Abstract
An interdisciplinary environmental baseline assessment was conducted on the submerged Roman remains of the Villa dei Pisoni, located within the Underwater Archaeological Park of Baiae (Poz-zuoli Bay, southern Italy), to characterize the physical and geochemical conditions that may influence the site’s long-term preservation. High-resolution morpho-bathymetric data were integrated with sedimentological and geochemical analyses performed at seven environmental stations surrounding the submerged villa. Sediments are predominantly composed of poorly sorted gravelly sand, indi-cating a shallow, wave-influenced depositional environment where sediment remobilization may contribute to mechanical abrasion of exposed archaeological surfaces. Organic geochemical analyses reveal a pronounced spatial heterogeneity in PAHs, with a maximum concentration of 3904 μg/kg at ENV_3, largely dominated by high-molecular-weight compounds. Diagnostic PAH ratios indicate a predominantly pyrogenic signature, suggesting a localized anthropogenic influence potentially re-lated to maritime activities and the proximity of the site’s mooring area, although a direct fuel-spill contribution cannot be demonstrated. Inorganic geochemical analyses identify a regional enrichment in As, consistent with the geochemical influence of the active Phlegraean hydrothermal system, to-gether with a distinct Cr–Ni–Rb anomaly at ENV_5, which is more consistent with local lithological and/or mineralogical controls. The results demonstrate that the environmental pressures affecting the site are inherently spatially heterogeneous and highlight the value of a holistic framework inte-grating sedimentological, geochemical, and high-resolution spatial data for the establishment of a comprehensive environmental baseline and the effective management of long-term preservation strategies.