title: Which lesson can be learnt from a historical contamination analysis of the most polluted river in Europe?
abstract: The Sarno River trend analysis during the last 60 years was traced focusing on the socio-economic and environmental issues. The river, originally worshiped as a god by Romans, is affected by an extreme level of environmental degradation, being sadly reputed as the most polluted river in Europe. This is the "not to be followed" example of the worst way a European river can be managed. Data about water, sediment, soil, biota and air contamination were collected from scientific papers, monitoring surveys, and technical reports depicting a sick river. Originally, the river was reputed as a source of livelihood, now it is considered a direct threat for human health. Wastewater can still flow through the river partially or completely untreated, waste production associated with the manufacture of metal products and leather tanning continues to suffer from the historical inadequacy of regional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), associated with the partial or no reuse of effluents. All efforts should be devoted to solving the lack of wastewater and waste management, the gap in land planning, improving the capacity of existing WWTPs also via the construction of new sewer sections, restoring Sarno River minimum vital-flow, keeping to a minimum uncontrolled discharges as well as supporting river contracts. The 2015 goal stated by the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) is still far to be reached. The lesson has not been learnt yet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy; Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis, National Research Council (CNR IMA), C. da S. Loja Z.I. Tito Scalo, I-85050 Potenza, Italy; Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Claudio, 21, 80127 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: glofrano@unisa.it.
authors.forename: Giusy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lofrano
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, University Cà Foscari Venice, Campo della Celestia, 2737/B-30122 Venice, Italy; Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council (CNR ISMAR), Arsenale Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F-30122, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Libralato
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Floriana Giuseppina
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Acanfora
authors.affiliation: Legambiente Campania, Piazza Cavour, 168-80137 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carotenuto
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005060:Europe; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D062065:Wastewater / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: DPSIR model; Historical contamination; Sarno River; Water management; Water quality