Characterization of the Ionian Coast of Northern Calabria (Italy): Temporal Trend of Physico-Chemical Parameters, Nutrients, and Pollutants

The northern Ionian coast of Calabria (Southern Italy) represents a largely unexplored marine region, increasingly impacted by anthropogenic pressures yet lacking a comprehensive environmental assessment. This study combines a critical review of available literature with a five-year (2015-2020) experimental dataset of environmental parameters collected in the Villapiana coastal sector, providing the first integrated characterization of the study area, and extending current knowledge on northern Ionian Calabrian coast. Water samples from three offshore stations and sediment samples from one subcoastal station were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters, nutrients, and contaminants.Results highlight a warming trend in surface waters and a notable rise in pH, contrasting with the general acidification reported across the Mediterranean Sea. Chlorophyll-a peak shifted to greater depths, suggesting a deepening of the photic zone. Nutrient levels remained constantly low across depths and stations, confirming the oligotrophic nature of the area. While most pollutants were below detection limits, lead concentrations in seawater exceeded environmental quality standards in a single time point. These findings underline the need for ongoing and standardized monitoring to support conservation strategies and assess future changes in this sensitive coastal ecosystem.