The second year of the sampling activity within the LIFE PHOENIX Project has begun on April 2019. This process, which includes the gathering of samples of different matrices (water matrix, earth matrix, plant matrix, animal matrix) at the ten sampling points identified within the project area, will end in March 2020. 1 sample of water, 4 samples of soil, 4 samples of vegetable spices (corn, radicchio, onion and natural cane reeds) and 1 sample of terrestrial animal species will be taken at each sampling point.

The sample analysis, designed by IRSA-CNR and ARPAV, are aimed at quantifying the concentrations of PFAS found in the environment. In addition, for the animal matrix (earthworms are used as bio-indicators), the stress levels produced by PFAS concentrations on the internal organs are observed. The sampling frequencies vary according to the matrix: the range goes from a higher sampling frequency, for water (monthly or bimonthly, depending on whether it is irrigation or non-irrigation season), to a four-monthly frequency,for both earth and animal matrices, up to a variable survey on vegetables, which are sampled according to the seasons and the cultivation processes.