Analysis of a comprehensive monthly dataset on nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon in the Venice lagoon waters (Italy)

Abstract

Data on dissolved nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon concentrations recorded in the waters of the Venice Lagoon, covering a period spanning from 2007 to 2019, has been subjected to statistical analysis meant to evaluate seasonality, spatial variability and trends. The analysis revealed the role of the complex morphology, hydrological features and anthropogenic sources in determining the water quality and the dynamics of the ecosystem. Long-term trends were in line with the picture of the general enhancement of the chemical status of the lagoon observed in the last decades. Further improvements might be achieved dealing with the issues of the untreated effluent discharge in the canals of the urban centre and the agriculture fertilisers coming from the drainage basin and transported by the freshwater tributaries. The collection of such temporal data series has revealed the effectiveness to detect both short and long-term changes in the water quality. The maintenance of such temporal data series will be a useful tool for evaluating future changes arising from the climate change.

Keywords

• nutrients
• organic carbon
• temporal trends
• spatial variability
• venice lagoon