SEACURE

The main objective of SEACURE is to address nutrient pollution in the Mediterranean basin through a global and integrated approach. Its scale of work spans three countries and focuses on specific territorial units within the land-river-sea continuum. 

It adopts a multidisciplinary and coordinated approach, integrating technological, business, social, and governance innovations, aligning its results with existing European policies and strategies (such as the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Water Framework Directive, etc.), and showcasing its potential for replicability and scalability.

The ambition of the project is evident in its intention to incorporate participation, capacity-building, engagement, and development of the key actors' capacities who can take action (landowners and managers, farmers, local public officials, policymakers, advisory services, wastewater companies, water managers, etc.) and in raising citizens' awareness. Through collaboration with Associated Regions, it promotes knowledge transfer to achieve a significant and lasting impact on nutrient pollution management across the Mediterranean basin.

Proposed Actions 

The proposed actions within SEACURE cover a wide range of approaches and are divided into three main areas:

• Type 1 – Strategies to prevent and reduce nutrient losses from agriculture.
  The main objective is to establish more efficient agroecosystems in C, N, and P by introducing effective combinations of existing technologies and high-potential innovations in nutrient recycling technologies and soil and crop management practices. This improves the sustainability of agricultural systems and reduces negative impacts on soil, water, air, and climate. To achieve this, SEACURE proposes solutions that reduce the use of traditional/mineral fertilizers and consider alternatives such as bio-based fertilizers (BBF), tailor-made fertilizers (TMF), and fertigation. These measures promote circular and sustainable practices in the agri-livestock sector, including solutions like perennial crops and regenerative agriculture to reduce nitrate leaching and improve soil organic matter (SOM). Precision agriculture practices are also encouraged to optimize fertilization.

   

• Type 2 – Strategies to prevent and reduce nutrient inputs into river basins.
  These measures focus on reducing nutrient flows to rivers by limiting nutrient losses in rural areas (due to intensive agricultural practices) and in urban areas by improving wastewater treatment. It considers Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and Technological Solutions (TBS), as well as hybrid systems like microalgae reactors or solar channeling systems.

   

• Type 3 – Strategies to reduce and remove excess nutrients in aquatic ecosystems to avoid eutrophication.
  The main objective is to demonstrate measures that reduce water eutrophication and remediate nutrient excess before they reach the Mediterranean Sea. This is achieved by applying remediation measures in rivers, canals, and ponds, especially in delta areas such as the Po River and Axios Delta.

HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-SOIL-01-01: Mission Ocean and Waters and Mission A Soil Deal for Europe – Joint demonstration of approaches and solutions to address nutrient pollution in the landscape-river-sea system in the Mediterranean Sea basin

In the picture: Representation of the SEACURE demonstrations in the landscape-river-sea system. S1: Innovative soil management practices, S2: Innovative nutrient management practices, S3: Smart agriculture, S4: Nature-based solutions, S5: Technological solutions, S6: Remediation practices.