Results

PUBBLICATIONS

  • Donnini M., Benigni A., Dionigi M., Massari C., Cappelletti D., Selvaggi R., Fastelli M., Scricciolo E., Cencetti C. Marchesini, I. (2025). Hydrology and atmospheric CO2 consumption by chemical weathering in a Mediterranean watershed. CATENA, 252, 108868.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2025.108868
Scientific article which also includes ongoing activities within the HYDRO4C project
  • Ortenzi, S., Di Matteo, L., Valigi, D., Donnini, M., Dionigi, M., Fronzi, D., Geris, J., Guadagnano, F., Marchesini, I., Filippucci, P., Avanzi, F., Penna, D., and Massari, C.: Exploring groundwater-surface water interactions and recharge in fractured mountain systems: an integrated approach, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4368, 2025.
Preprint of a scientific article which also includes activities within the HYDRO4C project
  • Ortenzi S., Massari C., Ciabatta L., Cencetti C., Dionigi M., Marchesini I., Stelluti M., Di Matteo L. (2025). Leveraging SMAP-Based Soil Moisture to Identify Runoff Thresholds on Flash Flood–Prone Basins in the Mediterranean Region. Journal of Hydrometeorology. https://doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-24-0143.1
Scientific article which also includes ongoing activities within the HYDRO4C project

CONFERENCES

  • EGU Vienna (Austria) 14-19 April 2024

Donnini M., Marchesini I., Benigni A., Dionigi M., Cappelletti D. M., Selvaggi R., and Cencetti C.
First experiences of correDISSEMINATION lation between erosion and chemical weathering at basin scale. The case study of Niccone stream (Central Apennines, Italy).
EGU General Assembly 2024. Vienna, (Austria) 14–19 April 2024
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-5118, 2024.

Partial results of the project shown at EGU 2024 conference
  • IAH Davos (Switzerland) 8-13 September 2024

Di Matteo L., Donnini M., Dionigi M., Benigni A., Massari C., Fronzi D., Valigi D., Manucci A., Ortenzi S., Penna D., Margaritelli G.,
Monte N., Marchesini I.
Investigating groundwater–surface water interactions to understand hydrogeochemical processes in a carbonate mountain basin in Central Italy.
World Groundwater Congress IAH 2024. Davos (Switzerland)
https://www.iah2024davos.org/

Partial results of the project shown at IAH 2024 conference

DISSEMINATION

  • ITTS (Istituto Tecnico Tecnologico Statale) Alessandro Volta, Perugia (Italy) 28 February 2024

Project dissemination at ITTS High School

Smart Cities Poadcast

🌍 Can we tackle climate change by crushing rocks? Marco Donnini (IRPI-CNR Perugia) explains on Smart City (Radio24) how Enhanced Rock Weathering could accelerate natural CO₂ sequestration processes.
🎙️ Listen to the podcast here 👉https://www.radio24.ilsole24ore.com/programmi/smart-city/puntata/trasmissione-24-giugno-2025-6500-2352162753474311

🌍 Can spreading crushed basalt on farmland help fight climate change? Marco Donnini (IRPI-CNR Perugia) explains on Smart City (Radio24) how Enhanced Rock Weathering could boost crop yields while locking away up to 10 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare.
🎙️ Listen to the podcast here 👉https://www.radio24.ilsole24ore.com/programmi/smart-city/puntata/trasmissione-25-giugno-2025-6500-2353503228208169

Interview

🌍 How can enhanced rock weathering contribute to removing CO₂ from the atmosphere?

In an interview with Materia Rinnovabile, Marco Donnini (IRPI-CNR Perugia) explains how Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) works, a technology that accelerates a natural process in the carbon cycle: the reaction between rocks and carbon dioxide that leads to the formation of stable carbonates.

By crushing minerals such as olivine or basalt and spreading them on agricultural soils, it is possible to promote CO₂ capture and, in some cases, also improve soil fertility.

The current challenge is understanding how to make this technology scalable and sustainable, considering the energy costs associated with extracting and grinding rocks, as well as the uncertainties surrounding chemical reactions in different soils.

🔗 Read the full interview 👉https://www.renewablematter.eu/fusione-terradot-eion-polvere-roccia-contro-co2

WATER, ROCKS AND CARBON IN THE CENTRAL APENNINES

On 27 February 2026, the final event of the Hydro4C project will take place at the SAE Area della Pieve in Ussita (MC), entitled “Water, Rocks and Carbon in the Central Apennines” . The meeting will focus on understanding the interactions between geo-hydrological and geochemical processes in Apennine catchments, with particular emphasis on environmental monitoring and water and geochemical budgets 📊.
The Research Units of the Hydro4C project, CNR IRPI, the University of Perugia and the University of Florenc, will present the main results of their research activities 🔬🏔️.
The initiative is organised in collaboration with the Order of Geologists of the Marche Region.
Please find below the poster of the final event 📌.