Subproject · Led by IDAEA-CSIC
MED-CHEM
Assessing the Levels of Organic Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Coastal Areas and Key Marine Organisms.
MED-CHEM focuses on understanding the occurrence, distribution, and transfer of contaminants of emerging concern throughout Mediterranean coastal ecosystems. The subproject uses advanced analytical techniques, including high-resolution mass spectrometry and non-target screening approaches, to identify known and previously unrecognised pollutants in marine environments.
Research Focus
What MED-CHEM investigates
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Pharmaceuticals and antibiotics
Personal care products
Plastic additives
Micro- and nanoplastics
Persistent and mobile organic contaminants
Marine biotoxins
Wastewater-derived contaminants
Main Objectives
Goals of the subproject
- Characterise and quantify contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater, coastal waters, sediments and marine organisms.
- Assess contaminant accumulation throughout marine food webs.
- Investigate contaminant levels in edible seafood species.
- Evaluate the effects of cooking and human bioaccessibility of contaminants.
- Study contaminant mixtures and their endocrine-related effects using effect-based tools.
- Contribute to environmental and human health risk assessment under future climate change scenarios.
Lead Institution
Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC)
Principal Investigators
- Prof. Marinella Farré
- Dr Marta Llorca
Explore MED-BIO
Discover how MED-HEALTH studies the biological and ecological impacts of contaminants.
Go to MED-BIO →