Transitional waters: EQB Organic Quality Elements (Triennials 2010-2012, 2014-216 and 2017-2019)

The Ecological State of Water Bodies provides an assessment of the quality of the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems through the study of organisms living in transitional waters. The legislation provides for a selection of the Organic Qualification Elements (EQB) to be monitored on the basis of the objectives and the assessment of pressures and impacts: the EQBs monitored and used for classification in 2010-2019  are benthic macrophytes and macroinvertebrates. In addition to the EQBs, other ‘support’ elements are monitored: physico-chemical elements (dissolved inorganic nitrogen, reactive phosphorus and oxygenation conditions) and specific pollutants not included in the priority list (compliance with EQS-MA Tab. 1/B, Annex 1 to Ministerial Decree 260/10).