Identify natural and anthropogenic carbon dioxide in the urbanized area of the city of Naples.
An innovative study conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), recently published in the journal 'Scientific Reports' of Nature, highlighted the differences between anthropogenic and volcanic-hydrothermal emissions in the region.
Research "Unveiling spatial variations in atmospheric CO2 sources: a case study of metropolitan area of Naples, Italy” analyzed the composition of stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen in carbon dioxide (CO2) atmospheric of the city of Naples which, in itself, constitutes one of the most densely populated areas of Europe.
"While in the urban area of Naples the increase incarbon dioxide depends mainly from the combustion of hydrocarbons, in some areas around the Solfatara of Pozzuoli the excess of CO2 It clearly derives from volcanic and hydrothermal activities", he claims Roberto Di Martino, researcher at the Palermo Section of the INGV and first author of the study. "This motivated us to try to better understand the variability of CO sources.2 and to quantify the contribution of each source in the different areas".
Isotopic analyses are extremely useful for distinguishing between different sources of carbon dioxide. This is possible because the various CO production processes2 leave a specific "isotopic signature" that researchers can detect and interpret. The study also demonstrated how the analysis performed allows for a better characterization of the magmatic/hydrothermal component of CO2 with respect to the anthropogenic component, potentially providing indications on the Phlegraean volcanic dynamics and on climatic variations.
"Precisely identifying the sources of emissions is crucial to promote concrete actions to combat climate change. The determinations of carbon and oxygen, in fact, represent an important turning point in the actions to combat the causes of global warming", goes on Sergio Gurrieri, researcher at the Palermo Section of the INGV and co-author of the study.
In line with the directives of theEuropean Green Deal, aiming to make Europe the first carbon-neutral continent, the European Commission is promoting concrete measures to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030. These initiatives are supported by the NextGenerationEU resilience plan and will have a direct impact on European economies and the lives of European citizens.
Antonio Paonita, Director of the Palermo Section of the INGV and co-author of the research, points out: "Europe is investing heavily to tackle the climate crisis, but success will depend on our ability to understand and monitor local emission sources. Through detailed source control we can ensure real emissions reductions.”
The team used a mobile laboratory equipped with technologies laser spectrophotometry to measure the isotopic composition and concentration of carbon dioxide in the air. Before being applied to the specific case of the city of Naples, the investigation method was tested and perfected on the island of Vulcano, during the 2021 degassing crisis.
Stefano Caliro, researcher of the Vesuvius Observatory Section of the INGV and co-author of the research, he explains: "Isotopic analyses provide detailed insight into the processes that cause the local increase in CO concentration.2. This technology, in combination with other monitoring techniques, represents a significant advance for environmental sciences and volcanology, particularly in areas where natural and anthropogenic sources coexist.".
To further improve the ability to monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide in real time, the INGV team has started the construction of an experimental network called , which involves the installation of monitoring stations in some of the most populated Italian cities and in less urbanized areas for comparative controls.
"The first station was activated in Palermo in autumn 2023 and provides high-frequency data, . "This type of infrastructure offers a new perspective on monitoring CO emissions2 and could play a key role in defining future environmental policies, both locally and globally. The results of our study demonstrate how targeted scientific action can significantly contribute to climate change mitigation and public health protection", he concludes Robert DiMartino.
Link to the study:
How to quote
Di Martino, R.M.R., Gurrieri, S., Paonita, A. et al. Unveiling spatial variations in atmospheric CO2 sources: a case study of metropolitan area of Naples, Italy. Sci rep 14 (20483).
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