“We care for the water we drink and the air we breathe”
Plastic Pirates Go Europe!
Plastic Pirates is a European project led by Germany’s DLR Projektträger and funded by the European Union Commission within the Mission Restore our Oceans and Waters by 2023 program
Educational centers from Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Germany and Slovenia participate in the Plastic Pirates initiative.
The objectives of Plastic Pirates are:
- involve young people in research projects and train them in the scientific procedures of taking, analyzing and interpreting data
- involve young people in research projects to raise awareness of environmental degradation and promote environmental preservation values
- expand the data on the presence of plastic waste in European aquatic ecosystems,
- improve scientific understanding and knowledge
- help develop systematic solutions for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of marine and river pollution, especially by plastics
Involved partners in Spain: Universidad de Burgos and Centre Tecnològic BETA (UVic-UCC) – coordinators in Spain.
Funding agency: European Union Commission within the Mission Restore our Oceans and Waters by 2023 program
Start Date: 01/09/2022 – End Date: 30/08/2023
Project Leader: Marinella Farré Urgell , Marta Llorca Casamayor
Funding: European Project
https://www.plastic-pirates.eu/en
TwinSol-CECs
Twinning for Enhancing the Scientific Excellence of Faculty of Technology novi sad for innovative solutions to protect environmental resources from contaminants of emerging concern
Start Date: 01/08/2022 – End Date: 31/07/2025
Project Leader: Marinella Farré Urgell
Researchers: Marta Llorca Casamayor , Sandra Pérez Solsona , Olga Gómez Navarro
Funding: European Project
ND-WEB
New Directions in Wastewater-based Epidemiology. Identification of small and large biomolecules as Biomarkers of public health and industrial activities
Our hypothesis is that the combination of environmental proteomics with genomics/transcriptomics (e.g. virus RNA or ARGs) and the analysis of small (exogenous and endogenous) chemicals (ABS or other chemicals, typically m/z<1.000 Da) using metabolomics workflows, can lead to novel and holistic early-warning systems capable to diagnose present and future environmental issues. With the aim of proving the strength and capabilities of the strategy, ND-WEB will apply proteomics and metabolomics workflows and qPCR to a specific case study in order to: 1) Determine which specific human activities can be linked with the presence of ARGs and 2) Prioritize chemicals that are linked with the presence of specific ARGs. For this purpose, six different WWTP in Catalonia, where different economic sectors overshadow, will be analysed, including: two with a strong primary sector (Vic and Olot, with farms and meat industry), two where secondary sector prevails (Manresa and Igualada) and two highly-populated with a strong secondary and tertiary sector (Barcelona Prat and Besos). Sinergia Project 2023
Start Date: 15/07/2022 – End Date: 14/07/2023
Project Leader: Damià Barceló Cullerès , Rubén Gil Solsona
Funding: National Project
Sincrourban
Dinámica de contaminantes inorgánicos emergentes en suelos urbanos y rizosfera: interacciones y especiación sólida mediante técnicas de sincrotrón
Mejorar nuestro conocimiento mecanístico sobre los procesos bióticos y abióticos y las transformaciones que Pt, Pd, Rh, Sb y Ce sufren en suelos urbanos y en la interfase suelo-agua (rizosfera), la cinética de estas transformaciones y las implicaciones que esto tiene en términos de bio-disponibilidad y captación por parte de cultivos urbanos.
Sinergia Project 2023
Start Date: 15/07/2022 – End Date: 14/07/2023
Project Leader: Sergio Carrero Romero , Sergi Díez Salvador
Funding: National Project
Verbena
NueVos sistEmas de humedales construidos basados en pRocesos Bioelectroquímicos para rEducir la coNtaminación de Aguas superficiales y subterráneas
En la actualidad los humedales construidos utilizados en el tratamiento de aguas se basan en materiales inertes, el uso de materiales electroconductores para incrementar la eliminación de nutrientes como el amonio y emergentes ayudará a mejorar la calidad del agua tratada. No existen estudios sobre el uso de humedales bioelectroquímicos con coque o grafito para atenuar contaminantes emergentes. La aplicación de modelos y trazadores a los resultados experimentales servirá para el escalado de la tecnología.
Sinergia Project 2023
Start Date: 15/07/2022 – End Date: 14/07/2023
Project Leader: Laura Scheiber Pagès , Víctor Matamoros Mercadal
Funding: National Project
Scientox
Inter-species single cell lipidomics in environmental toxicology: exploring the frontiers of cell heterogenicity
SCIENTOX aims to study the response of human, embryo zebrafish (Danio rerio) and bacteria cells to OPFRs exposures at single-cell lipidomics level. To fulfill this objective, we will:
1. develop and optimize a single cell lipidomics workflow suitable to human and bacteria cell cultures as well as to disaggregated cells from fish embryo tissues; and
2. perform a cross-species comparison of lipid stress responses to OPFRs exposures.
Sinergia Project 2023
Start Date: 15/07/2022 – End Date: 14/07/2023
Project Leader: Carmen Bedia Girbés , Laia Navarro Martín
Funding: National Project
Análisis del efecto interactivo de los plaguicidas y la salinidad
Análisis del efecto interactivo de los plaguicidas y la salinidad sobre la biodiversidad asociada a los arrozales del Delta del Ebro usando las aves y los quironómidos como organismos indicadores
Este proyecto propone y testa una metodología multidisciplinar que permite evaluar el impacto de los diferentes compuestos/regímenes de tratamiento sobre la biodiversidad de los arrozales utilizando para ello las aves y los quironómidos como organismos indicadores. Al mismo tiempo, los arrozales se están viendo cada vez más expuestos a procesos de salinización relacionados con la intrusión de agua de mar. Ambos estresores (plaguicidas y salinización) podrían tener un efecto interactivo sobre la biodiversidad, pero este es un tema que prácticamente no se ha estudiado. El Delta del Ebro constituye un sistema de estudio ideal para esta problemática, ya que sus arrozales, que son una de las características fundamentales de la región, están amenazados por numerosas plagas (y por tanto son tratados con plaguicidas) y por la intrusión salina (fruto de la construcción de embalses que frenan la llegada de agua dulce y sedimentos, y de la subida del nivel del mar).
Sinergia Project 2023
Start Date: 15/07/2022 – End Date: 14/07/2023
Project Leader: Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles Iglesias , Ana López Antia
Funding: National Project
GW_CPS
Development and deployment of new Ceramic Passive Samplers for the monitoring of contaminants in groundwater
Passive sampling for the monitoring of contaminants in water has emerged as a new technique for time-integrated measurements. In 2015, we developed a ceramic passive sampler (CPS) which has proved efficient to determine organic contaminants in water. Within the frame of GW_CPS, we aim to recover the knowledge and methodology acquired for the abandoned patent to patent the new improved device, scale-up and produce various passive samplers of different dimensions and porosity to be applied for different types of water and during different periods of time. The passive sampler to be designed consists in a porous ceramic tube (with caps) where a polymeric sorbent is placed in the inner side to preconcentrate the analytes.
Sinergia-Innovación Project 2023
Start Date: 15/07/2022 – End Date: 14/07/2023
Project Leader: Sílvia Lacorte Bruguera , Enric Vázquez Suñé
Funding: National Project
Biorecovery of Zn using microbial electrolysis cells from Cu wastes
Biorecovery of Zn using microbial electrolysis cells from Cu wastes
The Copper (Cu) industry sector has been in the need of exploiting low Cu quality deposits with high impurities as most of the existing mines are near to an end-exploitation, which offers the opportunity to be used as well as secondary sources of raw and critical materials. This is the case of Zinc (Zn). Zn is a base-metal in the Europe´s strategy to shift away from today’s fossil fuels system towards clean energy technologies1 . By 2050, Europe will require new demand equivalent to 11% of Zn today’s consumption for manufacturing of electric vehicles, electricity networks, solar panels, and hydrogen. Recycling provides between 40% and 55% of Europe’s Zn supply. However, in the wake of supply disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe’s lack of resilience for its growing metals such as Zn, needs have become a strategic concern. To meet demand, it is crucial that attention shifts to secondary sources of Zn as the by-products generated during Cu primary production which is a target of this project.
Sinergia-Innovación Project 2023
Start Date: 15/07/2022 – End Date: 14/07/2023
Project Leader: Maria Vila Costa , Patricia Córdoba Sola
Funding: National Project
Bioacuana
Distribution and vulnerability to climate change of the aquatic macroinvertebrates of the Canary Islands
This project focuses on the aquatic insect fauna of the Canary Islands archipelago, which is especially interesting for three reasons: 1) it is little known due to the lack of inventories and scientific studies; 2) includes a large number of endemisms; 3) presents a great vulnerability to hydric stress derived from climate change. The project has four specific objectives: 1) Hydrologically characterize the main bodies of surface water; 2) Generate basic information on the taxonomic and genetic diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates; 3) Determine the vulnerability of species to global climate change; 4) Identify the priority zones for the conservation of the biodiversity of aquatic insects. Thus, this project will serve to establish basic knowledge about the aquatic biodiversity of the Canary Islands, which includes a large number of endemic species, and to promote conservation strategies in anticipation of the effects of climate change.
Funding: Fundación BBVA (Ayudas a proyectos de investigación científica en Cambio Climático y Ecología y Biología de la Conservación)
Project Leader: Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles Iglesias, Núria Bonada
Start Date: 30/06/2022 – End Date: 30/06/2024
Project Leader: Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles Iglesias
Researchers: Pilar Llorens Garcia , Francesc Gallart Gallego , Jérôme Latron
Funding: National Project
FishOnChip
FishOnChip project proposes to use a microfluidic multi-chamber microchip (MIMUC) coupled to a NanoporousElectrode Array (NEAR) chip able to measure transcriptomic responses resulting from multi-cell interactions mimicking toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic processes occurring in the MIMUC.
FishOnChip project aims to use a microfluidic multi-chamber microchip (MIMUC) coupled to a NanoporousElectrode Array (NEAR) chip able to measure transcriptomic responses resulting from multi-cell interactions mimicking toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic processes occurring in the MIMUC. The MIMUC will include different fish cell lines, mimicking the physiological connections between different tissues implicated in the toxicant uptake (gills, gut), the xenobiotic metabolism in liver, and the toxic effects on reproductive organs. Following exposures, selected transcriptomic responses will be measured using a NEAR chip obtained by merging the high throughput multiplexing capacity of microelectrode arrays with the unmet sensitivity of nano- biosensors, functionalized with custom cDNA probes for direct mRNA detection. This will allow for a risk assessment of chemicals based on transcriptomic responses of key genes linked to molecular initiating and key events selected across existing adverse outcome pathways (AOPs). We will first develop a simple MIMUC and the NEAR chip technology as a proof-of-concept, that could be scalable to more complex devices incorporating multi cell culture layers, 3D cell cultures and denser electrode arrays. Transcriptomic effects will be complemented with cell hallmarks of toxicity linked to cell viability, proliferation (growth) and reproduction. Validation of cell-based responses will be based on in silico analyses of existing AOPs, for specific reproductive effects using the placenta cell line JEG-3 – an established endocrine model, and for some mode of actions using Daphnia magna toxicogenomic assays.
Start Date: 01/01/2022 – End Date: 20/06/2022
Project Leader: Carlos Barata Martí
Researchers: Cinta Porte Visa , Benjamí Piña Capó , Demetrio Raldúa Pérez , Laia Navarro Martín , Gemma López Llaó
Funding: International Project
ConfortMask
Proyecto científico-tecnológico “Investigación y desarrollo de filtros tipo EPI y de estándares de caracterización para mascarillas faciales de alta capacidad filtrante, seguras para la salud y con propiedades anticongestivas, balsámicas y ergonómicas”
Proyecto estratégico del sector de la salud y el bienestar para la investigación de nuevas mascarillas faciales protectoras y funcionalizadas de tipo equipos de Protección Individual (EPI). Con este proyecto, se pretende desarrollar y fabricar mascarillas protectoras por su rango de filtración y respirabilidad, funcionalizadas con aceites esenciales balsámicos y anticongestivos, y ergonómicas adaptando el diseño de la mascarilla según las bases de datos de antropometría y ergonomía que el IBV pondrá al servicio del proyecto. A día de hoy, el mercado de las mascarillas no dispone de productos que sean cómodos durante largos periodos de tiempo a la par que eficientes en cuanto a la protección del usuario contra viruses como el SARS-CoV-2. De igual modo, la normativa de mascarillas actual tampoco dispone ni de protocolos de medida del confort del usuario durante largos periodos de usabilidad ni de la seguridad en cuanto a la composición química de los materiales empleados (como puedan ser compuestos volátiles y nanopartículas cancerígenas).
IDI-20210547
Start Date: 01/05/2021 – End Date: 30/04/2022
Project Leader: Ethel Eljarrat Esebag
Researchers: Teresa Moreno Pérez , Sandra Callejas Martos , Rafael Bartrolí Solé
Funding: National Project
Building Urban Resilience
Building Urban Resilience: Assessment of Conventional and Upgraded Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems to Enhance Metal and Persistent and Mobile Organic Chemical Removal Prior to Aquifer Recharge
Expanding population, urban sprawl, and the effects of climate change are forcing water-stressed cities to seek new sources of potable water. Green Infrastructures, like Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs), can capture, treat, and infiltrate urban runoff, while providing flood risk mitigation, along with other crucial environmental and societal co-benefits. As contaminants in stormwater –like metals and overlooked persistent and mobile organic compounds (PMOCs)1,2– raise concerns regarding these practices, assessment and removal capacity improvement of these existing nature-based engineered technologies are essential to secure our local drinking water supplies.
Sinergia Project 2021
Start Date: 01/01/2021 – End Date: 30/06/2022
Project Leader: Sandra Pérez Solsona , Marc Teixidó Planes
Funding: National Project
Biological dynamics of CO2 in classrooms given the current context of climate change and pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (CoViD-19 disease)
The project studies how the natural ventilation required during the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic influences air quality in classrooms, in line with the recommendations of the guide published by CSIC (https://www.ciencia.gob.es/stfls/MICINN/Ministerio/FICHEROS/Guia_para_ventilacion_en_aulas_CSIC_v4.pdf). CO2, PM2.5 and NO2 are measured in different classrooms of urban and rural schools of Barcelona province during 2021 and placed into the context of anthropogenic climate change concerning seasonal variation of CO2, temperature, humidity, wind speed-direction, precipitation and surrounding vegetation cover.
SINERGIA Project (Severo Ochoa)
Start Date: 01/01/2021 – End Date: 31/12/2021
Project Leader: Natalia Moreno Palmerola , Belen Martrat
Researchers: Jordi López Fernández
Funding: National Project
MixPersiRisk
Environmental risk of complex mixtures of emerging persistent and mobile chemicals in aquatic ecosystems
The main objective of this project is to increase the current understanding of the risk of complex mixtures of persistent pollutants in surface water and wastewater samples, focusing in their neurotoxic potential and applying an effect-directed analysis (EDA) methodology. For EDA, surface water and wastewater samples will be extracted and pre-concentrated by using solid phase extraction (SPE) and a homemade multilayer mixed-bed cartridge with four different specific absorbents as weak anion and cation exchangers (WAX and WCX), Oasis HLB commonly used for wide-scope screening, and Bond Elut PPL to retain even the most polar classes of analytes.
Sinergia Project 2021
Start Date: 01/01/2021 – End Date: 31/03/2022
Project Leader: Nicola Montemurro , Demetrio Raldúa Pérez
Funding: National Project
FANATIC
FÁrmacos en aguas subterráneas urbaNAs: Estudio de los procesos hidrogeológicos y químicos para una ópTIma gestión de los reCursos hídricos urbanos
En el contexto de la creciente demanda de agua potable y el aumento simultáneo del uso de fármacos, un grupo de más de 3000 compuestos de los cuáles sólo se ha detectado el 8% en el medio acuático, este proyecto (FANATIC) se centrará en investigar los procesos acoplados de flujo, transporte y geoquímicos en aguas subterráneas, que controlan el comportamiento de los fármacos, incluyendo productos de transformación (TPs), y la resistencia microbiana a los antibióticos (RMA), que reduce la potencial de los antibióticos contra patógenos humanos y animales, en acuíferos urbanos. El estudio de estos procesos acoplados es necesario para una gestión sostenible de las aguas subterráneas en zonas urbanas ya que permitirá definir sus potenciales usos en función de su calidad.
Sinergia Project 2021
Start Date: 01/01/2021 – End Date: 30/06/2022
Project Leader: Antoni Ginebreda Martí , Anna Jurado Elices
Funding: National Project
Chronic Zebrafish
Chronic exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to Rare Earth Elements in low doses: speciation effects and ecotoxicological implications
This project aims to provide new insights into the fate of REE in aquatic ecosystems, specifically their potential bioaccumulation in biological tissues, induced toxicity and neurobehavioural effects after long-term exposure of zebrafish to low doses of REE species.
Sinergia Project 2021
Start Date: 01/01/2021 – End Date: 30/08/2022
Project Leader: Melissa Faria , Maria Izquierdo Ramonet
Funding: National Project
Caucho granulado y contaminación atmosférica: un aspecto medioambiental del reciclaje de neumáticos
El fin último de este estudio es continuar ampliando nuestro conocimiento sobre la calidad del aire que respiramos en diferentes ambientes. Hasta la fecha no se ha realizado ningún estudio tan detallado sobre exposición a material de neumáticos reciclados en ambientes tan sensibles como parques infantiles o pistas deportivas. Este conocimiento debe transferirse no solo a las autoridades pero especialmente al ciudadano. La colaboración entre la Fundación ACS y el CSIC continuará divulgando resultados y mostrando a todos la necesidad de realizar estos estudios y el beneficio social que producen.
Entidad financiadora: Fundación ACS
Start Date: 01/12/2020 – End Date: 01/12/2021
Project Leader: Teresa Moreno Pérez
Funding: National Project
MixUQ
Quantification of mixing and dynamic uncertainty for transport in heterogeneous porous media
Natural and engineered porous systems exhibit heterogeneity across several spatial scales leading to complex flow fields with strong fluctuations. We here propose to predict mixing within a unified framework which leverage on the lamellar description of transport and capture the early and late time impact of fluctuations.
Start Date: 16/09/2020 – End Date: 15/09/2021
Project Leader: Marco Dentz
Funding: European Project
COPEPOBIOME
Effect of pollution on marine environmental DNA and copepod-associated microbiome
The aim of this project is to study the effects of environmental relevant concentrations of pollutants on marine environmental DNA (eDNA) and copepod-associated microbiome composition across a longitudinal and latitudinal oceanic transect.The field work will be performed taking advantage of the trans-oceanic surveillance project to study the concentrations, dynamics and effects of contaminants present in the upper ocean (atmosphere-surface water and plankton).