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HydroPore II

Coupled processes of multiphase flow, transport, and mechanical deformation in heterogeneous porous and fractured media across spatial and temporal scales.

Multiphase flow, deformation, transport, mixing, and reaction processes in porous and fractured media are fundamental across many scientific and engineering disciplines. Unraveling the underlying mechanisms that control them and developing quantitative and predictive tools are key to understanding a series of engineered technologies and natural phenomena such as the quantification of natural nutrient cycles in soils, the design of effective soil and groundwater remediation strategies, and the development of safe and efficient geoenergy technologies. The inherent heterogeneity of porous and fractured media across scales is at the heart of the limitations of current conceptual models. The main goal of HydroPore II therefore is to determine the fundamental principles underlying coupled flow, transport, reaction, and deformation processes in heterogeneous porous and fractured media. Following an interdisciplinary methodology based on laboratory scale experiments, high resolution numerical simulations, and numerical and analytical upscaling techniques, HydroPore II will identify and quantify the dynamics of two-phase displacements, thermally-driven deformation and fracturing, and solute mixing and chemical reactions under complex flow conditions across scales.

Start Date: 01/09/2023 – End Date: 30/08/2026

Project Leader: Marco Dentz , Juan José Hidalgo González

Funding: National Project

https://hydropore.es/

KARST

KARST: Predicting flow and transport in complex Karst systems

Karst aquifers are a treasure and a threat: while up to 25% of the world population depends on them for drinking water, they also have capabilities for extremely fast conduction of water and contaminants. In the light of climate change, we need to prepare for extreme flooding and understand the consequences for karst aquifers. Despite their socio-economic importance, decades of research, and high-profile disasters, karst structures and processes remain notoriously difficult to assess. Because of the complexity of karst and its lack of accessibility, the foundations of flow and transport modeling in karst systems are weak. Key phenomena related to extreme events such as flash floods and heavy tails in tracer recovery are still beyond current modeling capabilities.

KARST will establish the next generation of coupled stochastic modeling frameworks to predict karst processes, assess the vulnerability of karst aquifers, and forecast their response to extreme events. Our approach will bridge structures and processes on all scales, far beyond the capabilities of current theories and computer simulations. This will be achieved by targeting three key objec- tives: (i) Identification and quantification of flow and transport dynamics at the conduit scale. (ii) Characterization and modeling of karst network structure at the catchment scale. (iii) Derivation of a new upscaled approach to predict karst processes at different resolution scales. Together, this will result in an unprecedented multiscale modeling framework for the prediction of flow and transport in karst.

Funding: European Union, ERC Synergy Grants 2022 - Ref.: 101071836

IDAEA-CSIC (Spain): Marco Dentz (corresponding PI)
IFPEN (France): Benoit Noetinger (PI)
University of Neuchatel: (Switzerland): Philippe Renard (PI)
University of Ljubljana (Slowenia): Bojan Mohar (PI)

Partners:
INRIA (France): Sylvain Lefebvre
University (Canada): Simon Frazer

Start Date: 01/05/2023 – End Date: 30/04/2029

Project Leader: Marco Dentz

Researchers: Juan José Hidalgo González

Funding: European Project

https://erc-karst.eu/

An Integrated and Comparative Health Risk Assessment of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals across European Populations

The project aims to enhance the quality, scope and efficiency of the assessment of human health risks posed by the use and presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the environment. For that purpose, the project will design and employ an innovative analytical methodology, based on a new generation of instruments (HRMS), compare the exposure levels across different population groups from Eastern, Central and Southern Europe, and assess the health risks related to these toxic compounds. This proposal is therefore in line with the EU strategy for Human Biomonitoring in Europe.

Funding: AGAUR. Beatriu de Pinós Programme. 2021_BP_00152

Start Date: 01/04/2023 – End Date: 31/03/2026

Project Leader: Mercè Garí de Barbarà

Funding: Regional Project

FOCI

FOCI Project on „Non-CO2 Forcers and Their Climate, Weather, Air Quality and Health Impacts“.
The main goal of the new EC Horizon Europe project FOCI is to assess the impact of key radiative forcers other than CO2, where and how they arise, the processes of their impact on the climate system, to find and test an efficient implementation of these processes into global Earth System Models and into Regional Climate Models coupled with Chemistry Transport Models.
To constrain numerical sensitivity simulations a long-term comprehensive observational dataset of different climate-relevant species will be compiled using available information from a suite of observational networks/programmes/infrastructures such as GAW, ACTRIS, AERONET, EARLINET, among others.

Call: HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-0

Start Date: 01/09/2022 – End Date: 31/08/2026

Project Leader: Marco Pandolfi

Researchers: Andrés Alastuey Urós , Xavier Querol Carceller

Support: Jordi Rovira Carpi

Funding: European Project

BIODAPH₂O

Eco-efficient system for wastewater tertiary treatment and water reuses in the Mediterranean region

The LIFE BIODAPH2O project (LIFE21-ENV-ES-BIODAPH2O) is funded within the LIFE program, which is the only financial instrument of the European Commission entirely dedicated to environmental protection and climate action. The project has a duration of 42 months, ending in January 2026 with a total budget of € 2.1 M.

The project is coordinated by the University of Girona (UdG) and the partners are ACSA (Sorigué Group), Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), MINAVRA Techniki, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), BETA Technological Centre (UVic-UCC) and Catalan Water Partnership (CWP).

LIFE BIODAPH2O is a demonstration project with the main objective of scaling-up and implementing an eco-efficient nature-based tertiary wastewater treatment (BIODAPH) at two demo sites located in two water-stressed regions of the Mediterranean area. This system will produce reclaimed water that will contribute to diminish discharges of pollutants to freshwater ecosystems and to promote agricultural reuse. The BIODAPH system, previously developed during the INNOQUA project, is based on the depuration capacity of biological organisms: water fleas (Daphnia), microalgae and biofilms for removing pollutants (nutrients, organic carbon, suspended solids, pathogens, heavy metals, emerging and priority pollutants, and micro plastics). This compact and low-energy consumption system does not produce sludge nor use chemicals for its operation.

The implementation of this system at Quart Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), Spain, will reduce the impact of secondary wastewater discharges to the Onyar River, while improving the chemical and ecological quality of aquatic ecosystems in this river and allowing reaching the standards set in Water Framework Directive of the EC (Directive 2000/60/EC). In the case of Greece, the BIODAPH system will be implemented adjacent to the Antissa WWTP in Lesvos, which features modular units of the up flow anaerobic sludge blanket digestion, constructed wetlands, and a UV unit, put into operation as part of the HYDROUSA project. These modular treatments will allow BIODAPH system to be tested in different configurations to obtain reclaimed water in accordance with EU Regulation 2020/741 to irrigate 7,000 m2 of nearby agricultural land.

The main expected results / public deliverables of the project are listed below:
• Policy Assessment report with the policy and legislation assessment and contact with administrations (D2.1).
• Guidelines for setting-up and operating the BIODAPH reactor (design, construction, operation, testing and optimization), as well as the monitoring requirements to assess its efficiency (D3.2).
• Graphic report with pictures, schemes and maps of the two demo-plants (Spanish-site and Greek-site) and their main characteristics (D3.3).
• Results from the assessment of the demonstration plants in three different periods: after the first six first months (D4.1), after the BIODAPH demonstration plants optimized in each site (D4.2), and after long time operation at optimal conditions (D4.3).
• Sustainability assessment reports (D4.4 – Environmental impact assessment (LCA) and Techno-economic assessment (LCC) Intermediate report and D4.5 – LCA and LCC assessment final report).
• Impact of the BIODAPH on the ecological and chemical status of the river ecosystem after action (D4.6).
• Impact of BIODAPH reclaimed water on the agricultural productivity and quality after action (D4.7)
• Reports of key indicators collected in a matrix concerning the performance of the project (D4.8 & D4.9).
• Dissemination Plan, document describing a thorough plan for all dissemination activities of the project and providing dissemination guidelines to be followed by all partners (D5.1), and websites (D5.2).
• BIODAPH2O manual and guidelines with data sheet of design to implement the technology full-scale (D6.2).

Reference: LIFE21-ENV-ES-BIODAPH2O/101074191
Acronym: LIFE21-ENV-ES-BIODAPH2O
Project coordinator: Victoria Salvadó (UdG)
Total Eligible Budget: 2.128.772 €
EU Contribution: 1.277.263 €

Start Date: 01/08/2022 – End Date: 31/01/2026

Project Leader: Víctor Matamoros Mercadal

Researchers: Jessica Subirats Medina , Mònica Escolà Casas

Funding: European Project

InChildHealth

Identifying determinants for indoor air quality and their health impact in environments for children: Measures to improve indoor air quality and reduce disease burdens.

3. InChildHealth will integrate health, environmental, technical and social sciences research to identify determinants for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and evaluate their impact in environments occupied by school children. We will focus on chemicals, particle concentrations, microorganisms and physical parameters in schools, homes, sports halls and transport. The IAQ of these environments determines the dose received by the children and may directly influence their health and well-being. An environmental epidemiological study and controlled interventions conducted in schools in three European cities will assess the health effects of multipollutant airborne exposures on respiratory infections, allergies, and neurological and cognitional symptoms. In addition, dose-response Will be evaluated with a novel cytotoxicity testing pipeline using in-vitro approaches. The InChildHealth consortium will cover an impressive variety of geographical and cultural diversity, with targeted exposure measurement campaigns and citizen involvement in seven European countries from Northern, Central and Southern Europe and interventions in Australia.

Horizon Europe, ref.: HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02-02

Start Date: 01/06/2022 – End Date: 31/05/2026

Researchers: Mar Viana Rodríguez , Ethel Eljarrat Esebag , Barend L. van Drooge

Support: Judith Desmet , Maria Antonia Aretaki (Μarianda)

Funding: European Project

PARC

Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals

The European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (#EU_PARC) aims to advance research, share knowledge, and improve skills in chemical risk assessment. By doing so, it will help support the European Union's Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, paving the way for the "zero pollution" ambition announced in the European Green Deal.

Main objectives:
- Develop the scientific skills needed to address current and future challenges in chemical safety
- Provide new data, methods, and innovative tools to those responsible for assessing and managing the risks of chemical exposure
- Strengthen the networks which bring together actors specialised in the different scientific fields contributing to risk assessment

PARC represents a campaign of unprecedented scale, since it brings together 200 partners from 28 countries, as well as three EU agencies (the European Environment Agency – EEA, the European Chemicals Agency – ECHA, and the European Food Safety Authority – EFSA). The partnership encompasses all aspects of chemical risk assessment, aiming in particular to: better anticipate emerging risks, better account for combined risks, and underpin the concrete implementation of new orientations in European public policies to safeguard the health and the environment in response to important issues for health, the ecology and citizens' expectations.

The Spanish coordination was assigned to the IDAEA's Geochemistry and Pollution group (Joan Grimalt) and the Instituto Carlos III.

HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-03: 101057014

Start Date: 01/05/2022 – End Date: 30/04/2029

Project Leader: Joan Grimalt Obrador

Researchers: Sandra Pérez Solsona , Marinella Farré Urgell , Marta Llorca Casamayor , Nicola Montemurro , Mercè Garí de Barbarà

Support: Arianna Bautista Gea (Ari) , Julen Segura Abarrategui

Funding: European Project

https://www.eu-parc.eu/

CONACAN

Conservación de la biodiversidad acuática en los Parques Nacionales de las Islas Canarias en un contexto de estrés hídrico y especies invasoras

Freshwater biodiversity is disappearing at an accelerated rate as a result of human activities. This situation is especially alarming in regions of the planet where water scarcity derived from human demand and climate change pose a risk to a large number of species. This can even lead to the loss of species that have not yet been described. In this context, protected areas play a fundamental role as reservoirs of biodiversity, which needs to be properly studied to guarantee its preservation. This project focuses on the aquatic biodiversity of three National Parks of the Canary Islands archipelago (Teide, Garajonay and Caldera de Taburiente), which is especially interesting for three reasons: 1) it is poorly described due to the lack of inventories and studies scientists; 2) it includes a large number of endemisms; and 3) it presents a great vulnerability to water scarcity. The objectives of the project are to:
1) Hydrologically characterize the main surface water bodies;
2) Generate basic information on the taxonomic and genetic diversity of the communities of aquatic insects and diatoms;
3) Evaluate the current status of aquatic invasive species;
4) Determine the vulnerability of the species to climate change; and
5) Identify priority areas for the conservation of biodiversity and for the management of invasive species in a context of water stress and climate change.
Among other things, the CONACAN project will serve to design a sampling network for aquatic biodiversity within the parks studied, to train park personnel in its study and conservation, and to propose conservation
measures for biodiversity and the management of invasive species.

Start Date: 13/04/2022 – End Date: 12/04/2026

Project Leader: Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles Iglesias

Researchers: Raúl Acosta Rivas , Julie Crabot

Support: Nieves López-Rodríguez

Funding: National Project

https://conacuana.es/

LIFE RESQUE ALPYR

Restoration of aquatic ecosystems of protected areas from the Alps and Pyrenees

LIFE RESQUE ALPYR aims at recovering mountain aquatic habitats improving conservation of several target habitats/species in four Nature 2000 sites from the alpine biogeographical regions of the Pyrenees (NE Spain) and the Alps (NW Italy).
In the Alps and the Pyrenees, specific aquatic and water-related species and habitats (lakes, bogs, mires and meadows) of mountain areas have an ‘unfavourable/inadequate’ conservation status or a decreasing status trend. This is because they have been subjected to long-standing and significant anthropogenic alterations, such as the proliferation of invasive fish species, overgrazing and trampling by livestock. More recently, mires afforestation and land abandonment have emerged as additional conservation issues in mountain areas.

LIFE programme (LIFE20 NAT/ES/000369)
Coordinator: Ventura Oller, Marc (CEAB-CSIC)

Start Date: 01/01/2022 – End Date: 31/12/2026

Researchers: Joan Grimalt Obrador , Raimon Martínez Prats , Pilar Fernández Ramón , Barend L. van Drooge

Funding: European Project