RESEARCH

WP 1

Sample collection for surveillance in the Comunitat Valenciana

WP 2

Characterization of microplastics (MPs) along the water cycle and monitoring MPs occurrence in drinking water and food

2.1. Microplastic analysis in water samples

  • Optimization and validation of a methodology for MPs analysis in water samples
  • Evaluation of the occurrence, main types and time evolution of MPs in the different water samples considered

2.2. Microplastic analysis in biosolids

  • Evaluation of the occurrence of MPs in biosolids of WWTPs of Valencian Community
  • Influence of the waste treatment on the quantity of MPs in the sludges

2.3. Microplastic analysis in food samples

  • Optimization and validation of a methodology for MPs analysis in food samples
  • Evaluation of the occurrence of MPs in bivalves produced in Valencia

WP 3

Surveillance of emerging viruses along the water cycle

3.1. Waste -Based Epidemiology to fight against emerging viruses

  • Optimization and validation of a methodology for analysis of emerging viruses in influent water samples
  • Evaluation of the occurrence of emerging viruses along the water cycle

3.2. Evaluation of the occurrence of viral pathogens of emerging concern in water and food

  • Optimization and validation of a methodology for emerging viruses in non-sewage water samples and in mollusks collected in WP1
  • Occurrence of emerging viruses and viral indicators in bivalves produced in Valencia
  • Correlation between occurrence of viral emerging pathogens and viral fecal indicator

3.3. Evaluation of the persistence of viral emerging pathogens in environmental waters

  • Optimization and validation of a viability-PCR procedure for influenza viruses
  • Evaluation of the occurrence of infectious emerging viruses along the water cycle
  • Persistence of coronavirus and influenza viruses along the water cycle
  • Sanitization procedures that minimize emerging virus risks will be established through batch scale experiments

3.4. To assess the risk of using biosolids for viral pathogen transfer to the food webs

  • Evaluation of the occurrence of emerging viruses in biosolids from the WWTPs

WP 4

Toxicological studies

4.1. Design and characterization of MPs for toxicological studies

  • Setting up different procedures for laboratory scale production of MP from different polymeric materials

4.2. Setting up a reproducible in vivo mouse model for MP toxicological studies

  • Selection of the optimal conditions for toxicological studies in the mouse model
  • Validation of a methodology to analyze MPs in animal tissues

4.3. Tissue accumulation of MPs

  • Toxicokinetics of MPs ingested through the diet
  • Toxicokinetics of the plasticizers present in the MPs ingested through the diet
  • Identification of factors affecting the accumulation and excretion of MPs and their additives

4.4. Evaluation of toxic effects of a chronic exposure to MPs

  • Characterization of toxic effects of dietary MPs on the intestinal mucosa
  • Characterization of toxic effects of dietary MPs at systemic level

4.5. Effect of MPs on intestinal microbiota composition

  • Characterization of the effect of MP exposure on gut microbiot
  • Identification of correlation relationships between microbiota changes and MP intestinal/systemic toxicity markers

WP 5

Dissemination