Skip to content

Sedimentology and Geotechnical Laboratory

The laboratory is hosted in the the Pisa headquarter of the IGG

The Laboratory

The CNR-IGG Sedimentology and Geotechnical Laboratory in Pisa is designed to perform surface sediments sampling operations, to apply and develop analytical methodologies for determining the textural and physical characteristics of loose materials, of natural (marine and continental) origin, and to process the related analytical data.

Instruments

Tools useful for collecting, preparing and analyzing samples include:

  • Manual, percussion and gravity core barrels
  • Benna Van Veen;
  • ATSFAAR hood for sample processing and preparation;
  • Heraeus oven for drying samples;
  • heating plates;
  • series of manual quarterers of different sizes (Tecnotest and Giuliani);
  • agate mortar;
  • Giuliani vibrating sieve shaker;
  • set of sieves with diameters of ø20, ø30 cm. for grain sizes from coarse gravel to fine sand;
  • Casagrande Tecnotest spoon;
  • Atterberg limit equipment set;
  • set of Pycnometers, vacuum dryers for determining specific gravity;
  • Ohaus Explorer precision balance;
  • Optech binocular reflected and transmitted light stereomicroscope;
  • Leitz Orthoplan Transmitted Light Binocular Microscope;
  • Photographic equipment for the microscope;
  • ultrasonic tank
  • magnetic stirrer

Staff and Contacts

The laboratory staff is composed of:

  • Dr. Simone Da Prato (Laboratory Manager)

Contacts:

Phones

  • +39 050 6212388 (Dr. Simone Da Prato)

email:

  • simone.daprato@igg.cnr.it

Methods and Applications

The laboratory performs the following geotechnical tests:

  • Determination of index properties (natural water content, volumetric weight);
  • Determination of specific weight using the pycnometer method;
  • Granulometric analysis by dry sieving;
  • Atterberg limits;
  • Sediments and rocks classification.

The laboratory performs the following sedimentological tests:

  • Measurement, sampling and lithological and sedimentological description of geognostic surveys or outcropping sections.
  • Preparation and microscopic analysis of sediment samples (washed, thin sections, polished sections) aimed at petrographic and sedimentological characterization.
  • Textural and physical analyses of sediments from various natural environments
  • Dry granulometric analysis of the collected sediments.

Scientific Projects and Interests

The laboratory can operate within multidisciplinary projects covering a wide variety of topics (geological, stratigraphic, hydrogeological, geotechnical, etc.), can contribute to studies related to the environmental characterization of deposits and soils, providing analytical services to public or private entities.
The laboratory aims to collaborate on study and research projects within the CNR Institute of which it is part, as well as with other interested research institutions and companies.


Third Mission

  • the CNR-IGG sedimentology and geotechnical laboratory participated in the Third Mission activities, hosting training and orientation internships for some high school students.

Publications

  • CATANZARITI R. & DA PRATO S. (2020) – New biostratigraphic and lithological data on the Neogene and Quaternary of the Livorno area (Tuscany, Central Italy). Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia (Research in Paleontology and Stratigraphy) vol. 126(3): 725-749.