Saltwater intrusion in the coastal aquifer of the Southern Po Plain. What future is there for our coastal freshwater?

The coast of the Emilia Romagna from Comacchio to Cervia is representative for the northern Adriatic coast. The coast is characterized by river and vanal mouths, wetlands, lagoons, urban areas, etc. The pressure on the environment in general, and grounfwater in particular, are very heavy. Strong natural and artificial subsidence induced by gas winning and, in the past, by deep groundwater exploitation, caused the land to drop up to two meters. The semi-arid climate of the area ( aridity index is 45) provides limited precipitation af about 0.6 m per year, wichi is not enough to recharge the coastal aquifers, especially in the period of highest demand.