An environmental investigation of a marine coastal area: Gulf of Gaeta (Tyrrhenian Sea)

Since 1980, a large program of environmental studies has been carried out along the central part of the eastern Tyrrhenian Sea, and its adjacent shoreline. The general sedimentological, biological and geochemical characteristics of this continental shelf area have been reported elsewhere (Zurlini & Damiani, 1983). In this paper, the processes responsible for the transport of terrigenous particulate matter are considered together with the influence of this particulate matter on the benthic communities of the area.Two rivers, the Garigliano to the north and the Volturno to the south, determine the extent of major environmental sub-zones in the gulf of Gaeta. The first, influenced by the Garigliano River, is restricted to the northern and inner part of the gulf, where morphological and hydrodynamical conditions favour the accumulation of suspended matter; benthic communities are stressed, mainly due to high rates of siltation. The second sub-zone is mainly influenced by the Volturno River, which affects a very large area, spreading both north and south along the coast and up to 15 km offshore.Measured levels of trace elements are considered to be close to natural concentrations. Anthropogenic contamination appears to be related to the effects of agricultural practices on the alluvial plains and to the presence of urban settlements.