Descrizione del progetto
Monitorare e migliorare la qualità dell’acqua mediante un approccio integrato
La contaminazione delle risorse idriche non ha solamente portato a carenze nei rifornimenti di acqua, ma incide anche sulla produzione alimentare. L’acquacoltura, che attualmente si configura come l’industria di produzione alimentare in più rapida crescita a livello mondiale, rappresenta il caso di studio ideale per la gestione delle acque contaminate. Il progetto SusWater, finanziato dall’UE, intende sviluppare nuovi strumenti sostenibili in termini ambientali al fine di eliminare gli agenti inquinanti e trattare l’acqua contaminata in modo che possa essere impiegata per l’acquacoltura o riutilizzata. Grazie all’attuazione di una serie di nuovi metodi sostenibili attraverso la combinazione di processi biotici, abiotici e di adsorbimento per l’eliminazione degli agenti inquinanti di interesse emergente e la cattura di elementi potenzialmente tossici, SusWater introdurrà un processo di monitoraggio che garantisce un’acqua a basso costo e sicura a livello microbiologico.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
- 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
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-RISE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)Coordinatore
10124 Torino
Italia