Adaptation to Saltwater inTrusion in sEa level RIse Scenario (ASTERIS)

Adriatic coastal regions, sensitive to the effects of climate change and experiencing a significant increase of water consumption in peak periods of the year, need improved protection of freshwater aquifers to saline intrusion through a sustainable management of water resources.  The aim of ASTERIS project was to identify and map water risk management needs and barriers, based on a joint assessment of spatial and temporal variability of seawater intrusion and develop practical tools for sustainable management of coastal aquifers at the local scale. In order to achieve these results, three representative areas have been selected to carry out individual case studies: Emilia-Romagna Region (Municipality of Ravenna, Italy), Marche Region (Municipality of Fano, Italy) and Dubrovnik-Neretva County (Croatia). 

The project contributed to a significant improvement of the knowledge of present and future salt ingression situation in the Adriatic area from which inhabitants of Italy and Croatia can benefit. A conceptual model for the risk assessment of salt intrusion in the North Adriatic basin forced by future scenarios of climate change is proposed. It is referred to a broad area (almost 2000 km of coasts), it involvs three Countries (Italy, Croatia and the short portion of Slovenia facing the Adriatic coast) and includes a variety of geological, morphological and socio-economic conditions.

ASTERIS' activties focused also on mitigation and adaptation policies to coastal aquifers in order to diminish the risk of saline intrusion through the integration of vulnerability maps and analysis of specific case studies. Guidelines for adaptation measures have been drafted as final result of this activity.