Keywords:
Karst
geomorphology
geomorphological heritage
hydrology
palaeoclimate
The main research topics include geomorphology, hydrogeology and
environmental geology in karst and coastal areas, especially in
Sardinia but also in other geographical areas (Italy, Tunisia,
Morocco, Zambia, Chile, ...). Among the most interesting studies we
can mention those on geological and geomorphological heritage
(geosites and geomorphosites), coasta (beach erosion, coastal
geomorphology), the description of karst areas (surface and
underground), minerogenesis in caves, environmental impact on karst
areas (show caves, impact of various human activities on karst) and
the study of the evolution of the landscape and on
speleogenesis.
In the past years researches have been developed especially in
Sardinia, but also in other coutries such as Morocco, Tunisia,
Chile and Zambia, almost always in karst areas. For what concerns
karst geomorphology studies have been carried out on sardinian
coastal karst areas (Gulf of Orosei, Nurra Alghero) in in dismissed
mining areas of Iglesiente-Sulcis. In coastal karst areas the
submarine caves and the springs are of peculiar interest. In the
Iglesiente mining district karst areas the so-called "mine caves"
have been investigated and the subterranean morphologies related to
more or less remote and more or less hyperkarstic processes have
been studied. In these mines and caves peculiar minerals have also
been discovered and studied. At the moment palaeoclimatic and
paleoenvironmental studies are in course in coastal karst areas and
in the mine caves using speleothems, sediments and chemical
deposits, in order to reconstruct past climatic and environmental
situations during their deposition. Another very interesting field
of research is related to the geological heritage. Already since a
few years researches have been carried out in Sardinia and in north
african countries (Moroccon Middle Atlas, South West Tunisia). For
what concerns environmental geology studies have been performed in
mining areas of Sardinia and urban settlements as that of Lusaka in
Zambia. A special referece is made to the geo-environmentla
montoring of wild and show caves. The hydrogeological
investigations have been carried out on important karst aquifers of
Sardinia, especially Supramonte and the Gulf of Orosei. Here many
tracer experiments are allowing to define in an increasing detail
the underground drainage network.