ACTIVITIES PERFORMED
Screening, Mapping, and Monitoring of Chemical Pollution
• Sensor Development: innovative sensors (electrochemical sensor for organic pollutants, heavy metals and PFAS, as well as oil monitoring sensor) were developed, considering target compounds present in various use cases through periodic sampling campaigns. Their Technology Readiness Level (TRL) was successfully enhanced to be prepared for use case implementation in next stages. In addition, research work is being done to add value to the sensors layer through the collection of satellite images of water bodies with the aim of correlating their results with field data for forecasting purposes.
• Bioassay Development: Innovative bioassays were designed to evaluate bioaccumulation and biomagnification of potential CoECs in Mediterranean food webs, providing a comprehensive study for assessing the impact of chemical pollutants on ecosystems.
• Framework for Data Management: A comprehensive architecture was established for the collection, utilization, and exploitation of monitoring data, ensuring standardized processes for data integration and accessibility.
Removal and Remediation of Chemical Pollutants Using Innovative Technologies
• Technology Development: Novel remediation technologies were developed to efficiently target and remove chemical pollutants, with a focus on sustainable and scalable solutions. Currently, technology developers are fine-tuning their lab-scale devices to adapt them to the technical requirements and target pollutants present in the use cases, in order to step to implementation in the next stages.
• Remediation technologies considered are: i) Microfluidic systems (integrated with photocatalysis for pollutant degradation); ii) Pulse Discharge Plasma (for degradation of organic pollutants); iii) 4D Scavenger (recovery of heavy metals); and iv) Recycled Reverse Osmosis Membranes (acting as prefiltration system for the rest of innovative tertiary technologies of iMermaid)
Demonstration of Innovative Technologies
• Knowledge Basis: As a starting point, a first exhaustive background study was performed to consolidate technical specifications of sensors, technologies and use cases in order to guide the implementation of remediation technologies as well as others tasks related to investigation and exploitation of data collection
• Demonstration Requirements: The requirements for use case design regarding sensors and technology implementation were defined, ensuring alignment with project goals and real-world applicability under a management of systems engineering process standard approach.
• Use Case Implementation: The progress of use case implementations was regularly updated and monitored, providing valuable insights for the expected outcomes, preparing the field for the validation of effectiveness of the developed technologies in next stages.
Roadmaps for Uptake and Scalability of Solutions
• A whitepaper addressing the assessment and recommendations of chemical and non-chemical alternatives to Contaminants of Emerging Concern were conducted, culminating in recommendations of alternatives to targeted CoECs.
• Strategic foresight and system dynamic modelling: Strategies were developed to forecast future needs and opportunities for the implementation of innovative solutions for a better understanding of scalability and replicability of the project solutions. Also, in-depth scalability analyses were performed to ensure the proposed solutions could be adapted for wider application.
• Stakeholder Engagement Platform: A multi-stakeholder web interface is beign developed to implement a catalogue of sensor and remediation solutions as well as showcase the innovative technologies, facilitating engagement and promoting adoption.
MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS: Enabling a significant step forward in addressing chemical pollution challenges, contributing to environmental sustainability and public health.
• Conducted an exhaustive background study to consolidate technical specifications of sensors, technologies, and use cases, providing a strong foundation for the implementation of remediation technologies and related investigation tasks.
• Defined clear requirements for the design and implementation of sensors and technologies in use cases, ensuring alignment with project objectives and real-world conditions.
• Successfully enhanced the TRL of innovative sensors and technologies for pollutant monitoring and remediation, preparing the field for validation through demonstration use cases.
• Developed bioassays for efficient monitoring of chemical pollutants in food webs.
• Created a structured framework for data collection and exploitation, ensuring transparency and accessibility of monitoring data.
• Developed roadmaps for the adoption and scalability of solutions, supported by detailed assessments, strategic foresight, and a stakeholder engagement platform.
