URGENT ENVIRONMENTAL REDEVELOPMENT AND RECLAMATION STUDY OF TARANTO AREA

The city of Taranto is one of the main cities of the Apulia region. It is located on the central coast of the Gulf of Taranto, facing two natural bays known as Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo. As a consequence of the heavy industrialisation experienced by the city during the last 50 years, the complex ecosystem of the Mar Piccolo area is nowadays one of the most polluted national areas. Submarine sediments in the Mar Piccolo basin contain high concentrations of heavy metals and organic pollutants. Within a research project founded by the Environmental Ministry, Cotecchia & Associates it has been appointed to study the site with regards to geomechanical and idrogeological point of view.