Surface runoff as source of microplastics and emerging contaminants in megacities aquifers

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SPONGE aims at contributing to improve safe recharge of urban aquifers expanding the Sponge city strategy, in which runoff water could be collected not only to reduce waterlogging but also to foster the recharge of stressed aquifers. In this framework, great attention must be paid to water quality by focusing on microplastics contamination and its relationship with other organic and inorganic emerging contaminants. SPONGE will increase the global scientific know-how on emerging contaminants and unconventional aquifer recharge nexus in urban environments, impacting both in terms of improved water management and environmental protection. The project will open new frontiers for research on runoff and wastewater management to increase the resilience of urban aquifers to climate changes. The main expected results are: (i) quantification of microplastics contamination in rain and runoff water, assessment of their variability in time and evaluation of the relationship between microplastics and other contaminants; (ii) definition of microplastics and emerging contaminants occurrence in groundwater through the realization of experimental models; (iii) evaluation of the stored runoff water as a source to increase the resilience of the urban aquifer to the groundwater scarcity. Outcomes will be assembled in guidelines defining the best practices to manage the urban runoff and evaluate its suitability for aquifer recharge in a sponge city. In the first two years at SUSTech University (China), the researcher will perform field activities and analysis, improving his knowledge of emerging contaminants; in the third year of the project, at the University of Pisa (Italy), the fellow will finalize the elaborations and the set-up of a numerical model of the aquifer recharge. Communication and dissemination actions will be realized in English and Chinese in order to guarantee the maximum diffusion, not only to researchers but also to the civil society and relevant stakeholders.