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

Multi-platform systems for coastal environment monitoring are important tools allowing the 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). The observation program was employed to analyse the fate of Escherichia coli in bathing areas, to predict its dynamics and to prevent the sanitary risk associated with the presence of this microorganism in seawater.