The GIS approach to detect the influence of the fresh water inflows on the marine-coastal waters: the case of the Apulia Region (Italy) through standard monitoring data

The water quality in the marine coastal areas is affected by “natural” features (geomorphology, hydrology) as well as by the “human” use of land. Understanding the linkage between water quality and river catchments is fundamental for the evaluation of different options in the coastal zone management. Monthly monitoring surveys were performed by ARPA Puglia during the January 2008-December 2009 period, both in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Spatial and temporal patterns of water chemical-physical parameters and the trophic index (TRIX) were investigated using the GIS approach for the evaluation of the influence of freshwaters inflows on the coastal area. The results indicate the effectiveness of standard monitoring activities in the water quality control and the usefulness of the GIS tool in order to detect the influence of the river’s runoff.