OBJECTIVES AND TASKS

MicroFish builds on the expertise of its team and collaborating companies and on the previous MicroWaste project to:

1) Screen for microplastics, micropollutants and microbes across seasons and environments, using waste-water treatment plants (WWTPs) receiving domestic/hospital sewage and natural fish, waters and extensive aquaculture units at the Ria Formosa and Castro Marim protected areas of the Algarve region, using analytical chemistry and metagenomics.

2) Test if and how microplastics and selected PhCs can associate and determine their persistence or metabolization in sewage, fish and marine environments.

3) Evaluate the biological impacts of exposure to selected plastics and PhCs in the physiology of fish, other marine organisms and their natural microbes, using metagenomics and biochemical / molecular analyses

4) Engage and educate high-school students in project samplings, preparation of tools and divulgation materials as a step to increase ocean literacy, environmental awareness and protection.

PARTNERS: Águas do Algarve SA; Empresa Portuguesa Das Aguas Livres SA (SA) / Grupo Águas de Portugal; AtlantikFish; ADM-Biopolis; Escola Secundária de Loulé (profissional courses of electricity and clubs Ciencia Viva and Robotics); Agrupamento de Escolas Tomás Cabreira (profissional courses of informatics, Clube Pr’Oceano e clube Ciencia Viva)