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LABORATORIES AND FACILITIES

Training Courses on Safety for Equivalent Workers

Training Courses on Safety for Equivalent Workers
Safety Training for all students of the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Resource Sciences to undertake laboratory activities, geological field campaigns, educational exercises, research, and internships.
(Note: For the activation of internal internships, please pay attention to the additional provisions available at the following link.)

All university students (undergraduates, doctoral candidates, specialists, interns, scholarship holders, research fellows, and equivalent individuals) who attend educational, research, or service laboratories and are exposed to risks identified in the risk assessment document are considered equivalent to workers. As such, they are subject to preventive and protective measures to safeguard their health and safety.

It is clarified that laboratories are considered as locations or environments where educational, research, or service activities are carried out, involving the use of machinery, equipment, plants, prototypes, or other technical tools, as well as chemical, physical, or biological agents. Additionally, locations or environments outside the constructed areas of the premises—such as archaeological, geological, or marine field campaigns—are also regarded as laboratories.

Before commencing activities involving exposure to risks, every university student (so-called "equivalent worker") is required to:

  1. Undergo a health surveillance examination.
  2. Complete the online course "Basic Training on Workplace Health and Safety" (4 hours).
  3. Attend a specific risk training course.

The Health Surveillance Examination will be requested by the tutor/professor/supervisor overseeing the laboratory activity and at the time of assigning the experimental thesis work. Notifications regarding the health surveillance examination schedule are published on the Course of Study's dedicated webpage.

The online course "Basic Training on Workplace Health and Safety" requires a 4-hour commitment (as specified in letter a) of paragraph 1 of Article 37 of Legislative Decree No. 81/08 and the State-Regions Agreement of 21/12/2011). A participation certificate is issued upon passing the final verification test.

The course is available at the following link on the Federica.eu platform:
https://www.federica.eu/partners/formazione-unina/

Access requires the use of active UNINA credentials (name.surname@studenti.unina.it).

To access the course, it is necessary to enter the access code of your department, which can be found by clicking here: https://www.unina.it/documents/11958/21142433/FORM_elenco.codici.accesso.pdf

User support and guidelines for proper course participation can be found at the following link:
https://www.unina.it/documents/11958/21142433/FORM_indicazioni.corsi.pdf

Laboratories and facilities

Laboratories and facilities

XRF

Responsible: Prof. Ciro Cucciniello
Co-Responsible: Prof. Lorenzo Fedele
Location: L2 - T-07
Telefono: +39 0812538476 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES

In the X-ray fluorescence "XRF" laboratory, the chemical analyses of major, minor and trace elements (quantitative and qualitative) are determined on samples of rocks, clays, ceramics, and bricks. The main research activities concern:

- Igneous petrogenesis;

- Archaeometry;

- Research projects conducted within the Department;

- Third party.

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

Axios Panalytical sequential wavelength dispersion spectrometer (Fig.1), equipped with Rh tube, 6 analyzer crystals (LiF220, LiF200, LiF420, PE002, PX1, TlAP), 3 collimators ((150 μm, 550 μm and 700 μm), 4 filters (Al 200 μm, Al 750 μm, Brass 100 μm, Brass 400 μm) and 2 counters (gas flow counter and scintillator).

Calibration is based on 45 reference standards (K.P. Jochum, J. Enzweiler, 2014, 15.3 - Reference Materials in Geochemical and Environmental Research, Treatise on Geochemistry (Second Edition), Elsevier, Pages 43-70, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-095975-7.01403-0). The reference standards are natural geological samples. The software used for the measurements is SuperQ (Fig.2).

Analytical uncertainty is in the order of 1-2% for major elements and 5-10% for trace elements.

 

Routine analysis of a sample

a. Determination of loss on ignition (L.O.I.).

b. Use of the sample powders to prepare the pressed powder pellets.

c. Sample analysis using the Axios Panalytical spectrometer.

 

a. Determination of loss on ignition (L.O.I.): a known amount of sample is heated in a furnace at

950°C for about 4 hours, after overnight drying in an oven at 110 °C to drive away adsorbed moisture (H2O−).

 

b. Sample preparation for XRF analysis: samples for XRF analysis are pressed powder pellets obtained with 4 grams of homogenized powder (to maintain the statistical value of the original sample) and pressed to obtain a tablet.

 

c. Sample analysis using the Axios Panalytical spectrometer.

Elements analysed                         Detection limit

SiO2     wt.%                                        > 130 ppm

TiO2     wt.%                                        > 10 ppm

Al2O3   wt.%                                        > 85 ppm

Fe2O3t  wt.%                                       > 16 ppm

MnO    wt.%                                        > 6 ppm

MgO    wt.%                                        > 85 ppm

CaO     wt.%                                        > 35 ppm

Na2O   wt.%                                        > 85 ppm

K2O      wt.%                                        > 40 ppm

P2O5    wt.%                                        > 30 ppm

Rb        ppm                                        > 1 ppm

Sr         ppm                                        > 1 ppm

Y          ppm                                        > 0.7 ppm

Zr        ppm                                        > 1.8 ppm

Nb       ppm                                        > 0.8 ppm

Ba        ppm                                        > 15 ppm

Cr        ppm                                        > 2.5 ppm

Ni        ppm                                        > 1.8 ppm

Sc        ppm                                        > 2.7 ppm

V          ppm                                        > 5 ppm

Co        ppm                                        > 0.8 ppm

Cu        ppm                                        > 0.8 ppm

Zn        ppm                                        > 2 ppm

Ga       ppm                                        > 1 ppm

La        ppm                                        > 15 ppm

Ce        ppm                                        > 10 ppm

Yb        ppm                                        > 0.5 ppm

Hf        ppm                                        > 0.5 ppm

Ta        ppm                                        > 0.8 ppm

Pb        ppm                                        > 1 ppm

Th        ppm                                        > 3.5 ppm

U         ppm                                        > 0.8 ppm

F          ppm                                        > 25 ppm

Cl         ppm                                        > 1 ppm

S          ppm                                        > 1 ppm

According to the Radioprotection regulations, access for non-classified personnel (visitors) is permitted provided they are accompanied by laboratory personnel. Access is forbidden to pregnant visitors.

xrf1

Fig.1 Axios Panalytical sequential wavelength dispersion spectrometer

 

xrf2

Fig.2 PC in communication with the spectrometer via SuperQ program

 

Laboratories and facilities

Chemical treatment of sediments

Responsible: Dr Elda Russo Ermolli
Co-Responsible: Dr Elda Russo Ermolli
Location: L3 3-29
Tel. +39 0812538474 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 

In this laboratory, sediments of various nature can be treated with different procedures depending on the type of analysis to which they will be subjected. For example, for pollen analysis, the treatment of sediments is aimed at the extraction and concentration of the organic component that is obtained through the elimination of the inorganic fraction. To this end, the handling, which involves the use of acids and bases, is carried out safely under a chemical hood.

Instrumentation
N.1 Chemical hood
N.1 Oven
N.1 Oscillating cross centrifuge
N.1 Ultrasonic bath
N.1 Bain-marie
N.1 Vacuum pump-compressor
N.1 Electronic balance
N.1 Heating plate
N.1 Ultrasonic filter system
Chemical products
Hydrochloric acid 37%.
Hydrofluoric acid 50%.
Sulfuric acid
Acetic acid
Acetic anhydride
Zinc chloride
Potash

 trattamentochimico

Laboratories and facilities

FT-IR

Responsible: Dr. Francesco Izzo
Co-Responsible: Ms Lisa Maria Francese
Location : L1 4.LAB.57
Tel. +39 081679241 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 

Activities:

Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy enables the identification and characterization of both organic and inorganic substances, including rocks, minerals, biominerals, mortars, concretes, ceramics, powders, glass, asbestos, pigments, dyes, oils, waxes, resins, proteins, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, and functional derivatives.

The FT-IR Laboratory is one of the laboratories accredited by the Ministry of Health (Disease Control Center) for the "Asbestos Project" (Ministerial Decree of May 14, 1996) for the qualitative determination of asbestos fibers in bulk samples.

Equipment:

The FT-IR Laboratory is equipped with a Thermo Nicolet 5700 FT-IR Spectrophotometer connected to a Continuum microscope.

The Nicolet 5700 FT-IR spectrophotometer offers a wide range of sampling options, making it powerful and versatile for any application. The Nicolet 5700 is equipped with numerous internal diagnostic controls and is managed via the Omnic software suite. The spectrophotometer can be connected to the Continuum microscope for direct observation of the samples under analysis. The Continuum microscope enables rapid sample screening and real-time acquisition of the observed point.

ftir1

 

Thermo Nicolet 5700 FT-IR Spectrophotometer

The Nicolet 5700 FT-IR spectrometer is capable of performing both research-grade measurements and routine analyses. It currently represents a benchmark for high performance and offers a wide range of sampling options, making it a powerful and versatile tool for any laboratory. The Nicolet 5700 is equipped with numerous internal controls for diagnostics, such as control filters, polarizers, and mirrors for specific applications, all manageable through the Omnic software suite. The Nicolet 5700 can perform rapid scans and low-light-level measurements to ensure optimal component selection.

Continuum Microscope

The Nicolet Continuum IR microscope is distinguished by its ability to provide visual observation of microscopic samples and their chemical characterization. It features a unique IR compensating optic to ensure perfect alignment between the visible and IR beams. It is equipped with a unique and automated Dual Reflex aperture, capable of delivering spectra with limited interference by masking the pre- and post-sampling image with an aperture assembly. The microscope offers exceptional sampling flexibility, enabling the use of transmission, reflection, and micro-ATR techniques.

The combination of TruView optics with the spectral preview mode allows for:

  • Simultaneous acquisition and visualization of the sample spectrum
  • Rapid sample screening with real-time spectral visualization
Laboratories and facilities

XRD Laboratory

Responsible: Dott.ssa Concetta Rispoli
Co-Responsabile: Mr Vincenzo Monetti
Room : L2 T.LAB.05
Tel: +39 081679322 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
DiSTAR is equipped with a pioneering XRD laboratory, in which the equipment acquired over the last 15 years and the instruments already present in the Department have been brought together. In this way, a structure can offer a very wide range of users (manufacturers, designers, users, professional geologists) has been created, with the possibility of having complete diagnostics performed for the characterization of geological materials and ornamental stone.
The DiSTAR Laboratory has also obtained the validation to carry out XRD analyses for the quantitative determination of asbestos fibres, being one of the laboratories accredited by the Ministry of Health (Disease Control Centre) for the ‘Asbestos Project’ (Ministerial Decree of 14 May 1996).
 
Equipment:
1) Panalytical X'Pert Pro; theta/theta geometry goniometer with 45-position automatic sample changer and fast RTMS X'Celerator detector
2) Bruker D2 Phaser 2nd gen; theta/theta geometry goniometer
3) Seifert (XRPD) MZVI - GE; goniometer with horizontal theta/2theta geometry and newly acquired ID3003 generator (2012)
4) Panalytical Empyrean; theta/theta geometry goniometer with automatic 15-position sample changer, fast solid-state 3D PIXcel detector and BBHD module for high-definition acquisitions (acquisition year 2024)
 
Activities:
XRPD (X-ray powder diffraction) analyses of minerals, rocks, archaeological finds and various materials, both natural and synthetic. Through these analyses, we provide both a qualitative interpretation of the phases present and a quantitative evaluation using the Rietveld method.
The investigated samples include mainly silicates and non-silicates of different geological origins, samples from metal deposits from various areas of the world, metallic and lithoid materials for archaeometric mineralogical studies.

 

xrd2

Rispettivamente: Diffrattometro Panalytical X’Pert Pro e Bruker D2 Phaser 2nd gen

 

xrd3

Rispettivamente: Diffrattometro Seifert MZVI – GE e Panalytical Empyrean

 
Laboratories and facilities

Ovens and muffle furnaces

Responsible: Prof. Alberto De Bonis
Co-Responsible: Dott. Abner Colella
Stanza: L2 T-04
Tel +39 0812538152 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  

The laboratory is equipped with ovens for drying and calcination of rock samples and powders and with muffle furnaces for laboratory tests and firings at high temperatures (1100, 1400 and 1600 °C). Climatic chambers are available for the environmental simulation of freeze/thaw and dry/wet cycles, along with instruments for determining the setting times of mortars based on hydraulic binders, instruments for determining the resistance to wear and fragmentation of stone aggregates and for measuring thermal expansion for rock samples, simultaneous thermal analyzer (TG, DTA, DSC). Magnetic separators of minerals and grains from rock samples are also available.

Instruments

Climatic chamber LONOS TEST G-CELL 035.

Climatic chamber BINDER MK53.

Climatic chamber BINDER KBF115.

Muffle furnace Nabertherm HTC 08/14.

Muffle furnace Nabertherm HTC 08/16.

Muffle furnace FS.3.

Muffle furnace NANNETTI LKN84.

Oven BINDER ED53.

Laboratory oven ECOCELL LSIS-B2V/EC55.

Naturally ventilated oven ISCO STE300.

Thermal analyzer NETSCH STA409.

Micro-Deval machine CONTROLS 48-D5242/G.

Los Angeles machine CONTROLS 48-D0500.

Isodynamic magnetic separator FRANTZ co. L-1.

Laboratory analytical balance Mettler AJ150.

Vicat hardness TECNOTEST 0361/S.

 forni1

Cella climatica LONOS TEST G-CELL 035

 

forni2

Macchina Micro-Deval CONTROLS 48-D5242/G

forni3

Forno a muffola di alta temperatura Nabertherm HTC 08/14

 

forni4

Forno a muffola NANNETTI LKN84

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