Descripción del proyecto
Control y mejora de la calidad del agua mediante un método integrado
La contaminación de los recursos hídricos no solo ha dado lugar a la escasez de suministros de agua, sino que también afecta a la producción de alimentos. La acuicultura es el estudio de caso ideal para la gestión del agua contaminada, puesto que en la actualidad es la industria productora de alimentos de más rápido crecimiento. El proyecto SusWater, financiado con fondos europeos, tiene por objetivo el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas sostenibles para el medio ambiente para la eliminación de contaminantes y el tratamiento del agua contaminada para ponerla a disposición de la acuicultura o para su reutilización. SusWater, mediante la aplicación de un conjunto de nuevos métodos sostenibles que combinan adsorción, procesos bióticos y abióticos para la eliminación de contaminantes de preocupación emergente y la captura de elementos potencialmente tóxicos, introducirá un proceso de monitorización que garantice agua de bajo coste y segura desde el punto de vista microbiológico.
Objetivo
Nowadays, the contamination of water resources coupled with the increased food demand is becoming a key issue. Concerning water, monitoring the quality of the water and its toxicological load is mandatory to guarantee the consumption of pure water to citizens; besides, we need to expand access to pure water by planning actions able to treat contaminated water using environmentally sustainable technologies with the final aim to guarantee a low cost and microbiologically safe water. Concerning food demand, aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing industry globally. It accounts for 47% of fishery products, which is estimated to reach 62 % by 2030.
The project aims to face both sides of the coin by applying an integrated approach. On one side, we will develop new tools useful for eliminating pollutants. Different strategies will be adopted, all commonly sharing a low environmental impact. Fungi will be used to eliminate contaminant of emerging concern (CECs), with particular focus on antibiotics and some lipophilic compounds responsible of unpleasant taste on fish. On the other hand, potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as dissolved As, Hg, Pb or Cd species will be captured by exploiting the use of iron, adsorbents derived from biomass and inorganic oxides and photocatalysts jointly linked to strengthen their efficiency.
The highest performing materials will then be supported on membranes or columns and will be tested in water for aquaculture or for reuse. In all sites, we will also assess the quality of water by monitoring CECs and PTEs in influent, effluent and post treated waters and by assessing the ecotoxicity and estrogenicity through the combination of different bioassays. The monitoring process will involve not only toxicological assays and chemical analysis using high-resolution techniques; it will also be combined with modelling processes aimed to fully assess the fate of pollutants.
Ámbito científico
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesfisheries
- natural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisphotocatalysis
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologymycology
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibiotics
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-RISE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)Coordinador
10124 Torino
Italia