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scientific studies agree in considering the lagoon as final receptor for nutrients (especially nitrate), playing in this way an important role in the natural attenuation of such contaminants. It is important to mention that the biodegradation capacity is limited by the efficiency and integrity of the ecosystems. Furthermore, the increasing conversion of land for agricultural use destroyed most of the riparian vegetation along the canals, which reduces their capacity to attenuate the discharge of nutrients, contaminants and sediments (from soil erosion) into the lagoon. This has led to an increase in the concentration of nutrients in the surface water.
Canals also drain water from the very shallow aquifer, which is affected by nutrient leaching, as biodegradation is limited by the reduced extension of the vadose zone. Therefore, the lagoon acts as a sink of sediments and nutrients but it has a limited capacity to adsorb these quantities from its carriers.

data from: Regione Puglia 2007. Adozione, ai sensi dell’art.121 del D. Lgs. n.152/2006, del Progetto di Piano di Tutela delle Acque della Regione Puglia 2007 Regione Puglia (soc. Terna) 2009. Valutazione Ambientale del Piano di Sviluppo 2009 Rapporto Ambientale.