The status of selected trophic components of ecosystems has improved or remains within a range of precautionary variation which indicates the absence of substantial structural and functional changes in marine ecosystems. The assessment shall be conducted with appropriate metrics and indicators with reference to at least the following trophic guilds: Primary producers (phytoplankton)

100% of the agglomerations with generated load a) greater than 2,000 equivalent inhabitants and having discharge point in inland waters, b) greater than 10,000 equivalent inhabitants and having discharge point in marine waters, is provided by a secondary water treatment system wastewater (This goal complies with the provisions of art.3 and 4 of Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban wastewater treatment).

Urban waste water from agglomerations of more than 10.000 population equivalents discharging into receiving waters identified as sensitive areas are subject to more stringent treatment than in accordance with Article 105 (32) of Legislative Decree No 152/2006, in accordance with the specific conditions laid down in Annex 5, Part III, or it must be demonstrated that the minimum percentage of reduction of the total input load to all urban waste water treatment plants shall be at least 75 % for total phosphorus and at least 75 % for total nitrogen. The Regions shall identify, between discharges from the treatment installations. urban waste water within the relevant catchment areas of sensitive areas

Loads of nutrients from diffuse sources in the marine environment by means of contributions shall be reduced river and run-off phenomena.

For coastal water bodies of macro types I and II (Ministerial Decree 260/2010): Decreasing trend concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and total phosphorus resulting from reduced inputs anthropogenic anthropogenic of nutrients, calculated over a period of 6 years (geometric mean standard error). For coastal water bodies of macro types III (Ministerial Decree 260/2010): No increase in the concentration (geometric mean standard error) of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and total phosphorus, calculated over a period of 6 years from anthropogenic inputs of nutrients.

For coastal water bodies of macro types I and II (Ministerial Decree 260/2010): Decreasing trend of the geometric mean standard error, calculated on an annual basis for a period of 6 years, of concentration of chlorophyll a “a”, linked to the reduction of anthropogenic nutrient inputs. For coastal water bodies of macro types III (Ministerial Decree 260/2010): No increase in geometric mean Standard error, calculated on an annual basis for a period of 6 years, of the concentration chlorophyll a ‘a’ from anthropogenic inputs of nutrients.