Rome, March 6, 2024 – Invitalia hosted an international conference dedicated to the management of marine sediments, in collaboration with the LIFE SEDREMED project. The conference took place at Invitalia’s Auditorium in Rome and was moderated by Raffaele Vaccaro, CEO of Nisida Environment, and brought together policy makers, experts, and stakeholders from various sectors to discuss sustainable practices for coastal sediment remediation and explore innovative technological solutions.
The conference highlighted the importance of effective sediment management for environmental sustainability and economic development. It featured a diverse lineup of speakers from universities, research centers, European and national institutions, and private enterprises. Key figures included representatives from relevant national Ministries and Authorities, the European Commission and various LIFE projects.
Institutional greetings were opened by Enrico Fusco, Engineering Services Manager at Invitalia , followed by a message from Gaetano Manfredi, government commissioner for Bagnoli and Mayor of Naples, who emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in environmental restoration. Lastly, Adly Manseri – Environment Attaché from the Belgian Permanent Representation to the EU and acting Council Presidency – concluded the introductory panel and provided a briefing on the European prospective and upcoming legislative efforts from the Council.
The morning session focused on policy challenges and the ongoing efforts to harmonize remediation approaches across EU member states. Discussions centered around policy developments necessary at the EU level, detailed by local institutions and experts. The session also included an overview of market and replication opportunities in sediment management and introduced the Mediterranean Remediation Knowledge and Innovation Hub (MEDREHUB).
Prominent speakers such as Silvia Donato from the European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and Silvia Bartolini from the European Commission’s DG ENV provided insights into EU policies on marine sediment management. A roundtable featuring representatives from the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, and Italy showcased best practices and policy processes in their respective countries.
The afternoon session delved into technical challenges and available technological solutions for sediment remediation. This session presented the progress achieved by the LIFE SEDREMED project, including the final remediation plan for Bagnoli, innovative monitoring methodologies, and other related EU projects. Notable contributions came from Giulia Pérez Almodovar of the italian Ministry of Environment, who discussed opportunities within the LIFE Programme for coastal projects.
Case studies from international projects provided practical examples of successful remediation strategies.
Song Jin from the University of Wyoming discussed the degradation of contaminated sediments using bioelectrochemical technologies, while Grazia Masciandaro from POLIBA showcased technologies developed under the LIFE GREENLIFE 4 SEAS project.
A key highlight was the presentation on the environmental impact assessment of the Bagnoli area’s reclamation project by Lorenzo Bertolè from ARCADIS. Additionally, Heinrich Eisenmann from Isodetect introduced an innovative monitoring plan developed by LIFE SEDREMED.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Donatella De Pascale, Director of the Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department at the Zoological Station Anton Dohrn of Naples, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary research and international collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
Innovative Technologies
Presentations from experts like Pieter de Boer, Erki Lindberg, and Grazia Masciandaro showcased cutting-edge approaches in sediment management and bioremediation. Technologies such as E-Redox® and EKOGRID™ were highlighted for their effectiveness in degrading pollutants and ensuring environmental safety. Bruna Matturro’s research on Italian marine sediments and IDRABEL’s bio-fixation technology demonstrated practical applications and successful remediation efforts.
The LIFE SEDREMED project aims to continue its efforts beyond the conference, with the creation of MEDREHUB, a center dedicated to further initiatives and collaborations for improving marine sediment management. Today’s conference marked a significant step towards a sustainable future and a cleaner marine environment for future generations.
Change takes time: speaker Jos Brils reviewed SedNet’s legacy after 20 years of impact, and the lesson of integrating sediment management into EU policies, advocating for holistic and sustainable solutions.
This conference underscored the vital role of research and innovation in developing effective policies, financing, and practices for the management of contaminated marine sediments, promoting both environmental sustainability and economic growth.