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Open Access | Published on June 15, 2021

Floating wetlands as Nature-based Solutions for marine water pollution control in Mediterranean: Challenges and future perspectives

Takavakoglou Vasileios
Pana Eleanna
Plakas Konstantinos
Abstract

Mediterranean Sea is widely regarded as one of the most threatened environments in the world because of the high population densities, the lack of consistent waste-management schemes, the large influxes of tourists and the strategic merchant navigation. The growing environmental awareness of society, the advancement of Nature-based Solutions, and the need for reliable and cost-effective solutions create a favorable environment of opportunities for the Floating Wetlands which appear as an attractive ecotechnology able to address marine environmental problems in a sustainable way. Floating Wetlands are man-made ecosystems inspired by nature that are using natural processes in order improve water quality, while providing a series of ecosystem services that benefit both human and nature. Aim of this work is to reveal the growing importance of Floating Wetlands as Nature-based Solutions for marine water pollution control, to highlight the benefits of their application for economy and society and to identify future challenges and opportunities.

Keywords
Floating wetlands, Nature-based Solutions, marine pollution, petroleum hydrocarbons, Mediterranean