A new island has appeared near Venice that was previously underwater: scientists warn of danger

A new island, Bakan, has appeared near the Italian city of Venice, which has long been a secret vacation spot for locals. The fact is that this part of the land is underwater almost all year round, and only in the summer season does it remain on the surface.

However, now both tourists and Italians can enjoy a vacation on the sandy area located between the islands of Sant'Erasmo and Punta Sabbioni all year round, The Independent reports. Specialists have installed a special system of barriers that protects Bakan from constant flooding and, accordingly, complete submergence under water.

Due to its location, only the people of Venice knew about this part of the land for a long time. While the main streets of the city were crowded with vacationers, the Italians were quietly traveling to the island on their own boats. Bakan is quite a pleasant place for tourism, as it is a sandbar 250 meters long and 10 meters wide, with a diverse ecosystem.

However, as soon as winter arrives, Bakan is submerged under water due to constant storms and flooding. Such natural conditions pose a threat to all 118 islands that make up Venice, as, according to scientists, there is a risk that all land areas could disappear into the sea as early as 2100. In order to avoid the fatal consequences of the disaster, in 2020, engineer Giovanni Cecconi developed a special project called Mose, a system of flood barriers placed at different entrances to the Venice Lagoon. Thanks to this invention, Bakan became accessible to visitors in any season.

"The barrier accelerates the flow of water into the lagoon when it is open, which means more sand is brought in to help maintain the Bakan. And by raising the barrier in the winter to stop the water, the island is protected from the tides that used to wash it away," the creator of Mose explained.

However, not all experts believe that the reason for Bakan's constant presence above the water surface is only the installed barrier system, the Daily Mail reports. According to Professor Adrea D'Alpos, the island's formation began long before the project was developed, which indicates that Mose is only part of more complex processes.

In addition, scientists warn that such interference in the ecosystem can have quite negative consequences.

"While activating MOSE is necessary to protect Venice, it dramatically reduces tidal peaks during storm surges and significantly limits the extent and duration of salt marsh flooding. This, in turn, reduces sedimentation in the marshes, which threatens their long-term survival," the expert said.

Salt marshes absorb 30 times more carbon dioxide than forests, making their disappearance a major problem for the entire planet. In addition, according to experts, they reduce the harmful effects of floods. Accordingly, the smaller the area of salt marshes, the more damage the disaster can cause.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!