MAR2PROTECT Technologies

The innovative socio-technological approach for the new-generation Managed Aquifer Recharge is based on the M-AI-R Decision Support System that uses Artificial Intelligence-based techniques to increase Managed Aquifer Recharge efficiency and supports decision makers in all steps, from design to operation to yield assessment. M-AI-R-Decision Support System is closely interconnected with an innovative modelling tool (gRoundwatEr quAlity CHange,) aimed at quantifying global change/climate change impacts on groundwater quality, and an innovative Ground Water Prevention Internet of Things platform for the monitoring of pollutants in real environments using the information provided by real-time integrated sensing systems and innovative analytical techniques.

M-AI-R-Decision Support System will use information from 7 carefully selected demo sites, distributed between Europe and Africa, representing a wide range of Managed Aquifer Recharge schemes, climatic conditions, type of groundwater pollution and political / societal context that ensure a high replication potential of the proposed technologies and stakeholder engagement approach.

Technologies for removal and (bio)degradation of pollutants from wastewater and surface water before their use for Manage Aquifer Recharge

- Technology 1- Micropollutant and greenhouse gases adsorption processes using biobased materials and molecularly imprinted polymers
- Technology 2- Aqueous biphasic systems for micropollutant removal using functionalization of (bio)materials
- Technology 3- Micropollutant biodegradation process based on aerobic granular sludge bioreactors (Technology 3.1), membrane aerated biofilm reactors (Technology 3.2) and 3-D printed biofilms (Technology 3.3)
- Technology 4- Phyto- and bio-remediation of estuary sediments and surface water supported by ecosystem service models (Technology 4.1) and constructed wetlands as wastewater tertiary treatment (Technology 4.2).
- Technology 5- Membrane processes for the separation of micropollutants and salts, coupled to brine treatment through advanced oxidation processes (Technology 5.1) or phyto-desalination (Technology 5.2)

Technologies to minimize diffuse N/P pollution from agriculture

- Technology 6-FERT-ROOT: efficient fertilizer uptake, reduced fertilizer leaching to groundwater

Innovative analytical methods and real-time sensors for micropollutant, pathogen & toxicity detection

- Technology 7-Innovative analytical methods: Modified Fouling Index Ultrafiltration (Technology 7.1), Transparent Exopolymer Particles (Technology 7.2), and Bacterial Growth Potential (Technology 7.3)
- Technology 8 – Internet of Things optical sensors for on-site, real-time monitoring of micropollutants in wastewater, surface water and groundwater.
- Technology 9 -Biosensors: aptamer-based electrochemical biosensor (Technology 9.1) and biological artificial intelligence linked Internet of Things sensors for endocrine disruptive activity (Technology 9.2)

Modelling tools for the prediction of the impacts of global change and climate change on groundwater quality

- Technology 10- REACH – gRoundwatEr quAlity CHange – Tool
- Technology 11- Innovative open-source hybrid modelling tools to simulate contaminant transport in groundwater and precipitation/recharge dynamics in a climate change perspective (Technology 11.1, 11.2)

Innovative and comprehensive Decision Support System for optimal Managed Aquifer Recharge design

- Technology 12- Artificial Intelligence-based Decision Support System managed aquifer recharge in a climate change perspective (M-AI-R Decision Support System)

Innovative multi-stakeholder engagement approaches

- Non-technological tool 13- Societal engagement actions for the prevention of water contamination