Search joint actions & projects
Underwater noise in the marine environment
Status: OngoingLead countries:
- Germany
- Italy
- Italy
- Germany
- Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
The Joint Action Underwater Noise in the Marine Environment was adopted on 6th May 2020 by the Management Board of JPI Oceans with the purpose of promoting a pan-European cross-disciplinary partnership for the integration of different sectors of the scientific research community. Concerns about acoustic pollution of the marine environment are becoming of paramount scientific interest, with relevance for national and international regulatory frameworks and the blue economy.
The overarching objective is to decrease the high level of uncertainty about the impact of noise through the promotion of specific lines of scientific research, which contributes also to the implementation of the MSFD at regional sub-basin scale. It focuses on biological and interlinked implications from genes to ecosystems.
Ocean Ethics principles will be considered to define guidelines and principles for all stakeholders related to the exposure of wildlife to underwater noise, the development of new technologies, societal acceptability, policy governance and access to data.
Activities will include a component of dissemination and communication to different sectors of the society at large.
The tools considered for the implementation of the Joint Action are:
- Establishment of a Knowledge Hub, composed of experts from member states, will guarantee the exchange of state-of-the-art scientific knowledge on specific innovative and cutting-edge concepts on the subject.
- Implementation of a Joint Call which will complement the development of a Knowledge Hub and the sharing of infrastructures to contribute to the implementation of a pan-European research strategy involving all European regional sea basins.
- Among the research activities promoted by the Joint Action, sharing of existing infrastructures is encouraged and envisaged as an opportunity for coordination between JPI Oceans and the EU Technical Group on Underwater Noise (TG-Noise) on monitoring activities using existing national and European infrastructures for the implementation of monitoring stations at selected locations in proximity to shipping lanes.
The World Health Organization (2011) notes that human-caused (anthropogenic) noise is recognized as a global pollutant and one of the most harmful types. The United Nations and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recognize the timeliness of anthropogenic underwater noise as a pressing societal issue and recommended that stakeholders shall work toward appropriate prevention, mitigation, and noise pollution-reduction measures.
Since most mammals, fish and invertebrates use sound for vital life functions, noise can affect an individual’s behaviour, physiology, anatomy (e.g. injury to vital organs), and development. Those adversities may have broad ramifications on healthy and resilient ecosystems as they affect populations’ biology and ecology and ultimately impact on fisheries and human food security.
The development of monitoring guidelines and scientific research, stimulated by EU Birds and Habitats Directives, has been driven by the activity of international agreements (e.g. ACCOBAMS, ASCOBANS), Conventions (e.g. OSPAR), Committees (e.g. JNCC, HELCOM) for rules for the mitigation of the effects of anthropogenic sound and guidelines for operators and regulators. At the same time, the introduction by the EC of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD 2008/56/EC) with the objective of achieving (or maintaining) a Good Environmental Status (GES) of European seas and oceans has promoted different degrees of activities for its implementation in Member States with the support of the expert group TG Noise that was installed within the framework of the Common Implementation Strategy of the MSFD. Tasks of the TG Noise are, among others, to assist Member States and Regional Sea Conventions (RSC) in the implementation of operational monitoring and to ensure regional coherence and complementarity.
Two scoping workshops were organized in Brussels in January 2019 (with support of CSA Oceans 2) and in Rome in January 2020. The workshops addressed the prospects for JPI Oceans to progress the scientific ambitions in support of regulatory frameworks at the European level and identify priorities to implement a Joint Action on Underwater Noise in the Marine Environment. The scoping workshops were supported by delegates from Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
The main output of the first workshop was the identification of research gaps and needs on the state of impacts, technology, sound propagation, and measurements. The second workshop identified priority fields for a proposal of the Joint Action.
A draft text for a Joint Call and the composition of the Knowledge Hub are currently being devised.
The following impacts are expected:
- Improved knowledge of soundscapes at regional level, population effects, physiological diagnostics, and cumulative effects of anthropogenic noise on marine wildlife.
- Synergies between academic and industrial stakeholders in developing reasonable and efficient alternative sound sources, and comparative evaluation of impacts on marine ecosystems (e.g. marine vibrators and alternative sources for geophysical exploration).
- Improvements in the development of a regulatory framework at a sub-basin scale, shared among transnational administrations.
Aquatic Pollutants Cofund
Status: OngoingLead countries:
- Germany
- Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
The Aquatic Pollutants Cofund aims to strengthen the European Research Area in the field of clean and healthy aquatic ecosystems and to leverage untapped potential in the collaboration between the freshwater, marine and health research areas.
It will pool the resources of 32 participating research programme owners / managers of 26 countries to implement a joint transnational call for proposals, with EU co-funding. Nine organisations from associated and third countries are joining the proposal as well.
In addition, the Aquatic Pollutants Cofund launched a call for proposals on Scientific Networking and Transfer Projects addressing research and development for supporting knowledge transfer, scientific networking, and public engagement based on the AquaticPollutants 2020 Joint Transnational Call projects.
Additional Activities will also be carried out to further support the implementation, strategy and alignment of the three JPIs as well as to make an impact on the joint transnational calls.
The occurrence of pathogens and emerging pollutants in water resources is one of the most serious risks in our environment and is considered a major factor particularly in the degradation of water quality. Anti-microbial resistant organisms and genes are now found widespread throughout the environment and pose a serious emerging threat for human health and well-being. Anti-microbial resistant bacteria enter the aquatic ecosystems through effluents from wastewater treatment plants, hospitals, pharmaceutical production and stock farming including aquaculture.Some of these pollutants and pathogens are known to harm aquatic ecosystems even in very low concentrations and in turn can negatively influence the provision of safe and clean water for drinking water purposes. In aquatic organisms, serving as staple food, pollutants and anti-microbial resistant bacteria can accumulate and hence enter the food chain causing further secondary effects.
To reduce or, even better, avoid the input of pollutants and pathogens into the environment, a holistic catchment approach to better understand the ecological and human health effects is necessary. The whole water cycle, from sources through the river basins and eventually, for some of them, to the estuaries and oceans, has to be considered. This approach has to include soil and groundwater transport as well as potential atmospheric pathways that these pollutants may take. The effects on human health, the transport and transmission of harmful substances, in particular those generating anti-microbial resistance, from the freshwater and marine environment to organisms via the food chain also need to be taken into account.
Therefore, the Water JPI, JPI Oceans and JPI AMR through their members have jointly developed the proposal on AquaticPollutants to support and connect their research communities to address these challenges.
- to establish integrated and cross-sectoral approaches for risk management combining the research areas of emerging pollutants, pathogens and antimicrobial resistance across all three JPIs under the overall topic “from the source to the mouth“;
- to analyse the spread of emerging pollutants and pathogens related to antimicrobial resistance from the different sources (e.g. urban areas), that lead to impacts and risks on environment and human health;
- to describe the transformation of such emerging pollutants and pathogens and their effects when entering the different ecosystems and accumulating in the food chain;
- to improve strategies and evaluate technologies for reducing the input of such emerging pollutants and pathogens at the sources, on their pathways and end-of-pipe;
- to address the participation and behaviour of stakeholders and end-users;
- to integrate innovative methodologies and tools in order to allow policy-makers to develop more effective policies and efficient regulations;
- to consider dealing with data management, technologies and innovations from all sectors with a One Health perspective;
- to involve relevant sectors, for example from industry and agriculture;
- to include communication and education measures to support the research topics, such as risk communication measures for the various target groups; and
- to foster transfer of knowledge into practice and education as well as strengthen risk awareness and risk communication in society.
The outcomes of the Aquatic Pollutants Cofund are expected to contribute towards:
- Effective trans-national, pan-European research networking, exchange of good practices, synergy, coordination and coherence among national/regional and EU research programs in the areas addressed;
- Improved evidence-based policy through the interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary science-policy interface and links with international efforts and fora on the areas addressed;
- Strengthened international leadership of European research in this area making the relevant JPIs, in collaboration with the European Commission, a privileged and attractive partner for global cooperation in research and innovation;
- The implementation of the objectives of the JPIs on Water, AMR and Oceans;
- Reduced risks posed by emerging pollutants to waterbodies and related ecosystems and food chain, and reduced risks to human health via these ecosystems;
- Increased protection of human health through the provision of safe water;
- Alleviation of water challenges within and beyond Europe, particularly in urban areas.
Timeline:
- Call opening: 17 February 2020
- Deadline pre-proposals: 18 May 2020
- Invitation to submit full proposals: June 2020
- Deadline full proposals: 14 August 2020
- Funding decision announced: October 2020
- Start of projects: December 2020 – March 2021
- Projects end: 2024
Willem De Moor (lead)
Tel. +32 (0) 2626 1663
Tel. +32 (0) 2626 16 70
Blue Bioeconomy Cofund
Status: OngoingLead countries:
- Norway
- Norway
- Malta
- Iceland
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- Italy
- Romania
- Sweden
- Ireland
- Denmark
- Spain
- Latvia
- Estonia
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Portugal
- Food security and safety driving innovation in a changing world
- Use of marine biological resources through development and application of biotechnology
- developing innovative uses of underutilised and waste material from fisheries and aquaculture to achieve zero waste;
- using biotechnology and ICT to develop smart, efficient, traceable food systems and create synergies between aquaculture and fisheries (genetic assessment and digitalisation);
- unlock the potential of microbiomes to support growth in aquaculture, fisheries, and food processing and biotechnology; apply the latest developments in ICT (IoT, machine learning, big data) to the Blue Bioeconomy;
- creating predictive tools to improve the identification and targeting of biodiversity “hot-spots” in the oceans (omics based technologies);
- exploring synergies with land-based production in areas such as food and feed production and processing, biorefining, bioenergy, biomaterials, chemicals and nutrients and maximise the use of aquatic bioresources in terrestrial value chains;
- improving aquaculture and wild harvesting of stocks by support for the creation of innovative feeds, improved brood stocks, by introducing new species, defining stock baselines, and assessing stocks and by encouraging the adoption of novel production technologies.
- Better aligned current EU, regional and national initiatives with the goals of fostering the development of European Blue Bioeconomy strategies.
- By significant member state commitment, achieve substantial new knowledge generation for unlocking the economic potential of aquatic biomass through establishment of new, integrated value chains.
- Contributing to the European Commission’s objective in the Bioeconomy Strategy, under Horizon 2020, to generate about 130 000 jobs and € 45 billions in value added in the blue biotechnology sectors by 2025.
Ingeborg Korme (lead)
+ 32 (0) 465 00 01 20
Kristin E. ThorudCorinne MuscatSigurdur BjörnssonTimo HalonenJella KandzioraParaskevi AfentakiGianna FabiOle Jørgen MarvikDomnica CotetJessica Hjerpe OlaussonMaria NashMartin KyvsgaardAbraham TrujilloKaspars KarolisEve KülmallikEsther ChacónToon MonbaliuDirk VeelaertJasminka BoljevićKatrin SaarVivian VilichFiona GrantChiara Gliozzi Ana Luísa Lavado Renato PiresHéctor González Anders ClarhällMirela ČokešićChristian BöhmNicolas TinoisCo-funded call launchedThe joint call on the Blue Bioeconomy is supported by 16 countries with a total budget of 29.25 million EUR. Applicants are invited to submit pre-proposals by 17 March 2019.
More information here.
Pre-proposal deadline
By closing date, the BlueBio consortium received 83 project proposals.
More information here.
Selection of pre-proposalsFollowing the recommendation of the international review panel and upon a decision of the Call Steering Committee 35 proposals have been invited to submit a full proposal on 17 September 2019.
The BlueBio Cofund completes its selection of pre-proposalsFollowing the recommendation of the evaluation panel and upon decision of the Call Steering Committee 35 pre-proposals have been invited to submit a full proposal by 17 September 2019. The 35 pre-proposals were selected of an initial 83 proposals in total responding to the joint call launched in December 2018. More info here.Climate Change Impact
Status: OngoingLead countries:
- France
- Belgium
- Italy
- Latvia
- Portugal
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Norway
- Iceland
- Climate change impact on physical and biological ocean processes
- Effects of ocean acidification and warming on marine ecosystems
- MEDLEY | MixED Layer hEterogeneitY | Coordinator: Dr Anne Marie Tréguier, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Physique et Spatiale, France. The project aims to evaluate the spatial heterogeneity of the ocean mixed layer dynamics and improve its representation in climate modelling to improve their accuracy and consistency.
- ROADMAP | The Role of ocean dynamics and Ocean-Atmosphere interactions in Driving cliMAte variations and future Projections of impact-relevant extreme events | Coordinator: Dr Daniela Matei, Max-Planck-Institut für Meteorologie, Germany. This project will investigate the influence of North Atlantic and North Pacific ocean surface variability on the extratropical atmospheric circulation, with a focus on high-impact weather and climate extremes under present-day and future climate conditions.
- EUREC4A-OA | Improving the representation of small-scale nonlinear ocean-atmosphere interactions in Climate Models by innovative joint observing and modelling approaches | Coordinator: Sabrina Speich; L'École normale supérieure - Laboratoire de météorologie dynamique (ENS-LMD), France.
- CE2COAST | Downscaling Climate and Ocean Change to Services: Thresholds and Opportunities | Coordinator: Richard Bellerby, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Norway.
The projects are conducting research on interactions between oceans and climate by analysing model simulations and observational data. The research aims to better understand upper ocean variability and dynamics and ultimately improve the performance of climate models. The results of the four projects will help to inform adaptation policy to increase resilience and adaptation measures for vulnerable areas, especially in coastal and low island areas.
Lavinia Giulia Pomarico (lead)
+32 (0)2 626 16 60
David CoxAldo Covello Kaspars KarolisMarta NortonMartine VanderstraetenInès AlterioArmin MathesVeronica CunninghamMauro BertellettiMarie EideSoley MorthensEcological aspects of deep-sea mining
Status: OngoingLead countries:
- Germany
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
- Exploring the Deep-Sea
MiningImpact
- Federal Public Planning Service Science Policy (BELSPO)
- French Research Institute for Exploration of the Sea (Ifremer)
- Research Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)
- National Research Council (CNR)
- Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
- Research Council of Norway (RCN)
- Polish Academy of Sciences; Institute of Hydroengineering (IBW PAN)
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
- National Authority for Scientific Research, Directorate for European Integration and International Cooperation
- Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS)
- Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Exploring the Deep-Sea
MiningImpact
The JPI Oceans project ‘MiningImpact’ aimed at assessing the long-term impacts of polymetallic nodule mining on the deep-sea environment. Core of the project were three marine research campaigns conducted in 2015 on the RV Sonne visiting several license areas and two Areas of Particular Environmental Interest (APEIs) in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) as well as the DISCOL benthic impact experiment in the Peru Basin.
- Predicting the ecological, biogeochemical and hydrodynamic consequences of a mining impact.
- Testing a range of modern rapid assessment methods and monitoring techniques for defining the ecosystem status.
- Communicating the results to stakeholders and policymakers.
- Conducting a comparative baseline study across different deep-sea environments (e.g. trophic states and seamounts)
- How did the deep-sea ecosystem (species biodiversity, community structure, biogeochemical functioning) in various disturbed areas in the CCZ and DISCOL evolve several decades after the impact?
- Can APEIs and seamounts fulfill their anticipated role as conservation areas for nodule-associated species?
- How large is the expected spatial and temporal footprint of deep-sea mining operations?
- What is the long-range connectivity of species in the CCZ and how is it affected by mining?
- Nodule ecosystems support a highly diverse fauna of sessile and mobile species.
- Faunal communities & environmental parameters show a high variability even on a very local spatial scale.
- Benthic fauna communities differ significantly between seamounts and nodule habitats.
- Loss of seafloor integrity by nodule and sediment removal generally reduces population densities and ecosystem functions. Biogeochemical remineralization processes and the productivity of the benthic community are both impacted by nodule removal.
- Disturbance impacts on nodule ecosystems last for many decades, affect numerous ecosystem compartments and functions
More details can be found on the final results overview of the project.
Dr. Matthias Haeckel
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Phone: +49-431-600-2123
Email: mhaeckel(at)geomar.de
Tel. +32 (0) 2626 1663
Boetius, A. and Haeckel, M. Mind the seafloor, Science; DOI 10.1126/science.aap7301 (2018)
Brown, A., et al. A comparative experimental approach to ecotoxicology in shallow-water and deep-sea holothurians suggests similar behavioural responses, Aquatic Toxicology; DOI 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.06.028 (2017)
Dumke, I., et al. First hyperspectral imaging survey of the deep seafloor: high-resolution mapping of manganese nodules. Remote Sensing of Environment; DOI 10.1016/j.rse.2018.02.024 (2018).
Peukert, A., et al. Understanding Mn-nodule distribution and evaluation of related deep-sea mining impacts using AUV-based hydroacoustic and optical data, Biogeosciences (BG); DOI 10.5194/bg-15-2525-2018. (2018)
Purser, A., Marcon, Y., Hoving, H. J. T., Vecchione, M., Piatkowski, U., Eason, D., Bluhm, H. and Boetius, A. (2016) Association of deep-sea incirrate octopods with manganese crusts and nodule fields in the Pacific Ocean Current Biology, 26 (24). R1268-R1269. DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2016.10.052
Schoening, T., et al. Compact-Morphology-based poly-metallic Nodule Delineation, Scientific Reports; DOI 10.1038/s41598-017-13335-x (2017)
Schoening, T., et al. Fully automated image segmentation for benthic resource assessment of poly-metallic nodules, Methods in Oceanography; DOI 10.1016/j.mio.2016.04.002 (2016)
Schoening, T., et al. RecoMIA - Recommendations for Marine Image Annotation: Lessons Learned and Future Directions, Frontiers in Marine Science; DOI 10.3389/fmars.2016.00059 (2016)
Stratmann, T., et al. Has Phytodetritus Processing by an Abyssal Soft-Sediment Community Recovered 26 Years after an Experimental Disturbance?, Frontiers in Marine Science; DOI 10.3389/fmars.2018.00059 (2018)
Vanreusel, A., Hilario, A., Ribeiro, P. A., Menot, L. and Arbizu, P. M. (2016) Threatened by mining, polymetallic nodules are required to preserve abyssal epifauna Scientific Reports, 6 (26808). DOI 10.1038/srep26808
David CoxFederal Public Planning Service Science Policy (BELSPO)Gilles LericolaisFrench Research Institute for Exploration of the Sea (Ifremer)Joachim HarmsResearch Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)Emilio Fortunato CampanaNational Research Council (CNR)Josef F. StueferNetherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)Kristin E. ThorudResearch Council of Norway (RCN)Grzegorz RóżyńskiPolish Academy of Sciences; Institute of Hydroengineering (IBW PAN)Rita SilvaFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)Viorel VulturescuNational Authority for Scientific Research, Directorate for European Integration and International CooperationLisa AlmesjöSwedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS)Caron MontgomeryDepartment for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)MiningImpact 2
- Federal Public Planning Service Science Policy (BELSPO)
- Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
- Research Council of Norway (RCN)
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
- Flemish Government, Department Economy Science and Innovation (EWI)
- Research Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)
- Research Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)
- Direção-Geral de Política do Mar
- Exploring the Deep-Sea
MiningImpact 2
- To develop and test monitoring concepts and strategies for deep-sea mining operations
- To develop standardization procedures for monitoring and definitions for indicators of a good environmental status
- To investigate potential mitigation measures, such as spatial management plans of mining operations and means to facilitate ecosystem recovery
- To develop sound methodologies to assess the environmental risks and estimate benefits, costs and risks
- To explore how uncertainties in the knowledge of impacts can be implemented into appropriate regulatory frameworks
Dr. Matthias Haeckel
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Phone: +49-431-600-2123
Email: mhaeckel(at)geomar.de
Tel. +32 (0) 2626 1663
David CoxFederal Public Planning Service Science Policy (BELSPO)Josef F. StueferNetherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)Kristin E. ThorudResearch Council of Norway (RCN)Sofia CordeiroFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)Marta NortonFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)Gert VerreetFlemish Government, Department Economy Science and Innovation (EWI)Joachim HarmsResearch Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)Norbert BlumResearch Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)Conceição SantosDireção-Geral de Política do Mar
The JPI Oceans action 'Ecological aspects of deep-sea mining' aims at assessing the long-term impacts of polymetallic nodule mining on the deep-sea environment. Core of the action is the research project MiningImpact 2 project which gathers 32 partners from 10 different countries and will conduct an independent scientific monitoring of the impact of an industrial test to harvest manganese nodules in the Clarion Clipperton Zone.
This MiningImpact 2 project will follow up on the results of the first JPI Oceans supported MiningImpact project which was concluded in late December 2017. While the initial project investigated experimental and rather small disturbances of the seafloor over decadal timescales, the new project will set up a comprehensive monitoring programme to ensure an independent scientific investigation of the environmental impacts of an industrial component trial of a nodule collector system by the Belgian contractor DEME-GSR.
- To develop and test monitoring concepts and strategies for deep-sea mining operations
- To develop standardization procedures for monitoring and definitions for indicators of a good environmental status
- To investigate potential mitigation measures, such as spatial management plans of mining operations and means to facilitate ecosystem recovery
- To develop sound methodologies to assess the environmental risks and estimate benefits, costs and risks
- To explore how uncertainties in the knowledge of impacts can be implemented into appropriate regulatory frameworks
The first research project 'MiningImpact' improved the understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and the impact of mining thereon. The project has not only attracted interest from the the G7 Science Ministers in their Communiqué from October 2015, but is also delivering input into the development of the international Mining Code (set of regulations for the exploitation of polymetallic nodules in the deep seabed beyond the limits of national jurisdiction), which the International Seabed Authority is in the process of negotiating. At the 22nd Session of the Authority in July 2016, MiningImpact presented these results in order to ensure that the international deep sea mining regime is built on a solid scientific basis and the best available knowledge.
In general, the cost-effective joint use of research infrastructure has facilitated the development of a common understanding and integration of national research activities around a common scientific objective. It has also enabled more effective collective European contributions to international policy-making.
Scientists involved in the project also published the results from the recent research campaign in Nature's Scientific Reports, demonstrating that polymetallic nodule fields are hotspots of abundance and diversity for a highly vulnerable abyssal fauna.
- Nodule ecosystems support a highly diverse fauna of sessile and mobile species.
- Faunal communities & environmental parameters show a high variability even on a very local spatial scale.
- Benthic fauna communities differ significantly between seamounts and nodule habitats.
- Loss of seafloor integrity by nodule and sediment removal generally reduces population densities and ecosystem functions. Biogeochemical remineralization processes and the productivity of the benthic community are both impacted by nodule removal.
- Disturbance impacts on nodule ecosystems last for many decades, affect numerous ecosystem compartments and functions
More details can be found on the final results overview of the project.
The second project, MiningImpact 2 will be able to further close existing knowledge gaps and reduce uncertainties on the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules. The project will specifically work towards policy recommendations and has reached out to the International Seabed Authority to become a partner in the project. It will further contribute to the preparation of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for future European deep-sea pilot mining tests that are requested by the ISA, and to the Horizon2020 technology development projects Blue Atlantis and Blue Nodules.
Willem De Moor (lead)
Tel. +32 (0) 2626 1663
+32 (0) 2 626 16 77
David CoxGilles LericolaisJoachim HarmsEmilio Fortunato CampanaJosef F. StueferKristin E. ThorudGrzegorz RóżyńskiRita SilvaViorel VulturescuLisa AlmesjöCaron MontgomeryEcological Aspects of Microplastics
Status: OngoingLead countries:
- Germany
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
ANDROMEDA (2020 - 2023)
Analysis techniques for quantifying nano-and microplastic particles and their degradation in the marine environment
The Andromeda project brings together an international research partnership that combines the expertise and competencies of 15 international research institutes. The project aims to gain knowledge about the degradation of microplastics while further advancing in-field of analyses of both; micro- and nanoplastics. The cost-effectiveness of analyses as well as the need for advanced analysis techniques will be considered, and challenging types of microplastics, such as microfibers, tyre wear particles, and paint flakes among others, will be assessed.
To date, very little is known about the degradation processes of microplastics. It is therefore the aim of the Andromeda project to develop UV, hydrolytic, and thermo-oxidative methodologies to study accelerated plastic degradation in the laboratory, which will in turn establish a collection of partially degraded reference materials for further research applications. Comprehensive degradation studies will be undertaken to examine the mechanisms of UV and microbial degradation of microplastics in seawater and in marine sediments. Furthermore, the influence of parameters such as temperature, acidity and hyperbaric pressure will be investigated, with special attention being given to the leaching of chemical additives.
To facilitate this, microplastic material will be immersed in coastal waters at a depth of 2000 meters for up to 12 months, and the resulting degraded materials will be distributed to project partners for further analyses and physicochemical characterisation. At the same time, hyperbaric conditions will be simulated under laboratory conditions to study the leaching of chemical additives. Chemical compounds will also play a key role in the development of a cost-effective methodological toolbox. Chemical markers that are suitable to replace the invasive sampling of organisms will be identified, consequently avoiding the sacrificing of animals in testing. Metals and organic additives will be tested as potential tracers.
Partners specialised in communication, dissemination, and data management will ensure strong stakeholder involvement and efficient outreach of the project results. Communication activities will include the provision of factsheets to schools, social media engagement, a project website, and participation at national and international conferences.
Interaction with the general public will take place via a smartphone app, which will be developed to engage citizens in the mapping of meso- and microplastics. Moreover, as another way of detecting mesoplastics and large microplastics at the water surface, hyperspectral imaging will be combined with the use of aerial drone imaging.
ANDROMEDA- Université d’Aix-Marseille - Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, FRANCE
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries, BELGIUM
- French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea, IFREMER, FRANCE
- SINTEF Ocean AS, NORWAY
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, NORWAY
- Flanders Marine Institute, VLIZ, BELGIUM
- University of Malta, MALTA
- University of Gothenburg, DENMARK
- Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, GERMANY
- University College Cork, IRELAND
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, SPAIN
- Tallinn University of Technology, ESTONIA
- McGill University, CANADA
- Wageningen University, THE NETHERLANDS
- Merinov, CANADA
Dr Richard Sempéré,
Université d'Aix-Marseille, France
Dr Isabelle Schulz
E-mail: isabelle.schulz@jpi-oceans.eu
+32 2 626 16 60
FACTS (2020 - 2023)
Fluxes and Fate of Microplastics in Northern European Waters
FACTS has the objective to create new knowledge and improve our mechanistic understanding on the sources, transport, occurrence, and fate of small microplastics in the northern marine waters. It addresses the geographical issue of microplastics transport from the temperate waters of the southern North Sea to the arctic waters of the Barents Sea.
FACTS includes the physical distribution of microplastics on different temporal and spatial scales and their vertical transport in the water column. In addition, FACTS targets new challenges of determining and quantifying nanoplastics and tyre particles in the marine environment. It combines state- of-the-art analytical, monitoring and modelling approaches in feedback cycles to describe transport and geographical sources of microplastics contamination as well as sinks from the temperate waters of the southern North Sea to the Arctic waters of the Barents Sea.
FACTS analyses the distribution of microplastics in the water column and quantifies Skagerrak as a major sink zone. Investigated transport processes range from drift scenarios to air transport to aggregation and sinking processes. FACTS also zooms in on the geographic scale to study microplastic transport and fate in a semi enclosed fjord system. The goal is to address the question of how microplastics move vertically in the water column with time under comparatively well- defined hydrodynamic conditions.
FACTS is structured around a set of sampling campaigns reaching from the German Bight to Svalbard, where samples are collected from large research vessels, smaller research vessels, fishery vessels and land based boats. The sampling and analysis addresses microplastics particles of all shapes. The sampling targets to represent the whole water column from the interface with the atmosphere to the sediments. At a limited number of sites, benthic fish are caught wild and atmospheric deposition is sampled and analysed down to the nanometre range. The sea surface microlayer and larger rapidly sinking particle aggregates (marine snow) are sampled to improve the understanding of the role of these conditions and processes on the 3-dimensional transport of microplastics and nanoplastics.
Plastic particle concentrations obtained from the proposed sampling campaigns are implemented into oceanographic models. The modelling approach is used to integrate release and transport scenarios, and the likelihood and timescale for particle pathways is estimated based on sinking, defragmentation, and beaching rates, obtained from observations.
The reliability of reported data on small microplastics has improved significantly since more emphasis is put on contamination control, chemical identification of polymer particles, and removal of human biases by automation. Chemical imaging methods such as μ-FTIR and Raman microscopy with particle detection limits of 10 and 1 micrometre are now routinely applied. Based on these and emerging methods with even lower detection limits, FACTS delivers a more complete description of sources, transport and fate of small microplastics. FACTS also tackles the current challenges of nanoplastics and tyre wear particle detection in marine samples. Both particle types are currently not accessible for mass balances of marine plastics contamination.
FACTS- Aalborg University, DENMARK
- University of Gothenburg, DENMARK
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar und Meeresforshung, GERMANY
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, GERMANY
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Zentrum für Ozeanforschung, GERMANY
- Technische Universität Berlin, GERMANY
- Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH, GERMANY
- National Research Council of Italy, ITALY
- Institute of Marine Research, IRELAND
- Norwegian Institute of Air research, NORWAY
- Norwegian Research Center, NORWAY
- Universitet i Bergen, NORWAY
- Ocean Scientific International Limited, UNITED KINGDOM
- Heriot-Watt University, UNITED KINGDOM
- Sigray, USA
Prof. Jes Vollertsen
Aalborg University, Denmark
Dr Isabelle Schulz
E-mail: isabelle.schulz@jpi-oceans.eu
+32 2 626 16 60
HOTMIC (2020 - 2023)
Horizontal and vertical oceanic distribution, transport and impact of microplastics
Less than 10% of the total amount of plastics entering the oceans can currently be accounted for, likely due to its fragmentation into small microplastics, still unquantified by modern techniques, or export from the ocean surface. It is unknown how much plastic debris actually floats at the ocean surface, which mechanisms control plastic transportation and its fate from land to the deep sea, and what ecological impact these may have. The HOTMIC project seeks to address these knowledge gaps.
To do so, it focuses on the North Atlantic as a model region and investigates the pathways of plastic coming from the continent into the North Atlantic Ocean gyre. The objective of HOTMIC is to map the distribution of microplastics - including particles smaller than 10 micrometer and microfibers - in water, sediment, and organisms from the coastal ocean to the open ocean gyre and into the deep sea. The project will quantify processes controlling lateral and vertical transportation of microplastics, including biofouling, (bio)aggregation, and deposition, for incorporation into global ocean models.
To understand the fate of microplastics in the ocean, HOTMIC will examine microplastics weathering signatures during ocean transportation, and evaluate the predominant mechanisms that create such weathering signature, including biological effects of bioshredding and ingestion.
These objectives will be supported by a diverse suite of analytical techniques. In order to achieve comprehensive detection of microplastic particles smaller than 10 micrometer
and microfibers, HOTMIC will develop and optimize novel analytical methods based on a combination of non- destructive (Raman & FT-IR spectrometry, microscopy), and destructive techniques (hydrolytic depolymerization, HPLC, Py-GC/MS, EGA/MS).
In addition, HOTMIC will develop Raman spectroscopy techniques for automated detection of microplastics, including particles smaller than 10 micrometer and microfibers, to greatly increase sample throughput, and 2D & 3D imaging of microplastics in biota. HOTMIC will use field and experimental measurements to understand the transportation and fate of small microplastics and microfibers, and to evaluate the risks of these contaminants for marine environments and organisms.
HOTMICGEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, GERMANY
Ghent University, Department of Marine Biology, BELGIUM
University of Southern Denmark, Department of Biology, DENMARK
University of Tartu, Estonian Marine Institute, ESTONIA
Institute of Hydrochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Department of Chemistry, GERMANY
University of Pisa, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry UNIPI, ITALY
Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere, Division of Oceanography and Marine Environment, PORTUGAL
Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre MARE, PORTUGAL
Dr. Aaron Beck
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany
Dr Isabelle Schulz
E-mail: isabelle.schulz@jpi-oceans.eu
+32 2 626 16 60
i-plastic (2020 - 2023)
Dispersion and impact of micro and nano plastics in the tropical and temperate oceans: from regional land-ocean interface to the open ocean
The i-plastic project assembles a multidisciplinary consortium of European and Brazilian experts from five institutes and four countries. Together they will assess the dispersion and impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics in the tropical and temperate oceans, from the regional land-ocean interface to the open ocean.
The recent acceleration of microplastics pollution has increased the need to develop novel collaborative tools for synergistic problems affecting coastal and oceanic ecosystems. One of the main hurdles is the lack of standardized, comparable and integrated information on smaller size (micro- and nano-) plastics pollution, including their abundance, sources, regional hotspots of accumulation, fragmentation, and transport at the land-sea interface.
The i-plastic project assembles a multidisciplinary consortium of European and Brazilian experts from five institutes and four countries. Together they will assess the dispersion and impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics in the tropical and temperate oceans, from the regional land-ocean interface to the open ocean, by:
- quantifying the seasonal transport and dispersion in three selected estuaries (hotspots of plastic sources) and adjacent coastal waters and shorelines under distinct flow and climate regimes (i.e., tropical and temperate systems);
- performing in-situ monitoring in the selected system of the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea;
- addressing, through in-situ observations and laboratory experiments, the impacts on distinct commercially valuable species (as part of the human diet) from target regions;
- implementing new approaches to detect and characterize nano-plastics in environmental matrices (i.e.: water, short-term sediment trap, sediment and biota) and ascertain processes of macro-plastics fragmentation;
- using the data generated to feed regional models for the dispersion of micro- and nano-plastics, which in turn will be used to elaborate a model of their dispersion at the Atlantic scale.
The scientific products of i-plastic will provide key knowledge concerning one of the main pathways of plastics to the ocean, their fate at the land-sea interface and the effects of smaller plastics on the ecosystems of different areas worldwide, by making projections to understand the impacts and dispersion of microplastics and nanoplastics in the next decades of the Anthropocene.
In transfering the outcomes and knowledge to stakeholders i-plastic will provide communication and education (Massive Open Online Course - MOOC) on the role of estuaries on the dispersion of plastic to different ocean basins. The project further aims to open the discussion and provide concrete knowledge to improve guidelines for plastic management to drastically improve the reduction of plastic litter in the marine environment.
Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Autonomous University of Barcelona, SPAIN
Institute of Sea Science, Federal University of Ceará, BRAZIL
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, ITALY
Association for Innovation and Development of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Nova de Lisboa, PORTUGAL
Division of Chemistry and Pollution of the Marine Environment, Hydrographic Institute, PORTUGAL
Prof. Patrizia Ziveri
Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technologies (ICTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Spain
Dr Isabelle Schulz
E-mail: isabelle.schulz@jpi-oceans.eu
+32 2 626 16 60
microplastiX (2020 - 2023)
Integrated approach to the fate of Microplastics (MPs) towards healthy marine ecosystems
MicroplastiX is an international interdisciplinary project bringing together 15 partners from 7 countries. The main goal of the project is to improve our understanding of the degradation mechanisms that affect microplastics (MPs) in environmental conditions, an issue of pressing urgency on which there is still relatively scarce information.
MicroplastiX focuses on how weathering and degradation affect plastic materials, causing them to fragment into smaller pieces. Because degradation processes are not uniform, addressing this issue is particularly relevant to assess, estimate and monitor microplastics abundances, hot-spots, distribution patterns and pathways from land sources to the ocean. The line of thought in MicroplastiX is to identify the “missing plastics” in the environment by sampling water (surface and column), sediments (intertidal and benthic) and biota (pelagic, demersal and benthic) in different habitats and geographical areas. To advance this research field, MicroplastiX intends to establish a methodological framework based on field and laboratory experiments to gather data which will be modelled through mathematical links.
The United Nations (UN) and the Group of Seven (G7) have recognized anthropogenic marine litter and microplastics particles as items with negative effects on aquatic wildlife, on marine and freshwater ecosystems, on local economies and potentially on human health. The impact of these microscopic items on the natural environment is inducing concerns within the scientific community on the urgency of reducing the sources of continental pollution, which represent about 80% of the overall marine litter in our oceans. The progressive fragmentation of microplastics, due to processes of biocolonisation and
weathering, makes their quantification and qualification in the aquatic environment even more complicated. Since plastic has the ability to adsorb persistent pollutants and act as a transport vector for invasive species, an additional goal is that of designing models to understand how pollutant adsorption and colonization rate by different species might contribute to changes in the physical-chemical behaviour of plastics.
MicroplastiX will develop a comprehensive approach that combines field data and laboratory experiments to evaluate degradation, fragmentation and interaction of microplastics with biota. All data gathered will be used in multiscale prediction models, to provide detailed information to stakeholders on the fate and pathways from rivers to the sea.
The project covers a significant area in the North and South Atlantic oceans. The research team is already working along the North-eastern, Eastern and South-eastern coast of Brazil, the North Western and South Western coasts of Africa, in the Western coast of Ireland and the Mediterranean Sea. This is a wide geographical area of ecological and economic relevance.
Part of the project time and costs will be devoted to outreach activities and dissemination actions to educate and raise awareness among the general public on the impact and dynamics of marine litter and microplastics in the marine environment. This project therefore aims to directly contribute to healthy marine ecosystems by addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality education) and 14 (Life below water), and descriptor 10 (marine litter) of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
microplastiX- Royal Institute of Technology, SWEDEN
- Chalmers University of Technology, SWEDEN
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Centro de Estudos e Ensaios em Risco e Modelagem Ambiental, BRAZIL
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Zooplâncton, BRAZIL
- Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo, BRAZIL
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, BRAZIL
- Universidade Federal do Pernambuco-PLANKTON, BRAZIL
- Sorbonne Université, FRANCE
- Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Toulon University, FRANCE
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Analytics, GERMANY
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, GERMANY
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, IRELAND
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, ITALY
- Universidade da Coruña, SPAIN
Dr. Luca Brandt
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden
Dr Isabelle Schulz
E-mail: isabelle.schulz@jpi-oceans.eu
+32 2 626 16 60
RESPONSE (2020 - 2023)
Towards a risk-based assessment of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems
The RESPONSE project integrates expertise on oceanography, environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology, experimental ecology and modelling to answer key research questions on fate and impact of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs). The more general objective of the project is to provide ecologically relevant strategies for assessing the distribution pathway and biological effects of plastic particles in marine ecosystems.
Multidisciplinary studies which combine chemical and biological measurements, represent an added value to monitoring and management protocols, as also recommended by recent European Directives. However, the combination of multiple typologies of investigations is often hampered by the lack of common metrics and standardized procedures for the interpretation and the integration of complex datasets of heterogeneous results, which typically require various expert judgements.
The RESPONSE project integrates expertise on oceanography, environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology, experimental ecology and modelling to answer key research questions on fate and impact of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs). The more general objective of the project is to provide ecologically relevant strategies for assessing the distribution pathway and biological effects of plastic particles in marine ecosystems.
RESPONSE will cover a wide geographical area, including the Mediterranean, Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and Baltic Sea. Vertical distribution of plastic particles along water column down to sediments will be investigated focusing on sizes and shapes of biological relevance, to better highlight causal relationships between environmental presence of plastic particles, frequency of ingestion in key ecological species, trophic transfer, impact on pelagic food webs, benthic communities, relevant ecosystem functions and services.
Field data will be the basis to extrapolate weights and ecological thresholds for specific characteristics and typologies of microplastics in the environment.
These values will be further validated by innovative mesocosm and laboratory studies aimed to characterize rates ofingestion,tissuetranslocationandexcretionpathways, subtle and chronic effects of microplastics induced from molecular to organism levels, their interactions with other stressors, and ecotoxicological hazard of still unexplored particles such as nanoplastics and biodegradable polymers.
Mesocosm and field manipulative experiments will provide novel insights on the role of microbial community, zooplankton and zoobenthos in the environmental fate of microplastics and nanoplastics, testing the “biological plastic pump” hypothesis and its relationship with trophic transfer and effects on benthic recruitment.
A tangible impact of the project will be the development a quantitative Weight Of Evidence (WOE) model specifically designed to elaborate huge amounts of different typologies of results, summarizing specific hazard indices and an integrated assessment of microplastics impact in the marine environment. The WOE model converted into an informatic, software-assisted tool, will represent a useful contribution to the implementation of methods and monitoring strategies.
As a technological objective, RESPONSE will set up a diffused analytical Smart Hub, which will combine a comprehensive suite of complementary and advanced instrumental facilities available in different laboratories of some partners and of an external world-leading company. The Smart Hub will share innovative technologies and application expertise for analytical needs of all the partners, also contributing to methodological improvement and training.
Particular attention will be given to validate analytical approaches for particles in the size classes of 2 - 20 μm and nanoplastics for which no validated techniques are still available.
Raising public awareness through research initiatives and science communication events will guarantee dissemination of achieved results, and sound advisory support to political and territorial agencies at both national and European levels.
RESPONSE- Polytechnic University of Marche, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, ITALY
- Tallin University of Technology, ESTONIA
- University of Bordeaux (UBx), National Institute for Scientific Research (CNRS), FRANCE
- University of Vigo, SPAIN
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, DENMARK
- University of Algarve, Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, PORTUGAL
- University College Cork, National University of Ireland, IRELAND
- French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea IFREMER, FRANCE
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, PORTUGAL
- National Research Council, Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino, ITALY
- University of Oslo, NORWAY
- University of Örebro, SWEDEN
- University of Heidelberg, GERMANY
- University of Antwerp, BELGIUM
Prof. Francesco Regoli
Polytechnic University of Marche - Ancona, Italy
Dr Isabelle Schulz
E-mail: isabelle.schulz@jpi-oceans.eu
+32 2 626 16 60
BASEMAN (2016-2018)
- Research Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)
- Research Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)
- Research Council of Norway (RCN)
- French National Research Agency (ANR)
- Marine Institute Ireland (MI)
- Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR)
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
- Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of the Government of Spain. Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness (MINECO)
- Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (HaV)
- Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS)
- Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
BASEMAN
Although microplastics are recognized as an emerging contaminant in the environment, currently neither sampling, extraction, purification nor identification approaches are standardised, making the increasing numbers of microplastics studies hardly -if at all- comparable. BASEMAN is an interdisciplinary and international collaborative research project that aims to overcome this problem. BASEMAN teams experienced scientists (from different disciplines and countries) to undertake a profound and detailed comparison and evaluation of all approaches from sampling to Identification of microplastics.
BASEMAN’s project outcomes will equip policy makers with the tools and operational measures required to describe the abundance and distribution of microplastics in the environment. Such tools will permit evaluation of member state compliance with existing and future monitoring requirements.
Gunnar Gerdts, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
Telephone:+49(4725)819-3245
E-mail: Gunnar.Gerdts@awi.de
Dr. Isabelle Schulz
E-mail: isabelle.schulz@jpi-oceans.eu
Tel. +32 2 626 16 60
Joachim HarmsResearch Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)Ulrich WolfResearch Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)Kristin E. ThorudResearch Council of Norway (RCN)Maurice HeralFrench National Research Agency (ANR)John EvansMarine Institute Ireland (MI)Aldo Covello Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR)Rita SilvaFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)Lourdes ArmestoMinistry of Economy and Competitiveness of the Government of Spain. Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness (MINECO)Mats SvenssonSwedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (HaV)Lisa AlmesjöSwedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS)EPHEMARE (2016-2018)
- Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of the Government of Spain. Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness (MINECO)
- French National Research Agency (ANR)
- Research Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)
- Research Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)
- Federal Public Planning Service Science Policy (BELSPO)
- Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR)
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
- Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (HaV)
- Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS)
- Marine Institute Ireland (MI)
- Research Council of Norway (RCN)
- Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
EPHEMARE
Microplastics show the potential to play a remarkable role in the incorporation and trophic transfer of pollutants into marine food webs. The toxic effects of microplastics on marine organisms are unclear and need further investigation.
EPHEMARE - Ecotoxicological effects of microplastics in marine ecosystems - aims to address this need through a multidisciplinary consortium of 14 Partner Institutes from Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and microplastics experts from the UK. EPHEMARE is one of four approved projects following the 2014 JPI Oceans Pilot Call on ecological effects of microplastics.
EPHEMARE, targets (1) the uptake, tissue distribution, final fate and effects of microplastics in organisms representative of pelagic and benthic ecosystems, and (2) the potential role of microplastics as vectors of model Persistent Pollutants that readily adsorb to their surfaces. The European consortium includes experts in biological effects of marine pollutants at molecular, cellular, physiological and organismic levels, up to-date singular facilities for aquatic toxicity testing under strict conditions, and some of the world leading teams in microplastics research and incorporates capacity to communicate project findings to a range of audiences and stakeholders.
EPHEMARE aims to examine the adsorption of chemicals on microplastics, their ingestion, trophic transfer and chemical release, and a wide array of ecotoxicological effects on invertebrates and vertebrates and to communicate the findings of the project to the public, relevant national and international authorities and decision makers. The project is looking for active collaboration with Industry to facilitate mutual learning towards addressing issues associated with microplastics in our oceans and has the following objectives:
- To investigate the uptake, tissue distribution and final fate of microplastics in organisms representative of pelagic and benthic ecosystems
- To investigate the potential role of microplastics as vectors of marine pollutants and their trophic transfer in marine food webs.
- To assess by means of internationally accepted standards and methods (ISO, OECD, ICES, ASTM) whether microplastic accumulation leads to detrimental effects at molecular, cellular, physiological and organism levels.
- To test the suitability of exposure and effect biochemical, cellular and physiological biomarkers and cutting-edge omics methods to trace MP exposure.
- To assist public and private stakeholders with the scientific basis for the development and compliance with general environmental regulations concerning chemicals used in plastic production (WFD, MSFD, environmental quality standards, REACH, Directive 2002/72/ECEU and subsequent amendments, Regulation No 10/2011).
- To raise public awareness on the risks that the less visible plastics pose to marine ecosystems and, eventually, human health.
Prof. Ricardo Beiras
Universidade de Vigo,Vigo 36310, Galicia, Spain
Phone:+34 986 812648
Dr. Isabelle Schulz
E-mail: isabelle.schulz@jpi-oceans.eu
Tel. +32 2 626 16 60
PLASTOX (2016-2018)
- Research Council of Norway (RCN)
- Research Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)
- Research Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)
- French National Research Agency (ANR)
- Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
- Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS)
- Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (HaV)
- Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR)
- Federal Public Planning Service Science Policy (BELSPO)
- Marine Institute Ireland (MI)
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
- Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
PLASTOX
The PLASTOX project will investigate the ingestion, food-web transfer, and ecotoxicological impact of microplastics, together with persistent organic pollutants (POPs), metals and plastic additive chemicals associated with them, on key European marine species and ecosystems. It will also study the temporal dynamics of microplastics colonisation by microbial communities in the field and the influence of microbial biofilms on ingestion rates and POP toxicity. The influence of microplastics physicochemical properties (size, shape, surface area and composition) on these processes will be evaluated. PLASTOX will combine field-based observations, laboratory tests, mesocosm and manipulative field experiments to study the ecological effects of microplastics.
PLASTOX will bridge the current gap between laboratory assessment using commercially available feedstock microplastics and the additive-loaded and degrading microplastics which dominate the marine environment. Macro-sized plastic debris collected from the marine environment will be used to generate microplastics derived from real marine litter, providing a common reference material for all project partners.
Adsorption and desorption of organic and inorganic pollutants to microplastics will be investigated using a range of common POP and metal contaminants. Studies will highlight how adsorption/desorption behavior varies between different contaminants, identifying which physicochemical properties are most influential. Studies will employ optimised laboratory and long-term field experiments at different stations in a wide range of European marine environments (Mediterranean, Adriatic, North, and Baltic Seas and the Atlantic) and in wastewater treatment plant effluents. As an innovative approach, compound-specific stable isotope analysis will be applied to understand the fate and transport of pollutants on microplastics. For microplastics extracted from radiometrically dated sediments, POP and metal determination will offer the first concentration estimates of the levels of pollutants gathered on microplastics over long time spans (10-30 years).
PLASTOX will investigate uptake through ingestion and other routes following controlled exposures. Microplastic accumulation in marine organism tissues, caused by transport across the gut and cell boundaries, will be studied and attempts made to quantify microplastics accumulation using state of the art analytical approaches. The acute and sublethal ecotoxicological effects of microplastics will be assessed on marine organisms from phyto- and zooplankton to (shell)fish and seabirds, representative of the full range of economically important marine living resources in the EU. Using data and competence generated in these studies, a more detailed understanding of the potential for microplastics transfer between trophic levels, and the subsequent impacts this may have, will be obtained. Finally, PLASTOX will culminate in a series of experiments bringing together the knowledge generated about microplastics and POPs/metals to study the combined fate and effects of these marine contaminants in food web studies. The knowledge generated will be summarized in a guidance document for development of future legislation and remedial efforts.
Andy Booth, SINTEF
Email: Andy.Booth@sintef.no
Dr. Isabelle Schulz
E-mail: isabelle.schulz@jpi-oceans.eu
Tel. +32 2 626 16 60
WEATHER-MIC (2016-2018)
- Federal Public Planning Service Science Policy (BELSPO)
- Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS)
- Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (HaV)
- Research Council of Norway (RCN)
- Research Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)
- Research Centre Juelich (JÜLICH)
- Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
WEATHER-MIC
WEATHER-MIC is one of four approved projects following the 2014 JPI-Oceans Pilot Call on ecological effects of microplastics. Five partners from four European countries form the consortium
- Use artificial weathering in lab experiments combined with non-target chemical analysis and particle imaging to “fingerprint” weathered plastic particles
- Investigate how weathering processes of MPs influence their vertical distribution, trophic transfer and toxicity (by affecting size distribution, surface morphology, density, aggregation-flocculation behaviour and microbial biofilm communities)
- Investigate if the 3D spatial distribution from lab-scale column tests can be extrapolated to field data from the Stockholm Archipelago and Oslo Harbour (using sediment transport models parameterized for MPs)
- Assess toxic effects of weathered MPs by
- toxicity tests using OECD guidelines adapted for ecotoxicological testing of MP particles
- changes in biofilm communities
- cell-based bioassays with MP leachates to identify modes-of-action and to quantify toxicity
- Develop new tools to incorporate MP weathering into risk assessment of marine MP pollution
Annika Jahnke
E-mail: annika.jahnke@ufz.de
Dr. Isabelle Schulz
E-mail: isabelle.schulz@jpi-oceans.eu
Tel. +32 2 626 16 60
The pilot action Ecological Aspects of Microplastics was proposed by Germany in the Management Board of February 2013. In an iterative process scientific experts together with the members of the Management Board (MB) have defined the scope of this pilot action as comprising methods, monitoring and effects of microplastics. Following a bibliometric study, foresight exercise and methods workshop, ten member countries published a joint call in 2015 of 7.7 million Euro. Four projects were selected for funding from January 2016 for a three year period.
- BASEMAN - Defining the baselines and standards for microplastics analyses in European waters
- EPHEMARE - Ecotoxicological effects of microplastics in marine ecosystems
- PLASTOX - Direct and indirect ecotoxicological impacts of microplastics on marine organisms
- WEATHER-MIC - How microplastic weathering changes its transport, fate and toxicity in the marine environment
An overview of the key results of the projects can be found here.
- ANDROMEDA - Analysis techniques for quantifying nano-and microplastic particles and their degradation in the marine environment – Coordinator: Dr Richard Sempéré, Université d'Aix-Marseille, France
- HOTMIC - Horizontal and vertical oceanic distribution, transport, and impact of microplastics – Coordinator: Dr Aaron Beck, GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel, Germany
- FACTS - Fluxes and Fate of Microplastics in Northern European Waters – Coordinator: Prof Jes Vollertsen, Aalborg University, Denmark
- microplastiX - Integrated approach on the fate of MicroPlastics (MPs) towards healthy marine ecosystems - Prof Luca Brandt KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
- i-plastic - Dispersion and impacts of micro- and nano-plastics in the tropical and temperate oceans: from regional land-ocean interface to the open ocean – Coordinator: Prof Patrizia Ziveri, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
- RESPONSE - Toward a risk-based assessment of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems - Coordinator: Prof Francesco Regoli, Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy
For this joint call for research proposals funding partners from Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden allocated funding. Researchers from UK, Canada and the Netherlands are participating with their own resources in the selected projects.
Bibliometric Study
Foresight exercise in microplastics
In order to support the development of the pilot action, the CSA Oceans project conducted a thematic foresight exercise in microplastics. The exercise developed a roadmap for microplastics research for Europe, identifying four research areas, which were used to inform the scientific orientation of the Pilot Action.
Best practice guidelines
On behalf of JPI Oceans, Ghent University, with the support of the Flemish Government, hosted an international scientific experts workshop on microplastics in January 2015. The workshop reviewed the current state of science and identified best practices for methodologies, in particular with a view to developing a risk assessment framework.
Joint Call on microplastics 2015
Ten Member Countries of JPI Oceans launched a joint call on microplastics in January 2015 with an overall budget of approx. €7.5m. Four projects were selected for funding from 31 December 2015 for a period of 36 months.Through these research projects the knowledge about the analysis, weathering and, ecotoxicological effects of microplastics in the marine environment has been substantially improved. But not all relevant questions have been addressed in the four projects and the knowledge and understanding aboutsmaller microplastic particles (from 10 µm to very small particles - nanoparticles) is in particular limited.
Joint Call on microplastics 2018
Building on the results from the first transnational call “Ecological aspects of microplastics in the marine environment” and recent scientific findings a second call was launched in by thirteen JPI Oceans member countries together with Latvia and Brazil in November 2018. This joint transnational call intends to increase the knowledge about the relevant sources of microplastics, analytical methods for identifying smaller micro- and nano-plastics, monitoring their distribution and abundance in marine systems and their effects thereon as well as concepts to reduce inputs of plastic into the marine evironment.
- Identification, characterisation and quantification of the major microplastic sources, especially mechanisms and time scales of macroplastic fragmentation
- New sampling and analytical methodologies - focusing on the smaller (nano-)particles and in situ measurement methods for all matrices (water, sediment, biota)
- Monitoring and mapping of microplastics in the marine environment including its effects on the marine environment
- Concepts to reduce inputs of plastics into the marine environment including through new recycling methods, raising public awareness, promoting behavioural change, socio-economic analyses
Dr. Isabelle Schulz (lead)
Tel. +32 (0) 2626 16 70
Tel. +32 (0) 2626 1663
David CoxMaurice HeralJoachim HarmsUlrich WolfJohn EvansJosef F. StueferKristin E. ThorudRita SilvaLourdes ArmestoLisa AlmesjöMats SvenssonAldo Covello Periodic Report microplastics projectsThe periodic reports of the four microplasics projects funded within the framework of JPI Oceans have been delivered to the funding partners and JPI Oceans secretariat. The executive summaries of the reports can be downloaded below
European Marine Sensors Calibration Network
Status: OngoingLead countries:
- Greece
- Greece
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Norway
- Observing, modelling and predicting ocean state and processes
This action aims to establish a permanent working group for calibration activities and will propose a future strategic plan towards a permanent, pan-European calibration grid to support the activities of marine observatories. It involves the research community, the National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and industry from the participating countries. The group had its first major meeting in Brest, France, on 13 October 2016 and is now in the process of developing three factsheets (on pH, salinity, and fluorescence) and one white paper summarizing the challenges and justifying the need for this action. The four documents will help identify the next concrete steps for this action.
Europe spends €1.4 billion p.a. for marine data collection: €0.4 billion for satellite data and €1.0 billion for in-situ observations, respectively. In the case of the latter, the traditional and expensive practice of vessel-based data-gathering is progressively giving way to monitoring via “observatories” - complexes of distributed, autonomous, real-time sensor systems. Burgeoning technology and pressing societal needs will soon make such observatories the backbone of European marine observing activity because of their ability to provide copious quantities of diversified data over large areas at reasonable costs. But to be useful for research and decision-making at a transnational level, all the incoming data have to be comparable and amenable to fitness-for-purpose assessments in relation to specific user-group requirements. This will require measurements to be metrologically sound, and instruments to be working within known specifications at all times despite prolonged deployment in harsh conditions.
This action deals with the only realistic way to achieve these goals, which involves continuous, responsive, and high-quality calibrating activity. Calibration, unlike validation, which can be performed with various ways and methods, requires standardised techniques and specialised equipment.
As it was revealed through the JERICO project activities and in particular Deliverable 4.1 “Report on existing calibration facilities”, very few observatory operators actually maintain dedicated calibration facilities with trained personnel. Thus very often sensors are shipped to manufacturers on regular basis which is neither convenient nor cost efficient. Moreover maintenance intervals have to be planned according to the requirements of each sensor (need for double sets of sensors). Thus transport and calibration costs often have a major contribution on total running costs. Partners operating calibration facilities often face difficulties in maintaining dedicated personnel positions as funding is variable and rather insecure. Although there is significant experience among European research institutes on calibration methods, at present each lab works independently with no or very little connections with other labs.
Therefore, the development of a pan-European calibration grid is proposed. The grid will be open to the whole marine community and in close connection with the national metrological institutes while in order to maximise benefits and minimise costs it can have a 2 level approach separating calibration procedures into primary and secondary. In the first level, labs capable of handling reference calibration procedures will be identified and appointed as Primary Reference Nodes (PRN) where secondary calibration instruments can be calibrated. Level 2 or Secondary Reference Nodes (SRN) will use the secondary reference instruments calibrated at PRN and will be responsible for the calibration of the day-to-day operational sensors around European Waters.
Short term:
- The homogenisation of practices within the oceanographic community,
- The dissemination of metrology know-how and practices in institutes and firms,
- The control of the efficiency for the participants of Inter Laboratory Comparisons,
- The improvement of the quality system and the metrology practices of participants (eg. thanks to audits)
- The technological directions to follow for the development of new sensors
- Relevance to the EU’s IMP, MSFD, WFSD, etc.
- Relevance and support to a large number of initiatives, such as GOOS, GMES, JCOMM, CLIVAR, MyOcean, SeaDatanet, EuroGOOS, JERICO, JERICO-NEXT, FixO3, EURAMET
Long Term:
Long-term impacts will be the assessment of strategies in terms of exchanges, collaborations, valorization and dissemination:
- the development of plans to encourage the transition from research to operational support,
- the consolidation of quality guarantees to help authorities to implement appropriate strategies (standards, recommendations, policies, regulations, ...)
- set up of a permanent calibration board in charge of the follow-up of this European Calibration network and of the management and sustainability of its impacts.
Sandra Ketelhake (lead)
+32 (0) 2 626 16 77
Tel. + 32 (0) 470 62 29 10
George PetihakisJukka Seppälä Florence SalvetatLaurent Delauney Daniela Stoica Fernando Sparasci Marc Le Menn Steffen Seitz Rajesh Nair Michela Sega Henning Wehde Preparatory Meeting on European Marine Calibration NetworkIn this preparatory meeting, the participants agreed that the first main step should be to hold a meeting alongside “Sea Tech Week” in Brest, France, with the involvement of the most important stakeholders (research community, National Metrology Institutes (NMIs), industry).
2nd Meeting on the EMSCN (October 13 2016, Brest)Basic outcomes: Regarding oceanographic data/measurements, although a few recognized standards are in place, no certified reference material is available. As a result, the oceanographers face great difficulties when it comes to ensuring reliable data acquisition, with inevitable consequences on the quality of the research they conduct. Therefore, one of the thrusts for this action is to ensure manufacturers follow a standard calibration procedure to ensure quality assurance and quality control of the products delivered to the field – a process that could follow the form of a certification procedure. To this end, the National Metrology Institutes can contribute by helping the oceanographers and manufacturers to establish validated metrological procedures. Three factsheets and one white paper are currently composed soto define the next concrete steps of the action.
Food and Nutrition Security
Status: OngoingLead countries:
- Norway
- Norway
- Italy
- Sweden
- Spain
- Portugal
- Linking oceans, human health and wellbeing
- Food security and safety driving innovation in a changing world
The JPI on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE-JPI) and JPI Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life (HDHL) first proposed to address the issue of Food and Nutrition Security as a result of the grand debate during the Milan international EXPO in 2015. They subsequently published the joint paper Priority Joint Actions to contribute to the European Strategy on Food and Nutrition Security. In 2016, JPI Oceans joined the initiative to ensure the entire food system could be addressed. Two expert workshops were held in 2016 to develop this working paper which will be presented to the Management Boards of each JPI.
Food and Nutrition Security bridges a number of Societal Challenges; it encompasses the entire food system (land and sea) from farm to fork. In their Strategic Research Agendas, each JPI (FACCE, HDHL and Oceans) has identified different aspects of this challenge and are now coming together to coordinate efforts in this area. Coordination is needed to bring together different research domains and national and international research investments and to ensure involvement of key actors (consumers, primary producers, industry etc.); to stimulate innovation and implementation. Strong stakeholder involvement in JPIs will facilitate knowledge flow from research towards practice.
It is well known that the health, environmental, economic, and societal costs will be substantial if we do not change our course of action when it comes to the food system and the underlying challenge of Food and Nutrition Security.
Ensuring food and nutrition security is a complex issue, requiring an integrated food systems perspective. To achieve food and nutrition security, there is a need to understand what the “ideal diet” is for different specific populations (e.g. elderly, children…) and in different regions to generate profiles of nutritional needs (macro- and micronutrients) and the corresponding diets. There is also a need to understand climate change effects on food composition and the food system as a whole, again looking at macro- and micronutrients in order to develop resilient and sustainable food systems as well as feed for farmed animals on land and sea. With this information available, different interventions should be sought along the whole food value chain to achieving sustainable and resilient food systems – at the level of the farm, of food processing and transformation and at the level of human consumption. Research could include, for example, the potential of diversified food sources, the exploitation of genetic diversity for breeding nutritional and resilient plant and animal food sources, improved management practices, the role of industry and food retailers, with consumer acceptance as the key driver for bringing about change.
FOOD 2030
The research is expected to contribute to the implementation of the European Commission’s FOOD 2030 initiative, and to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The new Knowledge Hub will also collaborate with Horizon 2020 Action FitforFood2030.
The coordination between the JPIs aims to define a research programme to address the challenge of Food and Nutrition Security.
In order to achieve sustainable and resilient food systems that provide nutritious food from both land and sea, it is necessary to know both the composition of a nutritious diet and also how climate change will affect food production and the nutritional quality of food, through effects on the quality of agricultural and marine primary products.
With this information, it would be possible to develop effective solutions along the whole food chain. The approach consists of two transversal components: a modeling component and an intervention component consisting of several research activities.
Cross cutting activities should be carried out, including education, outreach, data sharing, standardization and harmonization, to support a knowledge flow from scientific research towards practice. This will support a multidisciplinary approach and ensure the involvement of key stakeholders. Dialogue and co-design with stakeholders is crucial for acceptance and uptake of the research outcomes among the following societal actors:
- Consumers- awareness and acceptance of the consumer towards foods is key. Aspects to be considered are: nutritional quality, food safety, production methods, sensory aspects, ethical and environmental issues.
- Industry- Working with industry to increase diversity in feed and food sources to provide greater nutritional qualities and contribute to resilient production systems, to explore food products which are both ethically and economically viable
- Regulatory authorities- Close cooperation to encourage the authorisation of new products.
A set of key indicators needs to be defined in order to monitor the changes.
The research is expected to contribute to the implementation of the European Commission’s FOOD 2030 initiative, but also to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, by connecting research communities along the entire food value chain to propose adapted, acceptable and sustainable solutions to achieving food and nutrition security. It will promote the building of lasting transdisciplinary coordination across a range of fields. It is expected that the research will help to provide solutions for providing sustainable, resilient food systems for nutritious food from land and sea to feed an ever-changing world.Ingeborg Korme (lead)
+32 (0) 4 650 001 20
Kristin E. ThorudEmilio Fortunato CampanaLisa AlmesjöEstrella Fernandez GarciaSofia CordeiroJoint JPI WorkshopIt was concluded that the 3 JPIs are willing to collaborate in the field of FNS, and the creation of a working group with members of the 3 JPIs could help the definition of a shared research theme and the preparation of a common document. The successive step would be a second workshop.It was agreed that the approach to FNS must be undertaken from a global and cross-cutting perspective, and needs to include views and involvement of all the stakeholders acting along the food chain. Some work could be also dedicated to analyse the activities performed in ERA-Nets, in order to avoid overlaps or to find synergies.Expert Workshop
The workshop aimed to further develop the working document produced during the JPI Workshop. After this workshop, the working paper was updated and presented to the Governing Boards of the three JPIs as well as to the EC (i.e. Food 2030 and WP 2018-2020 H2020) for discussion and decision on implementation/ next steps.
Publication of Joint Paper on Food and Nutrition SecurityThe three JPI’s published a new paper describing the scope of a proposed joint research programme on Food and Nutrition Security: A Multi-Disciplinary Integrative Food System Approach, which was adopted by the governing boards of FACCE-JPI, JPI Oceans and JPI HDHL. The paper sets out an approach to Work Towards an Integrated Food System Approach, from Farm to Fork, that Provides Sustainable, Resilient and Nutritional Food from Both Land and Sea.
The paper is available here.
Funders MeetingFunders from JPIs HDHL, FACCE and OCEANS met to explore the concrete implementation of the joint action by discussing its scope, its expected impacts and the instrument to be used. It was agreed that the three JPIs should work towards developing a Knowledge Hub in the area of Food and Nutrition Security. Call launchedJPI Oceans in collaboration with JPI HDHL and FACCE-JPI partners launched ”Knowledge Hub on Food and Nutrition Security”.
The joint initiative aims to establish a Knowledge Hub on Food and Nutrition Security and to provide the unique possibility to connect researchers with other existing initiatives and relevant stakeholders in the Food and Nutrition Security research area. The Knowledge Hub is implemented under the umbrella of ERA-HDHL, the JPI HDHL 1st ERA-Net Cofund.
More information here.
1st network meeting of the Knowledge HubAfter evaluation by the Call Steering Committee (CSC), 42 research groups were selected to work out a joint network proposal. The selected network members are from the following 7 countries: Portugal, Italy, Spain, Norway, France, Latvia and Germany.
More information here.
Integrated assessment of new pollutants
Status: OngoingLead countries:
- Norway
- Spain
- Belgium
- Germany
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Spain
- Italy
- Norway
- United Kingdom
- France
- Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
Coordinator: Dr. Adam Lillicrap
The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Norway
Co-coordinator: Dr. Ioanna Katsiadaki
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK
The knowledge hub on integrated assessment of new pollutants is a network consisting of selected experts from JPI member countries. It will look into the need to improve the methodological basis for marine chemical status assessment, e.g. by focusing on increasing the efficiency of integrated assessment methodologies.
Each participating country is responsible for nomination and funding (in-kind and/or cash) of experts that join the network. The hub will meet four times over a period of 24 months. The key milestones are:
- Kick-off meeting in January 2019 (agenda under 'Related docs')
- Three more meetings of experts: two during 2019 and one in the first quarter of 2020
- Draft report from the knowledge hub to be presented to the Steering Committee in April 2020
- Final report to be produced by December 2020
Actions of the knowledge HUB
The following is a list of activities of the JPI Oceans Knowledge Hub which will be carried out to the extent required to reach the objectives of the knowledge HUB.
Identification of integrated assessment methodology
The first major task of the knowledge hub will be to identify, from literature and known case studies, the most appropriate integrated assessment methodology(-ies) present today for the purpose of testing. In selecting methodology(-ies), the factors determining their compatibility with regulatory context(s), or their potential other benefits/costs, will be discussed.
Definition of input data to be applied in the integrated assessment methodology
The next major task for the knowledge hub will be to identify necessary input data and their sources to be able to run the integrated assessment methodologies.
Identify key users of the integrated assessment methodology
The knowledge hub will identify and establish contact with the potential users of the methodology and the output thereof and aim at their involvement at useful stages during the work of the knowledge hub.
Identify test sites/regions
Identify test sites/regions (geographical spread) for the purpose of implementing the test scheme of the methodologies. Focus on transitional waters for chemicals as this is where effects are anticipated but currently not covered either under WFD or MSFD.
Identify refinement needs of the integrated assessment methodologies
The report should provide an overview of refinement needs of the integrated assessment methodologies.
Common definitions and terminology
The report should provide an overview of common definitions and terminology.
Recommendations for further work
- Provide recommendations for further actions on integrated assessments, specifying which actions JPI Oceans may take a leading position.
- JPI Oceans to provide a repository for sharing documents.
- Provide specific recommendations to the JPI Oceans activity on cumulative effects.
- Provide better/more reliable EQs values (one of the main recommendations during the recent meeting in Vigo of the MSFD Expert Network).
- Finding appropriate scientific critical evaluators for coordination work of the joint action;
- Improving the exchange of ongoing activities on ecotoxicological research with monitoring institutions;
- Building human and technical capacity in ecotoxicological research;
- Providing a platform for dialogue among scientists to address the question of efficiency of possible integrated methods in view of their more widespread application
- Contribute so that the resulting scientific conclusions are used by environmental authorities, finally leading to adjustment of their monitoring activities.
Bavo de WitteKoen ParmentierPatrick RooseJan KoschorreckDetlef Schulz-BullJakob StrandLaine PartsMailis LahtBerit BrockmeyerJuan Bellas BereijoSagrario Arrieta AlgarraSalud Deudero CompanyChiara MaggiMario SprovieriMichele GianiAdam LillicrapKnut-Erik TollefsenRune PettersenIoanna KatsiadakiJaime Martinez-UrtazaAourell MauffretThierry BurgeotFarida Akcha
Intercalibration for EU Water Framework Directive
Status: FinishedLead countries:
- Belgium
- Belgium
- Germany
- Denmark
- France
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
- Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
- Observing, modelling and predicting ocean state and processes
The action Joint funding of the Scientific Intercalibration exercise for the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) coastal and transitional waters in the North-East Atlantic brings together scientific experts to perform required analyses in the most cost-efficient way.
- finding experienced scientific expert leads to perform required analyses in the most cost-efficient way for phytoplankton and benthic invertebrate fauna (as there are constraints in the availability of experts of national environmental authorities)
- reducing fragmentation (of comparison calculation efforts) and increase efficiency in relation to the Water (and Marine Strategy) Framework Directive;
- increasing experience with joint data collection and analysis;
- testing a mechanism for joint funding from environmental authorities of nine member countries, surpassing the traditional model of joint calls, to obtain the performance improvements.
Willem De Moor
E-mail: willem.demoor@jpi-oceans.eu
Phone: +32 (0)2 626 16 63
Veronique Van Den LangenberghWim GabrielsMichael KyramariosJan WittAxel Borchmann Sara RøpkeIvan KarottkiMarie Claude XimenesIsabelle TerrierShane O’BoyleRobert WilkesHans RuiterMaria Pettersvik Arvnes Steinar SandoyAnneli HarlenJonas SvenssonAlison MilesDavid CoxGert Verreet
MarTERA: ERA-NET Cofund on Marine/Maritime Technologies
Status: OngoingLead countries:
- Germany
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Malta
- Ireland
- Italy
- Portugal
- Norway
- France
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Poland
- South Africa
- Turkey
- Argentina
- Latvia
- Technology, Platforms and Sensor Development
MarTERA is an ERA-NET Cofund scheme of Horizon 2020 of the European Commission. The overall goal of the ERA-NET Cofund MarTERA is to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA) in maritime and marine technologies as well as Blue Growth.
The MarTERA consortium, consisting of 16 collaborating countries, has organized joint call that is co-funded by the EU for transnational research projects on different thematic areas in 2017. Furthermore, two joint calls without co-funding by the EU have been successfully launched by the MarTERA partners in 2019 and 2020. Additional joint activities are planned, in order to contribute to the national priorities as well as to the Strategic Research Agenda of JPI Oceans and WATERBORNE.
The focus of development in MarTERA is given to technologies (instead of sectors) due to their potentially large impact to a wide range of application fields.
MarTERA has hadd three calls. The first MarTERA call was a co-funded call in 2017, initiated by 18 funding organisations from 16 regions/countries and cofunded by the European Union under Horizon 2020. Following the ranking of the International Evaluation Panel, the MarTERA Steering Committee recommended 19 full proposals for funding (total cost EUR 33 million, requested funding EUR 23 million). These 19 projects were granted funding from the national funding organisations and cofunding by the EU. All projects from the first MarTERA call started successfully in early/mid 2018.
The second call, in 2019, resulted in 12 proposals selected for funding and a total of 15 million EUR in requested funding.
The deadline for the third MarTERA call was 11 September 2020 and was initiated by
ministries/funding organisations from 11 countries: Belarus, Belgium, France, Germany, Malta, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, South Africa and Turkey. The transnational call has a budget of about 13 Mio € for collaborative research and innovation projects in the following areas:
- Priority Area 1: Environmentally friendly maritime technologies
- Priority Area 2: Innovative concepts for ships and offshore structures
- Priority Area 3: Automation, sensors, monitoring and observations
- Priority Area 4: Advanced manufacturing and production
- Priority Area 5: Safety and security
A total of 23 pre-proposals with a total requested funding of 24.2 million Euro have passed the step 1 procedure.
Sectors with a high potential for sustainable blue economy like waterborne transport, shipbuilding & ship repair, offshore and sub-sea activities, monitoring and observations, can support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors as a whole and use the potential of Europe’s oceans, seas and coasts for jobs, value and sustainability. Technological breakthroughs are of importance for improving ocean governance, which is by itself a big market for maritime industries recalling that European countries spend approximately 1 billion Euros annually on purchasing and running infrastructure to monitor the seas and oceans.
Research and innovation activities in these fields cannot be tackled either at national levels alone, or by a single sector alone. Coordinated actions are required for the maritime industry to strengthen Europe’s position in this important and complex economic field in a global market. Concentrated and targeted Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) funding on common research priorities will foster maritime and marine technologies in Europe. In this highly competitive sector networking, trans- national collaboration and joint initiatives are the keys to success.
The main objective of MarTERA is to address a number of actual challenges that can be identified as follows:
- National and European research in several marine and maritime sectors is often poorly coordinated. Synergies towards implementing common goals could only be achieved through better coordination and harmonizing the foci of funding programmes;
- While collaborative projects funded by the EC are often quite large and complex to attract participation especially of SMEs, national funding schemes offer limited opportunities to collaborate with foreign partners, especially if cross-border funding is impossible;
- The participation in trans-national projects offers advantages by using respective national funding, to tackle complex projects which cannot be accomplished by one nation alone;
- Transnational projects provide a better chance for innovation to enter into new markets;
- The cross-cutting perspective in technology development can lead to innovations capable of benefiting more than one sector, hence increasing the impact of the funded trans-national projects.
- Bringing industry and research actors across borders together will strengthen Europe’s economic position underpinning Blue Growth.
- Through trans-national cooperation it is feasible to create critical mass and focus excellence on precompetitive breakthroughs, which can benefit marine and maritime industries in general and make them more competitive in the longer term, thereby maintaining Europe’s competitive edge.
- To create critical mass and address the needs for technologies in maritime operations.
- Bring new knowledge-intensive products and services for marine and maritime activities to the market.
- Increase the resource efficiency, security, safety and environmental compliance of maritime activities.
- Help implement the European strategy on Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), in particular with regards to advanced materials and manufacturing.
- Support trans-national, pan European research networks and synergies
- among national/regional and European EU research programmes
- Facilitate economies of scale and research investment efficiency by better alining national/regional research programmes, in particular within the Joint Programming Initiative “Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans”.
- Strengthening the dissemination of maritime and marine research results at the national and European level.
Hanna Lee Behrens (Research Council of Norway)
Filiz AslanRalf FiedlerJosef F. StueferAllanah BonniciCiaran KellyAldo Covello Joana PinheiroHanna Lee BehrensChristine KingGrazia PavoncelloGiorgio CarpinoNatalia YankevichJozef GhijselenKarolina JanczykowskaIsayvani NaickerBurak KayaPatrick VidalGonçalo ZagaloMonica SilenziKaspars KarolisMulti use of infrastructure for monitoring
Status: FinishedLead countries:
- Netherlands
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Sweden
- Belgium
- Norway
- Denmark
- United Kingdom
- Observing, modelling and predicting ocean state and processes
The pilot action Multi use of Infrastructure for Monitoring in the North Sea was proposed by The Netherlands in 2012.The action resulted in a workshop between scientists and funding bodies in 2013 and additional monitoring during various International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS) cruises in 2014.
The action picked a number of indicators that require monitoring activities, to be added to current (fish stock) monitoring programmes. The intention was to develop pilot studies to test these on current monitoring activities as soon as possible. The process of organising the pilot, the needs (budgets, equipment, time) and the limitations (vessels, crew, permits) was of more interest than the actual data collected at sea. Such information was a useful input for the project of DG Environment to be able to calculate costs and design an efficient integrated monitoring programme.
The overall approach of the pilot action was directed towards the following three components: (1) setting up integrated monitoring surveys, (2) enhancing integration of monitoring efforts and (3) promoting data sharing and integrated information systems. The pilot action focused on integrated surveys but also considered the requirements of the other components during implementation. The basic requirements for the approach were as follows:
- Design future (fish stock) monitoring surveys to incorporate both the needs of the CFP (Common Fisheries Policy) through the EU (Data Collection Framework) within the frame of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the MSFD (Marine Strategy Framework Directive);
- Incorporate flexible, adaptive elements to the approach, allowing for the implementation of future needs as they emerge;
- Coordinate survey planning at the international level and at the scale of sea basins.
As such the pilot action aimed at incorporating monitoring for MSFD descriptors in the current International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS). The IBTS survey is coordinated internationally by experts from Germany, France, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, executed twice a year (first and third quarter of the year) covering the Greater North Sea.
- Workshop between scientific experts and funding bodies from interested countries on 9 November 2013.
- Additional monitoring proposals made at this workshop- of which a number were tried out by 7 countries during various IBTS cruises in 2014 (extending the 1st experience in 2013).
- The experiments at sea have resulted in some simple overviews of costs related to more integrated monitoring.
- The whole process has given an impression of issues and problems related to organising additional monitoring (funded or not from outside the regular funding for the survey) for Incorporating flexible, adaptive elements to the traditional approach, allowing for the implementation of future needs as they emerge.
Anders Brudevoll
E-mail: akb@rcn.no
Phone: +32 (0)2 626 16 60
Munition in the sea
Status: PendingLead countries:
- Italy
- Italy
- Germany
- Portugal
- Belgium
- Greece
- Norway
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
- Sweden
- Spain
- Poland
- Ireland
- Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
- Introducing and structuring a European scientific interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation
- Providing an interface between scientific expertise and operators
- Contributing to cost and time efficient solutions
Progress
- 2014: The JPI Oceans Strategic Advisory Board proposed an Action on munition in the sea
- 2015: The JPI Oceans Management Board approved the Action for implementation.
- 2016-2017: End-users’ priorities and national offers were identified.
- 2016-2017: JPI Oceans attended NATO Research workshops “Applied Vehicle Technology - Sea Dumped Munitions and Environmental Risks”.
- 2016-2017: JPI Oceans joined the large exercises at sea (REP16 and REP17) organized by the Portuguese Navy in the framework of NATO activities.
- 2018-2019: The European Commission invited JPI Oceans to debates on unexploded munitions and launched a call “EMFF-Blue Economy-2018” for the development of innovative solutions and tools for unexploded ordnances.
- 2018: The ERA-Net COFUND MARTERA added the topic “munitions in the sea” in its joint calls.
- 2018: Experts and end-users designed a framework for filling scientific gaps and the implementation of activities.
- 2019: JPI Oceans has been invited by the European Parliament at the hearing "Security risks posed by unexploded ordnances, sea-dumped and expired munitions", of the Security and Defence Committee.
- 2019: Participating countries agreed to implement joint activities via a joint call and provision of in-kind contributions (i.e. personnel, infrastructures, travels).
Pier Francesco Moretti (lead)
Tel. +32 (0) 2 290 22 84
+32 (0) 2 626 16 77
Emilio Fortunato CampanaJoachim HarmsJoão Borges de Sousa David CoxVangelis PapathanasiouChristina AbildgaardJosef F. StueferCaron MontgomeryLisa AlmesjöEsther ChacónGrzegorz RóżyńskiAnna Jöborn Tarquin DorringtonEd HillMike WebbJartrud SteinsliArne BenjaminsenKristin E. ThorudPeter HeffernanCaroline BocquelCiaran KellyChrysoula DiamantiBernard WesteropNancy MeijersSCIENCE FOR GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS (S4GES)
Status: OngoingLead countries:
- Belgium
- Italy
- Malta
- Belgium
- Estonia
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Malta
- Norway
- Croatia
- France
- Ukraine
- Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
Scientific contacts: Patrick Roose (RBINS), Mario Sprovieri (CNR), Aldo Drago (UM)
Effective linkages are needed between emerging knowledge, innovative approaches and techniques in marine science and its practical understanding, and possible uses within the Marine Strategic Framework Directive (MSFD) context.
This means that criteria, including threshold values, methodological standards, and proper representation of descriptors, should be reviewed and amended periodically, in light of scientific and technical progress. The efficient mechanisms for such revisions should also be built and strengthened, including the development of new and innovative observational schemes and techniques, available to Member States. This will lead to better consistency in the determination of the Good Environmental Status (GES) of different marine regions in the European Seas.
In such context, science can contribute to revising or introducing criteria, apply risk-based approaches, and provide rigorous definitions to sharpen and refine/specify the concept of thresholds and, in turn, of the GES. Science also holds responsibility to foster data harmonization and interoperability.
JPI Oceans has already addressed such challenges faced by Member States in fulfilling the requirements of many directives, for instance through the pilot action “Intercalibration for the EU Water Framework directive”, where the support of research jointly funded by the participating countries has provided impacting clues for solutions at policy level. Other JPI Oceans actions are already framed in the context of monitoring and assessment and of fostering Good Environmental Status, e.g. Munitions in the Sea or Ecological Aspects of Microplastics. It is anticipated that this JPI Oceans Joint Action will potentially improve coordination and have a role in sharing best practice among Member States.
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is the current regulatory European Union framework promoting actions for environmental assessments, defining environmental targets and setting programs of monitoring and measures, with the overall objective of maintaining or restoring a Good Environmental Status (GES) of European Seas and their resources. The MSFD came into force in 2008 with the goal of achieving the GES by 2020. This interval represents the timeframe of the Directive and encompasses the necessary time for its implementation at national levels and six-year assessment cycles. The initial assessment and the Member States reports on the environmental status carried in the first implementation cycle have shown a range of complexity and difficulty in the implementation of the Directive. The results showed the necessity to significantly improve the quality and coherence/consistence of the determination of GES by the Member States. The Commission further recognized that criteria and methodological standards on GES of marine waters, specifications and standardised methods for monitoring and assessment, should be based on the best available science and additional scientific improvement. Technical progress is also needed and should be used when available.
Throughout the next decades, mankind aims to perform a step change in the use of the marine ecosystems, yet aware that the still limited knowledge in their functioning may hamper long-term exploitation of their resources. The MSFD is one of the initiatives undertaken so far for the exploitation of the ocean and sea with some precaution in order to prevent irreversible changes, as it has occurred on land in several cases, and to possibly revert or mitigate changes already caused by its human use. The MSFD is in fact part of a much wider set of EU policies which include the Blue Growth Strategy, the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, the Common Fishery Policy, among others.
The Good Environmental Status is a relatively new concept, but after over ten years of its driven initiatives, it is timely to provide a refreshed perspective. This will be based on the activities outlined below, contributing to fulfilling the implementation of the MSFD and the policy message that lies in it, and will mainly focus on the questions that science will address in order to make the assessing process effective and efficient.
Science related to Good Environmental Status determination
The determination of the GES is based on the values of ocean variables associated to different ecosystem components, specified in the criteria of descriptors. These variables and related indicators should be relatively simple to measure and communicate, enabling a better common understanding across disciplines and better information transfer, providing policy makers with a clearer picture of changes and trends in the ocean system.
The strategies in monitoring, data interpretation and reporting should be suited to answer the key questions implicitly raised by Member Countries to identify the level of GES in their coastal zone and EEZ. This implies that an improved approach should take into account a clever exploitation of additional tools, new technologies, sensors and variables, and advanced use of computational methods to map and model environmental changes and impacts, including better interoperability and coupling between modelling and observational data.
Support to policy and governance
National implementation of the MSFD is subject to fragmentation. In order to fulfil the MSFD requirements along the science - policy interface and the ecosystem approach, scientific syntheses of key ecosystem datasets need to be improved, towards a better understanding of the determination of GES in the European Seas. However, despite the wealth of scientific information produced across Europe, much of this knowledge is currently not presented in a format that can be readily used by policy makers and many stakeholders, and it is often overlooked even by the scientific community. Furthermore, the need for indicators of change, knowledge of pressures and their impacts should be linked to social and economic state-of-the-art indicators. Understanding and integrating environmental information with societal and economic developments and goals is also more and more essential to ensure effective policy of sustainable resource use.
Research support to policy and governance should thus set efficient and effective science-based information and tools, ensuring that the capacity of marine ecosystems to respond to human-induced changes is not compromised.
Data collection
Data, at national and EU level, appear sparse and heterogeneous in terms of targeted variables, quality, sampling methodologies and strategy, etc. This implies difficulties in providing usable data sets for interoperability, comparability or harmonization, and for calibration and validation activities. Indeed, a harmonized strategy is often lacking, due to what is available and/or feasible, based on national capacities.
Moreover, complexity cannot be approached by addressing the status of the system as the sum of single parts: data alone will never be enough to fully represent the spatial and temporal variability of the system. A categorization and process-based context of data collection is therefore needed, in terms of fitness for purpose, protocols, and quality control, in the light of a synergic use of data along with modelling and remote sensing analyses. While there are already good practices in management of measurements for different datasets, the scientific community calls for a better understanding of the “landscape” of the available in situ products, for example for the support of those model outputs and satellite algorithms that are able to capture, synoptically, the state of the ecosystem. The integration of in situ Earth Observations and modelling will serve to achieve the goal of defining “trajectories” along state variables, thus analysing the ecosystem as a whole, both space and time wise. Data collection, including inter-calibration of data and data management, usually underestimated, should focus on the dynamics of the ecosystem, within the contexts of an integrated observing system. JPI Oceans can promote the sharing and merging of data, addressing the problem of harmonization, as well as the main issue of data heterogeneity and assessment.
The Joint Action will be articulated in three main lines of activities: i) Knowledge sharing towards the determination of GES, through a series of workshops; ii) Joint integrated monitoring approaches, that will take advantage of all state of the art techniques and existing infrastructures; and iii) Test beds and augmented observatories, that will introduce new infrastructure for near real time monitoring at sea.
Knowledge sharing
A series of scientific expert workshops will be organized for sharing new knowledge and its practical understanding, conceptual approaches, identification of needs and clues, as a structured learning process to support “the official Task Groups”, the Marine Strategy Competence Centre and, in general, the entire community working and addressing the MSFD. These will also set possible platforms (i.e., EU policy lab, knowledge hub, blue-bridge virtual research environments, etc.) and adapt the implementation of the MSFD to the different needs, for a better determination of GES. The workshops will also contribute to structure a dialogue between different experts and facilitate the transformation from a silos approach (still disciplinary) to a true ecosystemic approach, aiming at building rules of correspondence between different communities. The documentation will support decision makers to proceed in launching joint actions or revisions in implementing the MSFD.
For example, the expert workshops will represent the “knowledge environment” where priorities and specific activities focused on approaches at joint integrated observations will be identified and set up, creating a scientific ‘fil rouge’ and comprehensive conceptual support for this JPI Oceans action.
Joint Integrated monitoring approaches
The proposed integrated monitoring approaches should include shared, trans-disciplinary monitoring platforms and expertise. These must be linked to specific activities such as interdisciplinary workshops, integrated methodologies, development of technologies for monitoring relationships of biological (e.g., omics), biogeochemical, and physical processes, in order to support a common approach, synergies, and complementarity of efforts. This would also help to assist member state groups to implement monitoring programmes, according to adopted strategies, and to promote common systems, by transferring knowledge and methods, in practice, by direct hands-on joint actions at national level. The scope of all this is to achieve harmonized, wide-regional, innovative, cost-efficient, and effective assessment schemes of the GES, in particular, from the synergy of modelling, satellite, and in situ products.
To meet evolving ocean observation needs, the role of joint, integrated observation approaches as a part of the wider European Ocean Observing System (EOOS) will be taken into account. In this context, an integration of European research oceanographic fleet for conducting periodic MSFD-oriented surveys may create an appropriate framework towards better collaboration and interoperability of Member States, within emerging areas of activity, sharing the methodological advancements and coherent approaches. Continuous feedback with the Marine Copernicus community will also result crucial, in comparing CMEMS Ocean Monitoring Indicators (OMIs), as well as with the EMODnet organizations, which may help, for instance, in filling emerging gaps in marine data availability.
Finally, an interesting win-win situation should be highlighted whereby ocean observations for environmental management, for monitoring the health of the marine ecosystem, and for marine safety and surveillance would (i) use common platforms, and (ii) serve to feed the research and economic sectors for added value generation and societal benefits. The same infrastructure for data collection and generation proposed here would thus be available for use and re-use by multiple users at no additional cost. In an evolving knowledge-based society, access to high quality data, modelling and satellite observations, blended into smart technologies, are key ingredients to support sustainable blue growth, especially in coastal areas where many essential economic activities are occurring at the national scale.
Towards augmented observatories
Augmented observatories should be conceived as integrated observation, monitoring and experimentation infrastructures. Key elements will be the requirement of being autonomous and automated, provide multidisciplinary measurements, and obtain a high-resolution data collection and a real or near-real time link with the base station on the mainland. Furthermore, the observatory ideally allows a multi-platform, adaptive sampling strategy.
These new approaches and a harmonised view on specific and crucial indicators will provide an unprecedented opportunity for understanding the marine ecosystem. Setting up test beds that handle different aspects of the tasks and are conceived within the broader strategy of the ultimate augmented observatory is the way forward. The ultimate goal is to provide science-based novel approaches allowing the achievement of a GES and that more adequately describe the marine ecosystem and changes therein.
Our joint initiative aims to contribute to better understanding and achieving a GES in a more integrative way towards a sustainable use of the sea and support to the MSFD. This is challenging and requires long-term perspective and international coordination that a JPI Oceans Action can facilitate.
A scoping workshop focusing on “The contribution of Research for the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive” took place in Brussels in December 2018. A first expert workshop on “Science for Good Environmental Status” was held in Capo Granitola (Sicily, Italy) from 6 to 7 June 2019. This workshop was hosted at the CNR premises.
The action has been officially adopted by JPI Oceans in November 2019. The first cross-disciplinary expert workshop after the adoption will take place from 23 to 25 June 2020 in Rome. It will be hosted by the BlueMed initiative. More information will be available soon.
Implementation options
Research and innovation: Institutional and/or structural funds from single countries. Joint calls to EU funding scheme. ERA-NET Cofund initiatives, INTERREG.
Connectivity: Establishing knowledge hubs and networks of experts.
Capacity building: Training, mobility of human resources, accessing/sharing marine infrastructures, procedures/agreements for transnational access and sharing of infrastructures, access to data;
Supporting actions: Workshops, reviews, impact assessments, test cases. These can be scaled in several contexts (supranational: UN, OPCW, NATO; Europe: EU, OSCE, European Council; National: ministers of environment, fishery etc., regional authorities), including existing accessing and sharing marine infrastructures (national ships, national coastal observatories), procedures and agreements for transnational access and sharing data.
Koen LefeverEda AndresmaaBenjamin KürtenGeorge PetihakisNiall McDonoughVeronica Cunningham Angelo CamerlenghiCorinne MuscatKathrine Angell-HansenMirela ČokešićAlain LagrangeSophia ZerebcukDmytro Cheberkus
Sea Level Rise
Status: PendingParticipating countries:
- Climate change impact on physical and biological ocean processes
Global changes
Regional to local sea level changes
Even the low-end values of sea level rise predictions are expected to affect the livelihoods of residents of the ever-growing coastal populations worldwide and will potentially lead to mass resettlement and migration. Besides the most evident phenomenon of permanent inundation of low-elevation areas, various other pressing issues arise. Coastal flooding and erosion, saltwater intrusion into groundwater and agricultural soils, and an increased inland penetration of tropical storm surges are some of the highlighted hazards. Further monitoring of current sea level rise and its drivers, developing model projections and supporting coastal defense strategies are thus of great importance.
Approach
Envisioned Outcomes
Lavinia Giulia Pomarico (lead)
Tel. +32 (0) 2626 16 65