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The coastal landscape of the Gaeta Bay, southern Latium (Italy), is the result of a significant tectonic control expressed by a geometric segmentation of the relief and by offsets of the coastline. The structural features derived from this activity are overlain by slope and littoral morphogenetic processes. Tectonic and geomorphic processes performed in a different way along the coastal belt, producing the unequal morphological setting observed in the western and in the eastern sector of the study area. In the western sector, the Aurunci Mts. gradually reach the coast forming cliffs. On them, several emerged and submerged erosional forms such as notches and sea terraces are recognised. Embayments characterized by sandy pocket beaches wide from few hundred meters to over 2 km are in correspondence to some tectonic lines with a clear morphological expression and transversal to the coastline. In the eastern sector, the Aurunci Mts., higher and rich of karstic forms, joint to the coastline in few kilometres due to the accumulation forms developed along valleys deeply cut in the carbonate slopes. The morphological features of the investigated area permitted us to recognize the existence of differential vertical movements along a 30 km-wide coastal area clearly split in two sectors.

Procida Island, located in the Gulf of Naples (southern Italy), is characterized by steep cliffed coasts, articulated in a succession of headlands and small embayments with narrow pocket beaches, such as Ciraccio and Chiaia, often characterized by instability. In this study, a methodology for coastal cliff susceptibility assessment has been conceived based on hydraulic and geomorphological characteristics, which supported the construction of a Cliff Stability Index (CSI). The geomorphological characteristics are related to the whole cliff face, the cliff material resistance, and the cliff failure mechanisms. The hydraulic actions on the cliff are related to the wave impact which is exerted by the breaking waves once the wave run-up distance exceeds the beach width. The index takes into account the slope of the cliff, the rock strength, the wave energy at the cliff base produced by the broken wave and the presence of defence structures at the cliff base. The resulting index classification, obtained by addition of the partial sub-indices, has been compared with the observed coastal cliff evolution from 1954 to 2021.

Climate change and tectonic uplift are the dominant forcing mechanisms responsible for the formation of long and narrow terraced landforms in a variety of geomorphic settings, and marine terraces are largely used to reconstruct the Quaternary glacial and interglacial climates. Along the Mediterranean coast, a considerable number of popular scientific articles have acknowledged a range of marine terraces in the form of low-relief surfaces resulting from the combined effects of tectonic uplift and eustatic sea-level fluctuations, as relevant geomorphological indicators of past sea-level high-stands. With the exception of a few recent studies on the significance of submarine depositional terraces (SDT), submerged terraced landforms have been less investigated. By integrating different marine and terrestrial datasets, our work brings together and re-examines numerous terraced landforms that typify the Cilento Promontory and its offshore region. In this area, studies since the 1960s have allowed the recognition of well-defined Middle to Upper Pleistocene marine terraces on land, while only a few studies have investigated the occurrences of late Pleistocene SDT. Furthermore, to date, no studies have consistently integrated findings. For our work, we correlated major evidence of emerged and submarine terraced landforms in order to support an improved understanding of the tectono-geomorphological evolution of the Cilento Promontory and to further clarify the geomorphological significance of submerged terraces.

In the framework of geosite management, specific targeted symbols for geomorphological legends are still lacking. Concerning geosites of geomorphological interest, geomorphological mapping requires targeted symbols in relation to goals and applications, either concerning geomorphic hazards and risk detection or the enhancement of resources, in particular those related to cultural heritage and, hence, geoheritage. A new methodology for mapping geo(morpho)heritage on geomorphological maps is presented in this paper. Nine iconic examples from the Italian landscape, selected in different morphogenetic and morphoclimatic contexts, are proposed to test the methodology in relation to point, polyline and polygon features. Moreover, guidelines for mapping are suggested according to the importance of the site and to the complexity of processes characterizing each case study.

The prediction of the formation, spacing and location of rip currents is a scientific challenge that can be achieved by means of different complementary methods. In this paper the analysis of numerical and experimental data, including UAV observation, allowed to detect the presence of rip currents and rip channels at the mouth of Sele river, in the Gulf of Salerno, southern Italy. The dataset used to analyze these phenomena consisted of two different bathymetric surveys, a detailed sediment 5 analysis and a set of high-resolution wave numerical simulations, completed with satellite and UAV observation. The grain size trend analysis and the numerical simulations allowed to identify the rip current system, forced by topographically constrained channels incised on the seabed, which were detected by high resolution bathymetric surveys. The study evidenced that on the coastal area of the Sele mouth grain-size trends are controlled by the contribution of fine sediments, which exhibit suspended transport pathways due to rip currents and longshore currents. The results obtained were confirmed by satellite and UAV 10 observations in different years.

A multidisciplinary survey was carried out on the quality of water and sediments of a coastal protected marine area, embedded between the inputs from Bagnoli steel plant to the south and a sewage plant, Volturno River and Regi Lagni channel to the north. The study integrated chemical-sedimentological data with biological and ecotoxicological analyses to assess anthropogenic pressures and natural variability. Data reveal marked differences in anthropogenic pollution between southeastern and northwestern zone, with the north affected by both inorganic and organic flows and the south influenced by levels of As, Pb and Zn in the sediments above law limits, deriving from inputs of the Bagnoli brownfield site. Meiobenthic data revealed at south higher relative abundance of sensitive species to pollution and environmental stress to the south, i.e. Lobatula lobatula and Rosalina bradyi, whereas to the north relative abundance of stress tolerant Quinqueloculina lata, Quinqueloculina pygmaea and Cribroelphidium cuvilleri were determined.

In this paper, we present the results of a detailed geomorphological and sedimentological study of a coastal sector of southern Italy, the Pineta della foce del Garigliano SCI (i.e. Site of Community Importance), which is largely affected by shoreline retreat and the degradation of dune habitat. The analysis of shoreline evolution demonstrates that severe erosion processes have occurred over the last 50 years. They caused the complete dismantling of the foredune, whereas the anomalous and advanced position of the secondary dune promoted a progressive loss of vegetation habitat of high environmental value such as juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. macrocarpa). Morpho-sedimentary data and hydrodynamic models suggest that the main climate events promoted a net longshore transport toward the South. Our analyses confirm that erosion processes are linked to natural factors but several negative human practices have contributed to the acceleration of shoreline retreat and degradation of the dune habitat. In addition to its scientific value, the map and data here presented represent an important tool for beach management purposes.

A detailed and multidisciplinary study of physical and biotic factors of a coastal sector of southern Italy, the Pineta della foce del Garigliano SCI (Site of Community Importance) area, has been carried out in the frame of the European research project LIFE + Nature & Biodiversity PROVIDUNE. We evaluated the degree of dunes vulnerability (Dune Vulnerability Index, DVI) and sustainable anthropogenic load (carrying capacity) of the emerged beach of the study area, which is largely affected by shoreline retreat and degradation of dune habitat. The values of about 0.6 of the DVI in the two key sectors of the study area suggest a high level of vulnerability of beach/dune system due to both natural and human factors. The partial vulnerability index related to the geomorphological condition exhibits the highest values, as a consequence of a coastal system largely affected by recent and present-day beach erosion and severe hydrodynamics processes. Several inadequate human practises have been recognized in the study area which impact appears to be an important factor in controlling the reduction of the beach-dune system resilience. Integrated analysis of DVI index and carrying capacity suggests that the northern and central sectors of the study area have a high level of dune vulnerability due to hydrodynamic and geomorphological factors whereas the human impact can be considered relatively less important. The southern sector of the study area is featured by a well-developed infrastructure system, which is able to assure a sustainable beach occupation. Nevertheless, significant interventions such as dune replacement by permanent or ephemeral infrastructures, uncontrolled pedestrian or vehicular access and inappropriate use of mechanical beach cleaning have been recognized in this sector of the beach. These long-lasting impacts have promoted the dismantling of large sector of the dune habitats. Results obtained allowed us to identify the critical area where appropriate actions can be performed for the mitigation of impacts, the conservation of dune habitats and its sustainable use.

The environmental status of the Falerno-Domitio littoral, a sector of the Italian south coast (Campania region) locally affected by an extensive anthropic pressure and pollution, was assessed by a multi-disciplinary approach, consisting of geological vs. biological studies. Geochemical abundance of potentially hazardous trace metals in beach sands is mainly constrained by the nature of the source rocks. Geochemical data of marine sediment quality with regards to possible heavy metal pollution and the enrichment factors of selected potentially toxic metals show that Cr and V values are higher in marine samples than in natural sources, suggesting that they are, at least in part, of anthropic derivation. A relationship between meiobenthos and heavy metals (Cr, Co, and V) has been also observed, providing a valuable biological marker to human-deriving chemical pollution. Ecotoxicological analyses confirm a relationship between enrichment in selected metals and moderate toxicity of some sea-bottom sediments closer to the coastline.

The Garigliano Plain and the Elis littorals show similar geoenvironmental features: both are in Mediterranean climate regions, modeled by western winds, characterized by wide sandy coastal dunes, with pumices, and locally anthropized. The Garigliano coastal facies are characterized by Holocene dune of 6 kyr BP and Tyrrhenian aeolian deposits. Geoarchaeological surveys highlighted the presence of a Roman road that cut the dune. Since the end of the 50s, strong littoral retreat affected the beach-dune system, mainly due to human activity. The coastland of Elis is featured by three morphogenetic phases occurred during the Holocene, from 7000 to the current, with deposition of beach, fluvial and aeolian sediments. Geoarchaeological evidences suggest that these phases are related to sea-level changes during humid-temperate climate. Geomorphological surveys of Garigliano Plain and Elis Holocene dunes, each other compared, suggest that their development is linked to the effects of sea-level and climate changes, as well as to human activity.

Submarine surveys carried out since the '90s along the coastland of Sinuessa allowed us to draw up a geomorphological map with archaeological findings. Along the sea bottom, 650 m off and 7 m depth, a Campanian Ignimbrite bedrock was detected: dated ~39 kyr BP, its position is incompatible with the current sea level. Towards the northern edge of the shoal, a depressed area with 24 cubic elements in concrete was surveyed. These artefacts (pilae) are typical of Roman maritime structures widespread along the southernmost Phlegrean coast. Beachrocks and accessory landforms at the same depth of bedrock suggest that this was emerging and attended by man in Roman times, even for activities related to port facilities. Submerged palaeo-channels, in alignment of current watercourses on the mainland, dissect the shoal. These channels were moulded in subaerial environment during Würm glaciation, following the tuff deposition, and then were drowned by sea-level rise. The northernmost channel, next to the pilae, likely allowed transit and manoeuvring of Roman ships. The discovery along the seabed of a large stump of lead anchor, hundreds of Roman amphorae and fragments, as well as of a depression of millstone, confirm this finding. Probably the sinuous physiography favored the choice of this site for the docking of Sinuessa, as sheltered from storms. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.

On the continental shelf off the Ciento peninsula (eastern Tyrrhenian Sea) the occurrence of more than 13 km(2) of maerl beds was documented through acoustic surveys. Swath bathymetric data along with a dense grid of chirp-sonar profiles were acquired over more than 180 km(2). The maerl facies was characterized on the basis of the components analysis of 32 grab samples collected at selected sites. Mapped maerl-beds are predominant on submerged terraces located at variable water depth (wd) between 42 and 52 m. This preferred distribution on submerged terraces is probably associated with relatively vigorous bottom currents generated by local circulation that hinders the deposition of terrigenous sediments. Calcareous red algae result to be the most important producers of carbonates from 40 down to 60 m wd. We calculated the coralline carbonate accumulation from the percentage cover of coralline algae (thin section mapping) x 1 cm-thick layer of sediment x measured coralline density. The total coralline cover (living plus dead) in the Cilento area is 13.96 km(2), with a total 316 800 tons of algal carbonate in the surface 1 cm layer, that correspond to 20 430 g m(-2). Living maerl is recorded at a depth of 47 m, with a live coralline cover of about 40% over a minimum area of about 1.2 km(2). This live maerl has a thickness of about 1 cm and is composed mainly of unattached branches of Lithothamnion corallioides (P.L.Crouan & H.M.Crouan) P.L.Crouan & H.M.Crouan, 1867. The molluscan association of the maerl bed is dominated by characteristic species of the Coastal Detritic Biocoenosis. The production of carbonate by living coralline algae has been calculated as weight of live corallines in 1 cm-thick layer x 100 y(-1) x total area(-1) and corresponds to 90.8 g m(-2) y(-1).

PENNETTA, M., CORBELLI, V., ESPOSITO, P., GATTULLO, V and NAPPI, R., 2011. Environmental Impact of Coastal Dunes in the Area Located to the Left of the Garigliano River Mouth (Campany, Italy). In: Micallef, A. (ed.), MCRR3-2010 Conference Proceedings, Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 61, pp. 421–427. Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy, ISSN 0749-0208. The dune zone included in the coastal area located to the left of the Garigliano River mouth has been studied. It plays a key role in the balance of a coastal environment for its positive effect on the beach and back beach. The studies have allowed us to conclude that the analyzed coastal area is affected diffusely by erosion processes linked to natural factors as well as to anthropogenic activities of various kinds; as a result the almost complete erosion of foredune occurred. The foredune play a crucial role in the dynamic relationship with the beach and sediment supply of the other dunes. The erosion processes resulted in a significant retre...

In the Northern Campanian coastal zone, over 150 km long, three geomorphic units are recognised: (1) sandy beaches that are well developed in the northern area, where a prominent river mouth (Volturno River) is also present; (2) steep and rocky shores, often with gravelly beaches or debris cones at their base, are mainly diffuse in the southern area (Sorrentine Peninsula); and, lastly, (3) “techno coast”, shorelines stabilized with revetments and seawalls as well as former natural environments no longer clearly operational because of urbanization, as is visible in Naples and in the Vesuvian coast. Six primary hazards are considered in this investigation: shoreline erosion, riverine flooding, storms, landslides, seismicity and volcanism, and man-made structures. These hazards do not have a uniform distribution along this coast in terms of their frequency and intensity; moreover both their interaction and the intensive action of humans, often uncontrolled, makes it difficult to assess the overall coastal hazard. In this paper a semiquantitative method with which to quantify, rank and map the distribution of hazard is applied along this particular stretch of coast. In such a stretch, previously characterized in terms of types and processes and compartmentalized into geomorphic units, the effect of individual hazards, based on their magnitude and recurrence, is evaluated. Dominant and subordinate hazards for each geomorphic unit are identified, assigning a rank that is also a weighting. Comparison of each weighting through an interaction matrix permits the calculation of a resultant, which is the overall hazard assessment and which can be expressed cartographically. The results obtained for a coastal zone with one of the highest pressures from urbanization in the world, help us to recognise that this approach could become a useful tool to aid decision-making regarding coastal land-use and planning. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analysis of morphological, geological and environmental characteristics of the Fusaro Lagoon has shown the present degraded condition of the lagoon and the perilagoon area. The lagoon developed during the mid-Holocene within a wide marine bay confined between the coastal volcanic structures of Mt. Cuma to the north and Torregaveta to the south in the western part of the Phlegrean Fields. Subsequently, the bay was gradually filled with pyroclastic materials from phlegrean eruptive vents and sediments carried by the rivers Volturno and Clanis, thus, creating an open lagoon. It then evolved into a partially closed lagoon due to the formation of a continuous littoral spit during the late Holocene, probably wider than the present-day one and surrounded by marshlands. Finally, the total closure of the lagoon took place in the Graeco-Roman period, following the stabilization of the dune ridge, and it assumed a shape similar to present-day one only towards the end of the 18th century.Between the Roman period and 1941, three lagoon channels were opened in order to avoid the frequent environmental crises which continue to affect, although for different reasons, this salt-water basin. The basin has been exploited for more than 2000 years not only for mollusc culture and pisciculture, but also for the maceration of hemp and flax. In the 1980s, in order to reduce the effects of the environmental crises, dredging of the lagoon bottom has been carried out, altering the hydrogeological equilibrium and that of the ecosystem. Over the past 30 years, the supply of raw sewage of domestic, agricultural and industrial origin has ensured the presence of a high concentration of pollutants, including heavy metals.On the basis of the data obtained and in order to restore this sensitive transitional environment, eco-compatible interventions are proposed which aim at morphological and hydrologic resettlement, abatement of pollutants on the bottom of the basin, reintroduction of endemic molluscs, together with monitoring the quality of sediments and both sea-lagoon waters and groundwater. Keywords: Lagoons, Environmental geology, Holocene, Phlegrean Fields, Italy

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 pollutants existing in the area. Thus, the study of such parameters is useful in order to define environmental threats. Within the submerged sector of the Bagnoli coast and particularly in the southern part of the investigated area, there are sediment groups composed of very fine sands located in low-energy zones due to wave refraction and diffraction; they can also be found on the sea bottom and on the man-made structures typical of this zone. These areas show high pollutant levels of N, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs). The northern area, a place of high-energy hydrodynamic processes, also shows high concentration levels of pollutants due to the presence of secondary cell circulation. Morphological research and analysis of textural characteristics of bottom sediments along the Bagnoli coast allowed the actual processes and their evolution in space and time to be defined. It has also been possible to correlate such processes to the seabed morphology system, the wave formations which affect the coast, the complex system of sediment transport, as well as to the man-made interventions in the area. The results of recent chemical analyses of beach sediments and bottom sediments off the Bagnoli coast were also incorporated. They prove the presence of heavy metals, PAHs and PCBs in high and sometimes very high concentrations. Finally, based on the results of research and analyses, a hypothesis for an intervention for environmental restoration has been formulated in order to renaturalise the coast through dredging and treatment of the sand, both on the seabed and on the emerged beach.

The Valle Caudina intermontane basin in the southern Apennines (Italy) lies between the Mt. Taburno on the North and the Avella–Partenio mountains on the South. An analysis of its present-day landscape, and of its stratigraphic and geoarcheological features, has been carried out to reconstruct the Late Quaternary evolution of the basin, filled by alluvial, colluvial and volcaniclastic deposits. The depositional pattern and geomorphological context allow to recognize lacustrine and fluvial–lacustrine sediments, interbedded with ignimbritic layers originating from the Phlegrean Fields and with a Vesuvius pumice level, that represent significant chronological markers. The two lacustrine episodes are connected with volcanic events radiometrically dated (De Vivo et al. in Mt. Somma Vesuvius and Volcanism of the Campania Plain. Spec Issue, Mineral Petrol. Springer, Berlin, vol 73, pp 47–65, 2001). The older predates the Campanian Ignimbrite deposit (~39 kyr BP), while the younger deposited before 5 kyr BP, as indicated by the recovery of Neolithic artifacts. The presence of Roman ruins in the center of the valley suggests that the lake has suffered a substantial downsizing or has disappeared between 5 kyr BP and the Roman Age. A clayey deposit testifies a first lacustrine phase, which has affected the whole plain. Above this unit, heterogeneous deposits indicate the end of the lacustrine phase and the beginning of a clear fluvial sedimentation. Volcaniclastic deposits from the erosion of the Campanian Ignimbrite follow. They are overlapped by a widespread second lacustrine unit. Finally, a reworked and altered volcaniclastic level closes the stratigraphic sequence, while particularly fertile topsoil covered all the plain.

Identification of physiographic elements along the Tyrrhenian margin between Cape Palinuro and Cape Bonifati was carried out by interpretation of acoustic profiles. These elements are the expression of both Plio-Quaternary extensional tectonism (related to the subsidence of the Tyrrhenian Sea) and Appennine chain uplift (with its late compressive phenomena). All these tectonic events, which took place until recent times, produced northward and seaward stair-like blocks as well as relief and basin systems. The shelf-slope system bordering the Sapri basin, with high structural control, underwent clearcut erosion since its genesis, as testified by gravitative processes producing slumps and turbiditic flows. These sediments are collected in the basin which represents the gravitative base-level for this part of the shelf-slope system. In contrast, the southern sector of the investigated margin, where structural control is less evident, clearly indicates progradation and aggradation, facilitated by abundant elastic supplies from the rivers cutting the northern Calabrian margin.

Capri island is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, Italy. The island is almost completely bordered by high and steep rocky coasts (coastal cliffs) of structural control, often articulated in a succession of prominent headlands and embayments.

Capri island is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, Italy. Studies of the emerged and submerged coastal zone of the island through direct investigation, the study of aerial and satellite photographs, and bathymetric relief to a depth of-20/-30m has determined the morphological and morphoevolutive features and identified hazard factors that characterize the high rocky coasts of island. The island is almost completely bordered by high and steep rocky coasts (coastal cliffs) of structural control, often articulated in a succession of prominent headlands and embayments. The effects of a parallel retreat of the coastal cliffs are evident in the eastern coastal area resulting in a high degree of hazard in this stretch. The morphology of the coastal system consists in a cliff with sloping shore platform at the base of the cliff. The presence of the shore platform, which controls the erosional and shaping activities by wave motion of the cliff, plays an important role and represents the main hazard factor. The other main erosional processes on rocky coast represent subordinated hazard factors. Namely, structural and stratigraphic features (hard limestone, above clastic less resistant rocks, involved in rock falls caused by basal mechanical wave erosion; the rock strata dipping seaward; presence of NW-SE trending fault), high and very steep cliffs and limestone features. Instead, the western sector of the island of Capri has a limestone coast with a plunging cliff; the water depth at the base of the cliff is greater than the breaker depth. The waves are reflected from the cliff face and the mechanical wave erosion and subsequent mass movements do not occur; weathering and bio-erosion processes are the major erosive mechanisms. As a result the coastal hazard for the western sector is very low.

The establishment of a working group on rocky coast in Italy in 2006 have permitted to organize several activities (meetings and excursions) and therefore to prepare an inventory of Italian rocky coasts. At these activities have participated the authors of the present abstract, which have indicated from time in time the characters of the visited coasts performed in these two years. Such coasts was selected in order to have a wide inventory where cliff in different geological regimes (tectonically stable, volcano-tectonically active) and lithology (limestone, terrigenous, volcanic) are represented. The aim of this group is to improve the knowledge of the factors having a role in the evolution of the rocky coasts, also in view of the 7th IAG/AIG Conference as well as in the efficacy of the answers to give at the coastal management. In Italy rocky coasts are the most diffuse interface between land and sea, however their characters are various in the form and size of the cliff (subaerial and submerged), in the nature and mechanical condition of the outcropped litotype, in the geological and geomorphological inheritance (i.e. thrust, sea notches) or in the type of the anthropogenic action (activity and/or engineering structures). The analysis of such characters, integrated in some case with a continuous monitoring, have permitted to define some models able to account for the geomorphological evolution of the cliffs, according to the predominant litotipe (hard or weak or loose), its profile (i.e. the presence of a shore platform) and, at last, the coastal regime. The other factors could be quicken or slacken the rate of retreat, but they are not relevant in the development of the model. The role of climate in terms of rainfall and temperature is roughly the same (Mediterranean Group), even if we considered cliffs far away more than 1000 km.