SEACURE
- PROJECTS
- Sep 1, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 30
Innovative solutions to prevent, reduce and remediate nutrient pollution along the land-river-sea system in the Mediterranean basin
Duration: 48 months
Funding programme: HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-SOIL-01-01
Project budget: € 8.513.317,50
SEL NTUA budget: € 484.875,00
Coordinator: BETA-UVIC
SEL NTUA role: Task 2.4 leader (DEMO site leader)
Project website: seacure-project.eu
Project summary and objectives
SEACURE aims at demonstrating, scaling up and replicating effective innovations for the systemic prevention and reduction of nutrient pollution in the Mediterranean Sea basin, in line with the innovation ecosystem framework provided by the ongoing Mediterranean Lighthouse projects and in close cooperation with related activities implemented by regional soil health living labs in the area.
The project is dedicating resources for the regional upscale and replication of successful nutrient management strategies devoted to: i) reduce soil pollution and enhance its restoration; ii) reduce fertilizers use and nutrient losses; and iii) prevent, minimize and remediate nutrients pollution in freshwater and marine ecosystems, in six territorial units (Mar Menor and Central Catalunya in Spain, Po delta and Esino river in Italy, and Axios river delta and Thessaly Plain in Greece).
Project demonstration sites
Mar Menor Lagoon (Spain): validation of a patented technical solution, BIOBOX (Puremust-SN), which has demonstrated efficient removal of nitrates from water bodies in drinking water applications and pilot testing for wastewater treatment.
Po River Delta (Italy): Validation and demonstration of a nature-based approach to nutrient pollution remediation in rural areas. This approach involves the improvement of nutrient mitigation capacity of agricultural canals through the recolonization of emergent
macrophytes (Phragmites australis) and the implementation of a conservative management of vegetated areas, while ensuring that hydraulic security needs are prioritized..
Axios River Delta (Greece): Validation of IT decision support Systems, increasing the data available and applying sustainable agriculture and alternative fertilizer solutions will lead to the controlled entry of nutrients in the ecosystem
Thessaly Plain (Greece): The combined system at Koilada WWTP integrates unsaturated/saturated constructed wetlands (CWs) with an algal pond (AP) for efficient wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery, aiming for high-quality reclaimed water. Additionally, a bioswale system will manage stormwater runoff and minimize flooding while removing nitrogen using novel materials like clinoptilolite.
Esino Basin (Italy): The demo will implement several solutions aiming at improving the effectiveness of water treatment while establishing closed nutrient and water cycles with the surrounding agriculture and natural systems in Oasi Ripabianca. Including a combined and automatized EBPR/microalgae System; horizontal flow CW with biochar; and production of bio-based fertilizers by thermochemical treatment.
Central Catalunya (Spain): Validation of the potential reduction of nutrient leaching and runoff into water bodies by implementing regenerative agricultural practices, using novel perennial crop species and applying recovered nutrients to as biobased fertilizers.
Our role in the project
Task 2.4 leader Thessaly Plain Demonstration Activities
NTUA is responsible for the task and is involved in the design, construction, and monitoring of a combined system integrating constructed wetlands and algal ponds for wastewater treatment and reuse as well as design, testing, and validation of bioswale systems to improve stormwater management.
