Projets de recherche
107 résultats
Líder de projeto: Alda Marques
Co-líders de projeto: Patrícia Rebelo
Disciplinas:
MedecineSante publiquePalavras chave:
CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASESCOMMUNITY-RESPONSEPHYSICAL ACTIVITYResumo:
COATIVAR capitalizes on PRISMA where patients with chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) and their families had access to a 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Although unquestionable benefits were obtained, they were then left with no community-response, adapted to their condition, to maintain such benefits. COATIVAR will be a community-response to maintain patients with CRD and their families integrated and active in the region of Estarreja. People with CRD are less active than their healthy peers and this inactivity is related to worse prognosis. Thus, encouraging patients to adopt a more active lifestyle is a major but highly challenging goal. Interventions adapted to the local context, using existing social support and community structures are the most successful. Estarreja has already in place a complex of sports and leisure activities. COATIVAR will work with the city council of Estarreja to adapt the existing resources to integrate and maintain these patients and families safely active.
Participantes:
Patrícia Rebelo, Sara Miranda, Célia Freitas, Sara Almeida, Luísa Pereira, Cristiana SantosLíder de projeto: Iola Duarte
Co-líders de projeto: Célia Alves, Catarina Almeida, Bruno Neves, Luís Mendes, Tiago Adrega, José António Santos
Disciplinas:
BiochimieEcologie de la santeMedecinePalavras chave:
Atherosclerosisparticulate mattermonocytes and macrophagesimmunometabolismphytochemicals and nutraceuticalsResumo:
Exposure to airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. ATHEROFIT aims at preventing and/or attenuating air pollution-mediated atherosclerosis via phytochemical-based metabolic immunomodulation. Samples of PM2.5 will be collected at Estarreja air quality station using reference gravimetric samplers. This will provide validated measurements of atmospheric PM2.5 levels and of their temporal/seasonal variations. Then, the atherogenic potential of PM2.5 will be assessed upon their in vitro incubation with primary human innate immune cells, namely blood monocytes/macrophages, which are key players in vessel wall inflammation and atherosclerosis. This will improve current understanding of PM2.5 effects on the cells inflammatory, metabolic and functional states and will reveal novel anti-atherogenic metabolic targets. Finally, selected phytochemicals acting on those targets will be screened for their ability to prevent/revert PM2.5-induced atherogenic effects. This is expected to reinforce the link between cardiovascular health and plant-derived natural compounds, typically abundant in fruits, vegetables and legumes, as well as to support the future development of atheroprotective phytochemicals as nutraceutical supplements. Overall, ATHEROFIT is expected to generate knowledge and to implement actions that, on the one hand, will increase public awareness on the health risks of air pollution and, on the other hand, will contribute for improving the cardiovascular health and well-being of susceptible populations living in highly industrialized areas like Estarreja. A multidisciplinary team of CHBV cardiologists and UA academic researchers with expertise in various areas such as environmental sciences, immunology and metabolism, has been assembled to conduct this work.
Participantes:
Célia Alves, Catarina Almeida, Bruno Neves, Luís Mendes, Tiago Adrega, José António SantosLíder de projeto: Anabela Cachada
Co-líders de projeto: Carla Patinha, Ruth Pereira
Disciplinas:
BiologieChimieEcologieGeospatialisationPalavras chave:
CONTAMINATIONPOTENTIAL RISKSDATA COLLECTIONRISK ASSESSMENT ANALYSISResumo:
Estarreja is known for its chemical complex, and several studies were performed in the region to evaluate the presence of contaminants in environmental matrices. Some hotspots of contamination were identified, nevertheless, the real dimension of the problem, i.e. the spatial distribution of organic and inorganic contaminants and the potential risks to the environment and human health, is not well understood. Indeed, despite decades of research and almost ten years after the OHM-Estarreja creation, it is still not clear if we are dealing with a contamination or with a real pollution problem. The reason why this issue was not yet clarified is related with the complexity of the problem (several matrices, types of contaminants and land uses; legacy of the past vs recent contamination) and because most of the studies are focused on a specific question and the data are scattered. In this context, a risk assessment analysis, is the best available tool to clearly understand the problem and to identify knowledge gaps. Thus, this study aims at collect and integrate existing data to understand the spatial distribution of contaminants, identify areas and contaminants of concern, the receptors and the ecosystem services at risk. As a final output it is intended to obtain a conceptual model that will support decisions regarding the management of this area as well as implementation of an analysis, monitoring or a remediation program. This will contribute for focusing the management of future OHM funds for achieving the ambitious goal of mitigating Estarreja environmental legacy.
Participantes:
Carla Patinha, Ruth PereiraLíder de projeto: Hugo Vieira
Co-líders de projeto: Sizenando Abreu, Fernando Morgado
Disciplinas:
ChimieClimatologieHydrologiePalavras chave:
MercuryMercury remobilizationSuspended particulate matterMercury transportDelft3D modelRia de AveiroExtreme eventsdredging activitiesClimate ChangeResumo:
An important issue today is to understand in what extent cycling of mercury in the future may be altered in regard to Climate Change. Predictions imply that most of the parameters that determine the global mercury cycle today will change. Laranjo bay (Ria de Aveiro) received, during five decades, a large amount of mercury from a highly contaminated chlor-alkali plant effluent discharge from the industrial Estarreja complex. Due to natural remediation processes, in which layers of less contaminated particles overlap with contaminated sediment, most of the mercury released to the lagoon has been trapped in the deeper layers of sediments. Natural and extreme events, Climate Change, or man-made events (dredging activities of the outlet channel will be conducted in the lagoon) can play an important role in the mercury distribution in Ria de Aveiro, since they may promote the remobilization from the deeper layers of sediment to the water column. Under the extreme events and Climate Change scenarios, detailed information on mercury remobilization and transport in Ria de Aveiro is critical to understand the environmental cycling of mercury and relevant for the development of cost-efficient strategies towards reducing the negative impacts of this metal. This study will provide valuable information on the remobilization and transport of mercury from the historically most contaminated area towards adjacent areas of the lagoon, not only through field monitoring but also through modelling, in a Climate Change scenario (four distinct hydrodynamic scenarios), in order to build a prediction procedure contributing to mitigate future disturbances.
Participantes:
Sizenando Abreu, Fernando Morgado, João DiasLíder de projeto: Elisabete Figueiredo
Co-líders de projeto: Sandra Valente
Disciplinas:
SociologiePalavras chave:
Content AnalysisEnvironmental Risk from Industral activitiesIndustry workResumo:
In 2015 we proposed a project to OHMI – Estarreja titled A Fábrica e a Vida – Narrativas e Imagens dos trabalhadores do Complexo Químico de Estarreja em torno do trabalho nas fábricas, da sua complementaridade com outras atividades e do risco ambiental», within which 30 in-depth interviews or life stories to current and former workers of the Estarreja Chemical Complex (CQE) were registered. Those life stories constitute a rich patrimony, not only to CQE itself, but also to Estarreja Municipality, as they convey the workers’ narratives about their life trajectories, about the nature of work in the factories, about environmental and health risk perceptions, as well as about the complementary activities. The evidence gathered from these Life Stories also helps to understand the population adaptation strategies regarding the territorial transformations (economic, environmental, demographic and social) induced by the creation and functioning of CQE. Therefore, through the narratives gathered, it is possible to rebuild the collective history and memory of Estarreja population and territory in their relationship with the CQE which, since 1952, constitutes a strong and relevant identity feature both for the territory and the population. The analysis of the interviews reveals extremely interesting aspects about the transformations of CQE, work and life during the last four or five decades, which are worthwhile to be disclosed to a wider public, in order to preserve this rich and important cultural patrimony and to disseminate the memories on the ‘factory and the life’. The disclosure and dissemination of those narratives is also a way of paying tribute to the main protagonists of the relationship between the factories, the territory and the daily life: the workers of CQE.
Participantes:
Elisabete Figueiredo, Sandra Valente, Diogo Soares da SilvaLíder de projeto: Jean-Philippe Bedell
Disciplinas:
BiochimieBiologieChimieEcologiePalavras chave:
alternance séchage/humidificationécosystèmes anthropisésmatière organiquemobilité environnementalepolluants organiquesResumo:
Dans ces écosystèmes « artificiels », ou issu de la gestion et de la contamination humaine, nommé ici comme des anthropoécosystèmes, la biodisponibilité et le transfert aux organismes vivants est un enjeu de compréhension du risque liés à ces milieux. Il a été démontré la présence de contaminants organiques, et étudié l’évaluation du transfert de polluants organiques, vers les plantes et les vers de terre. La caractérisation physico-chimiques des matrices étudiées a permis d’évaluer cette biodisponibilité mais peu de choses ont abordé la matière organique (MO) présente et son rôle vis-à-vis des polluants et de leurs mobilités environnementales. La dégradation de la matière organique par les invertébrés et les microorganismes du sol est un processus fondamental qui détermine des fonctions importantes du sol, telles que la disponibilité d’éléments nutritifs, mais aussi de polluants. Cette MO modifie physiquement, chimiquement le biotope de ces sols et donc de l’ensemble des interactions avec les polluants qui sont présents. L’hypothèse est que ces molécules hydrophobes peuvent être fixées ou transportées (voire biodisponibles ou bioaccessibles) par la MO ou des substances issues de cette MO et de son évolution. Ce transport « facilité » ou « spécifique » va donner lieu à une dispersion et donc une mobilité environnementale (notamment vers la biocénose) qui sera à relier à la qualité biologique du sol et qui peut être modifiée (en pire ou en mieux) notamment dans le cadre de perturbation physique comme l’alternance de période de sécheresse et d’humidification suite aux pluies.
Participantes:
Claudia COELHO, Susete MARTINS DIAS, Myriam HAMMADA, Mathieu GAUTIER, Manuela INACIO, Renata FERREIRALíder de projeto: Jean-Philippe Bedell
Disciplinas:
BiochimieBiologieEcologiePalavras chave:
anthroposolsactivités biologiquesmatière organiquemobilité environnementalepolluants organiquesResumo:
Le sol est un compartiment environnemental qui est soumis à des activités anthropiques qui peuvent lui apporter de nombreux contaminants. Plusieurs travaux ont réalisé des mesures de contaminants dans les sols, et les eaux et dans certaines plantes, évalué la modification de l’occupation de sols, et la caractérisation de la microflore bactérienne dans ces sols anthropisés d’Estarreja. Cependant, la mobilité environnementale des polluants peut être liée à différents facteurs environnementaux (physiques, chimiques et biologiques). Ainsi, certains paramètres physico-chimiques des matrices ont été étudiés pour évaluer cette biodisponibilité mais peu de choses ont abordé la matière organique (MO) présente (notamment via la litière et sa MO morte), sa typologie et son rôle vis-à-vis des polluants et de leurs mobilités environnementales. La dégradation de la matière organique par les invertébrés et les microorganismes du sol est un processus qui détermine des fonctions du sol, telles que la disponibilité d’éléments nutritifs, mais aussi de polluants. De plus, la décomposition de la litière végétale fournit des habitats et de la nourriture à une grande diversité d’organismes qui concourent à la biodiversité et délivrent des services écosystémiques. Le projet proposé a pour objectif d’explorer les fonctions ou services écosystémiques de ces milieux anthropisés en relation avec l’acquisition de certaines caractéristiques de ces sols comme la matière organique (MO) présente (pédogénèse...) mais aussi en terme de biodiversité (indice « qualité » de sols ; vers de terre ; relevés floristiques…) et d’activités biologiques notamment en lien avec la dégradation de la MO (litière de végétaux morts).
Participantes:
Claudia COELHO, Susete MARTINS DIAS, Myriam HAMMADA, Manuela INACIO, Renata FERREIRALíder de projeto: María Nazaret González Alcaraz
Co-líders de projeto: Susana Loureiro, Isabel Henriques
Disciplinas:
BiologieEcologiePedologiePalavras chave:
Climate changeAir temperatureSoil moistureSoil microbiotaMultiple stressorsAnthropogenic-degraded ecosystemsResumo:
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts increasing air temperatures and decreasing soil moisture content, the soils being among the most affected components of terrestrial ecosystems, especially in anthropogenic-contaminated areas. Soil microorganisms are key players in terrestrial ecosystem functions and services, quickly responding to environmental stresses. MICROCLIM aims to assess how microbial populations of agricultural soils affected by the contamination derived from the Estarreja Chemical Complex may be affected under the current global warming perspective, by using changes at structural and functional level. The specific objectives are: 1) assessing structural and functional changes in microbial populations of contaminated agricultural soils induced by single climate factors (soil moisture content and air temperature and their relation to changes in soil chemical and physicochemical parameters, and 2) assessing structural and functional changes in microbial populations of contaminated agricultural soils under different climate change scenarios, simulated by climate factors combinations (soil moisture content and air temperature), and their relation to changes in soil chemical and physicochemical parameters. Climate factors ranges will be established based on the emission scenarios predicted by the IPCC by 2100. The project will rely on changes in soil microbial populations at structural (bacterial community phylogenetic composition) and functional (microbial metabolic activity) level and their relation to key soil parameters (pH, organic matter, metal(loi) availability). MICROCLIM will improve the capacity to predict the consequences of global warming in soil microbiota from anthropogenic-contaminated soils, which, in turn, will enable a better preservation and sustainability of soil ecosystem functions and services.
Participantes:
Susana Loureiro, Isabel HenriquesLíder de projeto: Christelle Gramaglia
Co-líders de projeto: Sofia Coelho Bento
Disciplinas:
ChimieSociologiePalavras chave:
PollutionVulnérabilitéRisqueConcertationHabitabilitéRésilienceResumo:
Ce projet vise à développer, à partir d'études sociologiques comparées menées dans 2 sites industriels du ROHM du Labex DRIIHM, une réflexion interdisciplinaire sur les savoirs, les incertitudes et les ignorances à propos des risques environnementaux et sanitaires. L’objectif est de partir des données disponibles, et de résultats originaux produits à l'occasion d'un stage post-doctoral, pour identifier des différences et similitudes dans les modes d’appréhension et de prise en charge des pollutions dans deux territoires littoraux Sud-Européens. Nous ambitionnons ainsi de mieux comprendre les raisons qui poussent à taire ou bien publiciser les risques environnementaux et sanitaires induits par la pollution, selon les époques. Nous prêterons une attention toute particulière aux efforts de connaissance experts et profanes qui visent à documenter les effets des pollutions sur la vie quotidienne des populations concernées. Nous examinerons les perceptions tout autant que les contraintes qui pèsent sur les riverains et leurs engagements pour faire face aux risques. Nous nous poserons enfin la question de savoir comment rapprocher les partes prenantes pour ouvrir sur de nouvelles possibilités de surveiller et réguler les risques dans les territoires soumis à de fortes pressions anthropiques de manière concertée.
Participantes:
Sofia Coelho Bento, Maria Teresa Condesso de Melo, Lucia Oliveira Fernandes, Joana GuérinLíder de projeto: Andrés Andrés Rodríguez Seijo
Co-líders de projeto: Ruth Pereira, Anabela Cachada, Nuno Durães, Carla Patinha, Isabelle Laffont-Schwob
Disciplinas:
BiologieChimieEcologiePedologiePalavras chave:
AGRICULTURAL SOILSMICROBIAL ASSESSMENTMICROPLASTICNEW CONTAMINANTSSOILRISK ASSESSMENT.Resumo:
This project proposes to study the impact of Microplastics in agricultural soils, though the assessment of several soil properties: physical (soil texture, soil structure and bulk density), chemical (pH, cation exchange capacity, organic matter, potentially toxic elements and compounds) and biological properties (soil enzymatic activity and/or soil organisms). Although this project could be developed in any region, Estarreja region offers an exceptional environment due to having a mixed area of agricultural and industrial activities, where MPs can act as carriers of potentially toxic elements and compounds, as reported for aquatic ecosystems. Further, insights brought by this project can be useful to support the development of soil management measures specifically targeting the restoration of the quality of soils from Estarreja.
Participantes:
Ruth Pereira, Anabela Cachada, Carla Patinha, Nuno Durães, Isabelle Laffont-SchwobLíder de projeto: Serigne Abdoul Lahad Yade
Co-líders de projeto: Ana Catarina Sousa, Yves Noack
Disciplinas:
ChimieMedecineSante publiquePalavras chave:
Pollution de l'air intérieurBPCOPollution aux métauxtessekéréEstarrejaexposition fumée de biomassezone indusrialiséeResumo:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Historically, smoking has been identified as the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the world. However, exposure to other risk factors is increasingly being recognized as a possible cause of COPD. Indoor air pollution, for example, is one of those risk factors. The sources of indoor contamination might be derived from industrial activities and/or indoor activities such as biomass burning for cooking and heating. About 3 billion people, half the worldwide population, are exposed to smoke from biomass fuel compared with 1.01 billion people who smoke tobacco, which suggests that exposure to biomass smoke might be the biggest risk factor for COPD globally. In populations with low smoking prevalence, such as women in developing countries, it is estimated that 80% of chronic bronchial obstruction cases are attributable to factors other than tobacco. In this project, we intend to implement the RESPIRA project that is being developed in the highly industrialized area of Estarreja, Portugal, in Tessekéré, Senegal in order to study the contribution of exposure to biomass smoke to chronic pulmonary diseases. The results obtained with these twin projects will allow to better understand the role of the indoor environment on the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in two countries with distinctive contamination sources and with different socio/economic and geographical characteristics
Participantes:
SERIGNE ABDOUL LAHAD YADE, Yves Noack, Ana Catarina Sousa, Ramiro Pastorhino, Carla Valente, Ricardo PaisLíder de projeto: Myriam Lopes
Co-líders de projeto: Johnny Reis, Maria de Fátima Alves
Disciplinas:
BiochimieChimieSciences de gestionSante publiquePalavras chave:
Low-cost sensorsAir qualityPopulation awarenessCivil protection.Resumo:
Emissions of air pollutants and consequent air pollution cause a variety of adverse impacts on human health, crops damage, losses of biodiversity, acidification of soils and surface waters, including impacts on buildings and cultural heritage. Despite significant emissions decrease and air quality improvement in Europe and Portugal over the last decade, ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM) atmospheric levels still exceeding EU standards. Nowadays, environmental monitoring is based on fixed measurement stations containing sophisticated analytical equipment to achieve a high data quality. Due to the high cost of investment and maintenance, only a limited number of pollutants (e.g. CO, NOx, SO2, O3, PM10, PM2.5) are monitored at quite few locations. The fundamental information available on air quality does not meet the needs of citizens or the requirements of advanced environmental information services, city infrastructure supervision or civil protection management and emergency systems. Emerging low-cost sensor technologies can change this paradigm allowing pollution monitoring with high spatial-temporal resolution available at every person´s fingertips. Environmental information from stationary and mobile sensor networks could be integrated and make available to the public, supported by new Information and communication Technologies. The availability of micro sensor data promotes a fruitful background for the development of new information services addressing personalized citizen needs, as well, as urban planning and management and, decision making requirements. The main objective of this project is to evaluate the use of reliable air quality micro sensors and to contribute towards decision-making and civil protection support, based on big data approach.
Participantes:
Johnny Reis, Maria de Fátima AlvesLíder de projeto: Alda Marques
Co-líders de projeto: Ana M. Sousa, Ana C. Sousa
Disciplinas:
BiologieEco-epidemiologieMedecineSante publiquePalavras chave:
COPDPULMONARY REHABILITATIONLUNG MICROBIOTAResumo:
PRISMA capitalizes on MicroRESPIRA, which found high abundance of bacteria, allergic and pathogenic agents for the human respiratory tract above the admissible values set by the National Legislation in the homes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Therefore, these people are at higher risk of having acute exacerbations, which causes severe individual, social and economic impacts. However, little has been done to improve patients’ awareness about the impact their home environment might have in their disease and quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an evidence-based intervention known to improve patients’ education, reduce symptoms, exacerbations, hospital admissions and quality of life however, it is highly inaccessible. PRISMA will overcome this barrier. It will also enhance our understanding of the mechanisms behind the effectiveness of PR by exploring the modulation of lung microbiota, since acute exacerbations might be caused by individual’s microbiota, however, this is still poorly understood.
Participantes:
Ana C. Sousa, Ana M. Sousa, Carla Valente, Sara Miranda, Célia FreitasLíder de projeto: Nuno Durães
Co-líders de projeto: Carla Patinha, Anabela Cachada, Ana Luís, Ruth Pereira
Disciplinas:
BiogeochimieEcologieGeologiePalavras chave:
Rice paddiesSoil quality statusAgrochemicalsHeavy metalsSalinityEcotoxicological essaysDiatomsResumo:
Estarreja is a region of marked contrasts, where an almost unique ecological reservoir, the Baixo Vouga Lagunar (BVL), contrasts with one of the most important chemical industry of the country. Fortunately, these contrasts between nature and man’s hand are not always so marked. Integrated in this ecological reserve, man modelled the land and used the surface water reservoirs to develop there an agricultural practice dedicated to rice cultivation, and perfectly harmonized with the surrounding landscape – the “Bocage landscape”. However, rice cultivation in the region of BVL (the only place in the north of Portugal where rice is cultivated) has been abandoned in the last decades. The reasons for this abandon are several, however the main one is the low paid prices for the produced rice and the unproductivity of the soils caused by saline water intrusion. Since now some funds are being provided to encourage rice production in this region, it is important to study the actual quality status of the soil (geochemical and ecological status) in the rice paddies under cultivation and in the abandoned ones. This study is crucial not only to assess and understand the potential of this area to support this agricultural practice (in the present and in the future), but also to estimate the possible environmental impacts that may arise from rice cultivation in a protected ecological landscape like this one.
Participantes:
Carla Patinha, Anabela Cachada, Ana Luís, Ruth PereiraLíder de projeto: Jean-Philippe Bedell
Co-líders de projeto: Susete Martin Dias
Disciplinas:
ChimieEcologieEcophysiologieSedimentologiePalavras chave:
EcotoxicologyBioavailabilityPollutants mobilityRisk assessmentOrganic pollutantsEmerging contaminantsSoilsEarthwormsPlantsEnvironmental pollutionEnvironmental qualityResumo:
Soil, an important environmental compartment, is largely affected daily by anthropogenic activities such as industries, traffic and waste disposal. These activities can bring to the soils large quantities of several contaminants and consequently they can easily enter the food chain and the trophic scale of ecosystems via plants and animals. This type of organic pollutants can persist for long times in the environment, being susceptible to transport for long distances, then they can easily reach a large geographic area and be widely dispersed. It is of an extreme importance to assess the environmental and human health risk pose by this problem. In this work, an evaluation and a comparison study will be done through bioavailability tests and ecotoxicological bioassays with plants and invertebrates in order to assess the real risk inherent to the presence of such pollutants in soils of an important industrial area: Estarreja (Portugal) as well as in the“casiers Girardon” of Rhône river (France). These constructions were responsible for significant changes in the sedimentation processes in the river banks especially during overflow episodes. Sediment deposition can lead also to several ecosystem and health risks once some inorganic and organic pollutants can be associated to these sediments.