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On December 17th took place the official launch of the project “The Climate Line”, an initiative promoted by CESAM and the Department of Environment and Planning (DAO) of the University of Aveiro. The opening session featured the presence of Prof. Dr Amadeu Soares, Coordinator of CESAM, Prof. Dr Fátima Alves, Director of DAO and Vice-Coordinator of CESAM, as well as Dr Cristina Cortês, Director of the Library, Documentation, and Museology Services.

The “Climate Line” project is led by integrated CESAM members Prof. Dr Myriam Lopes, Dr Ana Ascenso, and Dr Carla Gama, with the support of Sandra Oliveira, Coordinator of the University of Aveiro’s American Corner Programme. This innovative project aims to unite art and science to raise awareness of climate change and sustainability through a creative and collaborative approach. The initiative involves the creation of 30 scarves that will visually represent climate change in Aveiro over the past 30 years (1994–2023). Each scarf will be crocheted, with each row representing the average temperature of one day of the year.

Open Participation for the Community

Members of the University of Aveiro community are invited to participate in this innovative project. Participation is free and limited to 30 people. Individual kits will be provided, including crochet hooks, eco-friendly yarn from Rosários4, a cloth bag, and a detailed guide. Participants should either know how to crochet or be willing to learn and commit to completing the project, which will culminate in a visual exhibition at the Hélène de Beauvoir Room in the University Library during the American Corner Week 2025 in April.

Weekly Meetings and Climate Discussions

Weekly meetings will be held every Tuesday at 5:00 PM in the American Corner room. These sessions will not only focus on crocheting the scarves but will also serve as an opportunity to discuss climate-related topics, encouraging the exchange of ideas and engagement with environmental issues.

Support and Partnerships

The project is supported by the University of Aveiro’s American Corner and Rosários4, a brand recognised for its use of sustainable fibres and natural dyes.

For more information, those interested can contact via email at ascenso.a@ua.pt or follow the project on Instagram: @linha.do.clima.

Join this initiative and contribute to environmental awareness through art!

On 17 December 2024, the University of Aveiro (UA) and the Port of Aveiro Authority (APA, S.A.) formalised the creation of the Non-Academic Chair UA/CESAM – Port of Aveiro. The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of APA, S.A., the Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Third-Cycle Training and Accreditation of Study Cycles, Prof. Dr Artur Silva, the Coordinator of CESAM, Prof. Dr Amadeu Soares, and the Director of the Department of Physics, also Vice Coordinator of CESAM, Prof. Dr João Dias, alongside representatives from APA and other partner organisations.

The initiative aims to drive interdisciplinary research and foster sustainable solutions to environmental and operational challenges in the area of influence of the Port of Aveiro and the Ria de Aveiro, an ecosystem classified as a Special Protection Area (SPA). The Chair will be co-funded by APA, the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the FCT-Tenure competition, and CESAM/UA. This strategic collaboration will focus on the numerical modelling of hydrodynamic processes, such as tides, currents, and water quality, as well as the assessment of the environmental impacts of port projects, particularly the works to improve maritime accessibility to the Port of Aveiro. Additionally, it will explore strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change, which pose significant risks to the region.

The Non-Academic Chair UA/CESAM – Port of Aveiro includes the recruitment of a PhD researcher under a tenure-track contract within the framework of the Scientific Research Career Statute, as well as the award of a doctoral scholarship in a non-academic environment funded by FCT. Activities will be conducted in close collaboration between UA/CESAM and APA, promoting the integration of scientific knowledge and technological innovation with port management and environmental sustainability.

With an initial duration of six years, the initiative strengthens the long-standing partnership between UA, particularly through CESAM, and the Port of Aveiro Authority. It reflects the institutions’ commitment to contributing to the socio-economic and environmental development of the region.

The event involved 900 children and highlighted the importance of community action for a more sustainable future

On December 6th, 2024, the city of Aveiro hosted an event that brought together education, sustainability, and citizenship: the Parade of Sustainability. Organized by the Union of Parishes of Glória and Vera Cruz, in partnership with the Agrupamento de Escolas de Aveiro and the A-AAGORA project, the parade saw the participation of around 900 children from primary schools, with the goal of raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting more sustainable practices.

The event began with children leaving the Vera Cruz, Barrocas, Glória, and Santiago schools towards the Mercado Manuel Firmino. The parade then made its way to Largo do Rossio, where it culminated in an interactive session and several environmental awareness activities.

The A-AAGORA project, whose main objective is to promote solutions to increase resilience to climate change and mitigate its impacts on coastal areas, participated as a partner in the event. During the Parade of Sustainability, A-AAGORA contributed its expertise in implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS), reinforcing the message of how collective actions can help tackle environmental challenges.

A-AAGORA’s presence at the Parade of Sustainability emphasized the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, environmental organizations, and citizens, as a way to address present challenges and ensure a safer, more sustainable future for all.

Between October and November 2024, the CCforBio project promoted an important ecological restoration action in the Quiaios Dunes National Forest. The initiative aims to recover biodiversity in a forest area devastated by the 2017 fires, creating an ecological corridor in Pinus pinaster plantations, promoting biodiversity and the sustainable development of these plantations.

The intervention was carried out in two main phases: the removal of invasive species, mainly Acacia longifolia, and the planting of 14,000 broadleaf trees of indigenous species. The action was joined by the University of Aveiro and the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), with funding from the Belmiro de Azevedo Foundation and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). The area will be monitored over the next three years, with annual retanks planned to ensure the success of ecological recovery.

Valentina Silva, a PhD student at CESAM, was awarded the “Best Paper” prize for PhD students at the international congress “Ozone and Advanced Oxidation – Science, Technologies and Applications for a Better World”. The event, organized by the International Ozone Association, Europe-Africa-Asia-Australasia Group, took place in Porto, from November 27th to 29th, 2024.

The award-winning work, entitled “Evaluation of different synthesis routes to obtain magnetic composites of TiO2 and Carbon Quantum Dots for photocatalysis of antibiotics“, was carried out under the guidance of Professors Vânia Calisto (CESAM/DQ), Diana Lima and Marta Otero. This research focused on the development of new materials for the photocatalysis of antibiotics, contributing to innovative and sustainable solutions in the treatment of contaminated water.

The awarding of this prize reflects the merit of Valentina Silva and the excellent research carried out at CESAM.

The Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) and the University of Aveiro (UA) were featured on the official webpage of Nanjing Tech University, China, on 3 December. The news highlighted the visit of CESAM’s Coordinator, Prof. Amadeu Soares, and Prof. Rosa Freitas, a CESAM researcher and member of the Department of Biology (DBio), to the School of Environmental Science and Engineering at the university for the inauguration ceremony of the Sino-Portuguese International Joint Laboratory on Aquatic Ecotoxicology.

The ceremony was attended by Prof. Wang Yuxiang, Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Division; Prof. Yang Hongjun, Deputy Director of the Personnel Division; and Prof. Zhang Yongjun, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Section. All are members of the leadership of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, alongside other faculty members and numerous students. The event was chaired by Deputy Director Prof. Zhang Yongjun, who opened the session by welcoming the guests on behalf of Nanjing Tech University.

During the ceremony, speeches were delivered by Prof. Zhang Xueying, Director of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Prof. Amadeu Soares, Director of CESAM. Both shared their expectations for the success of the collaboration between the two institutions. As part of the event, the Deputy Director of the Research Institute, Prof. Wang Yuxiang, and Prof. Amadeu Soares officially inaugurated the Joint Laboratory by unveiling a plaque in the auditorium where the ceremony took place. In the afternoon, the plaque was formally installed in one of the main entrance halls of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering.

Following this, Prof. Yang Hongjun presented Prof. Rosa Freitas with a Visiting Professor certificate from Nanjing Tech University, along with a symbolic badge of the institution.

Later, Prof. Rosa Freitas delivered a lecture entitled “Beyond the Laboratory: Exploring Science through Rosa Freitas’ Research Journey,” in which she shared her experience in environmental toxicology research. Prof. Amadeu Soares, in turn, presented on “CESAM, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies: Cooperation Opportunities.” The presentations sparked an enriching dialogue between professors and students in a dynamic and enthusiastic atmosphere.

The event also provided an opportunity to deepen discussions on future collaborative projects. UA professors met with colleagues from the School of Environmental Science and Engineering to explore topics such as student and researcher exchanges and the development of joint research projects. Professors Amadeu Soares and Rosa Freitas expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome and emphasised the mutual commitment to closer collaboration in research, training, and the exchange of students and researchers between the two institutions.

This event marks a milestone in strengthening the cooperative relationship between Nanjing Tech University and the University of Aveiro, contributing to the establishment of a solid foundation for collaborative innovations in the field of aquatic ecotoxicology. The partnership reinforces both institutions’ commitment to the internationalisation of academic training and scientific research, fostering significant advancements in the study and protection of aquatic ecosystems.

(Text based on the original news article published at https://hj.njtech.edu.cn/info/1066/3040.htm, illustrated with official ceremony photos.)

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.