Proyecto I+D
Project TED2021-131005B-C32 SUPPORT
Groundwater pollution sources, distribution and transport processes to support in-situ remediation actions in coastal aquifers feeding lagoons
Of National scope. With a Public character. It has been granted under a regime of Competitive.
In collaboration with other entities. Role: Member
In agreement with EU Regulation 2020/852 and the Spanish Ecological Transition Plan of 2021, REMEDIATE project deals with groundwater pollution issues and promotes aquifer cleaning up. We focus on the aquifer area discharging to the Mar Menor lagoon (Campo de Cartagena, SE Spain) where groundwater flow is one of the main nitrogen carriers towards the lagoon that has caused its eutrophication and a severe ecological harm. In this context, the aim of the proposal is to explore the possibilities of nitrogen load attenuation by identifying the natural capacity of the aquifer and the possibilities of enhancing nitrogen removal using technological approaches, as in-situ remediation methods. Besides, the removal of emerging contaminants (ECs; pesticides, pharmaceutical products) by the in-situ denitrification actions will also be monitored as an added value to these initiatives. This project involves a sound hydrogeological and hydro-geo-bio-chemical characterization of the study area, with special will be translated to a field-scale test in a newly drilled pilot site. Injection of agri-food industry by-products will create appropriate denitrifying conditions, and its effect on nitrate and ECs concentration, isotopic ratios and microbial communities will be monitored and modelled. REMEDIATE consists of a coordinated project of 3 partners: Universitat de Barcelona (UB, coordinator), Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) and Institut Català de Recerca de lAigua (ICRA)
Researchers
