. Furthermore, QW is often landfilled owing to unclear legislation and a general lack of technical data. It was found that 80 – 90% and 30 – 80% of the quarrying volumes end up as QW in Norway and Italy, respectively. Furthermore, the fine fraction constitutes around 40% of the total production of dimension stone and natural aggregate in Norway. However, continuing project initiatives over the past 5 – 10 years have shown that QW can be used to produce aggregate. In addition, positive economic and environmental effects are likely to be achieved by systematic recycling of QW planned by industries and public authorities. However, no significant incentives for recycling or systematic approaches for local aggregate exploitation exist in Italy and Norway. These need to be developed and implemented to change current practice in a major way.