Page 8 - EAI-4_2015_83-90

Research & development

beached biomasses realised

under the GERIN Project. It

may have different size and

/ or shape and is suitable on

rocky areas and as a substrate

for transplanting shoots

and rhizomes and plants of

P. oceanica and/or other vegetal

species on the sea bottom. The

most promising application of

the multifunctional structure is

onshore, where it can be used to

increase the carrying capacity

of beaches and rocky shores, to

create walk-paths or deckchairs

for recreational activities.

Such application, essential for

maintaining the presence of the

meadow, which is an indicator

of the health status of the sea,

FIGURE 13 A and B) Schematic representation of in situ deposit displacement carried out is also crucial to reduce coastal
in Favignana to avoid access of tourists close to unstable rocky shores erosion through the root system
and positioning of mats on rocky outcrops to increase the beach. C) Example that holds the removal of sand

of immersion of the bio-mats on the seabed. D) Example of application during storms. In addition, the
VMIPVTH[Z[VJYLH[LWH[OZPU*HSH(aa\YYHTVKPÄLKMYVT0UNVNSPH BD prospective for compensation

strategies is promising, as many

Discussion and conclusions infrastructures and works are

often not approved due to the environmental impact

they may have on the Posidonia oceanica meadow,

The work presented in this paper is a part of a which is an ecosystem with a very high economic

multidisciplinary project related to the characterisation value.Therefore, if the monitoring of such intervention

and the restoration of coastal areas. A natural structure will confirm the positive trend of preliminary results, a

has been realized in order to produce “mats” stuffed new technology can be applied and/or implemented

with seagrass collected from the beaches. for seagrass replants by using the sea immersion

The choice of the product on the free market is subject to approach.

various factors and a wide variability of characteristics Based on the adopted methodology, and the actions

and price may occur. Nowadays, many products with of management and environmental restoration

similar characteristics are available on the market. described above, the GE.RI.N project was awarded

They are made of jute, coconut and other natural with the Green Coast Award 2013. After this prestigious

fibres which provide jerseys with known weights per recognition, a collaboration between ENEA and the

unit area, expected duration in humid or submerged Science in Product Design Dept. of University of Rome

environments, and other technical specifications that “Sapienza” started on summer 2014 in order to create

can lead to identify eligible materials to be used for a new generation of biocompatible products that could

different purposes. increase the carrying capacity of rocky shores and

A patent with several claims has been deposited, create multifunctional structures for coastal areas with

concerning the multifunctional structure made of low environmental impact. In particular, De Simone

88 EAI Energia, Ambiente e Innovazione 4/2015