Italy: Technical Application of Ecosystem Services

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1 Italy: Technical Application of Ecosystem Services Fabio Colombo ENVIRON Milan, Italy December 7, 2010

Primary Remediation in the ELD: Ecosystem and

between the facility and the effect on the

no Is the facility activity listed in Annex

2 Primary Remediation in the ELD: Ecosystem and Damage Observation of adverse significant and measurable effects on ecosystem? Is it possible to identify a causal link between the facility and the effect on the environment? no Is the facility activity listed in Annex III? no Is identifiable fault or negligence? no Imputable damage -> Need for remediation No imputable damage

3 Augusta roadstead: Selected ecosystem services Augusta Roadstead Ecosystem ecosystem services: Ecological: habitat for benthic community, mussels and fishes Human use: industrial harbor activities

Ecological Service The SPI survey revealed a healthy and mature ecological benthic community at nearly all locations in the study area There was no evidence that benthic

4 Ecological Service The SPI survey revealed a healthy and mature ecological benthic community at nearly all locations in the study area There was no evidence that benthic infauna has been adversely affected by sediment chemicals. Toxicity tests confirmed that sediment chemicals are unlikely to adversely affect the benthic invertebrate community

Ecological Service Mercury bioavailability is low A small portion of Augusta roadstead could pose a not insignificant risk to fishes Mercury

0 Total Mercury, whole body, Mullus Barbatus (mg/kg ww.) P 0.9 A 0.8 y = 0.0024x + 0.236 A R 2 = 0.7022 0.7 A P 0.6 P P P 0.5 B E C B 0.

5 Ecological Service Mercury bioavailability is low A small portion of Augusta roadstead could pose a not insignificant risk to fishes Mercury concentrations are similar to other areas of the Mediterranean Sea [Mercurio totale, Campione integro, Mullus barbatus ] (mg/kg, pu) 1.0 Total Mercury, whole body, Mullus Barbatus (mg/kg ww.) P 0.9 A 0.8 y = x A R 2 = A P 0.6 P P P 0.5 B E C B 0.4 C C C B Augusta A A E Augusta B B 0.3 E E Augusta C C 0.2 E Area Esterna E 0.1 Priolo Senza Augusta A Peso Weight (g, pu) (g, ww.)

6 Human Service Investigation identified beds of Caulerpa (macroalgae) over most of the shallow areas If removed, it would cause an adverse impact to the benthic community as well as profound implication for sediment stability Ship movements (berthing, maneuvering, and anchoring) have a minimal influence on sediment resuspension

Needs for Primary Remediation: Causation

7 Needs for Primary Remediation: Causation Observation of adverse significant and measurable effects on ecosystem? Is it possible to identify a causal link between the facility and the effect on the environment? no Is the facility activity listed in Annex III? no Is identifiable fault or negligence? no Imputable damage -> Need for remediation No imputable damage

8 Causation: Contribution Contribution to contamination: from 40 s to 1992: in absence of any law, > 500 tons of Mercury have been discharged into the roadstead After 1992 discharged less < 0,5 tons of Mercury have been discharged in industrial waters Surface sediments: due to historical dredging of 10 M m 3 sediments

Causation: Contribution Contribution to contamination: from 40 s to 1992: in absence of any law, > 500 tons of Mercury have been discharged into the roadstead

9 Causation: Contribution Contribution to contamination: from 40 s to 1992: in absence of any law, > 500 tons of Mercury have been discharged into the roadstead After 1992 discharged less < 0,5 tons of Mercury have been discharged in industrial waters Surface sediments: due to historical dredging of 10 M m 3 sediments

10 Causation: Contribution due to historical dredging of 10 M m 3 sediments, in surface sediments Hg has been found associated with HCB even if HCB has not been discharged into the roadstead since the 70 s HCB (µg kg -1 ) Hg (mg kg -1 ) , , ,0 1 0,1 A (0-1) B (0-1) C (0-1) D (0-1) E (0-1) F (0-1) G (0-1) H (0-1) I (0-1) L (0-1) M (0-1) A (0-1) B (0-1) C (0-1) D (0-1) E (0-1) F (0-1) G (0-1) H (0-1) I (0-1) L (0-1) M (0-1)

11 Selection of Primary Remediation For selection of remedial option ELD requires to define: the effect of each option on public health and safety the extend to which each option benefits to each component of the natural R and/or S (REA, HEA ) 0% Physical Injury Resuspension Injury Increased Exposure Area Baseline % Service Loss 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Years

Selection of Primary Remediation For selection of remedial option ELD requires to define: the effect of each option on public health and safety the extend to which each option

12 Selection of Primary Remediation For selection of remedial option ELD requires to define: the effect of each option on public health and safety the extend to which each option benefits to each component of the natural R and/or S (REA, HEA ) 0% Physical Injury Resuspension Injury Increased Exposure Area Baseline % Service Loss 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Years

13 Conclusion No ecological or human services lost: the limited area with a potential eco-risk to fishes is comparable to other areas of the Mediterranean sea No causation with present industrial activities Absence of significant impact on sediment resuspension due to harbor activities Large scale dredging of sediments (not needed) and closure of navigation will destroy a functioning, complex ecosystem services and not providing any benefit.

The development of a remediation action plan for a contaminated fjord in Norway, hosting a biological important submerged macrophyte meadow

The development of a remediation action plan for a contaminated fjord in Norway, hosting a biological important submerged macrophyte meadow Marianne Olsen 1, Morten Schaanning 1, Espen Eek 2, Kristoffer