DPSIR Model Applied to the Remediation of Contaminated Sites. A Case Study: Mar Piccolo of Taranto

The study critically analyses the complex situation of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (South of Italy), considered one of the most polluted marine ecosystems in Europe. In order to investigate possible cause–effect relationships, useful to plan appropriate planning responses or remediation technologies...

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Main Authors: Claudia Labianca, Sabino De Gisi, Francesco Todaro, Michele Notarnicola
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/15/5080
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spelling doaj-6bd729aba9bf4eb592f3a3228d70a71f2020-11-25T03:39:20ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172020-07-01105080508010.3390/app10155080DPSIR Model Applied to the Remediation of Contaminated Sites. A Case Study: Mar Piccolo of TarantoClaudia Labianca0Sabino De Gisi1Francesco Todaro2Michele Notarnicola3Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, ItalyThe study critically analyses the complex situation of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (South of Italy), considered one of the most polluted marine ecosystems in Europe. In order to investigate possible cause–effect relationships, useful to plan appropriate planning responses or remediation technologies to be adopted, the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) model was applied. Methodologically, about 100 references have been considered, whose information was organized according to the logical scheme of the DPSIR. The results showed how the Mar Piccolo is the final receptor of pollutants coming from all industrial and agricultural activities, especially due to its natural hydrogeological network conformation. The anthropic activity represents a critical impact on the ecosystem due to the subsequent marine litter. The mobility of contaminants from sediments to the water column showed the potential risk related to the bioaccumulation of organisms from different trophic levels, posing a threat of unacceptable magnitude to human safety. The paper concludes by discussing the actions currently implemented by the authorities in response to the anthropogenic impacts as well as the need for new ones concerning both plans, programs, and remediation interventions. The case study shows how the DPSIR is a useful framework to organize extensive and heterogeneous information about a complex environmental system, such as the one investigated. This preliminary organization of the available data can represent the starting point for the development of a DPSIR-based Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) with robust cause–effect relationships.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/15/5080complex systemsholistic approachmarine sedimentspollution phenomena
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Claudia Labianca
Sabino De Gisi
Francesco Todaro
Michele Notarnicola
spellingShingle Claudia Labianca
Sabino De Gisi
Francesco Todaro
Michele Notarnicola
DPSIR Model Applied to the Remediation of Contaminated Sites. A Case Study: Mar Piccolo of Taranto
Applied Sciences
complex systems
holistic approach
marine sediments
pollution phenomena
author_facet Claudia Labianca
Sabino De Gisi
Francesco Todaro
Michele Notarnicola
author_sort Claudia Labianca
title DPSIR Model Applied to the Remediation of Contaminated Sites. A Case Study: Mar Piccolo of Taranto
title_short DPSIR Model Applied to the Remediation of Contaminated Sites. A Case Study: Mar Piccolo of Taranto
title_full DPSIR Model Applied to the Remediation of Contaminated Sites. A Case Study: Mar Piccolo of Taranto
title_fullStr DPSIR Model Applied to the Remediation of Contaminated Sites. A Case Study: Mar Piccolo of Taranto
title_full_unstemmed DPSIR Model Applied to the Remediation of Contaminated Sites. A Case Study: Mar Piccolo of Taranto
title_sort dpsir model applied to the remediation of contaminated sites. a case study: mar piccolo of taranto
publisher MDPI AG
series Applied Sciences
issn 2076-3417
publishDate 2020-07-01
description The study critically analyses the complex situation of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (South of Italy), considered one of the most polluted marine ecosystems in Europe. In order to investigate possible cause–effect relationships, useful to plan appropriate planning responses or remediation technologies to be adopted, the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) model was applied. Methodologically, about 100 references have been considered, whose information was organized according to the logical scheme of the DPSIR. The results showed how the Mar Piccolo is the final receptor of pollutants coming from all industrial and agricultural activities, especially due to its natural hydrogeological network conformation. The anthropic activity represents a critical impact on the ecosystem due to the subsequent marine litter. The mobility of contaminants from sediments to the water column showed the potential risk related to the bioaccumulation of organisms from different trophic levels, posing a threat of unacceptable magnitude to human safety. The paper concludes by discussing the actions currently implemented by the authorities in response to the anthropogenic impacts as well as the need for new ones concerning both plans, programs, and remediation interventions. The case study shows how the DPSIR is a useful framework to organize extensive and heterogeneous information about a complex environmental system, such as the one investigated. This preliminary organization of the available data can represent the starting point for the development of a DPSIR-based Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) with robust cause–effect relationships.
topic complex systems
holistic approach
marine sediments
pollution phenomena
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/15/5080
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