Objectives and structure of the DRAIN project: An extensive study of the delivery from the drainage basin of the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

Trophic Conditions in the Waters of the Venice Lagoon (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy)

“…Its mean depth is 1-1.2 m, but it has some wide canals and three deep (15-20 m) and wide (600-900 m) inlets (Lido, Malamocco, Chioggia). The tidal sea-water flow through the three port inlets amounts approximately to a half of the total volume of the lagoon at each tidal cycle (12 hours main tributaries, which account for about 97% of the whole drainage basin (1850 km², [17]), with peak discharge in stormy conditions of 344 m³ s -1 [18] and up to 600 m³ s -1 [19]. The mean tide excursion in the lagoon is ca.…”

Harmful Algae Records in Venice Lagoon and in Po River Delta (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy)

“…The mean astronomical tidal excursion in this lagoon is approximately ±31 cm but, under particular tidal events and/or meteorological conditions, values up to 170 cm above the mean sea level have been observed [11]. Freshwater inputs come from 12 main tributaries from a drainage basin of about 1850 km² [12], accounting for about 35 m³ s −1  y −1 , with peak discharge under stormy conditions >344 m³ s −1 [13]. Po River is the major Italian river, which flows 640 km over the Padana Valley, a highly anthropized and industrialized area (approx 40 million equivalent inhabitants).…”

Storage of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil–plant system of Phragmites australis stands from a eutrophicated Mediterranean salt marsh

“…Particularly, quantification of pollution sources and nutrient loads into Mediterranean coastal lagoons and the response of its associated ecosystems are considered key aspects to permit improve management options (Gazeau et al, 2004;Zonta et al, 2005). Estimates from the United States and Europe indicate that only 30% of the P input and 18% of the N input from fertilisers is incorporated into crops (Carpenter et al, 1998).…”