His research interests can be categorized into the following key areas:
1. Volcanic Degassing Dynamics
He investigates how volcanoes release gases like Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2). His work often explores the relationship between these gas fluxes and magmatic activity, which is critical for understanding eruptive processes and providing early warnings (eruption forecasting).
2. Geochemical Monitoring & Instrumentation
A significant portion of his work involves developing and applying innovative technologies for real-time monitoring:
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UV Cameras: Pioneering the use of dual ultraviolet camera systems to measure SO2 fluxes.
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Multi-GAS Systems: Using electrochemical sensors to analyze the chemical composition of volcanic plumes.
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Software Development: He authored RatioCalc, a software tool used by the scientific community to process data from multicomponent volcanic gas analyzers.
3. Remote Sensing and UAVs (Drones)
He is a proponent of using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to sample volcanic gases in hazardous or inaccessible locations, such as active craters or dense plumes, to improve data collection safety and accuracy.
4. Global Volcanic Systems
His research covers diverse volcanic and hydrothermal environments worldwide, including:
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Italy: Extensive studies on Etna, Stromboli, Campi Flegrei (Pisciarelli), and Vulcano Island.
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International: Research on volcanoes in Central and South America (Turrialba in Costa Rica, Villarrica in Chile, Masaya in Nicaragua), the Azores, and Kamchatka (Gorely).
5. Environmental and Earth Systems
Beyond active eruptions, he studies:
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Earth Degassing: Examining global-scale controls of tectonics on CO2 degassing.
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Hydrothermal Systems: Investigating degassing in mud pools and crater lakes (e.g., Lago Albano or Fangaia at Solfatara).
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Environmental Geochemistry: Researching methane and mercury fluxes and the impact of volcanic and sedimentary gases on climate and the environment.
In summary, his work bridges the gap between analytical geochemistry and technological innovation, aiming to translate chemical signals from deep within the Earth into actionable data for volcanic risk mitigation.
