On Wednesday, 5 November 2025, the periodic meeting of the Italian Local Hub took place in Cagliari, hosted by the Regional Agency of the Hydrographic District of Sardinia (ADIS). The meeting served as a platform to share the most recent results and discuss future directions for the in-situ bioremediation of the Arborea Plain aquifer, focusing on nitrate pollution caused by agro-livestock activities.
Representing the University of Cagliari were Professor Antonio Coppola, Professor Stefania Da Pelo, Dr. Francesca Lobina, and Dr. Antonio Sessini, while Dr. Faiza Souid and Dr. Shawkat participated on behalf of the University of Basilicata. The meeting provided an opportunity to present the most recent results from the bioreactors, review the scientific and technical progress achieved since their implementation, and discuss future strategies to enhance the project’s environmental impact on the Arborea Plain.
The event underscored the active collaboration between regional authorities, academic institutions, and agricultural stakeholders in safeguarding water resources and promoting the sustainability of Sardinia’s agri-food systems.
A wide range of stakeholders attended the meeting, including representatives from universities (University of Cagliari and University of Basilicata), regional agencies, reclamation consortia, local authorities, and the agri-food sector. Participants from Sardinian reclamation consortia across South Sardinia, Central Sardinia, Ogliastra, Gallura, North Sardinia, and Nurra also contributed, reflecting broad interest in the project’s progress and outcomes.
The session opened with a presentation by ADIS on ongoing activities and the overall project context. In the second part, the University of Cagliari and the Consorzio di Bonifica dell’Oristanese presented the project’s latest results, including scientific analyses and modeling insights. The meeting concluded with a discussion on future perspectives and possible further developments.
This meeting marks an important milestone in advancing practical solutions for protecting groundwater resources in vulnerable areas and demonstrates the value of multi-stakeholder collaboration in environmental management. Participants emphasized the potential of bioreactors to reduce nitrate pollution while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.