Emanuela MOLINAROLI

Born:                    October 25th, 1958 in Piacenza, Italy

Position:                Associate Professor GEO/02

Work address:       Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy

                             Department of Environmental Sciences,

                             Informatics and Statistics

                             via delle Industrie, 21/8

                             c/o INCA-VEGAPARK

                             30175 Marghera (VE), Italy           

EDUCATION
April 1997
Course “Earth System Sciences: the Gaia Theory” (Prof. J. Lovelock and S. Harding,
at Schumacher College (International Centre for Ecological Studies), Dartington, Totnes UK.
A. Y. 1986/87
Ph-D Degree in Mineralogy, sub-sector Earth Sciences.
A.Y. 1985/1989
Courses at the Department of Geology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (U.S.A.):
Siliciclastic Rocks and Sediments
Sedimentary Processes and Environments
Chemical Sedimentology
Electron Probe Microanalysis
A.Y. 1980/81
MASc Degree (Laurea) in Geological Science at University of Parma Italy.

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
October 2015
Associate Professor at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy. Scientific sector GEO2 (Stratigraphy and Sedimentology).
June 1998
Permanent Researcher at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy. Scientific sector D01B (Stratigraphy and Sedimentology).
April 1996
Permanent Researcher at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy. Scientific sector D02 (Applied Geology).
April 1993
Temporary Researcher, at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy. Scientific sector D02.
November 1989 - November 1990
Second N.A.T.O.-C.N.R. grant, Visiting Research Associate, Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, India, U.S.A.
The Research Project in collaboration with Prof. A. Basu focused on provenance studies of Holocenic sediments and Tertiary sedimentary rocks throughout application of opaque Fe-Ti oxide minerals. The second Project was funded by N.A.S.A. and focused on the mineralogical composition of lunar regolith.
July 1988 - July 1989
First N.A.T.O.-C.N.R. grant, Visiting Research Associate, Department Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.A. The Research Project in collaboration with Prof. A. Basu was on mineralogical study of detrital opaque minerals (Fe-Ti) in Tertiary sedimentary rocks.
June 1986 - February 1987
Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei Fellowship at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. Research Project: “Geochemical and mineralogical study of lagoonal sediments”. The Project activity was at the Department of Environmental Sciences, University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, Italy.
August 1985 - May 1986

Italian Government (Minister of the Public Instruction) Fellowship. Department Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.A. The Research Project, in collaboration with Prof. A. Basu was on mineralogical study of detrital opaque minerals in holocenic fluvial sediments
April 1984 - April 1985
Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei Fellowship at the Department of Industrial Chemistry, Geo-Mineralogical Division, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy. Research Project: “Textural and mineralogical characterisation of lagoonal sediments”.
January 1983 - Janury 1984
Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei Fellowship at the Department of Industrial Chemistry, Geo-Mineralogical sector, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. Research Project: “Textural and mineralogical characterisation of lagoonal sediments”.

RESEARCH ACTIVITY
The lines of research can bebriefly summarized as follows:
- Multidisciplinary research for the characterization of hydro-morphodynamic alterations in the Venice Lagoon. Investigation of the hydrodynamic effects resulting from the transit of large ships. It has been demonstrated that ship traffic in the Malamocco-Marghera canal is the main environmental stress factor. The activity, aimed at characterizing the waves generated by ships, was integrated with sedimentological and morphological analyses, with "Remote Sensing" techniques, for the evaluation of the erosive processes in progress. The main environmental stressors due to ship traffic have been identified and the relationships between them have been identified, to establish measures to mitigate impacts and management strategies for a more sustainable port.

- The adaptation to sea level rise (SLR) of two cities such as Venice and Miami (USA) was the subject of the study which provided useful information for other similarly vulnerable coastal cities. Both Venice and Miami are coastal cities highly vulnerable to SLR and climate change. Although very similar in population numbers, infrastructure development, cultural heritage and economic dependence on tourism, as well as availability of technological expertise, their responses to SLR are quite different. During the study, data relating to the biophysical environment of the two cities, socio-economic characteristics, administrative arrangements, vulnerability, and responses to SLR and flooding were collected. A qualitative approach was used to illustrate the adaptation policies in the two cities. On the basis of the collected elements, a critical comparison of the adaptive responses of Venice and Miami was made, and it was highlighted how each city could learn from the other, as well as offering indications for other vulnerable coastal cities.

- Study of the composition and provenance of marine sediments of coastal systems composed of mixed, terrigenous-carbonatic materials, with a focus on the western coasts of Sardinia. This study quantified the contribution of biogenic sediments, mainly produced in Posidonia oceanica meadows and secondarily in photophilic algal communities, to the sediment budget of a Mediterranean beach-dune system. Through geophysical investigations, sedimentological and morpho-petrographic characterization of rocks and sediments, the volume and composition of the beach-dune system was estimated. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term deposition rate of biogenic carbonate sediments in the system with the estimated carbonate production rates of adjacent carbonate production areas. The resilience of these systems to climate change and sea level variation expected in the future was also assessed. The study continued by quantifying the effect of the predicted ocean acidification (OA) on the long-term sediment balance of a beach-dune system. OA is expected to affect carbonate sediment production areas, increasing the dissolution of CaCO3 and causing net sediment loss from the system. Furthermore, reducing the amount of carbonate sediments supplied to the system will affect the speed at which the system is able to adapt to the SLR.

- Study of the recent morphosedimentary evolution and distribution of benthic habitats in areas of the tidal mouth (mouths of Chioggia and Lido). These areas were studied thanks to repeated bathymetric surveys with Multibeam Echosounder and through the collection of photos of the seabed, sediment samples and satellite images. It was therefore possible to carry out a geomorphological and sedimentological characterization of the seabed, identify habitats and biocoenoses, recognize recent changes (2011-2016) especially induced by recently built anthropogenic structures (MoSE).

- Study of the availability of coastal habitat for the Monachus monachus monk seal in the Salento area. Identification and mapping of caves. Organisation of a land register of sites useful for nesting.

- The study of the morphological evolution of the barrier island of the Lido of Venice from the 1950s to today is aimed at analysing the impact of the SLR on the Venice coast, which is particularly sensitive to the risks of flooding and prone to being eroded. This area represents an interesting case study where actions for environmental protection and recreational use must coexist. The aim of the research is to understand how the Venice Lido will respond to the SLR (2100) from a morphological point of view and what the economic and environmental impacts will be.

- Study of the historical sedimentological changes in relation to the hydrodynamic and to morpho-bathymetric changes in transitional environments (the Lagoon of Venice, the Lagoon of Cabras, the lagoons of Lesina and Varano). The approach has the potential to create the basis of an abiotic classification of habitats by identifying sedimentological and hydrodynamic parameters that describe the conditions of these transitional environments.

- Mineralogical and sedimentological characterization of particulate air pollution of desert origin (natural) and anthropogenic, that settles in in marine and coastal areas of the Mediterranean, to interpret some issues of global change related to these phenomena. Studies in the coastal area of Sardinia and in the Venice Lagoon.

- Characterization of the sediments of transition environments through the identification of a specific particle size fraction that is independent from the analytical method applied. This fraction could be successfully used in ternary sedimentological classifications of sediments. This fraction also has an environmental significance in coastal lagoons in terms of hydrodynamics, organic enrichment, and assembly of the macrozoobenthos.

- Study of aquatic ecosystems, through the analysis of the sediments (petrological, sedimentological, and geochemical characterization) to assess the evolution of the environment. These studies were conducted in transitional and coastal marine environment (the Lagoon of Venice, the central and northern Adriatic Sea, the Gulf of Oristano, the Western Mediterranean Sea). The geological characterization has been linked to the management of these environments, with particular attention to the integrated management of the coastal area, in which natural and anthropogenic processes are tightly linked.

- Focused on the determination of the petrology, structural, and chemical properties of detrital minerals and rock fragments. I tried to relate these properties through the mass balance to infer the percentage contribution of source rocks in sedimentary bodies terrestrial and lunar regolith through time.

COLLABORATION WITH “EXTERNAL” INSTITUTIONS
- Cooperating with researchers of IAS-CNR in Oristano carrying out research in sedimentology and petrology.
- Working with the staff of the Marine Protected Area "Sinis Peninsula - Mal di Ventre Island" (Sardinia) carrying out research to characterize and classify the coastal strip and the vulnerability of coastal area.
- Cooperating with researchers of the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, USA carrying out studies concerning the management of coastal areas.
- Cooperating with researchers at International Marine Center in Oristano (IMC) carrying out research about aerosol.
- Cooperating with researchers of ISMAR-CNR of Venice, carrying out research in sedimentology and morphology.
- Cooperating with researchers from the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana, U.S.A.
- Cooperating with researchers from the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cagliari, performing research in mineralogy studies of atmospheric aerosol particles and in rain.
- Cooperating with researchers of the Institute of Biology of the Sea, CNR Venice, carrying out research in sedimentology.
- Cooperating with the group of Radioecology, University of Parma, carrying out research on the behavior and distribution of 137Cs and other artificial radionuclides as tracers in coastal sediments and river.
- Cooperating with researchers of the Institute of Marine Geology, CNR Bologna, carrying out research in geochemistry and mineralogy.
- Cooperating with researchers of the Institute of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Padua studying opaque minerals, minerals of neoformation from the sediments of the Lagoon of Venice.

FUND RAISING
- CNR/MURST, project "Seasonal inter-annual and decadal variability of the atmosphere, oceans and related marine ecosystems (SINAPSI)". Activity period: 2001 – 2003 (participant).
- Co-Manager of the project “Horizon 2023 – Contribution of atmospheric fall-out to the input in the Lagoon of Venice"- Consorzio Venezia Nuova - Magistrato alle Acque di Venezia. Activity period: 1998 - 2001.
- “Recent climatic cycles in marine sediments from the Ross Sea, Antarctica” – Funded by P.N.R.A. Activity period: 1998(participant).
- “Geochemical study of continental and marine sediments from Antarctica” - Funded by P.N.R.A. Activity period: 1996 – 1998 (participant).
-CNR, project: Physics and Chemistry of the Antarctic Atmospher. - "Determination of trace gases and dust concentration at the air-seainteraction during navigation from Europe to Antarctica". Activity period: 1994-1995 (participant ).
- “Study of sites and materials in archelogical areas”– Funded by, MURST 40%, Activity period: 1994 (participant).
- “Glaciology and Paleoclimate: acquisition of paleoclimatic serial data from marine and terrestrial sediments.” – National Programme of Researches in Antarctica, ENEA/Università. Activity period: 1995 (participant).
- CNR strategic project: “Venetian Lagoonal System”. Activity period 1994 – 1996 (participant).
- Mass Transfer and Ecosystem Response (MATER). Task: “Evaluation of atmospheric transport in biogeochemical and sedimentary cycles” - European Community. Activity period: 1996 – 1998 (participant).
- WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) project:“The atmospheric transport and deposition of aeolian dust to the Central Mediterranean Basin”. Activity period: 1991 (participant).
- CEE-STEP “European River Ocean System (EROS) Project”, in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Activity period: 1991 – 1993(participant).

TEACHING ACTIVITIES
A.Y. 2008/2009 - present
Geomorphology and sedimentology of coastal systems, Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari Univeristy of Venice and Joint Master's Degree in Sustainable Development.

A.Y. 2013/2014
Earth Sciences: Principles and Laboratory, Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy.

A.Y. 1996/1997 -2008-2009
Sedimentology, Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy.

A.Y. 2002/2003 - 2007/2008
Applied Sedimentology, Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy.

A.Y. 2006/2007
Marine Geology, Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy.
Physical Geography and Geomorphology, Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, IUAV University of Venice, Italy.

OTHER TEACHING ACTIVITIES
A.Y. 2001/2002 2002/2003
“Nature and environmental functions of sediments”, seminars for the PhD Doctorate Degree, in Environmental Sciences, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy.

A.Y. 1997/98 - 1999/2000
"Integrated Coastal Zone Management” course, at "New Technologies and Techniques for Water Quality and Management of River Basins" organised by University of Parma, Master Programme EAEME (European Association Environmental Management Education).

A.Y. 1998/99
Teacher at "International Training Course on Coastal Zone Management and Monitoring", sponsored by UNESCO and Venice Centre For Marine Sciences and Technologies, Venice, Italy.

RESEARCH POSITIONS AT UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES, FOREIGN AND INTERNATIONAL
October 1998 - November 1999
Visiting Scientist at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, The University of Miami. Research Project: “Study of coastal areas and application of the costal zone management concepts”.

March 1992 - March 1993
Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Environmental Sciences, University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, Italy. Research project: "Sedimentary Processes from the past to the present and their influences on environmental quality of the Lagoon of Venice”

August 1987 - August 1988
Postdoctor Fellow at the Department of Geology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.A.

Participation to editorial boards of journals, books etc.

Year 20015
Editorial board of Research Journal of Environmental Sciences (starting up).

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
Year 1996-2001
European Commission General Directorate XII, Research and Development: Winner of a selection to form a reserve list of Scientific Advisors, Environment and Climate, 4° EU Framework Programme (COM/R/A/164).

Year 1996-2001
European Commission General Directorate XII, Research and Development: Winner of a selection to form a reserve list of Scientific Advisors, Marine Science and Technology, 4° EU Framework Programme (COM/R/A/165).

Reviewer for national and international projects
Year 2013 - present
Reviewer for the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) “Project: Future in Research 2013”.
Year 2004
Reviewer for the Israel Scientific Foundation.
Year 2007
Reviewer for the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).

Participation to organizing committees of scientific conferences
Year 1995
She participated in the organizing committee of the Congress of the Italian Society of Mineralogy and Petrology held in Venice in September 1995.

ASSIGNMENTS IN ITALY AND ABROAD
March 1995 - March 1998
Member of the Developing Countries Library Committee of the Society of Sedimentary Geology (U.S.A.).

Year 1996-1997
Divulgation of scientific information among the members of the “Italian Society of Mineralogy and Petrology (SIMP)”, via- SIMPNET network.

LABORATORY EXPERIENCE
- Separation technique of minerals.
- Mineralogical analysis by:
• Trasmitted and Reflected light microscopy
• X-Ray Diffraction.
• Scanning electron microscopi (SEM-EDAX)
• Microprobe
Grain-size analysis of superficial marine and lagoonal sediments. Grain-size analysis of cores samples and dry and wet aerosol samples by:
• Sedigraph
• Coulter Counter
• Laser
- Analytical quality control by intercalibrations to maximize precision and accuracy of the results.