Persistent and toxic pollutants, as well as nutrients, of both industrial and municipal origin are distributed over the whole Venice lagoon sediment, and heavily contaminated hotspots were identified in the innermost, industrial harbour canals.
Taking to account the Water Framework Directive and national/local regulations, the DPSIR framework, proposed by European Environmental Agency, was implemented to support the decision-making and management process.
Driving forces, Pressures, and State were investigated through several research investigations and monitoring programs, including: analysis of well-known persistent pollutants as well as new classes of emerging pollutants (e.g. endocrine disrupting compounds); development of fate-transport and bioaccumulation models; application of specific bioassays and biomarkers. The research and monitoring results were integrated into an Environmental Risk Assessment to obtain a detailed investigation and evaluation of Impacts. Technological Responses were tested in specific pilot studies including seven individual/combined remedial techniques for heavily contaminated sediment (chemical stabilization by solidification, thermal desorption, solvent extraction, immobilization of heavy metals employing sulfate-reducing bacteria, phytoremediation, metal high gradient magnetic separation and vitrification).
Finally, in order to support the decision-making and management process, two GIS based Decision Support Systems (DSS) were defined, integrating the aforementioned tools, methodologies and experimental and technological activities. The GIS based DSS, called DESYRE, was designed for the rehabilitation of contaminated soils in the industrial area surrounding the Venice lagoon; while a specific GIS based DSS is currently been developed for the monitoring and management of Venice lagoon's environmental quality.