Mathematical models supporting the monitoring of Civitavecchia harbour (Rome)

Abstract

Knowledge of the sources and types of pollutants, of the hydrodynamic field and of the health status of the marine ecosystems subjected to stress is needed to monitor coastal marine environments. The building of new piers and docks and the extension of a breakwater in Civitavecchia harbour have required extensive dredging that was authorised by the Minister of Environment with the prescription to monitor the coastal marine ecosystems with reference to Posidonia oceanica and benthic biocenoses. The structure of benthic communities and the health status of P. oceanica meadows are important indicators of the Ecological Quality Status of coastal marine waters (WFD, 2000/60/CE). In 2012, a multi-platform observing system (C-CEMS) was tested taking into account: a) the distribution of benthic biocenoses; b) physical and biological data acquired by fixed stations and periodic in situ samplings; and c) the results of numerical simulations of sediment particle tracking. This approach was used along the coastline of Northern Latium (Italy) between Tarquinia and Santa Severa. The dispersion of suspended and deposited materials calculated by numerical model is strongly related to the decrement of the shoots density of P. oceanica and to changes of benthic community's structures.

The Civitavecchia Coastal Environment Monitoring System (C-CEMS): a new tool to analyze the conflicts between coastal pressures and sensitivity areas

“…In HC, DPIA includes a restricted zone of Posidonia oceanica meadow (98.84 ha) in the northern SCI, closer to Civitavecchia harbor, characterized by high shoot density values (between 400 and 550 shoots m −2 ). A previous study (Bonamano et al, 2015b) showed that after the dredging activities the shoot density values were slightly higher than before, highlighting how this conflict did not produce a loss of environmental resources.…”

“…According to the Copernicus program, C-CEMS provides a monitoring service for the marine environment through multi-source data including in situ and remote sensing observations. In addition, C-CEMS integrates this information within mathematical models that allow one to simulate specific events and forecast potential impacts with a high spatial and temporal resolution, necessary for analyzing the conflicts in coastal areas (Bonamano et al, 2015b).…”

“…6b, the dredged sediment dispersion moved toward the north, with a higher concentration in the nearshore zone. Although the sediment plume extended 20 km from the source, higher values of suspended solid concentration only affected the Posidonia oceanica meadow closer to the harbor (the southern part of SCI IT 6000005; Bonamano et al, 2015b).…”

Water renewal time and trace metal concentration in civitavecchia port (rome), italy

“…1). The water exchange between the inner and outside areas of the port is regulated by the only entrance located in the northern zone, making the southern part of the harbour basin more subject to high water renewal time caused by low currents velocity [19,20]. To address this problem, a new south mouth will be created in the following years to ensure an efficient renewal of harbour waters.…”

Development of a Predictive Tool to Support Environmentally Sustainable Management in Port Basins

“…Currently the harbour is 3.3 km in length and 550 m wide, and it has an average depth of 15 m. Civitavecchia port lies along a longitudinal axis rotated approximately 135 • from north. It is connected to the open sea via its north mouth that causes a progressive decrease in the intensity of sea currents proceeding toward the southern part of the harbour basin [10,41]. Since 2005, the marine environment of Civitavecchia port is continuously monitored through the C-CEMS observational system (Civitavecchia Coastal Environment Monitoring System), which enables the analysis of coastal processes at a high spatial and temporal resolution [42].…”