CRAM3RA

SECTORS OF COMPETENCE:

* Analysis and systems of environmental monitoring

* Remediation of contaminated sites

* Water and Air quality

* Environmental risk and damage

* Services for the Environment



1. Analysis and Monitoring of Environmental Risk

Founded in the framework of the Project “Testing of new technologies for monitoring of environmental risk” and granted by Regione Siciliana (measure 3.15 POR Sicilia 2000-2006, activity C and E

2. Environmental Chemistry

For diagnostic purpose the laboratory is equipped to perform environmental analyses both in relation to a monitoring network and as a technical support for legal authorities. For this reason, analyses according to regulation on environmental protection are essential, including sampling and preservation for subsequent analysis of superficial and underground water, air, atmospheric particulate matter, urban and industrial waste disposal, soil. Laboratory is also endowed with scientific instruments to analyze with high sensitivity and selectivity micro pollutants in very low concentrations

3. Thermal and monolayer analyses applied on active biological systems

The laboratory is equipped to analyze transfer of chemical drugs from modified release systems to biological membranes and to carry out calorimetric and theoretical studies. It is also endowed to perform specific analyses of kinetics of the interaction between biological species and lipid membranes by thermo-analytic techniques.

4. Photochemistry and photobiology

Study of photosensitization mechanisms in biological systems induced by xenobiotic species. Modelling and design of photoprotection systems, photoreaction mechanisms of PAH by UVB-UVA-Vis radiation. Analyses of environmental micro-pollutants by electrochemical reduction, HPLC-MS- fluorescence. The laboratory is endowed with UV-Vis photoreactors, emission and absorbing spectroscopy, laser flash photolysis – time resolved IR emission, laser light scattering detector for analysis of 2 nm up to 5 µm size particles, HPLC-MS with UV-Vis-DAD/Fluorimeter and ECD.

5. Genetics

The laboratory allows to identify genotoxic damage by in vitro short-term analysis performed by mammalian cells. Those analyses earn big interest for low cost and time saving, so they could be used as input data in specific software, providing useful results on mutagenity and carcinogenity of environmental pollutants to point out chemical species for long term analyses.

6. Sismology

The laboratory carries out analyses on seismic waves and subsoil structure by using seismic tomography and generalized reciprocal method (GRM); 2D and 3D modelling. It is possible to define and realize GPR analyses, geoelectrical and tomographic analyses, geological maps.

7. Modelling and monitoring of natural and environmental systems

The laboratory is endowed with data processing systems, 3D image systems and parallel calculation systems. Besides, it is possible to use GRID infrastructure.

8. Mathematical and statistical models for the environment

9. Reaction pathways

10. Environmental Physical Chemistry