The European Researchers’ Night, an annual celebration of science and research across the continent, recently took place, and MAR2PROTECT was front and center, showcasing its commitment to cutting-edge research and innovation. As part of this prestigious event, our project had the opportunity to engage with the public, share our discoveries, and capture some memorable moments.
A Glimpse into the Event
The event was a dazzling display of knowledge, curiosity, and collaboration. Researchers, scientists, and enthusiasts from diverse fields gathered to share their work, engage in discussions, and inspire the next generation of innovators. MAR2PROTECT was honored to be a part of this dynamic environment along with NOVA members.
The European Researchers’ Night was a shining example of the power of research to transform lives and inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators. MAR2PROTECT is honored to have been a part of this enlightening event and looks forward to continuing its mission of innovation and discovery. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future!
This year’s program was inspired by EXPO’98 and, through science, music and dance, the atmosphere experienced at the time was recreated. MAR2PROTECT wanted to streamline an activity at the Water Pavilion with the objective to expose a demonstration, so that all visitors could interact and have a personal contact with the work developed in a practical and accessible way.
The MAR2PROTECT project has appeared in the media Expresso 50 (Portugal) by the hand of our project coordinator Ana Pereiro who was interviewed about the recent discoveries of chemicals in european waters.
An European consortium of journalists (Forever Polution Project) has mapped -for the first time ever- the sites in Europe where there have been found concentrations of one of the most harmful chemicals: PFAS (perfluoroalkyladesubstances).
The first studies about these contaminants are just starting in Portugal and as Ana Pereiro said for this post in Expresso 50: “We should have started working on these studies 20 years ago”.
These substances known as “eternal chemicals” are widely used and found in the environment: more than 17.000 sites across Europe are contaminated with PFAS and about 21.000 other sites are “presumably contaminated”.
MAR2PROTECT takes into account the EU’s planned zero pollution targets for 2030 and the impact of climate change on groundwater contamination.
The project is also working on new ways to treat or clean up chemical compounds and pharmaceuticals present in wastewater. However, for these instruments to be widely applied “it is necessary that the European legislation requires it”.
