The Insitute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC) has participated in the Ciencia LIBERA Project developed by SEO/BirdLife in alliance with Ecoembes with the aim of knowing, raising awarness and mobilizing citizens about the problem of diffuse waste in natural environments (“Basuraleza”).
The researchers Sílvia Lacorte and Maria Dulsat, from the Chemometrics group, was in charge of processing and analysing contaminantes from samples coming from 140 IBA (Áreas Importantes de Conservación de las Aves y la Biodiversidad, or Important Areas for the Conservation of Birds and Biodiversity). A total of 119 contaminants were analysed, such as caffeine and nicotine (directly linked to humans), pesticides, metals, flame retardants, plasticisers, etc.
Litter was detected in both transects and chemical analysis in all 140 IBA analysed. These results suggest that diffuse pollution associated with human activity, and in particular with poor waste management, could be affecting all natural places in the country, including protected areas.
Read the full Ciencia LIBERA report on this link.
