During the first reporting period, PUREEF-Y carried out an extensive programme of scientific and technical work across WP3, WP5 and WP7. Three seasonal sampling campaigns were completed at four coastal sites, with water and sediment collected across multiple depths to measure key physicochemical parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, nutrients and chlorophyll-a. Temperature loggers were deployed in intertidal, subtidal and air zones to obtain high-resolution thermal records. Sediment and vermetid reef cores were also collected to support palaeo-environmental analyses.
Pollution assessment activities progressed with the initiation of laboratory analyses for heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, microplastics and associated contamination indices. Standardised workflows were established for sample preparation, fractionation and instrumental measurements. Preliminary contamination and ecological risk assessments were completed, and protocols for planned bioaccumulation studies were developed.
Ecological surveys were conducted in both intertidal and subtidal zones using transects, quadrats, photogrammetry and fixed cameras. Biodiversity metrics were generated for macroalgae, benthic invertebrates, fish and plankton communities. Data processing pipelines were set up to support species identification, abundance estimation and habitat characterisation, and initial richness and diversity indices were calculated.
Preparatory work advanced for future mesocosm experiments, including the definition of experimental design, stressor scenarios and target species. Laboratories were equipped and calibrated for chemical oceanography, microscopy and sediment processing, and standard operating procedures were finalised.
Capacity-building activities supported scientific excellence through five staff exchanges between CMMI, IOLR and UAB, providing hands-on training in nutrient analysis, paleoceanographic methods, ecological surveying and carbonate chemistry. Four focused scientific training sessions were delivered, complemented by participation in external workshops on taxonomy, ocean data management and plankton monitoring.
Close collaboration across partners ensured harmonised sampling protocols, comparable analytical approaches and shared expertise. Joint fieldwork and technical meetings supported calibration, troubleshooting and planning for subsequent phases.
Overall, PUREEF-Y successfully advanced the research programme, established solid technical capacity and produced the initial datasets required for continued scientific work.
