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Initiating bottom-up management solutions to reduce plastic waste in the Danube Basin – Aquatic Plastic (DRP0200235)

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About 80% of all marine litter reaches the sea from land-based sources, transported by rivers, and the Danube River Basin is no exception. Plastics, which were once perceived as non-degradable, actually break down into microplastic particles when exposed to sunlight and fluctuating temperatures. This realization has prompted a heightened focus on addressing microplastic pollution in rivers.

The AQUATIC PLASTIC (AQPLA) project’s aim is to provide a thorough database and methodology to map riverine plastic waste, using artificial barriers, such as Hydroelectric Power Plants (HPPs) and remote sensing technologies as tools to measure, monitor and divert riverine plastic waste accumulations from nature to landfills or rather back in the loop.

The project also plans on identifying high risk waste leakage points via remote sensing methods and to find innovative solutions for large scale extraction and recycling of riverine litter and waste accumulated in front of HPPs.

AQPLA focuses on developing comparative monitoring methods to assess the overall size, volume, and combined mass of floating riverine litter accumulations. By providing reliable and user-friendly methods to estimate the size and composition of waste accumulations in rivers, AQPLA offers an additional tool for managing artificial water engineering structures. This helps estimate the costs of mitigation and river cleanup interventions more accurately. Additionally, AQPLA aims to assist the water sector by offering low-cost, high-efficiency professional river cleanup technologies. These technologies not only halt pollution waves but also utilize the renewable energy of the river’s flow to separate riverine litter, thereby reducing the overall costs of cleanup operations.

Pilot river cleanup activities will be organised in downstream countries, in the Sava Basin to spread the successful approach of river cleanup actions and prevention efforts in upstream countries of the Danube Basin.

The project focuses on the following 4 areas:

  • Microplastics: creating and testing cost-effective monitoring methods to detect microplastic pollution in fluvial systems enabling data comparison and collaboration among different entities across borders.
  • Macroplastics: testing remote sensing monitoring and quantification methods for riverine waste accumulations to help the early detection of plastic flood events and environmental catastrophes; Aiding HPPs manage large riverine litter accumulations by providing guidance on monitoring and extraction while also making waste extraction profitable through game changing recycling protocols for intercepted and selected riverine plastics.
  • On-field commitment: organising various type of pilot cleanup actions at high-risk leakage points and hotspots identified by remote sensing technologies including small scale (for inclusion of locals) and large, industrial-scale cleanups at landfills and dumps – where authorities will be notified to join and discuss possible ways of restoration.
  • Dissemination and capacity building: by engaging stakeholders in data collection, methodology testing and cleanup pilot actions the solutions above can serve as valuable evidence for policymakers, while also expanding the transnational RiverSaver community trough field-based trainings and interactive roundtable events to establish their strong commitment.

 

The Partnership

The AQUATIC PLASTIC consortium consists of 13 partners and 19 associated partners from 10 countries, representing a diverse range of stakeholders dedicated to address plastic pollution in the DRB. The consortium includes ministries responsible for legislative matters, NGOs actively involved in field activities, universities committed to scientific research, water authorities, national laboratories and public research institutions engaged in water quality monitoring and preservation.

Plastic Cup Society, the lead partner and the brain parent of the Plastic Cup initiative, leads the AQPLA partnership. Since 2013, the Plastic Cup has removed nearly 300 tons of riverine litter from natural waterways and diverted another 700 tons away from rivers and into the legal waste management system.

The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) and the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) as Priority Area Coordinator for EUSDR PA4 are key stakeholders of water quality issues within the DRB.

The below listed group of stakeholders represent diverse perspective and expertise, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the project’s target areas, strongly focusing on the Balkans within the Danube River Basin.

 

Interreg DRP Financial Support

Total Project Budget: 2,166,493.5 EUR

Interreg Funding: 1,733,194.8 EUR

 

Project Partners

Country Name
AT University of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Vienna
BG Institute of Oceanology – BAS
BIH Citizen association “Eko centar” Visegrad
HU Plastic Cup Society (Lead Partner)
Association of Environmental Enterprises
General Directorate of Water Management
ME Center for Ecotoxicological Research Podgorica
Ministry for Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism Directorate of Ecology and Climate Change
RO Multisalva Association
Mare Nostrum
RS Faculty of Technical Sciences Novi Sad
SI Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia
SK Water Research Institute Slovakia

 

Associated Project Partners

Country Name
AT International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River
via donau – Österreichische Wasserstraßen-Gesellschaft mbH
BIH Institute for Water Management
HR Croatian Waters
Josip Juraj Strossmayer Water Institute
HU Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
North Hungarian Water Directorate
Middle Tisza District Water Directorate
MVM Hydropower Plant Ltd.
RO Satu Mare County Administrative-Territorial Unit
Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests
RS Serbian Environmental Protection Agency
SI Hydropowerplants on Lower Sava
Ecologists without borders association
Slovenian Environment Agency
SK Slovak Environment Agency
Slovak Environmental Inspectorate
Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic
UA Recylable Materials Collection Station, Proektna, 3

Website: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/aquatic-plastic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aquaticplastic

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/aqpla

DANUBE HAZARD M3C – 4th NEWSLETTER

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The 4th Danube Hazard m3c newsletter presenting the project overview and the progress of activities conducted in the period between January and June 2022 is available here 

Press conference regarding presentation of the project “Skadar Lake without chemical pollution – Solution”

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The Center for Ecotoxicological Research (CETI) is preparing an analysis that will show the correctness of the water in Skadar Lake and whether there is chemical pollution in that water resource, and the document will be completed next year.

This was announced at the press conference on the occasion of the presentation of the project “Skadar Lake without chemical pollution – SOLUTION“, which is being implemented by CETI.

The project partners are institutions from Albania, the University of Tirana and the NGO Green Center of Albania from Shkodra.

Associated partners are the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism.

More details on the link.

Beginning of the implementation of project “Installation of analytical methods for the determination of organic pollutants required of the Water Framework Directive 2013/39/EU”

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Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STUBA) and the Center for Ecotoxicological Research Podgorica (CETI) have started work on the implementation of the project entitled “Installation of analytical methods for the determination of organic pollutants required of the Water Framework Directive 2013/39/EU at the Center for Eco-Toxicological Research in Podgorica”. The transfer of knowledge and skills through trainings that will be conducted in the laboratories of the University of Bratislava and the Center for Ecotoxicological Research will significantly contribute to strengthening the professional capacity of CETI, all with the aim of adequate implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Montenegro.

CETI is recognized as a key institution in Montenegro when it comes to analysis of priority substances in water, sediment and biota, and any contribution (especially from a renowned institution such as the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava) to strengthening professional capacity is of great importance. This was pointed out by the Executive Director of CETI, Mr. Vidoje Petričić at the meeting of the CETI management with Ms. Ing. Andrea Machyňákovom, PhD. (project manager and expert responsible for the development of analytical methods, measurement procedures and implementation of analytical methods) and Mr. Ivan Špánik PhD (financial project manager and Expert responsible for the installation of analytical methods and data evaluation) held on 31.08.2021 in CETI.

In addition to the explanation by the guests from Slovakia on how the trainings will be realized, the discussion continued in the direction of identifying new project ideas. In that sense, it was concluded that having in mind the wide field of research of both CETI and the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology there is enough space for continued cooperation in the future.

The project is funded by SlovakAid – Official Development Assistance of the Slovak Republic under the Contract No. SAMRS / 2020 / WB / 1/4. The total Project costs are 86.780,00 EUR, of which EUR 24,290 is planned for the implementation of CETI activities.

Danube Hazard m3c

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Tackling hazardous substances pollution in the Danube River Basin by Measuring, Modelling-based Management and Capacity building.

According to the EU Water Framework Directive, hazardous substances (HS) pollution is a major water quality issue to be tackled in the Danube River Basin (DRB). This also applies to non-EU Member States, which committed to pursue similar goals within the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR). Despite a significant risk of failing to achieve such goals, this topic is heavily underrepresented in the current DRB District Management Plan (DRBMP) and national plans, mostly owing to substantial knowledge gaps and to the lack of system understanding as well as institutional capacity regarding HS emissions pathways and effective management options.

The project aims to achieve a durable and effective transnational control and reduction of HS water pollution. It contributes to the DTP objective of strengthening joint and integrated approaches to preserve and manage the diversity of natural assets in the Danube region and to the targets of Priority Area 4 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. Danube Hazard m3c builds on the three elements of water governance (measuring, modelling and management) complemented by capacity building. Specifically, the project aims to improve the knowledge and understanding of the status quo of HS water pollution in the DRB, by integrating and harmonizing available existing data of HS concentration levels and by modelling emissions at catchment scale in pilot regions. Though not being the main focus of the project, targeted measurement campaigns must be carried out to fill critical gaps needed to provide a robust basis for modelling and management. A further goal is to enhance the transnational management of HS water pollution, through: i) coordinated prioritization of transnational measures with consideration of territorial needs, pursued through basin-wide emission modelling, assessment of management scenarios and elaboration of recommendations for the DRBMP and ii) tailor-made training activities.

Project duration is 30 months (01.07.2020.-31.12.2022.).

For more and up to date information about the project please visit http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/danube-hazard-m3c .

Project is co-funded by European Union funds (ERDF, IPA, ENI).

CETI representative participated in coordination meeting in Greek Atomic Energy Commission

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Representative of CETI, dr Nikola Svrkota – Head of dosimetric and noise measurement unit, took a part in Coordination meeting on outcomes and findings of the TC regional project RER9140 and its resulting implication for the RER9149, held in Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) from 28 to 30 January 2019.

The purpose of the event is to assess the progress and evaluate the findings of the closing TC regional project RER9140 “Strengthening Protection of Radiation Workers and Occupational Exposure Monitoring” as well as to identify its resulting implications and priority areas for the succeeding TC regional project RER9149 “Improving the Radiation Protection of Workers Occupationally Exposed to Ionizing Radiation” and plan the new project’s activities for the period of 2019-2022

 

Start of the project „Minamata initial assessment for Montenegro”

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Inception meeting for project „Minamata initial assessment for Montenegro” was held in Ministry for sustainable development and tourism (MORiT) during which representatives of MORiT and United Nations Development Programe (UNDP) presented concept of the project, it’s objectives, as well as upcoming phases and activities within its realization.

Role of the Center for ecotoxicological research is to make mercury inventory which will be used as a basis for further activities in the project.

Objective of the project is to make initial assessment of amount of mercury with aim to create preconditions for ratification of “Minamata mercury convention”. Also, this project will set foundation for implementation of this convention.

You can find more information on this link.

Press conference regarding completion of the Project “Capacity strengthening in Montenegro in the event of incidents at sea”

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On October 26 2016, final press conference was held regarding successful completion of the Project “Capacity strengthening in Montenegro in the event of incidents at sea” which was financed by Ministry of foreign affairs, Kingdom of Norway.  Project is worth 2 600 000 NOK or 260 000 EUR.

Environmental protection, including sea, has a special importance and it is one of the main problems globally. Rapid development of nautical and cruise tourism in Montenegro increases the risk for various types of incidents at sea.

Montenegro has established legal and institutional framework and National plan for emergency response in case of marine pollution from vessels and defined response system in case of oil spills, as well as role and responsibility of competent authorities and institutions.

Objective of the Project was to contribute strengthening of professional and technical capacities of the important factors in the in the implementation of the National Plan for emergency response in case of marine pollution from vessels.  On that way risk of possible spread of pollution caused by incident is reduced.

Project coordinator is Center for ecotoxicological research LLC – CETI. CETI carried out all procurement, organized trainings for other institutions for sampling in cooperation with partners on the project, organized training in the reference center in EU and coordinated all planned project activities.

Partners in the project were:

  • Maritime Safety Administration and the Port Authority of Bar and Kotor – Ministry of Transportation and Maritime Affairs
  • Department of border security, maritime police – Police Directorate – Ministry of Internal Affairs

In the implementation of the project were also included Navy of Montenegro and Environmental protection agency (EPA).

Within this project equipment for laboratory testing grades of oil was purchased, as well as other chemical agents, standard reference materials and chemicals, equipment for sampling and analysis in the field, and dispersants (liquid mixture of agents that act on the surface of one or more organic solvents and which are specially formulated for the promotion of natural dispersion of oil in the water column by reducing the interfacial tension between oil and water).

In order to strengthen the professional capacity of relevant institutions workshop was organized for the participants of the project in a reference center in the EU (Great Britain). Also CETI has organized training in Kotor harbor master’s office regarding presentation of field equipment – equipment for sampling and measurement of pollution and training for managing the equipment.

Main results of the project are better professional and technical qualifications of institutions in Montenegro for intervention in the case of sea pollution from oil, and which is particularly important strengthened inter-institutional cooperation.

Executive Director Nada Medenica thanked donator, Ministry of foreign affairs, Kingdom of Norway for understanding the needs of Montenegro and countries institutions in resolving problems in the area of environment and for the second time given confidence to Center for ecotoxicological research. She also expressed gratitude towards partners for quality cooperation and successfully completed activities of the project with desire that this project may be basis for future projects and future cooperation in the area of protection of the sea from pollution.

Expert visit of GIZ representatives

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Center for ecotoxicological research hosted a expert visit of GIZ representatives, within project CSBL regarding preservation of biodiversity of Skadar lake. Mr. Nicolaus Fleischmann, expert for priority hazard supstances in surface waters, sediment and biota of Skadar lake, and ms. Jelena Perunicic project manager are representatives from GIZ.

GIZ expert Mr. Nicolaus Fleischmann was in a two day visit in Montenegro with aim to meet all accredited laboratories in order to analyse their capacities, and with all institutions and individuals which carried out so far researches of priority hazard supstances in surface waters, sediment and/or biota of Skadar lake.

Mr. Fleischmann was informed about all activities of CETI, and about all research of surface waters and sediment which were carried out by CETI. He also visited Laboratory and expressed very positive opinion about expert and technical capacities of CETI.

It was agreed that CETI will send all previous research results regarding surface waters and sediment, that are relevant to this project.

Representatives from Kingdom of Norway embassy visited CETI

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Delegation from Kingdom of Norway embassy visited CETI with aim to follow up on implementation of projects which are financed through bilateral cooperation between Kingdom of Norway and Montenegro. Delegation was lead by Mari Timenes Nordmo with colleagues Nela Jović and Sondre Hansen Eriksen.

Representatives from embassy were informed about activities and results of the project “Capacity strengthening in Montenegro in the event of incidents at sea”, whose implementation is finishing soon.

Also meeting attended representatives from Ministry of economy, Ministry of transportation and maritime (Directorate for maritime transportation and Maritime Safety Administration) and Environmental Protection Agency which are counterparts in the project.

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