Article
Environmental Studies
Joao Pedro Bernardes, Isabel Rondan Sevilla, Celso Candeias, Manuel Ruiz Barroso
Summary: Since the late 19th century, the scientific questions regarding the Roman city of Balsa have been increasing, despite its historical importance. However, due to the difficulties in implementing scientific research projects, the archaeological knowledge about the city remains limited. Recently, a non-invasive project has been launched to investigate the city, resulting in the identification of its boundaries, layout, and various remains.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
S. Piro, V. Beolchini, L. Pena-Chocarro, A. Pizzo
Summary: In recent years, archaeological and multi-methodological geophysical studies have been conducted to better understand and conserve the buried structures in the ancient site of Tusculum in Central Italy. These studies involved geophysical surveys, topographical survey, and direct archaeological excavations. The results have shown a good correspondence between the buried architecture, geophysical anomalies, and archaeological excavations, revealing unexpected buried buildings such as a public thermal bath and a large church with surrounding funerary area built in the Middle Ages.
EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Krzysztof Senderak, Marta Kondracka, Bogdan Gadek
Summary: The study used geophysical methods including electrical resistivity tomography and ground-penetrating radar to investigate talus slopes in Revdalen in SW Spitsbergen, finding that the thickness of the talus slopes primarily depends on the size of the sediment supply area.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Archaeology
Rafael Hidalgo Prieto, Inmaculada Carrasco Gomez, Ma. Teresa Velazquez Guerrero, Florian Hermann, Felix Teichner
Summary: Through archaeological excavation and geophysical surveys, we now have a comprehensive understanding of the location, layout, and construction features of the late-antique wall in Italica.
SAGVNTVM-PAPELES DEL LABORATORIO DE ARQUEOLOGIA DE VALENCIA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Erdeson Soares Farias, Sandro Lemos Machado, Heraldo Luiz Giacheti, Alexsandro Guerra Cerqueira
Summary: Geophysical methods are useful for nondestructive geotechnical site characterization, enabling rapid and cost-effective evaluation of large areas. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and DC electrical resistivity (ER) are commonly used methods in geotechnical applications. However, these methods are often used separately without sharing information to improve data interpretation. In this case study, protocols and scripts in R programming language were developed for ER and GPR data analysis, combined with Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) data to provide more accurate information on subsurface conditions such as lithology, water content, and groundwater table (GWT) position. The integration of SPT data with resistivity ranges and GPR pulse velocities allowed for improved interpretation of ER data and determination of the groundwater table, resulting in refined 3D volume models of each soil layer in situ.
Article
Archaeology
Ahmed Gaber, Khaled S. Gemail, Adel Kamel, Hafsa M. Atia, Amin Ibrahim
Summary: The study validated the use of integrated GPR and ERT surveys at the important archaeological site of Tanis in the Nile Delta, Egypt. By combining different geophysical data sets, the study improved the interpretability of archaeological ruins, particularly in cases with low physical contrast.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION
(2021)
Article
Archaeology
Raffaele Martorana, Patrizia Capizzi
Summary: A multi-methodological and non-invasive geophysical study was conducted during the renovation project of the Branciforte Palace in Palermo. The study involved seismic characterization of the foundation soils and indoor geophysical surveys to assess the state of conservation of the floors and wall structures. Joint interpretations of seismic surveys carried out with different techniques allowed for a robust understanding of the foundation soils and the identification of structural voids and areas of subsidence. In addition, various techniques such as ground penetrating radar and ultrasonic tomography were used to evaluate the state of degradation of supporting columns and the differences in masonry and plaster.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION
(2023)
Article
Archaeology
Fabio Cafiso, Alessandro Canzoneri, Patrizia Capizzi, Alessandra Carollo, Raffaele Martorana, Filippo Romano
Summary: A multidisciplinary geophysical study was conducted to investigate the geotechnical conditions of the monumental complex of Maredolce in Palermo, particularly focusing on the restoration of the original lake. The joint interpretation of data acquired from various geophysical techniques allowed the reconstruction of the geophysical and geotechnical model of the ancient lake, providing valuable insights for waterproofing the bottom of the lake.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION
(2023)
Article
Archaeology
Albert Casas, Pere Castanyer, Mahjoub Himi, Raul Lovera, Lluis Rivero, Marta Santos, Joaquim Tremoleda, Alexandre Sendros, Ruben Garcia-Artigas, Aritz Urruela
Summary: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using geophysical methods to reconstruct the palaeo-landscapes of historic sites. The electromagnetic methods have been proven to be suitable for investigating extensive surfaces due to their speed, resolution, and versatility. The study conducted near Emporiae in Spain used a frequency-domain electromagnetic method to investigate a coastal area, confirming the existence of a buried harbour under the coastal sediments.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yassine El Yousfi, Mahjoub Himi, Hossain El Ouarghi, Mourad Aqnouy, Said Benyoussef, Hicham Gueddari, Hanane Ait Hmeid, Abdennabi Alitane, Mohamed Chaibi, Muhammad Zahid, Narjisse Essahlaoui, Sliman Hitouri, Ali Essahlaoui, Abdallah Elaaraj
Summary: Water Quality Index (WQI) is used globally as the primary method to assess water quality. In this study, statistical analysis and multilayer perceptron (MLP) approaches were applied to predict groundwater quality in the Ghiss-Nekkor aquifer in Morocco. Various physicochemical parameters were identified and used to calculate the entropy-weighted groundwater quality index (EWQI). The results showed that the majority of groundwater samples had poor quality, exceeding the recommended limits by the World Health Organization (WHO). The MLP model demonstrated good predictive performance, indicating its effectiveness in predicting WQI accurately.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Raffaele Martorana, Patrizia Capizzi
Summary: Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is a widely used geophysical method for geological, hydrogeological, and geoenvironmental research. 2D ERT is more commonly used than 3D ERT due to its greater immediacy, survey speed, and simplicity in processing. However, the assumption of underground structures being two-dimensional can lead to errors when interpreting the effects of three-dimensional structures. This study aims to evaluate these effects through testing synthetic and experimental models.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adil Salhi, Sara Benabdelouahab, Mehdi Mettouchi, Josep Vila Subiros, Zakaria Bouchlouch, Tarik Benabdelouahab, Mahjoub Himi, Albert Casas Ponsati
Summary: Massive development projects have significant benefits but also impact local ecosystem services, requiring the consideration of appropriate assessment scales and cultural ecosystem services.
REMOTE SENSING APPLICATIONS-SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
C. Bottari, P. Capizzi, R. Martorana, R. Civico, A. Canzoneri
Summary: Misterbianco, in eastern Sicily, has experienced two catastrophic events that completely destroyed the old town. The first was a volcanic eruption in 1669 that buried dozens of villages along its path, wiping out the architectural heritage of Etna's southern slope. The second event was a devastating earthquake in 1693 that caused widespread destruction in south-eastern Sicily, including damage to the remaining buildings in the town. A recent GPR survey has allowed for the first attempt at reconstructing the San Nicolo Church, and an integrated approach involving history, volcanology, and geophysics is being used to guide future archaeological excavations in this challenging volcanic environment.
EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Longying Xiao, Gianluca Fiandaca, Pradip K. Maurya, Anders Vest Christiansen
Summary: This study proposes a common framework to handle combined data sets from ground-based and waterborne TEM surveys, addressing the challenges of multidimensionality effects and integrating different systems' sensitivity footprints. The method is validated through synthetic and field case studies, highlighting the advantages of 3D inversion and the need for further optimization.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Raffaele Martorana, Patrizia Capizzi, Calogero Pirrera
Summary: In recent times, unconventional arrays have been used in 3D electrical resistivity and induced polarization tomographies due to irregular topography and difficulty accessing certain areas. This study evaluated different perimeter arrangements of electrodes and found that concentric squares with the Full Range Gradient (FRG) Array produced the most realistic inverse model. When applied to a waste landfill, this combination allowed for the detection and monitoring of leachate concentration and the functioning of the waterproofing membrane. These results highlight the effectiveness of perimeter disposals with the FRG array when regular grids of electrodes are not possible.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Patrizia Capizzi, Raffaele Martorana, Alessandro Canzoneri, Alessandra Carollo, Marco V. V. Majani
Summary: The georadar method was used to search for anthropic structures in a large square in the Carabinieri barracks in Palermo. The purpose was to investigate the possibility of an ancient horse passage and the existence of two Medieval churches. The investigations revealed numerous anomalies in a 3D georadar model, but further archaeological tests are needed to determine their true nature.
Review
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Raffaele Martorana, Patrizia Capizzi, Antonino Pisciotta, Salvatore Scudero, Carla Bottari
Summary: This review provides an overview of popular geophysical techniques for archaeogeophysical investigations, including magnetometry, ground penetrating radar, and electrical resistivity tomography. For each method, the basic principles, field investigation procedures, and data processing and modeling are described. An integrated approach is emphasized, which combines various techniques for optimal results in terms of resolution, coverage, investigation depth, speed, and costs. Several successful case studies applying this approach are introduced.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alex Sendros, Ingrid J. Cubides, Mahjoub Himi, Raul Lovera, Aritz Urruela, Josefina C. Tapias, Lluis Rivero, Ruben Garcia-Artigas, Albert Casas
Summary: The aquifers along the Spanish Mediterranean coast are heavily exploited, resulting in salinization and deterioration of water quality. To address this issue, a hydrogeological model was established in the Tarragona region using integrated data to identify areas affected by saltwater intrusion.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alessandro Canzoneri, Patrizia Capizzi, Raffaele Martorana, Ludovico Albano, Alessandro Bonfardeci, Nunzio Costa, Rocco Favara
Summary: The characterization of a groundwater body involves the construction of a conceptual model based on multidisciplinary data, which is essential for water resources management, hydrogeological risk assessment, and monitoring programs. In this study, a detailed geological and geophysical approach was used to analyze the alluvial Caronia Groundwater Body in northeastern Sicily, and a preliminary model was generated to reconstruct the dynamics of underground water.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Patrizia Capizzi, Raffaele Martorana
Summary: In the municipality of Enna, 80 HVSR measurements were conducted, combined with MASW seismic measurements, to constrain data inversion and obtain shear wave velocity models. The depth of the seismic bedrock was reconstructed for the entire area, showing variations between higher and lower areas. Cluster analysis of frequency peaks in the H/V curve identified five groups associated with seismic discontinuities, providing insights into the subsoil's stratigraphic origin. The inversion of the data allowed for the reconstruction of the geometry of geological contact surfaces and a 3D model of the subsoil.
