A stainless steel atmospheric simulation chamber (volume approximately 3m³) has been recently installed at the National Institute of Nuclear Physics in Genoa (INFN-Genova) in collaboration with the Environmental Physics Laboratory at the Physics Department of Genoa University (www.labfisa.ge.infn.it).

ChAMBRe presents unique characteristics in the Italian scientific framework. It is equipped with a set of instruments/tools for atmospheric measurements, in particular:

• Relative humidity, temperature and pressure gauges;
• Gas and aerosol inlets (Blaustein Atomizer – BLAM by CH-Technologies);
• Vacuum system;
• Sampling ports for filters and two-stage continuous Streaker samplers;
• Light source reproducing the solar spectrum;
• Gas analyzers (O₃, NOx and SOx);
• Real-time aerosol monitoring (OPC-Grimm, Aethalometer);
• Aerosol samplers (Battelle Cascade impactor, 13-stage Nano-Moudi rotating cascade impactor for size segregated analysis);
• Bio-aerosol-specific samplers (Andersen-type cascade impactor). 

Several techniques for the off-line aerosol characterization are already available on site (see also the instrumentation list at labfisa/instrumentation):

• energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (ED-XRF) and PIXE (at the LABEC facility of INFN-Florence);
• ion Chromatography for anions, cations and sugars;
• multi-wavelength optical system (MWAA) for non-destructive determination of Black and Brown Carbon (see Massabò et al., Atmos. Environ., 2015);
• Thermo-optical analyzer of TOC/OC/EC.

Specific tools for the analysis of biological aerosol viability and non-viability characteristics and morphological properties include:

• basic biological lab equipment allowing for culture analysis in vitro (isolation, identification, growth) and biochemical tests (e.g. catalase and oxidase), autoclave (Asal mod.760), vortex, centrifuge and microcentrifuge (Eppendorf centrifuge 5417R), water purification system Milli-Q (Millipore-Elix), incubator for temperature control Ecocell and Friocell MMM Group, Steril-VBH Compact “microbiological safety” cabinet, Thermo electron corporation steri-cycle HEPA Class 100 incubator;
• light and phase-contrast microscopes (Olympus CK2, Nikon Eclipse E200) for microorganisms size, shape, colony morphology characterization;
• optical microscope (Nikon Eclipse TE300) for bacterial detection and live/dead discrimination by epifluorescence with specific dyes and for immunoassay fluorescence to label antigenic bacterial target, fluorescent molecule or enzyme

For more information please visit www.ge.infn.it

Contact person:

- Dr. Paolo Prati: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.