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On November 25th, researchers from CESAM, CICECO and LAQV-REQUIMTE met under the motto “When Chemistry meets Biology: (Eco)toxicity of Biodegradable Polymers and Nanomaterials”. The universities of Lisbon and Pardubice (Czech Republic) and the Portuguese company Smallmatek Lda. were also present to discuss and collaborate in the field of biodegradable polymers and nanomaterials for different applications.

The initiative aimed to bring together experts from the areas of chemistry, materials engineering, biochemistry, bioengineering and biology and industry to discuss and develop biodegradable, low (eco)toxicity multifunctional polymeric coatings, with emphasis on the intersection between chemical structure and biological function and the environmental and human health impact.

Roberto Martins, Researcher at CESAM and DBio, presented the latest discoveries on environmentally friendly nano-additives for polymeric coatings, as well as a brief overview of upcoming projects focused on the sustainable and safe development by design of new materials and polymers. Fernanda Rosário, researcher at CESAM and DBio, explored the combined effects of polyethylene nanoplastics and mercury on the viability and migration capacity of human cell lines.

João Tedim (CICECO) highlights that societal challenges are complex and involve the need to develop new materials for different uses and research in different areas. The scientist highlights that “from the moment we develop materials that are supposed to have great durability and make metals and substrates used in infrastructures, the environmental challenge is that materials with high toxicity do not persist in the environment. There is a need to think about materials with high performance in terms of service and life, but in ways that can be recycled, reused or recovered. From the moment we have to develop environmentally friendly technologies… this competence is within CESAM and, therefore, we have to carry out this assessment. It is not a forced search, but a natural development of these problems”.

Organized by Maria Pavlaki (CESAM/DBio), Manuel Coimbra (LAQV-REQUIMTE DQ) and Roberto Martins (CESAM/DBio), the workshop took place within the scope of the Horizon MSCA SAFERCOAT project and the visit of professor Tomas Rousar, from the University from Pardubice in the Czech Republic.

The workshop organization highlights the project’s main outputs:

• Identification of technical-scientific challenges for applications such as high-performance coatings, customized treatment of diseases, controlled drug release systems, or other molecules that are simultaneously safe for the environment and for humans.

• Advocating a trans- and multidisciplinary approach in the initial stages to understand the relationship between chemical structure, performance and environmental and public health impacts.

• Assessment of the (eco)toxicological effects of products developed by universities and companies to ensure environmental safety and human health, before entering the market.

• Reinforcement of instruments for financing more applied scientific activities with high added value, but also fundamental science

• Identification of challenges and opportunities in transferring knowledge to the industry, with emphasis on the importance of effective and clear communication about the danger of products to the general public.

Researchers from the Center for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) at the University of Aveiro participated in a global scientific study that revealed how rising temperatures can accelerate the decomposition of organic matter in wetlands, putting their ability to store carbon at risk. . The work, which studied wetlands in 28 countries and involved researchers within the international TeaComposition H2O network, was recently published in a scientific article in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.

The team, which included researchers Ana Sousa and Ana Lillebø from CESAM and the Department of Biology at the University of Aveiro, studied more than 180 wetlands around the world, from eight macroclimates and over three years, from coastal environments to freshwater ecosystems, using 19,000 tea bags as simple tools to measure the decomposition of organic matter in the soil. The marshes and sea grasslands of the Ria de Aveiro are part of the places studied and where bags of green tea and rooibos tea were “buried”. The results show that freshwater wetlands and salt marshes are those that best preserve carbon. However, rising temperatures are accelerating the decomposition of more resistant (recalcitrant) organic matter, which could reduce the ability of these areas to act as carbon sinks and contribute to mitigating climate change.

With temperatures rising, projections point to an increase of around 3% in decomposition rates by 2050. This effect, although small, could have important consequences for the global climate balance.

The study highlights the importance of protecting wetlands and understanding how local and global factors influence their ability to store carbon. International collaboration between researchers, including those from CESAM, and including such diverse wetlands from several continents, was essential to advance this crucial global knowledge to tackle climate change.

See the article “Climate Effects on Belowground Tea Litter Decomposition Depend on Ecosystem and Organic Matter Types in Global Wetlands”.

More information in the interactive Storymap, with the Ria de Aveiro as a case study

After co-organizing, in partnership with ICNF/RNET, an AEWA (African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement) meeting dedicated to the right-billed sandpiper, in Alcochete, at the beginning of this year, CESAM researchers are now present at a documentary on the ARTE channel (French-German public service channel).

The documentary, titled “La Barge à Queue Noire”, focuses on the preservation efforts of this emblematic species, carried out by a German team that visited Portugal at the same time as the meeting. While German researchers are dedicated to protecting the right-billed sandpiper in its breeding areas in northern Europe, the CESAM team plays a crucial role in conserving the species in the national territory, complementing efforts along the entire migratory route .

The documentary will be broadcasted on December 10th, and is available in French and German versions:

🔗 French version:  https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/114607-000-A/la-barge-a-queue-noire/ 

🔗 German version: https://www.arte.tv/de/videos/114607-000-A/uferschnepfen/

References to the work developed by CESAM appear at minutes 36:45 and 40:20.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about the challenges and collaborative efforts aimed at conserving the right-billed sandpiper, a species vital to the balance of coastal ecosystems along its migratory route.

On 25 October, Ana Lillebø, coordinator of the European projects A-AAGORA and Restore4Cs, participated in the Serralves Park Conference ‘Challenges and opportunities in integrated water management – from source to sea’. In a session on integrated coastal management, the CESAM/UA researcher presented ‘Coastal restoration with nature and people: demonstrating ecosystem-based management using a living laboratory approach’, highlighting the innovative and collaborative approaches developed in the two projects she leads.

She then took part in the round table ‘Making the difference: integrated management of pollution and socio-ecological systems’, moderated by Vítor Vasconcelos of CIIMAR. The panel also included international experts Pedro Carvalho (Aarhus University, Denmark), Ángel Borja (AZTI, Spain) and Fabio Bulleri (University of Pisa, Italy), who addressed critical challenges and practical solutions for water management.

The two-day conference, organized by Serralves Foundation, brought together scientists, professionals and representatives from different sectors to discuss the ‘source to sea’ connection. In line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (clean water and sanitation) and 14 (life in water), the event highlighted the importance of understanding the interactions between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, promoting cooperation, co-creation and sustainable solutions in the use and conservation of water.

The XV Meeting of Iberian Wild Ungulates took place on the 23rd and 24th of November, in Cazorla, Spain, with the participation of researchers from CESAM and the University of Aveiro: Mariana Rossa, Eduardo Ferreira, Fernando Sicuro and João Carvalho.

During the event, PhD student Mariana Rossa presented the work entitled “Impact of large herbivores on acorn removal and dispersal dynamics“. This study, carried out in collaboration with members of the Wildlife Unit of the University of Aveiro, was awarded the “Best Oral Presentation” award at the congress.

Researchers Fernando Sicuro and Eduardo Ferreira presented the work “Invasive wild boar affected feral hog skull evolution over 25 years in Brazilian Pantanal wetland”, which addresses the influence of invasive wild boars on the cranial evolution of wild pigs in the Brazilian Pantanal. In turn, researcher João Carvalho moderated the first panel of oral presentations.

The congress ended with a field trip to the Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas, the largest protected natural space in the Iberian Peninsula, providing participants with a unique opportunity to get in touch with nature and local biodiversity.

CESAM participated in the SINOPORT Ocean Conference 2024, the 5th Annual Meeting of the Portugal-China International Joint Research Centre for Marine Biology, held in Macau on 27th and 28th November. Co-organised by the Shanghai Ocean University and the University of Algarve, this year’s event also included participation from the University of Saint Joseph, Macau, standing as a milestone in Sino-Portuguese cooperation, with editions alternating between Portugal and China.

The main objectives of the conference included:

1. Enhancing Sino-Portuguese collaboration in marine biological research,
2. Facilitating the exchange of scientific knowledge and advancements between Chinese and Portuguese researchers,
3. Promoting joint research initiatives in areas such as aquaculture, marine ecology, and biotechnology,
4. Discussing sustainable practices and innovations in marine resource management, and
5. Strengthening academic partnerships and fostering international cooperation in marine sciences.

CESAM’s Coordinator, Professor Amadeu Soares, gave an oral presentation titled “CESAM, Opportunities for Cooperation in Research, Development, and Innovation”. In his talk, he highlighted CESAM’s broad capabilities, reflecting its interdisciplinary nature, with a particular focus on marine sciences, as well as numerous examples of CESAM’s research projects in partnership with Chinese institutions. Notably, among all the representatives of universities and research units/associated laboratories present, CESAM stands out as the research unit/associated laboratory with the highest number of scientific collaborations with China.

In addition, Professor Amadeu Soares explored opportunities in Macau for CESAM researchers, emphasising the attractive employment conditions at Macau universities, including the University of Saint Joseph. With its ten higher education institutions, both public and private, Macau has the highest number of scientific publications per capita worldwide and offers almost continuous openings for academic and research positions in Marine Sciences and Blue Biotechnology, with highly competitive salaries.

Furthermore, Professor Rosa Freitas, from CESAM/DBIO, invited by the organisers, also gave an oral presentation on Marine Ecotoxicology, titled “Complex Interactions of Rare Earth Elements in Aquatic Ecosystems”. This work exemplifies the significance of CESAM’s research in aquatic ecosystems, making a valuable contribution to the advancement of scientific knowledge in this field.

The OCEAN4FUEL project, which focuses on protecting the oceans and marine ecosystems, stood out as one of the winners of the TransforMAR 2024 Award, promoted by Lidl Portugal. This award recognizes innovative initiatives that contribute to environmental sustainability.

Developed by Catarina Costa Marques, PhD fellow from CESAM and the Department of Environment and Planning at the University of Aveiro, under the guidance of Professor Maria Isabel da Silva Nunes and Professor Luís António da Cruz Tarelho, the project presents an innovative and sustainable solution to pollution navy. OCEAN4FUEL transforms marine plastics into recycled liquid fuel through the pyrolysis process, simultaneously addressing two major global challenges: ocean pollution and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

CESAM actively supported this application, as the project’s prominence was further enhanced by a presentation video (pitch) produced by CESAM’s Communication, Promotion, and Outreach Service, illustrating the objectives, methodology, and environmental impact of this research. This is an example of how the strategic use of CESAM’s internal resources, including the valuable contribution of the Support Technicians (TAG), often invisible but crucial in their diverse roles — administrative, accounting, and others — plays a decisive role in the success of proposals and their implementation.

This distinction highlights the crucial role of scientific research in creating solutions to the environmental challenges the planet currently faces.

To find out more about the project and the TransforMAR Award, visit Lidl’s official website and watch the presentation video to learn about this transformative initiative.

See the video here

Ana Lillebø, a researcher at CESAM and Vice-Rector for Sustainability at the University of Aveiro, took part in the international forum “Navigating a Sustainable Blue Economy: Maritime Transport’s Pathway to Climate Resilience”, organised by the League of Arab States during COP29. In the event, she contributed to the discussion on the carbon tax and the extension of the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to the maritime sector, an instrument of the European Union’s climate policy framework aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. He also contributed to the discussion on the decarbonization of the sector from an integrated perspective in the territory, having referred to the innovative solution being developed within the scope of the A-AAGORA project, which he coordinates. Funded within the scope of the European Union’s Mission to Restore Oceans and Waters, the solution integrates the decarbonization of maritime-port activity, with the use of greener fuel formulations in the local nautical-tourist sector, and with the large-scale restoration of ecosystems. blue carbon, which, together, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and, thus, to mitigating the effects of climate change. In the context of large-scale restoration of blue carbon ecosystems, he also referenced existing synergies with other European initiatives, such as the RESTORE4Cs, REWRITE and LIFE SeaGrassRIAwild projects, which involve citizen science actions, as an example of collaboration between stakeholders at the local/regional level for enhancing climate resilience.

The discussion focused on European and international goals set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), with an emphasis on decarbonisation, climate resilience, and innovative solutions capable of establishing the sector as a pillar of a sustainable blue economy. The event underscored the importance of an integrated and collaborative approach, fostering the exchange of experiences between nations and aligning strategies with global objectives.

A-AAGORA Project has been honoured with the 2024 Atlantic Project Awards in the International Cooperation category. The award ceremony took place on 22 November during the 11th Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference (ASPC 2024) in Bordeaux, France.

A-AAGORA Project’s foundation of international cooperation traces back to the ancient Greek concept of the AGORA, an “open meeting space,” envisioned to extend to the Atlantic-Arctic basins. This grand AGORA encompasses three living labs located in northern Norway, Ireland, and Portugal, which now serve as platforms for co-developed and validated innovative solutions with local stakeholders. As part of the European Commission’s Mission to Restore Oceans and Waters, the project’s international cooperation further extends to associated regions from Iceland to Cyprus, involving all four European maritime basins.

Researchers Dionísia Laranjeiro and Mariana Pinho accepted the award on behalf of the scientific coordination team and all those involved.

The award recognises the project’s significant contributions to addressing challenges in marine and coastal ecosystems through collaborative and innovative approaches.

Universidade de Aveiro (UAveiro) is the national higher education institution with the largest number of researchers whose scientific papers are among the most cited in the world by other scientists. Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2024 list, one of the most important rankings in the academic world, was released this week and identifies three researchers from this academy.

Armando da Costa Duarte and Teresa Rocha Santos both researchers at the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), and Jorge Alexandre Saraiva from the Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV-REQUIMTE), are the three UAveiro researchers featured in the Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2024 a list that analyzed the work of 6,636 scientists from 59 countries.

Armando Duarte and Jorge Saraiva have been on the Clarivate list for four consecutive years and Teresa Rocha Santos for three. Delfim F. Marado Torres from the Centre for Research and Development in Mathematics and Applications (CIDMA) has also been on the list in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.

Created by Clarivate, a global research consultancy, the list of names comes from articles ranked in the top one percent of the world’s most influential research articles by scientific area. It covers publications in journals indexed in the Citation Index Expanded and Social Sciences Citation Index, between January 2013 and December 2023, and is based on data from the Web of Science citation index and qualitative analysis by experts from Clarivate’s Institute for Scientific Information.

This ranking aims to recognize the most influential scientists around the world, with relevant contributions to their scientific fields and to the future of science, technology and academia worldwide, to disseminate the impact of global research and promote collaborative innovation, as well as to provide insights into global research and innovation trends.

Portugal has 18 scientists listed, representing a total of 11 higher education institutions. Worldwide, scientific influence is concentrated in the US, China and the UK.

The 2024 edition of Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2024 was released on November 19th and can be viewed here

Note: Text and image from the news on the UA website