The project addresses the common territorial challenge of pollution with various components including plastic and microplastic. It proposes a common methodology and instruments for monitoring and assessing pollutants including a numerical model able to simulate the transport, advection, dispersion and weathering of small plastic particles that flow/float in a water body.
The overall objective of the project is enhancing protection and preservation of nature and biodiversity by raising awareness on different types of pollution among communities and providing practical means of action towards a greener and cleaner Black Sea region during a 24-month period. The overall objective is in line with Programme's Priority 2 and relates to Policy's objective 2 by assessing risks and providing management instruments. All activities relate to Specific objective 7.
Batumi Shota Rustaveli State UniversityBSU - Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University of Georgia, through its Institute of Phytopathology and Biodiversity is the lead partner. The lead partner was involved in the development of the updated Management plan of Kolkheti National Park and Katsobury sanctuary and the updated management plan of Kobuleti protected areas Kobuleti strict reserve and Kobulety sanctuary in 2015 - 2018.
University of European Political and Economic Studies "Constantin Stere"USPEE - University of European Political and Economic Studies "Constantin Stere" from Moldova is a higher education and research organization that has expertise in the field of the project. Between 2013 -2015, within the project 2.2.1.74459.339 MIS-ETC1443: „Research networking for the environmental monitoring and mitigation of adverse ecological effects in the Black Sea Basin” USPEE team members carried out studies of the ecological state of the components of the natural environment in the proposed study area. For the time being, the team members are involved in the implementation of two projects whose topics are related to CARE SEA, i.e. "Advanced nanotechnology-based approaches to waste water purification from organic pollutants and their monitoring in water bodies" (2SOFT 1.2/139, JOP RO-MD) and "Advancing Black Sea Research and Innovation to Co-Develop Blue Growth within Resilient Ecosystems" (BRIDGE-BS, H 2020 Programme).
Karadeniz Technical UniversityKTU - Karadeniz Technical University form Trabzon (Türkiye) possesses strong competences in addressing pollution issues in river systems and the Black Sea, such as expertise in evaluating the anthropogenic impact on river ecosystems and the Black Sea, analyzing water quality, sediment contamination, and pollutant presence. KTU excels in employing advanced technologies and analytical techniques for comprehensive environmental monitoring and it is at the forefront of microplastic research in aquatic environments, investigating their occurrence, distribution, and impacts. These competences allows for effective management and restoration strategies while being an active partner with governmental agencies, NGOs, and other research institutions.
ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS - EIDIKOS LOGARIASMOS KONDILION EREVNASAUTH - The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the largest university in Greece. An important part of the activity that is public oriented includes helping public and private entities to achieve environmental objectives, and informing and educating students and general public in various environmental themes and evolutions. The AUTH carried out or is still involved in many projects related to the CARE SEA core activities, such as: • Characterization and analysis of microplastics in aquatic environmental samples and study of their formations process, 20/4/2022 – 8/1/2025, ELIDEK SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PHD CANDIDATES, National Programme, Integrated actions for the conservation and management of NATURA 2000 sites, species, habitats and ecosystems in GreeceLIFE IP 4 NATURA, 15/4/2020 - 30/11/2025, LIFE-GREEN FUND National Programme, Development of a pilot earth observation system for monitoring of anthropogenic changes and pressures in Natura 2000 network areas, as an essential tool for their management and protection, 1 /11/2022 - 31/10/2025, GREEN FUND – NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND INNOVATIVE ACTIONS 2022 National Programme.
Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development TulceaDDNI - Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development has competencies and experience that is relevant for research and conservation efforts in Danube Delta; extensive research and monitoring activities; conservation and management; stakeholder engagement; policy and decision support; capacity building and education as well as international co-operation including the position of Lead Partner in several projects.
| Target Group | Specification |
|---|---|
| Interest groups including NGOs | One of project's aims is to provide understandable information for the general public and the stakeholders within local communities, including NGOs interested in protecting environment. There are claening activities involving volunteers and seminars meant to bring practical solutions in front of local communities in the target areas. |
| Local public authority | Problems identified within the research activities, including sources of plastic pollution and other types of pollution as well as measures to mitigate the effects will be presented to local authorities. |
| Regional public authority | Problems identified within the research activities, including sources of plastic pollution and other types of pollution as well as measures to mitigate the effects will be presented to local authorities. |
| Higher education and research organisations | Scientific community will benefit of the results by open source data collection and studies developed within the project as well as by papers published in peer review publications. In the meantime, revised curricula for relevant higher education specialities will be developed within CARE SEA project. |
| Business support organisation | Recommendations and practical measures to reduce pollution within target aresa will be broight to general knowledge targeting both local communities and local businesses. |
| General public | Citizen science related activities diretly target general public audience. |
| SME | Companies related to water and land pollution prevention and response, willing to gain access in project solution and results. |
| National public authority | National Authorities in charge with Environment protection. Project outputs can provide evidence based input for decision making. |
| Output Title | Output Description |
|---|---|
| Partners from five Black Sea region countries to implement the project | The project idea was jointly developed by the five partners and is to be jointly implemented. Results of the project and the gained experience contribute in a sustainable way to solving the territorial challenges and can be used as a best practice example by any other organisations. |
| Cross - border (Georgian and Turkish) management plans and action plans for the Choroki river corresponding areas | Following the implementation of A.1.4., LP1- BSU and PP3 - KTU will collaboratively develop and help implement management plans and action plans for their respective areas along the Choroki River, thus testing these outputs. Each plan will encompass various components aimed at ecological protection and rehabilitation, with recommendations tailored for the target areas. |
| International Conference | Besides the communication activities that support raising awareness among local communities and the general public and the PR activities meant to highlight the visibility of the project and its funding, an international public event is scheduled for the last month of the project. It will be hosted by LP1 - BSU and representatives of all partners will attend. |
| Development and implementation of common methodology, instruments, and tools | A common methodology and instruments for monitoring and assessment of pollutants will be developed. A numerical model capable of simulating the transport, advection, dispersion, and weathering of small plastic particles in water bodies will be developed by PP4 and tested within the partners in respective areas. This collaborative effort ensures the involvement of multiple partners in both the development and testing phases. |
