Quality and traceability are essential to food industry, spurring adoption of non-invasive methods for rapid assessment of key product attributes. This study investigates the feasibility of portable Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) for fast, in-situ and non-destructive authentication of the geographical origin of Sicilian pistachios (Pistacia vera L.). A pilot set of pistachio kernels harvested in 2023 was analysed, including samples from the "Pistacchio Verde di Bronte" and "Pistacchio di Raffadali" production districts - both recognized with the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label - and samples from an uncertified Sicilian growing area. These samples were subsequently compared with additional Sicilian and foreign pistachio kernels, mostly harvested in 2025, to validate the proposed authentication model. The method successfully disentangled Sicilian pistachios from foreign samples and distinguished Sicilian pistachios of the same origin harvested in different years, demonstrating robustness in detecting variations due to geographic origin and harvesting year. Complementary physico-chemical analysis, including moisture content, cotyledon colour, and total polyphenol content, revealed differences between Sicilian and foreign samples consistent with the spectral discrimination, thus corroborating the identification of the chemical features responsible for sample discrimination. These findings support the potential of FTIR-ATR spectroscopy for assessing the quality and geographical origin of pistachio nuts.

The “late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto” in south-eastern Sicily, Italy, testify an outstanding post-seismic rebuilding architectonic achievement, after that an earthquake destroyed them in 1693. The reconstructed towns, characterised by “distinctive innovations in town planning and urban building” have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2022. They exhibit architectural features characterised by a close relationship between local stone, geological context and societal development. Indeed, they are characterized by the employment of two lithotypes, i.e., sedimentary (i.e. Hyblean limestones) and magmatic (i.e. Etnean lavas) rocks, resulting in an original bichromy. Nevertheless, once in the city centres, stone materials are exposed to atmospheric agents (e.g., rain, wind, solar radiation, aggressive atmospheric pollutants, freeze-thaw cycles, crystallization of saline solutions, and growth of organisms) that, over time, may trigger weathering process. In this contribution, we focused on two main lithotypes widely used as building stones and, specifically, we carried out a review on its fabric-related petrophysical properties, in terms of petrography, porosity, seismic and geo-engineering behaviour and observed the deterioration forms developed in the buildings. Our review paper aims to provide a basic tool, useful either for conserving monuments of cultural heritage and for their restoration.

Food counterfeiting is an emerging problem worldwide and the increasing consumption of fake products has brought food safety into major focus. In recent years, several analytical approaches were developed to prevent food counterfeiting. Among them, X-ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) is emerging as a fast and simple screening tool for food elemental analysis, with important applications in the agri-food sector. The present work explores the feasibility of using portable XRF device to verify the quality and the geographical origin of pistachio samples coming from different growing areas of Sicily (Italy), including pistachio samples form Bronte and Raffadali districts, recognized by the European Union with the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label. The XRF spectra and the yields extracted for the main identified elements were compared with each other by using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Statistical analysis highlighted that pistachio samples clustered into distinct groups accordingly with their territory of origin, having a different elemental profile. Among the elements, K and Ca appear to act as discriminant markers, followed by Rb and Fe. Potassium mainly characterized the samples originating from Agrigento and Messina, whereas Ca, Rb and Fe the pistachio seeds harvested in Catania. Based on these results, the elemental composition detectable through XRF analysis could be used as a fingerprint to disentangle foodstuffs of different origin and to hinder the occurrence of food counterfeits concerning the branded products, in support of the traceability system. The possibility of assessing quality and traceability quickly, easily and in-situ, gives solid perspectives for a large-scale application of the XRF technique at all stages of the food chain.

This paper reports the results of a multi-analytical investigation on metabasite rocks exploited and marketed since pre-historical times as “Pietra Verde (i.e. Greenstone) of Calabria”, southern Italy and employed as building as well as ornamental stone materials. Our contribution focuses on petrographic and mineralogical features, relating them to petrophysical-mechanical properties. Achieved results confirmed the good mechanical performance of metabasite from Calabria in terms of compression strength and deformability, making it suitable also for building structural elements and foundations.The absence of alteration minerals and of noticeable porosity and microfractures contributes to the good petrophysical and physical-mechanical features of such rocks. This study represents a contribution to the very little literature available on this rock type, even in the frame of its use as sustainable georesource as well as of promoting geotourism across historical sites.

The analysis of olivine-hosted melt inclusions (MIs) from the whole sub-alkaline and alkaline magmatic suites of Mt. Etna provides fundamental information about the composition of undifferentiated magmas and their pristine volatile content. Olivine crystals (Fo88-66) were selected for Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) analysis of volatile species (H2O, CO2, F, Cl and S) contained in their host MIs, after preliminary high-pressure/high-temperature re-homogenization, which allowed to reduce the developing of cracks in the host olivine and diffusion-driven outgassing of volatiles from the melt inclusions. This permitted to explore the compositional variability of volatiles of undifferentiated melts and the degassing behavior through the feeding system. The studied MIs show significant major elements compositional heterogeneities (44.57–52.37 wt

The 2021 Tajogaite eruption was marked by intense pyroclastic fallout that covered a substantial portion of La Palma island, with maximum thicknesses in the central-western part. This, combined with lava flows, resulted in widespread damage to public and private properties. In this study, we investigated if volcanic ash from this eruption could serve as a raw material in the synthesis of alkali activated materials (AAMs) and contribute to the construction of eco-friendly buildings and the restoration of those damaged by the eruption. Volcanic ash-based AAMs were synthesized using NaOH and Na2SiO3 as alkaline solutions and by adding metakaolin to enhance ash reactivity and enable processing at ambient temperatures. Lightweight porous AAMs were also produced using H2O2 and metallic aluminum as foaming agents. Chemical, textural, physical, and mechanical analyses on the final products assessed their suitability as environmentally friendly materials to be used in the reconstruction of the island infrastructure, opening new perspectives on recovery actions that can be undertaken after disastrous eruptions. Of all the islands in the Canary Archipelago, La Palma has experienced the highest number of eruptions (8) in historical times, all of which showing considerable similarity in terms of eruptive mechanisms and composition to the most recent Tajogaite event. Although this study investigated fresh Tajogaite ash, similar perspectives can be envisaged for both other recent eruptions at La Palma and other similar volcanic scenarios worldwide.

The internal structure of two Messinian halite crystals belonging to the white and transparent facies examined in order to investigate how the presence, amount and distribution of fluid inclusions (FIs) and voids, could affect petrophysical properties of halite crystals. In this investigation standard petrographic techniques and geomechanical tests were used in conjunctions with synchrotron radiation X-ray and computed microtomography. The computed microtomography allows a high-resolution 3D reconstruction of the inner part of the crystals and the identification of three phases: solid (halite), liquid (FIs), and air (voids). The different distribution and amount of these components produce an important variability in petrophysical properties in both samples, in terms of porosity, density Young’s modulus and mechanical strength. These data differ from those reported in the literature in which halite is mainly considered as a homogenous material with almost constant values of petrophysical parameters.This innovative approach could open new scenario on the halite investigation mainly for geotechnical studies applied to mining, construction and civil engineering, management of mineral resources, groundwater, geological and environmental risks, underground space for urban and industrial use.

This paper describes for the first time a case-study regarding the applicability of alkali activated mortars based on volcanic-ash (Mt. Etna) directly on-site on a UNESCO Heritage site known worldwide, the Monreale Cathedral (Sicily, Italy). In the perspective of "Advanced Green Materials for Cultural Heritage" project, small damaged areas of the mosaics were selected to test the application of bedding mortars for the filling of lacunae and the repositioning of detached original tesserae, as well as the replication of the mosaic decorations by engraving and painting on the finishing mortars or by the realization of new pre-casted tesserae. Both the critical aspects of preparation and the steps taken to improve operative conditions (e.g. use of Ca-additive) have been highlighted. The monitoring of results over time confirms the intervention's success, representing in this way a pioneering onsite cultural heritage application of these materials.

Due to the surprising lack of knowledge concerning raw materials and production technology employed to make mosaics after the twelfth century, an archaeometric investigation was carried out on the materials constituting the mosaic decoration of the South aisle wall of Monreale Cathedral (Italy), taking advantage of a conservation intervention. In this work, fallen coloured or gilded glass tesserae to be repositioned were studied by means of a combination of a molecular technique (Raman spectroscopy) and an elemental one (portable X-ray Fluorescence, pXRF); also, efflorescences affecting the general conservation state and samples of the respective bedding mortar were analysed with the former technique and with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The raw materials used and, consequently, the different compositions characterizing gilded vs. coloured glass tesserae were highlighted with the vibrational spectroscopy; chromophores and trace elements were detected by pXRF. This complementary approach allowed to disclose clues about glass-manufacturing technique and raw materials. The nature of the salts was also ascertained through Raman spectroscopy and XRD, for the benefit of the conservation procedure, and connected to the mortars' composition.

The characterisation of lime mortars is a relevant task for the conservation of ancient buildings and the correct design of repair materials; among the relevant properties to be studied, the pore structure stand out, which is influenced by the manufacturing processes, receipts and technical expedients and is related to the strength and durability of the mortars. Among other things, the ancient practice of fermenting organic matter in water and adding it to the lime mixture has shown great potential for improving workability and mechanical performance of the building environment. In fact, this practice ensures an internal source of forced carbonation, which in turn determines the precipitation of new mineral phases and the efficient modification of the pore structure. However, a full understanding of the contribution of organically fermented water in lime mortars requires a detailed visual inspection. In this respect, the use of high-resolution synchrotron radiation computed microtomography (SR-μ-CT) proves to be an effective tool for the validation of volumetric data and the three-dimensional representation of studied objects. Under these premises, SR-μ-CT has been used to study different mortars prepared by fermenting various organics in the mixing water. The combination of 3D imaging and traditional physical-mechanical characterisation tests supported the modelling of forced carbonation induced by organically fermented water, suggesting that the different proportions in carbohydrates, fats and proteins of selected organics influence the final pore architecture and mechanical properties of the mixtures since the first phases of carbonation. In particular, carbohydrate-rich organics promote the development of a uniform microstructure and improved mechanical strength, whereas fat-rich organics determine a different and less efficient microstructure due to the low carbonation reactions, the major contribution of larger pores and the lower connectivity between them.

In the present study, porous inorganic polymers were synthetized by alkaline activation of volcanic ash and ‘ghiara’ paleosoil using Al swarf and Al commercial powder as pore inducing agent. The Alkali Activated Foams (AAFs) were characterized in terms of mineralogy, macro- and microstructure, by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray computed microtomography. The obtained porous matrices show different microstructures; the size and extent of the pores vary according to the type, size and amount of the foaming agent and to the viscosity of the pastes. Addition of Al swarf to the volcanic ash based slurry generates expansion of the paste, whereas ghiara based one do not expand due to a lower viscosity of the slurry. Moreover, results indicate that the Al addition procedure during the synthesis affects the pore characteristics: Al powder added directly to the volcanic ash-based slurry triggers an incipient pore nucleation, whereas AAFs prepared adding Al powder to the solid mix do not develop an extended pore network. Results of this research show that porosity can be efficiently tailored in volcanic based AAFs by regulating the amount and type of Al.

Pitchstone is one of the building materials used in the monumental architecture of the late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in the Hyblean Plateau (SE Sicily). Our research goal is to define the relationships between microstructural properties and bitumen impregnation, which confer the distinctive shades and excellent physical-mechanical properties to this valuable geomaterial. The study has been conducted by optical microscopy, synchrotron X-ray microtomography, ultrasonic testing, gas chromatographic analysis, dif-ferential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry investigation on two differently impregnated samples, representative of the main exploited and marketed pitchstone lithotypes. It revealed a close relationship between petrofabric and petrophysical properties, and impregnation amount.

The implementation of analytical techniques able to certify food quality and origin in a fast and non-destructive way is becoming a widespread need in the agri-food sector. Among the physical non-destructive techniques, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is often used to analyze the elemental composition of biological samples. In this study, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental profiles were measured on tomato samples belonging to different geographical areas in Sicily (Italy). The purpose of this investigation was aiming to establish a protocol for in-situ measurement and analysis able to provide quality assessment and traceability of PGI agri-food products, specifically sustaining health safety and self qualifying bio-chemical signature. In detail, sampling was performed in one of the most tomato productive area of south-eastern Sicily (Pachino district), characterised by a relative higher amount of Organic Carbon and Cation Exchange Capacity, and compared with samples from other growing areas of Sicily, falling in Ragusa province and Mt. Etna region. Experimental data were analyzed in the framework of multivariate analysis by using principal component analysis and further validated by discriminant analysis. The results show the presence of specific elemental signatures associated to several characterizing elements. This methodology establishes the possibility to disentangle a clear fingerprint pattern associated to the geographical origin of an agri-food product.

Piton de la Fournaise is an active shield volcano located in the eastern area of the Réunion Island (Indian Ocean) whose activity is characterized by effusive and explosive episodes with the emission of scarcely differentiated magmas with mostly tholeiitic affinity. The presently active edifice has grown within the Enclos Fouqué caldera, a polylobate plain bounded on its western side by the 80–200 m high Bellecombe vertical cliffs. This escarpment exposes a vertical sequence of 12 lava flows cut by a dike with an age > 5.5 kyrs. In this work, the Bellecombe products were investigated by X-ray fluorescence, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy, a Scanning Electron Microscope and X-ray computed microtomography in order to characterize the evolution over time of the magmatic system feeding the eruptive activity prior to the Enclos Fouqué caldera collapse. The results indicate that lava flows share a geochemical affinity with the two main series documented at Piton de la Fournaise, namely, Steady State Basalts (SSB) at the bottom and top of the sequence and Abnormal basalt Group (AbG) with different degrees of differentiation in the central part. The emission of these two different products in both a restricted area and timespan testifies to the dynamic activity of the plumbing system, capable of shifting rapidly from central to eccentric activity in the recent past.

In this work, we propose the software library PyPore3D, an open source solution for data processing of large 3D/4D tomographic data sets. PyPore3D is based on the Pore3D core library, developed thanks to the collaboration between Elettra Sincrotrone (Trieste) and the University of Trieste (Italy). The Pore3D core library is built with a distinction between the User Interface and the backend filtering, segmentation, morphological processing, skeletonisation and analysis functions. The current Pore3D version relies on the closed source IDL framework to call the backend functions and enables simple scripting procedures for streamlined data processing. PyPore3D addresses this limitation by proposing a full open source solution which provides Python wrappers to the the Pore3D C library functions. The PyPore3D library allows the users to fully use the Pore3D Core Library as an open source solution under Python and Jupyter Notebooks PyPore3D is both getting rid of all the intrinsic limitations of licensed platforms (e.g., closed source and export restrictions) and adding, when needed, the flexibility of being able to integrate scientific libraries available for Python (SciPy, TensorFlow, etc.).

The petroleum industry has always been pursuing highly exploitable gas fields, which are often hosted in carbonate rocks. However, carbonates are highly heterogeneous and show different fabrics and structures as the result of sedimentation in various environments, and subsequent diagenesis and deformation. In this study, a multi-scale and multidisciplinary approach has been performed on classical reservoir rocks from the subsurface of the Hyblean Plateau (Sicily, Italy). We aim at unravelling the important and debated role of tectonic and diagenetic structures (mainly fractures as well as stylolites) in enhancing or reducing the porosity. Black shales, limestones, and laminites of intertidal environment represent the main lithologies. Structure cross-cutting relationships record different stages of the basin geological history, which are related to the tectonic evolution of the area. Our results show that porosity is uncommonly lightly affected by fractures and faults, because of their mineralization, whereas stylolites, which are often considered as barriers to fluid flow, show a certain porosity. Therefore, we want to highlight the importance of a multi-scale and multidisciplinary approach in the analysis of heterogeneously porous, fractured- and stylolite-rich carbonate rocks, and our study aspires to boost other similar gas reservoir studies in energy transition times.

Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) and “ geopolymers ” are inorganic polymeric materials obtained by mixing of solid aluminosilicate precursors with an alkaline solution (generally, KOH or NaOH and Na 2 SiO 3 mixed in various ratios). This class of aluminosilicate materials has emerged as a greener alternative to traditional concrete, for large-scale as well as for niche applications such as conservation and restoration of built heritage. In this work we apply Raman spectroscopy both to aluminosilicate precursors (metakaolin, pumice, volcanic ash, volcanic soils, clayey sediments, ceramic waste) and to the respective AAMs. In the field of vibrational spectroscopy, Raman is much less employed in the literature with respect to Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) to have insights into the alkali activation process from a molecular point of view. The aim of this paper is to investigate the potentiality of a Raman approach to the comparison of the employed raw materials with the respective AAMs. Raman analyses during the first hours of geopolymerization were also carried out on the clayey sediments and ceramic waste-based products. The results, differenti-ated according to the employed precursors, exhibit spectra relative to crystalline and amorphous phases that can give an indication about the newly formed aluminosilicate gel.

The large expanses of lava field and soils spread out around Mt. Etna volcano (Italy), make unique the landscape of the whole area. In this work, we investigated a sample set of a peculiar aggregate locally named with the term "Ghiara" collected in different outcrops of Mt. Etna volcano southern flank. A distinctive character of this material is that it is found exclusively beneath solidified lava flows. In past centuries, Ghiara was widely employed in construction field for its reddish hue and the high pozzolanic activity; for the same reasons it has now raised the interest of the scientific community involved in the formulation and production of eco-friendly materials as alternative to the traditional ones. The aim of this paper is to define its chemical and mineralogical characters and to provide a model for its genesis. We conducted a multidisciplinary analytical approach, complementary to the few investigations reported in literature, in order to define the chemical compositions by means of X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the mineralogy through synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and spectroscopic features by Raman and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) methods. The analytical results show that the original Etnean paleosoils, mainly given by pyroclastic fall and accumulation, underwent marked modifications that produced the unique mineral assemblage of the Ghiara, characterized by the presence of hematite, a mineral responsible for its reddish appearance. The heterogeneity of the samples, however, does not allow us to define a univocal genetic model. On the basis of the outcrops geometry and the environmental conditions we propose a range of models that fit the characters of each sample. In detail, the genesis of this material can be influenced by one or all the following phenomena: i) chemical oxidation, ii) biological oxidation and iii) hydrothermal transformation by interaction of meteoric waters with volcanic volatiles from lavas. This work represents a first contribute in the knowledge of Ghiara characters and genesis, which on one side will help to a better use in its employment for construction purposes, on the other will contribute to constrain the hematite formation processes in different environments.