Hexacomm is a European Project aimed at studying the risks associated with human exposure to particles in the air. One of its sub-projects will analyze the exposure of passengers to the particles in the subway of some European cities: Barcelona, Prague, Athens and Porto.

The Tara Oceans expedition describes the unknown planktonic diversity of the planetary ocean. CSIC scientists have participated in this project whose first results are published in a special issue of Science. This first global genetic catalogue of the ocean microbiome includes several million genes, 80% of which are totally new to science.

To improve quality and ecological status of water coming from wastewater treatment plants and to contribute to a sustainable management of water resources are the main objectives of the Urban River Lab (URL), an experimental outdoor lab located at the Montornès wastewater treatment plant.

Scientists involved on the European project AIRUSE LIFE+ have delivered the authorities the results of this project, including recommendations for minimizing the atmospheric pollution in Southern European cities. Certification of biomass burning systems and pellets, the implementation of low emission zones, and eco-labelling for all cars, are some of the recomended measures.

The SETAC (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) Annual Meeting will be held in Barcelona from May the 3rd to the 5th. The Congress will discuss on environmental pollution, its effects on human health and ecosystems and pollution remediation. This edition celebrates the 25th anniversary of its delegation in Europe.

Scientists of the IDAEA-CSIC work to know the environmental impact of the new pollutants, like pyrethroid insecticides (of very common use, which are toxic and accumulative) or the new flame retardants, with similar toxic effects to the old flame retardants, already forbidden.

Scientists at the CSIC and CREAF have been involved in an international study that quantifies the correlation between the increasing use of fertilizers and detergents rich in phosphorus and nitrogen, and the proliferation of potentially harmful ‘blue-green’ algae in lakes all over the world. The algae proliferation has increased disproportionately over the past two centuries relative to other species, with the greatest increases since 1945.

CSIC and CREAF scientists who are working together at two labs, the Limnological Observatory of the Pyrinees (LOOP) and the Movement Ecology Laboratory (MoveLab), have developed a new app. It is called “Eth Holet” and offers guided nature walks in the Vall d’Aran using the GPS.