Objective
One of the main economic problems for SMEs operating aquaculture in land based facilities is the cost of water treatment to meet EU and national water quality standards. The cost of this single item approximately 0 5 Euro per kg fish produced can mean the difference between a profit making enterprise and failure Developing a cost effective biofilter which will remove the nutrients from waste water and convert these to valuable products will help solve both economic and environmental constraints.
We propose the use of constructed wetlands CW planted with the halophytic plant Salicornia to convert nutrient rich wastewater into valuable plant biomass as a food product and raw material for the beauty and nutraceutical industries This approach integrates water treatment with a novel and profitable agronomic practice Conversion of expensive nitrogen in effluents that derived from fish feed protein into a valuable commodity will diversify fish farm products and increase the profitability of land based facilities CW are efficient in clearing water of nutrients and suspended solids through incorporation into the plants or degradation by bacteria living therein CW have the additional benefits of being low cost simple to operate and have potentially ecological wildlife and recreational tourism value The stalks of the Salicornia are popular in various countries as a fresh vegetable steamed or pickled and as a gourmet food. They are gathered along the coasts of Europe mostly by amateurs which limits the market supply and quality.
The CW will be evaluated in three prototypes in cold temperate and warm water conditions that are representative of systems applicable in the prevailing climates of most European countries Prototype operating efficiencies as biofilters will be determined for each system together with agronomic practices to optimize plant production and processing ell as marketing of secondary products
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries fisheries
- engineering and technology environmental engineering water treatment processes wastewater treatment processes
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry inorganic compounds
- social sciences economics and business business and management
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems coastal ecosystems
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2004-SME-COOP
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
8030 HAIFA
Israel
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.