Costa Concordia Shipwreck Research Articles

A Decade from the Costa Concordia Shipwreck: Lesson Learned on the Contribution of Infrared Thermography during the Maritime Salvage Operations

On 13 January 2012, the Italian vessel Costa Concordia wrecked on the shore of Giglio Island, about 15 km off the coast of southern Tuscany (Italy), causing the loss of 32 lives. It is considered one of the worst disasters in maritime history. Salvage operations started immediately after the wreck with the coordination of the Italian National Civil Protection Department and the technological support of several Research Centers, which were activated for the management of the consequent emergency phase. A multi-parametric and multiplatform monitoring system was promptly implemented, involving several advanced remote sensing techniques, among which was Infrared Thermography (IRT). In this framework, IRT monitoring was performed during a 35-day period (25 January–1 March 2012), using a terrestrial, hand-held thermal camera. Six different thermal images were acquired daily from the island’s coastline in three different positions, both in daylight and night times. The aim was to detect thermal anomalies connected to possible deformations of the vessel and oil spills. Between 3–4 February, IRT successfully revealed on oil spill drifting from the stern of the wreck towards the island harbor. Furthermore, the wreck’s thermal dilatation was also analyzed during a 24-day close-range monitoring, providing interesting insights for the interpretation of the deformation monitoring results. This paper presents the outcomes of these innovative and experimental monitoring activities, with the aim of testing the potential of IRT as a versatile and operative tool to be used in maritime and environmental disaster response.

What’s in a Name? The Impact of Disasters on Islands’ Reputations: The cases of Giglio and Ustica

Disasters and their aftermath can leave an enduring, negative impact on the image of tourism destinations. This paper presents research conducted in relation to Giglio (site of the January 2011 Costa Concordia shipwreck) and Ustica (associated with the June 1980 crash of Itavia Flight 870) in order to study the impact of these two disasters on the tourism industry of these two small Italian islands. Methods employed include content analysis of articles published online and interviews with tourism stakeholders including operators, government officials and park managers. Findings suggest that disaster news coverage may initially have helped to increase the international visibility of both islands, however, even after several years, references made to the islands in the press continue to be related to such disasters. Little acknowledgement is made to the islands as tourism destinations or to the nature-based attractions that they offer. In this regard, a counter-engagement with the media and marketing efforts, including the use of social media platforms, is key to ensure that the enduring image of the islands is corrected and better reflects the characteristics of the islands.

An experimental investigation aimed at validating a seagrass restoration protocol based on transplantation

Protection and restoration are crucial components of conservation strategies aimed at preserving biodiversity and ecosystem services. Here, we propose a successful protocol to restore the most important and protected Mediterranean seagrass species, Posidonia oceanica. A 52-month experiment was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of the restoration of a P. oceanica meadow damaged by the Costa Concordia shipwreck. Specifically, we investigated: i) the suitability of cuttings taken from clods of matte detached by boat anchoring and storms, as transplanting material; ii) the effects of collection and transplanting at different depths on the cuttings' survival, shoot density, and Daily Leaf Production (DLP); iii) the degradation rate of iron transplant stakes used to fix the cuttings. Cuttings taken from clods of matte displayed a considerable survival rate (75%) and shoot density increase (+ 57%), thus pointing to an effective non-destructive alternative to the use of donor meadows for restoration purposes. Cuttings transplanted at a similar depth they were collected, offered the best effectiveness, branching more (+ 90%) than cuttings transplanted either deeper or shallower. DLP highlighted the colonization-predisposition of transplanted P. oceanica, revealing higher leaf growth than natural plants over the study period. We estimated the degradation of the iron transplant stakes would lead to a seabed free from any anthropogenic artifacts within 20–24 years. This protocol could offer significant advantages over any restoration plans so far developed, including its considerable success, extensive availability of vegetal material without impacting P. oceanica meadows, and a seabed potentially characterized by natural elements only.

Reteporella spp. success in the re-colonization of bare coralligenous reefs impacted by Costa Concordia shipwreck: The pioneer species you did not expect

We report here for the first time the effectiveness of Reteporella bryozoan genus in the early stage of coralligenous reefs recolonization through the analysis of the settlement and the population size structure over a two-years period at two impacted and two control sites. Results highlighted how Reteporella spp. colonies strongly recolonized, from 2017 to 2019, the bare coralligenous reefs subjected to the Costa Concordia shipwreck and its related anthropogenic disturbances, notably increasing both their density and percentage coverage. We recorded differences in colony size among impacted and control sites. Overall, large-sized colonies were reported at impacted sites exclusively, where Reteporella settlement and growth patterns differed if compared to control areas. This study highlights implications for the maintenance of the ecological functions, for the recovery processes, and for the future ecological shifts affecting one of the most important Mediterranean coastal ecosystems, the coralligenous reefs.

PTSD and post-traumatic stress spectrum in the Italian Navy Operational Divers Group and corps of Coast Guard Divers employed in search and rescue activities in the Mediterranean refugees emergences and Costa Concordia shipwreck

Rescue personnel is at high risk for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) because of the possible repetitive exposition to “cruel details of traumatic events” (DSM-5). Literature reported PTSD rates in combat exposed veterans, although the Italian Navy military personnel has been frequently involved in no-war activities in most recent years, such as Search and Rescue (SAR) activities of civilians involved in catastrophic events. The study aimed at exploring the prevalence of PTSD and its impact on social and work functioning among divers of the Italian Navy employed in the SAR activities for the Costa Concordia shipwreck (2012), the collapsed control tower of the Genoa harbour (2013), and the “Mare Nostrum” and “Triton” immigrant emergency Operations in the Mediterranean Sea. The 85 Italian Navy and Coast Guard Divers on duty for these activities were involved in the study and forty fulfilled the assessments, including the: Impact Event Scale (IES-r), Trauma and Loss Spectrum Self-Report (TALS-SR) and Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). In the three years before enrollment 77.5% of the sample (n = 31) performed at least one rescue operation, with full and partial DSM-5 PTSD rates being 7.5% and 22.5%, respectively. A correlation emerged between WSAS domains or total scores and TALS-SR score domains for PTSD. Rescue Navy personnel resulted to be at risk for post-traumatic stress symptoms, and these subthreshold PTSD manifestations appear to impact on functioning. Further studies are needed to better investigate PTSD risk and resilience factors in this particular group of workers.

Photogrammetry: Linking the World across the Water Surface

Three-dimensional (3D) surveying and modelling of the underwater environment is challenging; however, it becomes even more arduous when the scene or asset to measure extends from above to underwater through the water surface. While this is topic of high interest for a number of different application fields (engineering, geology, archeology), few solutions are available, usually expensive and with no guarantee of obtaining homogenous accuracy and resolution in the two media. This paper focuses on a procedure to survey and link the above and the underwater worlds based on photogrammetry. The two parts of the asset, above and underwater, are separately surveyed and then linked through two possible analytical procedures: (1) independent model adjustment or (2) relative orientation constraints. In the first case, rigid pre-calibrated rods are installed across the waterline on the object to be surveyed; in the second approach, a synchronized stereo-camera rig, with a camera in water and the other above the water, is employed. The theoretical foundation for the two approaches is provided and their effectiveness is proved through two challenging case studies: (1) the 3D survey of the leak of the Costa Concordia shipwreck and (2) 3D modelling of Grotta Giusti, a complex semi-submerged cave environment in Italy.

Spread of non-indigenous macroalgae and disturbance: Impact assessment of the Costa Concordia shipwreck (Giglio Island, Italy) using the ALEX index

The establishment and spread of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) can be facilitated through perturbations that lower the resilience of native communities to invasion. After a disturbance to a rocky subtidal macroalgal assemblage in the Mediterranean Sea (Italy) by a shipwreck (Costa Concordia), we compared native and non-native seaweed community structure at the disturbed site and two reference sites using traditional abundance measures, in addition to employment of the ALien Biotic IndEX (ALEX). ALEX has been recently proposed as a potential multi-metric indicator to evaluate biological invasions in Mediterranean macroalgal assemblages, taking into account both the relative abundance of macroalgal NIS to native seaweed abundances and the invasive traits of those NIS. We found that macroalgal NIS were initially more abundant at the disturbed site, but four months later were decreased and there were no difference with the reference sites. Native macroalgal cover at the disturbed site was lower than at reference sites in the initial survey, but unexpectedly decreased significantly four months later. Despite the decline in the cover of macroalgal NIS, ALEX was consistently lower through time at the disturbed site, due to concurrent declines in native seaweed abundances. This suggests that evaluation of macroalgal NIS should not be based on cover of macroalgal NIS alone and that the relative cover of native species should also be considered. ALEX may represent a versatile tool to be employed in both monitoring programs and impact evaluation studies.

Impact of the Costa Concordia shipwreck on a Posidonia oceanica meadow: a multi-scale assessment from a population to a landscape level

The Costa Concordia shipwreck permitted to assess how multiple disturbances affected marine biota at different spatial and temporal scales, evaluating the effects of mechanical and physical disturbances on Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, an endemic seagrass species of the Mediterranean Sea. To assess the impacts of the shipwreck and its salvaging from 2012 to 2017 at a population and a landscape level, a diversified approach was applied based on the application of a geographical information system coupled with seascape metrics and structural descriptors. Benthic habitat maps and seascape metrics highlighted cenotic transitions, as well as fragmentation and erosion phenomena, resulting in 9952 m2 of seagrass area impacted. Regression of the meadow was unveiled by both multivariate and interpolation analysis, revealing a clear spatio-temporal gradient of impacts based on distances from the wreck. Results highlighted the effectiveness of the descriptors involved that permitted to reveal temporal changes at both fine and large scales.

Passive sampling monitoring of PAHs and trace metals in seawater during the salvaging of the Costa Concordia wreck (Parbuckling Project)

Passive sampling techniques were used for monitoring trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the seawater surrounding the Costa Concordia shipwreck (Isola del Giglio, Italy). The monitoring lasted two and a half years (2012–2014) and considered all four phases of the “parbuckling project”: stabilisation of the wreckage, installation of steel caissons on both sides of the wreck, parbuckling, and refloating. Dissolved trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and V) were measured with diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), while freely dissolved PAHs were measured with semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs). Passive sampling allowed to detect very low concentrations of contaminants, and indicated significant differences among the sampling stations and among the different steps for salvaging the wreck. The results suggested that the main source of contamination was the heavy working vessel traffic at the disaster site, rather than the release of contaminants from the wreck.

Trace elements, rare earth elements and inorganic arsenic in seaweeds from Giglio Island (Thyrrenian Sea) after the Costa Concordia shipwreck and removal

The occurrence of trace elements, REE and iAs was investigated in macroalgae collected from Giglio Island (Grosseto, Italy), 3 years after the Costa Concordia shipwreck recovery operations.There was a high variability of metals and REE between species, even those belonging to the same phylum. Arsenic level was found within the range of the Tuscany marine environment; the inorganic fraction was from 9% to 31%. Al, Be, Pb and Zn levels in seaweeds from Giglio Island were found to be significantly higher than in macroalgae from other islands of the Tuscany archipelago. REE were double the values found in the Tuscan islands of Elba and Capraia. We suggest that concentrations of metals and REE were influenced by the 3-year-long naval operations carried out for the Costa Concordia shipwreck rescue, and that macroalgae could be suitable bioindicators of perturbations in metal concentrations in the marine environment. CapsuleInorganic contaminants in seaweeds for Giglio Island.

Seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile as a marine biomarker: a metabolomic and toxicological analysis

AbstractA human‐made environmental disaster due to the shipwrecked of Costa Concordia cruise vessel on the Tuscan Island of Giglio (Italy) coast and the possible pollutants release has been feared, so requiring the activation of removal operations and the monitoring of the marine environment. In the present study, the seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile was used as a bioindicator for the impact of the Costa Concordia accident on the marine and coastal habitat. Different P. oceanica samples were collected in the shipwrecked site under different light conditions. Using high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography, metabolic analysis of the samples was carried out in order to highlight possible changes in the secondary metabolism due to the permanent shading and the presence of pollutant traces. Moreover, sample mutagenicity, as a consequence of the possible absorption of environmental toxicants leaked by the wreck, was assessed by the Ames test. The results highlighted the permanence of the Concordia‐induced alteration in the plant secondary metabolites. However, absorption of chemical pollutants and carcinogens was not reported; this point was confirmed by the lack of mutagenic effects found for the samples tested. Our results clearly evidence that the environmental impact of Costa Concordia wreck and removal operations on P. oceanica was mainly due to the lack of light in the marine habitat. Present methodological approach, which combines metabolomic and genetic ecotoxicological analysis, could represent a suitable strategy to evaluate the impact of human disasters on the ecosystem and to monitor the environmental changes.

Multiple environmental descriptors to assess ecological status of sensitive habitats in the area affected by the Costa Concordia shipwreck (Giglio Island, Italy)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of multiple environmental descriptors through an asymmetrical sampling design to detect possible impacts related to the Costa Concordia event on the coastal marine environment. The Costa Concordia shipwreck occurred on a submerged rocky reef in the north-western Mediterranean Sea and the wreck was removed 2 years later. To achieve the proposed objective two main coastal ecosystems, the seagrass Posidonia oceanica and coralligenous assemblages were studied using two ecological indices, PREI and ESCA, respectively. Both indices show a lower ecological quality in the disturbed sites compared with the control ones. Differences between the disturbed and control sites observed in both studied ecosystems would seem to indicate an increase of turbidity around the shipwreck as the most plausible cause of impact. The concurrent use of different ecological indices and asymmetrical sampling designs allowed detection of differences in ecological quality of the disturbed sites compared with the controls. This approach may represent an interesting tool to be employed in impact evaluation studies.

Assessment of the impact of salvaging the Costa Concordia wreck on the deep coralligenous habitats

The coralligenous habitats found in the Mediterranean Sea are hotspots comparable in biodiversity to tropical reefs. Coralligenous reefs are vulnerable to many human pressures, thus they are among the most threatened habitats in the Mediterranean Sea. In this study, we assessed the impacts on coralligenous habitats of activities associated with salvaging the wreck of the Costa Concordia cruise ship. After its partial foundering in 2012, the Costa Concordia remained adjacent to the eastern coast of Giglio Island (Tuscany, Italy), in the Tyrrhenian Sea, for over two years. Its salvage required high-impact engineering works, during the course of which monitoring of benthic communities was undertaken. We performed Rapid Visual Assessment (RVA) sampling (using recorded video) from 17 stations located between 35 and 76m depth and characterized by coralligenous habitats. Sampling activity was performed during the summers of 2012, 2013, and 2014. In parallel, chemical and physical water parameters were measured continuously from summer 2012 to the end of summer 2014, in order to detect any perturbation in natural conditions caused by salvage activities. We assessed the ecological quality of coralligenous habitats by applying the COARSE (COralligenous Assessment by ReefScape Estimate) index, based on the RVA approach. Slight modifications were applied to one of the descriptors of the COARSE index in order to adjust for study site features. There was clear evidence of a reduction in coralligenous habitats quality. Assemblages, slope, type of pressure, and distance from the source of disturbance played a pivotal role in characterizing bottom quality. The index was shown to have an easy and cost-effective application, even in waters deeper than its calibration specification; furthermore, the modification reported here may increase its potential applications.

Microplastics pollution after the removal of the Costa Concordia wreck: First evidences from a biomonitoring case study

Microplastics (MPs) represent a matter of growing concern for the marine environment. Their ingestion has been documented in several species worldwide, but the impact of specific anthropogenic activities remains largely unexplored. In this study, MPs were characterized in different benthic fish sampled after 2.5 years of huge engineering operations for the parbuckling project on the Costa Concordia wreck at Giglio Island. Fish collected in proximity of the wreck showed a high ingestion of microplastics compared to both fish from a control area and values reported worldwide. Also the elevated percentage of nylon, polypropylene lines and the presence of polystyrene are quite unusual for marine organisms sampled in natural field conditions, thus supporting the possible relationship of ingested microplastics with maritime operations during wreck removal. On the other hand, the use of transplanted mussels revealed a lower frequency of ingested MPs, and did not discriminate differences between the wreck and the control area. Some variations were observed in terms of typology and size of particles between surface- and bottom-caged mussels highlighting the influence of a different distribution of MPs along the water column. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that MPs pollution in the area of Costa Concordia was more evident on benthonic environment than on seawater column, providing novel insights on the possibility of using appropriate sentinel organisms for monitoring specific anthropogenic sources of MPs pollution in the marine environment.

Development of Nemo remotely operated underwater vehicle for the inspection of the Costa Concordia wreck

Remotely operated underwater vehicles are mobile robots increasingly used in underwater applications; these devices are widely used and suitable for different scenarios, for example, for patrolling and monitoring and also for underwater interventions. In the last 30 years, the remotely operated underwater vehicles have become more and more advanced; at the same rate with the progressive technological development of these vehicles, the market of the specialized component industry is fast-increasing. Generally speaking, a remotely operated underwater vehicle allows to investigate areas inaccessible or too dangerous for human beings. The use of remotely operated underwater vehicles during a mission, with the related implication of support ships and specialized pilots, or the involvement of professional divers, is usually associated with high costs. The reduction of these costs is an important topic in the underwater robotic field and the easy piloting of these mobile robots is a crucial aspect in their development. This article describes Nemo remotely operated underwater vehicle, a remotely operated underwater vehicle prototype specifically designed for the exploration of the Costa Concordia wreck, Isola del Giglio, Italy. Nemo remotely operated underwater vehicle can be considered a mini-remotely operated underwater vehicle, that is, a remotely operated underwater vehicle with weight less than 25 kg and easily deployable from a small boat. This article describes the main characteristics of the vehicle: the onboard control logic and on the development of a user-friendly graphical user interface for underwater navigation able to take advantage of its high maneuverability. It is worth to note that the developed graphical user interface enables to operate the vehicle even to inexperienced pilots. Preliminary experimental data collected during navigation are provided.

Effects of Costa Concordia shipwreck on epiphytic assemblages and biotic features of Posidonia oceanica canopy

This research provides first information about Posidonia oceanica canopy in the area affected by Costa Concordia wreck. Percentage cover of algal and animal taxa on the leaves was estimated and biotic features of the meadow were measured in the period just after the shipwreck until its removal from the impacted site. Changes in epiphytic assemblages and some biotic features were detected in the Disturbed site compared with Control ones, highlighting effects due to the wreck presence and activities related to its removal. A temporary decrease of encrusting macroalgae and an increase of erected macroalgae and foraminifers, as well as a temporary increase of tip erosion of the canopy were detected in the Disturbed site. The obtained results were discussed and hypotheses about possible synergic effects occurred near the wreck were commented.

Company Post-Crisis Communication Strategies and the Psychological Mechanism Underlying Consumer Reactions

A theoretical framework is developed to explain the mechanisms that underlie the effectiveness of matching postcrisis communication strategies to the crisis types on relevant consumer reactions. Two studies are conducted regarding an actual crisis case: the Costa Concordia shipwreck on 2012. Study 1 provides evidence of more favorable consumer reactions to a company when confession strategy and preventable crisis are matched. The results verify that consumers’ emotions of anger and sympathy play a mediating role. Study 2 demonstrates corporate reputation's moderating role on the link between postcrisis communication strategy and sympathy and, through it, on consumers’ attitudinal and behavioral responses.

Remocean System for the Detection of the Reflected Waves from the Costa Concordia Ship Wreck

This paper presents the validation of the Remocean X-band wave radar as a tool for sea state monitoring in coastal zones, by processing the data collected and processed by the radar platform installed at the port of Giglio Island. In particular, the effectiveness of the sea wave height reconstruction has been tested during the storm on November 27, 2012, by focusing on the analysis of the spectral slope and the statistical properties of the ocean waves. A further proof of the effectiveness of the system has been shown by comparing both the estimated sea state parameters and 2-D directional spectrum with the benchmark forecasting models WaveWatchIII (WW3) and Simulating Wave Nearshore (SWAN).

Management of physical and emotional trauma in French victims of the Costa Concordia shipwreck

Management of physical and emotional trauma in French victims of the Costa Concordia shipwreck

A multidisciplinary weight of evidence approach for environmental risk assessment at the Costa Concordia wreck: Integrative indices from Mussel Watch

A complex framework of chemical, biological and oceanographic activities was immediately activated after the Costa Concordia shipwreck, to assess possible contamination events and the environmental impact during both emergency and wreck removal operations. In the present paper, we describe the results obtained with caged mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, chosen as bioindicator organisms to detect variations of bioavailability and the early onset of molecular and cellular effects (biomarkers). Seven translocation experiments were carried out during the first year from the incident, with organisms deployed at 2 depths in 3 different sites. After 4–6 weeks, tissue concentrations were measured for the main classes of potentially released chemicals (trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile and aliphatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, halogenated pesticides, organotin compounds, brominated flame retardants, anionic surfactants); a wide battery of biomarkers covered responses indicative of exposure, detoxification, oxidative stress, cell damage and genotoxic effects. Results excluded serious contamination events or a consistent increase of environmental pollution although some episodic spills with reversible effects were detected. Data were elaborated within a quantitative weight of evidence (WOE) model which provided synthetic hazard indices for each typology of data, before their overall integration in an environmental risk index, which generally ranged from slight to moderate. The proposed WOE model was confirmed a useful tool to summarize large datasets of complex data in integrative indices, and to simplify the interpretation for stakeholders and decision makers, thus supporting a more comprehensive process of “site-oriented” management decisions.