TRACE-Tools for better management of marine litter in coastal areas and accelerating the transition to a circular plastic economy

Funding: TED2021-130515B-I00, Period: 2022–2025, Supervisor: Alsina Torrent, Jose Maria

Type Competitive R&D&I project
Acronym TRACE
Funding entity code TED2021-130515B-I00
Import 253.000 €
Start date 2022-12-01
Due date 2025-05-31
Developer entity Department of Graphic Engineering and Design
Description The TRACE project aims to build a system for monitoring and predicting the dispersion of floating marine waste in coastal areas. This waste, mostly plastic, has a serious environmental impact, and its presence in areas of marine accumulation (such as “gyres”) has been the subject of multiple studies. The project aims to contribute to better waste management through a practical tool for environmental managers and authorities. Numerical modelling techniques, citizen sampling and pilot experiments will be used on the coast of Barcelona. The model will integrate environmental conditions such as currents, waves and tides, and the results will be transferable to other areas through specific communication channels. The ultimate goal is to promote a circular and sustainable economy by improving the management of plastic waste.
Keywords Marine litter, numerical modeling, dispersion, waste accumulation, citizen science, sampling and analysis, waste management, circular plastic economy, environmental protection, social awareness.
Scope State Adm.
Funding Plan STATE PLAN FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION 2021-2023
Year of resolution 2022
Program/Subprogram STATE PROGRAM TO PROMOTE SCIENTIFIC-TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND ITS TRANSFER
STATE SUB-PROGRAM FOR KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
Call/Subsidy STRATEGIC PROJECTS ORIENTED TO THE ECOLOGICAL TRANSITION AND THE DIGITAL TRANSITION
Subsidizing institution State Investigation Agency
UPC research group LIM/UPC - Maritime Engineering Laboratory (Research Center)

Participants

  • Alsina Torrent, Jose Maria (scientific coordinator)
  • Sánchez Vidal, Anna (scientific coordinator - University of Barcelona)
  • Sánchez-Arcilla Conejo, Agustín (researcher)
  • Espino Infantes, Manel (researcher)
  • Sospedra Iglesias, Joaquín (researcher)
  • Lliste Muñoz, María (Working team)
  • Hernandez, Ivan (Work Team)
  • Amblàs Novellas, David (UB - University of Barcelona)
  • Cerdà Domènech, Marc (UB - University of Barcelona)
  • De Haan, William Oisin (Three-ball Team)
  • Gomez Lopez, Ángela Sofia (ROLE_PERSON CONTRACTED)
  • Ubieto Vico, Oriol (ROLE_PERSON CONTRACTED - Polytechnic University of Catalonia)