Tidal channels shape the Lagoon of Grado, Italy
The Lagoon of Grado, a 90-square-kilometre protected coastal wetland, lies along the Adriatic coast of Friuli Venezia Giulia, a region in north-eastern Italy. It sits about 30 km west of Trieste and is separated from the Adriatic Sea by a chain of sandy barrier islands. It is made up of shallow waters, tidal flats, salt marshes, and small islands, threaded by a dense network of channels.
This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 6 September 2026, shows the intricate layout of the lagoon. Meandering tidal channels cross the wetlands, while shifts between turquoise and darker blue water indicate differences in depth and in the amount of suspended sediment. The town of Grado is visible along the lagoon's southern edge, facing the Gulf of Trieste.
Copernicus Sentinel-2 data support the monitoring of coastal and wetland environments, helping to track how water bodies, vegetation, sediment, and shorelines change over time.
