Skip to main content

CIRQUA aims to improve nature-based solutions (NBS), focusing on constructed wetlands (CWs) for wastewater treatment and water recovery in rural areas. These solutions are widely-used, safe, decentralized, easy to operate and environmentally-friendly. They can help meet the strict legislative EU requirements, increasing water efficiency and conserving water resources in the Mediterranean region, advancing resilience in view of Climate Change challenges. They can also valorize non-conventional nutrient resources for precision irrigation and fertilization, which is a pillar of sustainable agriculture. CIRQUA will upgrade CWs using technological achievements, such as innovative nanostructured filters and photocatalytic modules, cultivation of N2-fixing-fixing legumes, sensors and automation in operation, precision irrigation principles and integration of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools. These innovations will aid improve effluent quality, allowing the treated water and CW biomass to be used for irrigation and fertilization purposes, thus promoting circular economy at local scale.

 

Work Package 1

Synthesis, structural characterization and stability evaluation of MOFs and MOFCs used for water reclamation and soil fertilization   Work Package 1 focuses on developing advanced materials for environmental applications, including the synthesis and characterization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their composites (MOFCs) using eco-friendly ligands and essential plant nutrients for water reclamation and soil fertilization. These materials will be tested…Read More

Work Package 2

Design, construction and testing of innovative CW prototypes for enhanced wastewater reuse Work Package 2 entails the design and construction of innovative constructed wetlands (CWs) upgraded with nanostructured filters and photocatalytic modules to enhance pollutant removal efficiency. Two new CW prototypes will be built by ASU and DUTH, and existing ones in Portugal and Tunisia will be upgraded by CIIM…Read More

Work Package 3

Evaluation of biomass-derived nanomaterials and treated effluent as soil fertilizers This Work Package focuses on evaluating the impact of biomass-derived nanostructured fertilizers on plant growth, soil properties, and plant health. Initially, performance criteria for these fertilizers will be established by designing experimental treatments to assess various growth indices and soil properties. The fertilizers will be tested in soilless media using…Read More

Work Package 4

Technology upscaling, optimization and validation Work Package 4 aims to demonstrate and assess the performance of Constructed Wetlands (CWs) at four sites in Greece, Egypt, Portugal, and Tunisia, integrating advanced CIRQUA technology. This includes using nanostructured filters and photocatalytic modules with automated remote control. Effluent quality will be analyzed for macronutrients, pollutants, and pathogens using advanced techniques. The impact on…Read More

Work Package 5

Environmental and socioeconomic assessment of CIRQUA technologies for water reclamation and soil fertilization Work Package 5 focuses on engaging stakeholders, promoting public awareness, and assessing the environmental and socio-economic impacts of CIRQUA technologies. A Stakeholders’ Engagement Plan will be developed to involve local stakeholders in decision-making through regional communication networks and annual workshops. Citizen science projects like “WaterWatchers” and “Soil…Read More

Work Package 6

Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation The CIRQUA dissemination, communication and exploitation measures will focus on broadcasting the project’s potential, raising awareness amongst all stakeholders and ensuring post-project impact. The overall aim of WP6 will be to support CIRQUA by providing tailored communication and dissemination activities related to the project’s activities and stakeholders. Defined groups of stakeholders will be targeted with specific…Read More

Work Package 7

Project Management and Coordination The main work of WP7 will be related to the coordination and monitoring of the innovation activities, administrative and financial management, coordination of reporting and deliverable production, management of knowledge generated to facilitate dissemination and exploitation activities (WP6) and resolving conflicts. In addition, contacts with PRIMA and compliance with the procedures described in the Grant Agreement…Read More