Case study: EBRO DELTA RIVER

The Ebro Delta is one of the largest wetland areas 320 square kilometres in the western Mediterranean region.The Ebro delta has expanded rapidly on soils washed downriver. The rounded form of the delta attests to the balance between sediment deposition by the Ebro and removal of this material by wave erosion.The area at the primary mouth of the Ebro is currently protected by several fluvial islands: the Isle of Garxal, the Isle of Sant Antoni, and the Isle of Buddha.

The main objective is to monitor emerging contaminants, NMs and microplastics in 23 sampling areas including the Ebro River, wastewater discharging into the Ebro River, channels, the Ebro estuary, fluvial islands, El Fangar bay, Els Alfacs bay and the open Mediterranean Sea.  

The specific objectives are:

  • Optimize detection and quantification methods of micro-plastics, NMs and biotoxins
  • Analyse the levels of micro-plastics, NMs and emerging contaminants in selected matrices.sediment, soil and seafood species

Selected contaminants

·       Microplastics

·       Nanomaterials: fullerenes and silicon and Ag nanoparticles

·       Organic contaminants: Pharmaceuticals, PCPs, Pesticides, PFCs, Siloxanes, biotoxins and PAHs.

 

 

Contact

INTEGRA-COAST