Objective Disinfection of drinking water is a successful measure to reduce water-borne diseases and protect health. However, epidemiological evidence links bladder cancer to disinfection by-products (DBPs) formed during drinking water treatment. Disinfection with chlorine is relevant in many European countries and previous research has highlighted the need to improve water quality and decrease concentration of DBPs in countries of the Mediterranean Basin such as Spain. In particular, of the many DBPs currently investigated in drinking water, unregulated nitrogen containing DBPs (N-DBPs) are considered among the most toxic ones. Dissolved organic nitrogen, which acts as precursor for these DBPs, is increasing in many drinking water sources due to usage of impaired waters or climate change. Therefore, there is a need for research to prepare water utilities for these changes, evaluate treatment strategies, and consider the need for adaptation to more stringent regulations.The main objectives of this project are:(i) to obtain a database for nationwide occurrence of N-DBPs,(ii) to investigate the effects of existing treatments on N-DBP formation followed by an evaluation at the full and bench scale of drinking water technologies to predict and minimize their formation, and(iii) to identify N-DBP precursors with an innovative mass-spectrometry-based approach so that they can be tracked back to their origin and management at source evaluated.This project aims to transfer the experience and knowledge on DBP science gained in Australia and the U.S. by the incoming researcher Maria José Farré to the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA) which, led by Prof Damià Barceló is one of the European research centers with the highest potential in analytical chemistry and water quality research. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencesanalytical chemistryengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processesmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologybladder cancernatural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IIF - International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Coordinator FUNDACIO INSTITUT CATALA DE RECERCA DE L'AIGUA EU contribution € 173 370,60 Address CALLE EMILI GRAHIT EDIFICI H20 101 17003 Girona Spain See on map Region Este Cataluña Girona Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Jaume Alemany Agulló (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
