NATURE

2021
|
Spain

Nature-based solutions to reduce antibiotics, pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in aquatic ecosystems

Open data & Open access
Joint call :
Joint Call 2020 - AquaticPollutants
Project coordinator :
Dr Victor MATAMOROS
Coordinating institution :
Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (CSIC)
Contact :
Ana SOTRES - comunicacion.idaea(at)cid.csic.es

Partners

Dr Pedro Carvalho

AARHUS University (AU)

Denmark
Dr Marisa Almeida

Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR)

Portugal
Dr Sidy Ba

École Nationale d’Ingénieurs – Abderhamane BabaTouré (ENI-ABT)

Mali
Dr Jochen Mueller

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)     

Germany
Mr Rene' Kilian

Kilian Water Ltd (Kilian Water)

Denmark

Abstract

The NATURE project will assess nature-based solutions (NBS) as management option for water treatment on the catchment scale. An array of NBS including conventional and high-end constructed wetlands, river re-naturalization, and restoration of wetlands will cover the continuum from urban sources to coastal biota in estuaries. We propose a comprehensive quantification of the fate of ABs, pathogens, and AMR in these systems together with ecotoxicological and human health assessments.

NBS performance will be analysed using multivariate modelling techniques to identify parameters with the greatest empirical influence on the attenuation of targeted pollutants.

The NATURE project will encompass three interconnected phases:

  • An experimental phase in which the reduction of aquatic pollutants will be
    evaluated in NBS and compared with reference sites.
  • In a data modelling phase, diagnostic indicators (indicative parameters from the
    first phase) will be identified for cost-effective future monitoring.
  • In a risk assessment phase, the effect of aquatic pollutants on the environment and
    human health will be evaluated, estimating its reduction due to NBS implementation.

The unique combination of advanced approaches from analytical chemistry, molecular
microbiology, modelling and ecotoxicology will be of paramount importance for an accurate
evaluation of NBS treatment performance. NATURE’s key objective is to promote
the sustainable and green attenuation of aquatic pollutants.

WP structure

WP number

Led by
WP1AU
WP2UFZ
WP3ENI-ABT
WP4CIIMAR
WP5CSIC
WP5CSIC

 

project structure

Expected research results

  • Optimization and evaluation of secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment NBS for reducing selected aquatic pollutants.
  • Assessment of different water management NBS in river basins for reducing aquatic pollutants.
  • Monitoring transformation by-products of selected pollutants, scarcely studied so far in NBS.
  • Development and application of modelling tools that integrate and evaluate data generated from the assessment of NBS with the aim to obtain diagnostic indicators.
  • Estimating the reduction of the impact of selected pollutants on the environment and human health due to NBS implementation.