Sem registos
Sirine Bouguerra
2022
2Improve: Boost the potential of resistant indigenous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria to improve crop productivity and soil quality in Estarreja and Baixo Vouga Lagunar affected agroecosystems.
AGRICULTURAL SOILS
METAL(LOIDS)
SALINIZATION
MAIZE
BIOINOCULANTS
PRODUCTIVITY
The threatens to agriculture soils from the Estarreja and Baixo Vouga Lagunar (BVL) regions include the combination of several anthropogenic and environmental factors, such as industrial pollution, intensive farming practices, overuse of fertilizers, the use of contaminated groundwater for irrigation, and salinization due to surface saltwater intrusion. For instance, these factors contributed to land degradation and therefore to crop productivity and safety decreasing. Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops in these regions and boosting maize production in affected soils can have a significant socio-economic impact. Thus, the need of sustainable and eco-friendly solutions to improve productivity is one of the major challenges of agriculture activity in these regions. Estarreja and BVL may also be living labs, providing experience to other sites, where these approaches may be transferred. Several studies have demonstrated that inoculation with indigenous rhizobacteria can enhance plant performance and growth. Driven by described issues and based on knowledges acquired from our previous OHM projects (e.g: SoilGenomic, 2016; NotillAgri-Estarreja, 2017; Nameless, 2017; SoilSalt, 2017; SoilRice, 2018), this proposal aims to explore the potential of a consortium of indigenous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPB) that are resistant to metal(loids) present in those soils, as well as PGPB well adapted to high levels of salinity and re-applied them to reduce problems associated with stressful environments via ex-situ bioinoculation of new seeds (before sowing) and in-situ bioinoculation of new plantlets. Accordingly, this may contribute to minimizing impacts on crops productivity and assure more sustainable agriculture practices.
Marta Tacão
2022
A farm-to-fork analysis of vegetables microbiological risks at Estarreja municipality: setting up a monitoring program for household farms
Contamination
vegetables
Antibiotic resistance
pathogens
Microbiological contamination in domestic productions represents a high danger for consumers’ health since there is no quality control. What is produced goes from farm to fork, with higher risks associated with produce usually eaten raw. As consequence of the industrialization for the last 50 years, Estarreja area became one of the most polluted in Portugal. Hence, the putative contamination of soil and water may question food security of vegetables grown in this region.
In a previous project our team examined vegetables and irrigation water from domestic farms in Estarreja. The microbiological quality and the presence of different contaminants were examined. Results showed that in fact in some farms, irrigation water and leafy greens were contaminated with metals and antibiotic resistant bacteria, with some strains identified as putative human pathogens.
Hence, we propose a follow-up project, ten years apart, to perform a farm-to-fork chain analysis of the Estarreja municipality domestic farms. Considering that fresh produce may be contaminated at any point, we will determine the level of chemical and microbiological contamination of soils, irrigation water and vegetables, but also we will examine farmers hands and tools surfaces. Putative pathogenic strains will be characterized in detail to identify possible health-risk traits. We will register information regarding the farm setting and agricultural practices, as for example irrigation water origin, use of fertilizers and the harvest procedures. We will provide guidance for good agricultural and hygiene practices to minimize microbiological threats, and ultimately, we will propose a monitoring program for household farms.
Jean-Philippe Bedell
2022
ABATI - Biocapteur de pollution atmosphérique par des échantillons de végétation et d'arbres dans deux OHMi/ activités humaines différentes
Biocapteurs
Biomagnétisme
Magnétisme environnemental
Particules atmosphériques
Qualité de l'air
Susceptibilité magnétique
Végétation
OHM Estarreja OHM Téssékéré
Hugo Vieira
2022
Can I eat this fish? - Dietary recommendations to reduce the mercury risk exposure
Risk-benefits analysis
Society engagement
Environmental and human health
Food safety
Dietary guidelines
Estarreja region, located nearby Ria de Aveiro, is widely known for its mercury (Hg) historical contamination (e.g. Largo do Laranjo) due to previous activities of a chlor-alkali industry. At the same time, a variety of fishing activities are usual in this lagoon.
Due to its high nutritional value, fish and seafood consumption have been linked to the prevention of some human diseases, especially regarding cardiac and circulatory disorders. Unfortunately, fish and seafood are also considered as the major pathway of Hg exposure in humans. More than 90% of the Hg present in fish tissue is found mainly as methylmercury (MeHg), the most toxic form. Due to the potential adverse human health effects, international agencies have established Reference Doses (RfD) as recommendations concerning Hg intake.
Despite the recognized importance of fish/seafood to the human Hg intake, studies that assess this exposure risk in Portugal have been focusing on only some species and mostly restricted to Academia. In addition, scientific language is often not clear for the general public. So, in order to contribute to a knowledge transfer from Academia to Society, this proposal aims to evaluate fish consumption habits and potential Hg exposure of Estarreja population and to develop and share tools with simple and precise language that will contribute to an informed decisions on the consumption of fish/seafood involving not only decision makers and but also the target population.
Lopes Isabel
2022
CLEAR - Resorting to microbial Consortia to restore metaL-contaminated soils for the area of EstArReja
Microbial consortia
Soil
Metals
Remediation
Sustainability
Isabel Henriques
2022
MICRANT: Microplastics in Estarreja rivers and their role in the spread of pathogens and antibiotic resistance
Microplastics
Industry
Aquatic Systems
Pathogens
Antibiotic Resistance
Public Health
The intense industrial activity in Estarreja region predictably resulted in contamination of aquatic systems with microplastics (MPs). These contaminants provide an ideal niche where pathogens and antibiotic resistant bacteria can proliferate, being transported along rivers and entering the food chain. However, risk assessment of MPs and associated microbes is limited by the scarce information available for these ecosystems. This project aims to determine the abundance and diversity of MPs in Estarreja rivers and to quantify and characterize pathogenic agents and antibiotic resistant bacteria associated to these contaminants. Mesocosm-based studies exposing MPs in rivers will also be carried out to compare the microbes that settle on different types of MPs and in different locations. MICRANT will provide solid quantitative and qualitative data for assessing and predicting the risks related to exposure to MPs and associated microbes.
Marie-Laure Trémélo
2022
PEPSO - Promouvoir et Encourager les Pratiques de Science ouverte
Science ouverte
Ouverture des données
Principes FAIR
Interdisciplinarité
Informer et former la communauté scientifique aux bénéfices du partage et de l’ouverture des données pour tendre vers un changement progressif des pratiques de gestion et de diffusion de la donnée sont les objectifs du WP1 du projet SO-DRIIHM (ANR 2020) conduit par le groupe Data-DRIIHM. Dans ce cadre, il est important de prendre en compte aussi bien les chercheurs qui croulent sous les informations de leurs établissements que ceux isolés qui ne bénéficient d’aucun accompagnement sur cette thématique. Le groupe Data-DRIIHM se pose désormais en « Aiguilleur de la Science Ouverte » pour l’ensemble de la communauté DRIIHM en regroupant les informations et supports pédagogiques, en mettant à disposition ces ressources tout en accompagnant et conseillant au mieux les chercheurs.
L’objectif de ce projet est donc de recenser et faciliter l’accès aux ressources pédagogiques en matière de Science Ouverte, dans son acception large, pour les chercheurs de la communauté DRIIHM et de répondre à leurs questionnements : comment créer un PGD ? Comment gérer les données personnelles et respecter le RGDP ? Mes recherches sont-elles soumises à l’APA ? Comment répondre aux principes FAIR pour la mise à disposition de mes données ? Dans quel entrepôt puis-je déposer mes données ? Comment publier en Open access ? etc. Le tout en tenant compte des spécificités disciplinaires et interdisciplinaires du DRIIHM.
OHM Bassin Minier de Provence OHM Estarreja Fessenheim Littoral Caraibe OHM Littoral Méditerranéen Nunavik OHM Oyapock Bahia Exploradores OHM Pays-de-Bitche OHM Pima County OHM Haut-Vicdessos OHM Téssékéré OHM Vallée du Rhône
Flavio Silva
2022
SAYFERT - Safety and effectiveness of Estarreja-based fertilisers under circular economy principles
Pyrolysis
Residual forest biomass
Ecotoxicity
Soil amendment
Wildfires prevention
Environmental engineering
Circular economy has emerged for sustainable management of natural resources aligned with good industrial practices. New-generation fertilisers are an example of industrial synergies and environmental compatibility. The recently revised EU Fertilisers Regulation creates room for development of waste-based fertilisers, as long as their agronomic value and environmental safety are proven. In this sense, there are still on-going discussions at the stakeholders/regulators’ level in order to systematically assess the effectiveness and environmental safety of new waste-based fertilisers. Such discussions are an excellent opportunity for the OHM-E to provide scientific insights on the safe and effective application of local-based fertilisers and turn Estarreja into an example of good agronomic practices aligned with industrial synergies and environmental protection.
Biochar is a potential candidate for EU fertilisers. It has raised great interest as a way of managing organic residues through pyrolysis, as well as recycling of carbon and nutrients, thus improving soil quality/productivity. Former (DRuMBEAT) and on-going (MOSAIC) research has proven the merit of biochar in improving Estarreja soil quality. MOSAIC project is currently assessing the cost-effectiveness of biochar production from Estarreja-based byproducts. Coupling of agronomic value with environmental safety of recycling biochar to soils is still lacking in the equation, especially regarding the impact on non-target soil and aquatic organisms as consequence of leaching of potentially toxic compounds. By taking advantage of on-going research and inter-disciplinary networking, SAYFERT research relies in two fundamental axes – pyrolysis and ecotoxicology – for pursuing biochar application rate thresholds that yields trade-offs between agronomic productivity and environmental safety.
Célia Alves
2022
Schools Tackling Estarreja's Air Pollution (STEP)
Indoor air quality
Schools
ISAAC
absenteism
bioburden
Children are in school for one-third of their normal day where bad indoor air quality (IAQ) emerges as a real problem. As in most countries, schools in Portugal are not subject to regular monitoring of IAQ and its health effects. STEP has Estarreja as a case study, and aims to answer the following 3 main questions: What causes air pollution in and around schools? What are the effects? What are the possible solutions to tackle it? A citizen-science initiative to monitor indoor and outdoor air quality in and around primary and kindergarten school classrooms is proposed, involving multipollutant monitoring and the application, for the first time, of new disciplines, such as analytical toxicology, microbial genomics, and occupational epidemiology. In addition to regulated pollutants and comfort parameters, a bioburden assessment will be done, including the detection of toxigenic fungi and antimicrobial-resistance genes. Dust will be chemically characterised and subject to a toxicological screening to obtain stressor-response patterns. A cross-sectional study in which pupils will be diagnosed by means of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire will be conducted to estimate the burden and risk factors of diseases. Multivariate models will be applied to search for associations between air quality, respiratory health, and absenteeism. A dosimetry model will be used for risk assessment and development of occupational exposure limits for inhaled particles. A set of guidelines and good practices will be proposed for effective IAQ management and behavioural changes towards a healthy school environment.
Patrícia Silva
2022
SENSE: SustainablE Nano Strategies for water remediation: Estarreja as a case study
NANOCLAYS
WATER REMEDIATON
WATER QUALITY
SALINIZATION
EUTROFICATION
SUSTAINABILITY
GLOBAL CHANGE
Global sea-level rise and eutrophication constitute serious threats to freshwater bodies worldwide, posing severe risks to economy and to environmental and human health. Given its location and its higher industrialization and population density, coastal regions are particularly in danger. It is predicted that coastal areas will suffer from seawater intrusion, causing salinization of freshwater and terrestrial systems. Furthermore, the excessive nutrient loadings from industrial and domestic effluents and leaching from agricultural fields may increase the risk for eutrophication. Consequently, these phenomena may potentially cause the deterioration of water quality and loss of aquatic fauna and flora. Even though some technologies are available in the market to remediate waters, there is a need to find more environmentally safe alternatives to overcome this problem without harming aquatic life. Innovative remediation alternatives based on nanotechnology, such as the use of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), are emerging and have proven to be suitable alternatives for remediation. The overarching aim of this proposal is to evaluate the potential of LDHs to remediate waters of Estarreja region. Even though waters from any region could be used for this purpose, waters of the Estarreja municipality are ideal for this project due to their low-lying coastal lagoon location and to the historically pressure from the intense industrial and agricultural activities. This study will provide information on the water quality and the degree of eutrophication and salinization of waters of Estarreja, and will promote the use of more sustainable alternatives for water remediation and water quality improvement.