Title: Qualimare

Scientific advisors: Angela Cuttitta e Vito Pipitone

Partners: CNR-ISMed Palermo and Legione Carabinieri “Sicilia”

ISMed staff involved: ISMed sede di Palermo

START date: 26/01/2026

END date: 26/01/2031

Keywords (3–5): Environmental monitoring, biodiversity, pollution, citizen science

Subject area: LS8 – Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution

Project description

The “Qualimare” project arises from the collaboration between the Palermo branch of the Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean of the National Research Council (CNR-ISMed) and the Carabinieri Legion “Sicilia”, with the operational support of the Palermo naval units and the Subaquatic Unit of Messina of the Carabinieri Corps. This synergy structurally integrates the scientific expertise of the CNR with the institutional functions of control, protection, and territorial and marine area surveillance carried out by the Carabinieri, enabling coordinated and effective action for the monitoring, protection, and enhancement of the marine environment.

The project activities include the monitoring of the physicochemical parameters of the water column and the study of pelagic and benthic marine communities, with particular attention to alien species. Specific emphasis is placed on the role of marine habitats in carbon sequestration processes and on the effects of ocean acidification. The project also includes the monitoring of macrozooplankton and jellyfish, as well as the analysis of microplastics and emerging contaminants. Furthermore, scientific outreach activities and citizen science initiatives are planned.

The main objective is to increase knowledge of the ecological status of coastal marine ecosystems and of the transformation dynamics linked to climate change and anthropogenic pressures.

The expected results include the definition of an updated overview of the health status of marine ecosystems, the identification of possible alterations in biological communities, and the strengthening of knowledge regarding biodiversity and non-indigenous species.

Finally, the project aims to consolidate inter-institutional cooperation and to promote greater public awareness, fostering the adoption of replicable models for environmental protection and the sustainable management of marine resources.

Role of the Institute in the project

Within the framework of the project, the Palermo branch of ISMed is responsible for the planning, coordination, and supervision of the scientific activities, which are defined according to an operational schedule shared with the Palermo San Lorenzo Company of the Carabinieri Corps.

The Institute directly participates in the execution of environmental and biological monitoring activities, providing specialized technical and scientific expertise as well as research infrastructure, both for field operations and laboratory analyses. It also ensures methodological support for data processing, analysis, and interpretation, guaranteeing the scientific quality and consistency of the results in relation to reference standards.

In close synergy with the Carabinieri Corps, ISMed is also engaged in the dissemination and enhancement activities of the “Qualimare” project, contributing to the dissemination of results and to public awareness-raising. In this context, it promotes communication and citizen science initiatives aimed at the active involvement of the community and the strengthening of environmental awareness.

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