Studio multidisciplinare sullo stato di inquinamento del fiume Musone.

For a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of a river-system, it is necessary to carry out a multidisciplinary research. The investigation of the degree of pollution in the river Musone was conducted in this way. Chemical, physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses, as well as biological monitoring with benthic macroinvertebrates, were carried out. The first part of the river Musone, between the spring and the town of Osimo, presents good characteristics, both chemlcal and biological. The situation changes rapidly after that, when the river receives urban sewage and industriai effluents from the catchment area of Osimo. The tributaries Fiumicello, Vallato and Aspio, whicn carry a high pollution loading, flow one after another into the river, aggravating the already serious situation. Because of this, the river Musone reaches its mouth with a quality of Class V. Untreated urban sewage and industrial effluents are the most important causes of the river's pollution.