Development of innovative materials for environmental applications, resources
WP4 Objectives
WP4 advances sustainable recirculating aquaculture through pollutant assessment and the testing of innovative materials. It is coordinated by “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași (P4),investigates priority and emerging micropollutants in aquatic environments, their combined effects and neurotoxic potential, and the safety of materials and plant-based supplements developed within CERSUS. Laboratory and real-condition testing support improved water filtration, fish nutrition and rearing technologies, aiming to enhance fish health, growth performance and safety for human consumption.
O4.1. Evaluation of the implications of selected priority and emerging micropollutants in altering the quality of water resources;
O4.2. Assessment of the interactions between heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics and pharmaceuticals when administered to model animals in mixtures in a controlled environment(laboratory);
O4.3. Reliability verification of advanced and innovative materials developed in other WP’s in laboratory and real / industrial conditions (aquaculture in recirculating system);
O4.4. Intensive rearing of valuable species in recirculating aquaculture systems, without risks for human consumption.
WP4 Tasks and Activities
Task 4.1: Identification of selected priority and emerging micropollutants in different matrices of water and wastewater use
Task 4.2: Testing the neurotoxic potential of selected priority and emerging micropollutants (such as: heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics and pharmaceuticals) using animal models (Danio rerio, Cyprinus carpio, Perccottus glenii)
Task 4.3: Laboratory testing of potential toxicity of advanced and innovative materials (polymers/biopolymers, Phyto supplements, etc.)
Task 4.4: Testing in real/industrial conditions of advanced and innovative materials (polymers/biopolymers, Phyto supplements, etc.) as water filters or as additional food resources for fish
Task 4.5: Development and design of a new technology for rearing valuable species in recirculating systems with benefits for fish physiological and health status, and ultimately growth performance
WP4 Expected Results
- Analytical data on priority and emerging pollutants from at least one hundred water, wastewater, sediment and biota samples.
- Harmonised methodological procedures for pollutant identification and assessment, complemented by a Raman spectral library.
- More than twenty neurotoxicity reports addressing selected pollutants and their mixtures.
- Fifty material toxicity profiles and validation of ten innovative materials in aquaculture systems.
- An innovative recirculating aquaculture technology integrating advanced materials, biological filtration and phyto-supplements to improve water quality, fish health and growth.
- A prototype supporting improved aquaculture performance, with target survival rates above 50% during incubation and above 30% during the transition to exogenous feeding.
- Technical reports on pollutant occurrence and potential risks to ecosystems, water resources and human health.
- Four new or significantly improved research services and two training stages for young researchers.
- At least 11 Q1/Q2 journal articles, at least 14 presentations at international conferences or invention exhibitions, and 2 national patent applications.