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Evaluating asbestos fibre concentration in metaophiolites: a case study from the Voltri Massif and Sestri–Voltaggio Zone (Liguria, NW Italy)

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Abstract

This work is part of the project study for a road tunnel bypassing the town of Genova and was aimed at evaluating the amount of asbestos fibres in the metaophiolites belonging to the Voltri Group and the Sestri–Voltaggio Zone (Liguria, Northern Italy). The 85 studied rock samples (mainly mafic and ultramafic rocks) derive from exposed outcrops and prospecting boreholes. The study of field relations and petrographic/microtextural investigations under the optical microscope allowed for the identification and characterisation of asbestos-bearing settings and lithotypes. Mineralogy and concentration of asbestos fibres in powdered specimens were determined by means of a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy device. These investigations were combined with petrography on thin-section, X-ray diffraction analysis and phase contrast optical microscopy on rock powders. Mafic and ultramafic rocks commonly contain asbestos in concentrations below 1,000 mg/kg (considered as the contamination threshold under Italian law). However, the fibre concentration rises abruptly within localised zones, where the metaophiolite sequences were involved into late ductile to brittle tectono-metamorphic events. Two groups of asbestos-bearing settings have been so far identified in the area: (a) fracture networks within serpentinites (dominated by fibrous chrysotile), and (b) boudins of chlorite-tremolite schists, likely deriving from dynamic recrystallisation of mafic rocks under greenschist facies conditions (dominated by fibrous amphibole). Even considering the low volumetric incidence of these settings (metres to few tens of metres), their high asbestos content locally controls the total fibre amount in the excavation products, thus requiring special prevention measures during excavation, management and final storage of the contaminated debris.

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Acknowledgments

The Authors would like to thanks D. M. Cavallo and A. Cattaneo (University of Insubria) for performing the XRD analyses and diffraction patterns interpretation. S. Tallone and G. Spagnolo (CNR, IGG Torino) are kindly acknowledged for the support on the field and the collection and interpretation of the large part of structural data. The SEM–EDS analyses have beneficiated of the valuable technical support of M. Palenzona. Thanks are due to G. C. Capitani for the constructive discussions about serpentine polymorphs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Büro für Ingenieurgeologie AG, Gümligen, Switzerland

    Folco Giacomini

  2. SPEA, Autostrade, Ingegneria Europea, Milan, Italy

    Vittorio Boerio & Simona Polattini

  3. IGG-CNR, UO Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    Massimo Tiepolo & Alberto Zanetti

  4. Dipartimento Scienze della Terra, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    Riccardo Tribuzio

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  1. Folco Giacomini
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  2. Vittorio Boerio
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  3. Simona Polattini
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  4. Massimo Tiepolo
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Correspondence to Folco Giacomini.

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Giacomini, F., Boerio, V., Polattini, S. et al. Evaluating asbestos fibre concentration in metaophiolites: a case study from the Voltri Massif and Sestri–Voltaggio Zone (Liguria, NW Italy). Environ Earth Sci 61, 1621–1639 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0475-9

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