ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS RAISE CONCERNS
In Rome, for instance, there are concerns over what lurks under the surface of its lakes, which are popular with tourists and locals alike. The Italian capital registered a record peak temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius in July.
Environmental non-governmental organisation Legambiente recently found pollution beyond the legal limits at Lake Bolsena, about 1.5 hours’ drive north of Rome.
Mr Roberto Scacchi, president of Legambiente’s Lazio chapter, said there could be devastating consequences.
“The real problem is that alongside this type of microbiological pollution, there is devastating chemical pollution and the presence of nitrogen and phosphorus, which are specifically used in agriculture,” he added.
“It is incredible. It is very high, (and can) lead to the total eutrophication of the body of water. That means the collapse of the presence of oxygen, or the biological death of a lake, with practically nothing alive under two metres.”
