MORPHODYNAMICS PROCESSES IN THE LAGOON OF VENICE: THE SCANELLO SALT MARSH AREA

Abstract

Geomorpholgical variations have been naturally occurring in the Lagoon of Venice since its formation. In recent times, however, complex morphodynamic changes, caused by natural processes and by the direct or indirect impact of man activities have been recognised. Moreover, there remains a lack of knowledge concerning sediment erosion, re-suspension, transport and sedimentation, sea-lagoon balance and the role played by the hydrodynamics. A detailed study of the Scanello salt marsh area, in the Northern part of the Venice Lagoon, was carried out, in order to better understand the erosion-transport-sedimentation processes and the hydrodynamics interaction. Understanding the role that the hydrodynamics plays in the erosion, transportation and deposition of sediments in this test area, is essential to the understanding the morphological variations, that are presently occurring in the Venice Lagoon and morphological and environmental restorations required. A 2D hydrodynamic finite element model was used to provide the circulation field of the entire Venice basin. Results obtained by different simulations allowed the investigation of the main hydrodynamic features of the Scanello area.