[Please see the Italian version to see the associated weblinks]
Models for soil carbon cycle: we are studying through dynamic models how soil organic carbon (SOC) changes in soil profiles, as cultivation practices change with attention to the concept of negative emission technology introduced in the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming Impacts [1]. On this aspect I work and follow Enrico Balugani (see his page for a detail of the topics). I am particularly interested in studying the absorption of agricultural soils and CO2 sequestration. More marginally and in connection with the system studies described below, this activity looks at global scenarios and trajectories of reduction and absorption of emissions through the calculation of the costs of sequestration of emissions
Capture/removal/utilization of nutrients/metals/POPs/emissions from wastewater, residues and wastes: with Antonio Primante and Carlotta Carlini we are working on techniques based on the use of renewable and regenerable organic and inorganic substances (adsorption, chemiadsorption) at competitive costs with conventional materials and techniques. Giuseppe Falini accompanies us in this path. We are carrying out some developments within some projects (e.g. VALUE-CE-IN). We are interested in developing the use of these techniques to study systems of nutrient release and regeneration of materials. We are working in collaboration with Martina Cappelletti on the use of microorganisms to increase the effect of removal. Working in collaboration with Luca Francesco Basile and Andrea Fasolini to study the use of methanation and methanol production from CO2 and hydrogen
Methods and techniques for wastewater, residues and waste mapping: we are working on direct (e.g. interviews) and indirect (e.g. statistical inference, earth observation, GIS) of mapping nutrient/carbon/metal deposits. Activity carried out in close collaboration with Nicolas Greggio. For the part of data mining methods and Bayesian statistics we collaborate with Daniel Remondini.
Production systems and applications of renewable carbons and 2nd generation biofuels: with Stefano Macrelli and Antonio Primante we are studying production systems of renewable carbons (e.g. TCR) of vegetable and fossil origin from residues and wastes to control the properties of these carbons for industrial applications. This consists of scale testing (TRL 3-4) and analysis of coal properties and study of pilot scale systems (TRL5-6). We are contributing to and are part of the implementation of a large European project for the production of bio-fuels, biochar and green hydrogen from sewage sludge
System studies and sustainability analysis: we study the impact of technologies and ecological transition in a logic of system thinking; we represent the effects of changes by studying the process parameters of technologies or interventions of productive conversion (supply) or lifestyles (demand) and the related costs-benefits. In this field we are studying the possible large-scale applications of biochar and we have launched a platform to study the long-term agronomic effects of biochar. We are involved in collaborative projects (knowledge hubs). We want to investigate the social and economic impacts of this practice as well as the climate effects (negative and positive). We are studying the implications of indirect land use change due to increased demand for biomass. In collaboration with Serena Righi we have studied and are studying the use of the LANCA model that predicts changes in soil quality and analyzed the impacts associated with new technologies such as the use of micro-algae.
Citizens engagement and education for sustainability: in relation to activities carried out under the III institutional mission, we are thinking about methods and multi-media content to make more usable the results of our research and open-lab mode, living lab. We plan to develop modules and activities for the involvement of schools, ITS, farmers and stakeholders. It takes (also) science to spread science.
[1] Global warming of 1.5 C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global. Geneva, Switzerland, 2018
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