The Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Presidency of the Spanish National Research Agency have definitively resolved the funding to carry out the R+D+i Projects “Retos-Colaboración” of the National Program for Research, Development and Innovation Oriented to Challenges of the Society, within the framework of the National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2017-2020. The μNanoCare project (Quantification of micronanoplastics in reclaimed water and agricultural ecosystems. Environmental risk assessment-RTC2019-007261-5) has been selected and funded in this call with € 742,809.40 and will be carried out during 3 and a half years (1/7/2020-31/12/2023).
The general objective of the μNanoCare project is to develop a method capable of quantifying the presence of MNPs in environmental samples and reducing both the emission and the uncertainty associated with their fate and environmental risk based on:
- i) an effective and innovative sampling and analysis methodology
- ii) eco-efficient wastewater treatments
iii) assessment of exposure and associated ecotoxicological risks
To do this, the μNanoCare consortium has a multidisciplinary team capable of addressing the problem from these three pillars. The project is coordinated by Eurofins | IPROMA, a company with extensive experience in the development of analytical methods and extensive scientific participation in the analysis of micro-nanoplastics; and has the participation of FACSA, a company specializing in wastewater treatment technologies, and the IMDEA Agua Institute, an international benchmark research center in the development of membrane technologies and the evaluation of environmental contamination and risks.
