Page 64 - SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016

SEA ENVIRONMENT 65
The value of the research: eight publications dealing with pure
an example of shared value and applied marine biology issues –
creation fi ndings that the scientifi c community
would probably never have had access
The monitoring at Giglio Island is to without the Giglio Island monitoring.
almost unprecedented in Italy and These unique studies include the fi rst
indeed across the Mediterranean ever description of the turf-forming
region. The data gathered covers all the alga Phyllophorau on the sea bed off the
components of the marine environment: east coast of Giglio and the presence of
water circulation and currents at all a particular species of algae, which is
depths, particle size characterization a biological indicator of the quality of
of the sandy sea bed, the presence of the water along the rocky coasts in the
chemical pollutants (in the water and tidal zone. Another area of research that
sediment), study of the fi sh and plankton has led to published papers is the eff ect
population, cartographic map of the sea of atmospheric forces and the tides
bottom, census of marine mammals and on coastal currents because this can
supervision of fi shing. cause changes in terms of the shifting
The facts and fi gures collected have of sediment in the water column or the
led in the last two years to the issue movement of pollutants. With regard to
not only of Technical Reports by the observation of whales and other marine
competent authorities but also of a mammals, the animals sighted have
number of scientifi c publications – been catalogued and classifi ed based
dealing in particular with the impact on specifi c distinctive features (marks
on the marine environment – that have or injuries on their backs, tails or fi ns).
attracted international attention. More This mapping has enabled tracking of
specifi cally, three articles describe the individual whales and their behavior
eff ects of the shadow cast by the ship over time. Also, a drone with an HD
on the Posidonia meadows and coral video camera has been used to study
formations, which are identifi ed as coastal habitats suitable for schools
“priority habitats” by the EU “Habitats of species of interest for commercial
Directive”. The studies present the fi shing, the aim being not only to restore
results of measurement of the amount the ecosystem but also to guarantee the
of light present on the sea bottom and ecological quality of that ecosystem.
the eff ects of this on plant physiology. The production of a cartographic map
An integral part of the research is the of the sea bottom and of the vegetation
direct impact of the ship and the wreck and animal life present is of major
removal structures on the coralligenous importance: it is extremely detailed
habitat. (scale 1:10,000) and charts all of the
Other researchers have produced coast of Isola del Giglio.
The map is of great assistance in managing of great value not only intrinsically as new
the island’s coastal activities and has scientifi c knowledge to be disseminated in
already been used by the local council in coming years, but also in terms of practical
connection with work to extend Giglio applications regarding management of
harbor and to overhaul the sewage system. the marine environment by the local
All of this research and data gathering is authorities.
15
ANALYSIS AND MONITORING ACTIVITIES 15 Data as of 12/31/2016
ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED TYPE OF ANALYSIS CONDUCTED
Università • 2,448 tests (48 samples at diff ering depths analyzing 51 parameters) on the water inside and
La Sapienza - Roma/CIBM outside the area
Livorno • 4,928 ecotoxicology tests on the water and marine organisms (16 water samples for toxicology
tests of 4 species + 96 samples of mussels for analysis of accumulation of 38 pollutants + 8 samples
of 4 species of fi sh with measurement of 38 pollutants)
Oceanomare - Delphis NOISE
• 125 measurements, 1,840 minutes of recordings analyzed (during site remediation)
MARINE MAMMAL ACOUSTIC MONITORING
• 220 (PAM, Passive Acoustic Monitoring) noise measurements of the presence of whales
• 2,830 minutes of recordings analyzed
• 2 acoustic measurements of the presence of whales in the area
SIGHTINGS OF MARINE MAMMALS
• 202 sighting surveys
• 4,192 km traveled in 528 hours of visual monitoring at sea
• 8 sightings of whales
UniGenova/CIBM • About 3,800 samples tested for 6 chemical/physical parameters on the water in the area of the
site, collected using a multi-parameter probe at depths of up to 50 m
• 96 samples analyzed for sediment fl ows (4 samples per month) with measurement of particle
size and mineral composition
• 255 days of 24/ 7 direct monitoring of 7 chemical/physical parameters of the water, as well as of
intensity and current direction, with the results posted online
• 96 mineralogical tests on trapping samples used for measurement of sample fl ows (4 samples
per month with an average of 12 minerals identifi ed per test)
• 16 sediment samples in the area of the site, analysis of particle size and mineral composition