Variazioni geomorfologiche nell'area centrale della Laguna di Venezia. Elaborazione di cartografia storica e foto aeree.

During the last centuries, the geomorphological evolution of the Lagoon of Venice has been largely influenced by several human activities the effects of which have to be added to the ones induced by the natural coastal processes. Many interventions have been carried out in the central part of the basin, which is particularly vulnerable owing to the presence of the City of Venice, the touristic port, and the industrial centre. The aim of this study was the analysis of the modifications that occurred in the area. Historical maps, realized since the 1500s, have provided evidences for the evolution occurred in the last five centuries, whereas the aerial photographs (available since 1954) have given an important contribution to the identification of the most recent changes. The results from these geomorphological studies were interpreted in the light of the local morphodynamic processes and the major engineering works carried out in the lagoon over time. A Geographic Information System software was used to compare georeferenced data and to perform spatial analyses. This work has shown clearly: (a) the diversions of the lower course of the Brenta River aimed to protect Venice from the fluvial sediment discharges, (b) the effects of these diversions, (c) the erosion processes related to the construction of the two jetties at the Malamocco inlet, (c) the development of the Porto Marghera industrial centre, (e) the excavation of the Malamocco Marghera Canal, which has modified the local hydrodynamic processes and favoured erosion of natural and anthropogenic morphological structures.