Institute for the dynamics of environmental processes (IDPA-CNR) is dedicated to advancing the understanding of the processes of the Earth system and their interactions with the humankind. It pursues this goal through basic and applied research and education, by focussing on monitoring and management of anthropogenic effects. It develops approaches tosupport problem-solving in earth-sciences and decision-making for sustainable development, and communicates its results to promote understanding and awareness, to the benefit of the wider society.
The main research activities of the CNR-IDPA involve the study of chemical contamination on a global level, the mechanisms of transport and transfer of pollutants between different environmental compartments, the processes and cycles of transformation of chemicals in the environment, and the development of chemical analytical methodologies for the specific study of pollutants in snow, ice, soil and waters.
IDPA-CNR has a large experience in the research on past climate change and in the study of the contamination level from local to global scales, especially in remote and mountainous areas. The Institute's activities take also place in highly populated areas to assess the impact of human activities on the environment, to understand the mechanisms of spread of contamination and to propose the best actions for environmental recovery. IDPA-CNR has an excellent laboratory in which we perform analyses of inorganic chemical species at trace levels and ultra trace in environmental samples (snow, ice, wet and dry deposition) using cutting-edge techniques (high resolution mass spectrometry, analysis of micro trace contaminants, with gas chromatography mass spectrometry) and two new clean rooms (class 100) for the pre-analytical operations of preparation of samples for the organic and inorganic analyses. IDPA-CNR houses the necessary instrumentation for the completion of this project, including three GC-MS, an HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and an Orbitrap for determining organic molecules, an ion chromatograph for determining major ions, two ICP- QMS and one ICP-SFMS for determining trace elements.
IDPA-CNR shows a high reputation in the development of highly innovative analytical methods for the determination of organic compounds and trace elements in environmental samples. IDPA-CNR is a world leader in the study of ultra-trace inorganic and organic markers in ice and environmental samples. In particular, IDPA-CNR has a huge experience in the analysis of trace elements, heavy metals, rare earth elements and other environmental proxies in glaciological and sedimentary records.
Main tasks in the project
IDPA-CNR will work on the characterization of contaminants in the permafrost stream catchments in WP1 and perform epidemiological and epizootic modelling in WP5 to assess the risk and the effects of possible outbreaks caused by the release of spores and/or pathogens (e.g. Anthrax) on humans, animal farming and wildlife.
IDPA-CNR staff involved in the project
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PI in WPs 1 and 5
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Researcher in WP1
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| Researcher in WP5 Elisa Stella Adjunct Professor |
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