MAESTRI

Interventions for the monitoring and control of the marine and coastal environment

C1-2.3-118

LP: Università degli Studi di Palermo Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DISTEM) – 

CUP: B63C25000480005

PP2: Università degli Studi di Messina -Dipartimento di Ingegneria (DI) – CUP: J43C25000350007

PP3: Università degli Studi di Catania - Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche Geologiche e Ambientali (DSBGA) – CUP: E67G25000090008

PP4: CNR - Istituto Di Scienze Polari Messina - Dip. Scienze del Sistema Terra e Tecnologie per l'Ambiente – CUP: B43C24001680002

PP5: University of Malta - Department of Chemistry Department of Geosciences – 

CUP: G13C25000300006

PP6: Public Works Department – 

CUP: G13C25000310006

Microplastics (MP), plastic fragments <5 mm, harm marine organisms and carry pathogens and pollutants. The central Mediterranean, holding 7% of global MP load, is highly vulnerable, yet coastal data and protocols are lacking. The MAESTRI project investigates MPs in coastal areas of Italy and Malta: it analyzes their origin, distribution, impact on biodiversity, and biodegradability, developing technological tools for on-site detection. The goal is to create decadal predictive models of MP distribution, identify vulnerable habitats, and support decision-makers with a prototype climate service targeting transboundary NATURA 2000 areas.

• 6 Maps of marine coastal geodiversity of pilot sites
• 1 Video collection from camera system monitoring beach litter after storms
• 1 Requirements list for the design of the data collection IT platform
• 1 Collection of plastic-degrading bacteria and fungi
• 1 Database on plastisphere biodiversity and biodegradation potential
• 1 Report on MP impact on microbial diversity and related health risk
• 1 Collection of pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant plastisphere bacteria
• 1 Report on MP influence on benthic and planktonic components
• 1 Report on MP characterization and quantification in pilot sites
• 1 Prototype of climate service for decadal MP accumulation prediction
• 1 Forecasting system for coastal plastic dynamics
• 1 Technical guideline to improve governance and policy processes
• 1 Report of the participatory network meetings for guideline transfer

• Production of geodiversity maps for coastal pilot sites
• Identification and characterization of microplastics (MPs) in water, sediments, and biota
• Collection of data on marine biodiversity and the plastisphere
• Assessment of MP impact on microbial, benthic, and planktonic components
• Study of pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria associated with MPs
• Isolation of bacteria and fungi capable of degrading MPs
• Creation of databases on plastisphere biodiversity and biodegradation potential
• Development of on-site detection tools and real-time sensors for MPs
• Implementation of a climate service prototype for future MP accumulation forecasting
• Development of 10-year predictive models for MP distribution
• Identification of vulnerable habitats in NATURA 2000 areas
• Drafting of technical guidelines to improve environmental policy
• Creation of a geospatial platform for data visualization
• Engagement of stakeholders through a participatory network and workshops

Prof. Fabrizio Pepe 

📧 fabrizio.pepe@unipa.it
📞 +39 2386466/3339289437