Vada White Beach / Spiagge Bianche

Physical

A five-kilometre beach of unusually white sand with turquoise water, between Rosignano Solvay and Vada on the Etruscan Coast. The colour of both sand and sea is the result of calcium carbonate discharged by the Solvay chemical plant, visible on the skyline behind the beach.

Social

Thousands of visitors come each summer drawn by the tropical appearance. Many are aware of the industrial origin, some are not. The beach attracts families, curious visitors, and photographers. The experience of a beautiful-looking beach with a contested environmental status creates an unusual social atmosphere.

Context

The Solvay factory has operated at Rosignano since 1913 and is now the largest soda factory in Europe. Its discharges produced the white sand and the ban on bathing near the outflow point. The beach has won Blue Flags while simultaneously recording high mercury levels in sediments. It is Italy's most acute example of the conflict between tourism and industrial pollution.

Environment

Sand and sea colour result from chemical-plant discharge; sediments record high mercury levels.

Taxonomy

• Industrial Shore
• Body on Display
• Active Industrial Alteration
• Ritual Season
• Popular Holiday + Conscious Subculture
• Industrial Infrastructure
• Toxic Sublime