A multi-platform approach to marine environment assessment in the Civitavecchia (Rome) area

Multi-platform systems for coastal environment monitoring are important tools that enable a better understanding of the dynamics of coastal ecosystems and their forcings; these observation networks can be used to highlight changes in marine ecosystems in response to anthropogenic impacts, identifying specific evolution. trends. This paper reports the results of a field study conducted in summer 2012 to test the efficacy of the multi-platform Civitavecchia Coastal Environment Monitoring System (C-CEMS). An observation programme was employed to analyse the fate of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) in bathing areas, to predict its dynamics and to prevent the sanitary risk associated with the presence of this microorganism in seawater.