Design and execution of monitoring activities for the classification of the chemical and ecological status of water bodies of the Venice lagoon (Directive 2000/60/EC).

From 2011 to 2020, Thetis was in charge of designing, implementing and evaluating the results of the chemical monitoring of all the lagoon water bodies of Venice. The activities are part of the overall operational monitoring program required by the EU Water Framework Directive for all water bodies that are at risk of not achieving the desired quality objectives.

The activities carried out by Thetis included the collection of samples of water, sediments and living organisms (species of molluscs and fish) to study the concentration of priority and non-priority chemicals which define the chemical and ecological status of water bodies.

Thetis also performed eco-toxicological assays to evaluate the potential negative effects of sediment contamination on biota. As part of the same tasks, Thetis also developed two assessments (2013 and 2020) relating to the load of nutrients and chemicals conferred on the Venice Lagoon by its hydrographic basin, contributing to the Inventory of emissions, discharges and losses of priority substances and pollutants (Directive 2008/105 /CE).

Finally, a specific Monitoring Plan was prepared to monitor the lagoon interventions linked to the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.