TED2021_NEPMTUNE

Towards the protection of the circular economy of water from the threat posed by persistent, mobile and toxic chemical compounds

The NEPMTUNE project aims to gather knowledge about the presence, sources and risks posed by persistent and mobile chemical substances (PM) in the water cycle in Spain, as well as the development of holistic tools and treatment technologies water for better management and reduction of risks and dangers, within the framework of the circular economy of water. PMs (also known as PMOCs) refer to highly polar chemical substances, therefore mobile and persistent, which facilitates their dispersion in the aquatic environment, becoming a serious hazard and risk for aquatic ecosystems (and subsequently by humans), especially if they are also toxic (PMT). Some examples of PM are 1,4-dioxane and specific short-chain per-/poly-fluoroalkylated substances (e.g. perfluorobutanesulfonic acid and GenX), but the chemical space of PM(T) is much wider, still which until now has been scientifically ignored and little researched. PM(T) are currently under the regulatory scrutiny of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as they represent a level of concern equivalent to persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals.

The NEPMTUNE project is coordinated by the University of Santiago de Compostela. ICRA’s role is to develop novel, economical and reagent-free water treatment technologies based on electrochemistry and nature for the removal of PM(T), thereby further facilitating the reuse of Water.