CRITERI DI SELEZIONE E CARATTERIZZAZIONE IDROMORFOLOGICA E CHIMICO-FISICA DEI SITI DI INDAGINE NELL'ITALIA APPENNINICA E IN SARDEGNA

The analyzed data was collected in Mediterranean rivers of the Italian Apennines (Northern, Central and Southern Apennines) and Sardinia. The rivers investigated are representative of Mediterranean and Italian river types. The criteria for the selection of sampling areas and sites followed the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (EC 2000/60) and the statements of the EU research projects AQEM and STAR. In each of the examined river types, pristine or nearly-natural sites (reference sites) were identified and studied, as well as sites covering a wide range of environmental quality. Each site was characterized for its physico-chemical and hydro-morphological features.