Preface

Monitoring the activities of water bodies is an effective way to understand the state of the aquatic environment and provides important information for territorial planning.

New environmental regulations require monitoring activities in water bodies to establish the state of environmental quality of each of them. The knowledge of the state of the water bodies allows for their classification and, if necessary, to plan their rehabilitation to achieve environmental quality objectives. All water bodies that have a significant environmental interest and those that may have a negative influence due to being highly polluted should be monitored.

This book examines methods for implementing effective monitoring of water resources and all aquatic environments in general. It discusses how to monitor the quality of the water matrix through ecotoxicological tests and indicator species. It highlights the importance of monitoring and its correct management for long-term protection. It also proposes methodological updates for more effective monitoring, aimed at acquiring more information in detail useful to territorial administrators who are often forced to make decisions without being supported by scientific evidence. Finally, the book presents an updated review of emerging contaminants for these critical environments that need more attention.

> **Carmine Massarelli and Claudia Campanale**  National Research Council, Water Research Institute, Bari, Italy

Section 1
