Etna's recent paroxysmal activities have shown that when a volcano erupts, tons of ash and lapilli materials are ejected into the atmosphere and deposited on the ground not only in the vicinity of the volcano, but also over a wide area.

The volcanic ash that falls in Catania in suburban areas and roads can be collected and disposed of as inert material, assimilated to soil and rocks not containing hazardous substances, at authorized inert waste recovery facilities, involving costly management for local communities.

Researchers Alessia Marzo and Delia Ventura of the University of Catania are evaluating the use of innovative filtering materials, including pyroclastic deposits from Mount Etna, as a substrate for phytodepuration systems to treat urban wastewater. In addition to helping solve disposal problems, ues would avoid taking these materials from quarries, keeping the land unaffected and saving on implementation costs.