Seabed morphology and pollution along the Bagnoli coast (Naples, Italy): a hypothesis for environmental restoration

The interaction of coastal and submarine morphology with the hydrodynamic regimes exerts a control on coastal dynamic processes, conditioning the dispersion of sediments and potential pollutant existing in the area. The submerged sector of the Bagnoli coast, particularly the southern part characterised by very fine sands, shows high and sometimes very high pollutant levels of N, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd, PAHs and PCBs. Based on the results of research and analyses, a hypothesis for an intervention fon environmental restoration has been formulated in order to renaturalise through dredging and treatment of the sand, both on the seabed and on the emerged beach.