Forested Infiltration for Nitrate Removal: Arborea (Italy)

This infographic presents the Arborea (Italy) Case Study from the NATMed PRIMA Project, demonstrating how NbS can address nitrate groundwater contamination in intensive agricultural areas 

Arborea, a fertile district in Sardinia, faces a critical challenge: nitrate levels in groundwater frequently exceed 50 mg/L, surpassing the legal limit established under EU water protection legislation. To tackle this issue, a Forested Infiltration Area (FIA) and Passive Treatment System (PTS) is implemented, removing over 80% of nitrates before they reach the aquifer 

Beyond water depollution, the FIA supports biodiversity, captures carbon, and contributes to local climate regulation by cooling the landscape. 

Alessandra Paulotto, Mario Pirastru, Alberto Carletti, Ermioni Bachtse