Das Projekt "Integrated Observations from Near Shore Sources of Tsunamis: Towards an Early Warning System (NEAREST)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung e.V. in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft (AWI) durchgeführt. NEAREST is addressed to the identification and characterisation of large potential tsunami sources located near shore in the Gulf of Cadiz; the improvement of near real-time detection of signals by a multiparameter seafloor observatory for the characterisation of potential tsunamigenic sources to be used in the development of an Early Warning System (EWS) Prototype; the improvement of integrated numerical models enabling more accurate scenarios of tsunami impact and the production of accurate inundation maps in selected areas of the Algarve (SW Portugal), highly hit by the 1755 tsunamis. In this area, highly populated and prone to devastating earthquakes and tsunamis, excellent geological/geophysical knowledge has already been acquired in the last decade. The methodological approach will be based on the cross-checking of multiparameter time series acquired on land by seismic and tide gauge stations, on the seafloor and in the water column by broad band Ocean Bottom Seismometers and a multiparameter deep-sea platform this latter equipped with real-time communication to an onshore warning centre. Land and sea data will be integrated to be used in a prototype of EWS. NEAREST will search for sedimentological evidences of tsunamis records to improve or knowledge on the recurrence time for extreme events and will try to measure the key parameters for the comprehension of the tsunami generation mechanisms. The proposed method can be extended to other near-shore potential tsunamigenic sources, as for instance the Central Mediterranean (Western Ionian Sea), Aegean Arc and Marmara Sea. Prime Contractor: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche CNR; Roma; Italy.
Das Projekt "Phytosanierung von PAK-kontaminierten Böden (Mechanismen und Anwendungen)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Department für Agrarbiotechnologie, IFA-Tulln, Institut für Umweltbiotechnologie durchgeführt. The aim of the project is to determine the potential of phytoremediative measures for clean-up of PAH-contaminated soils by testing different polluted soils, investigating the major mechanisms involved, the role of the root system and the associated microorganisms (bacteria, mycorrhiza), and if the toxicity of the contaminated soils is reduced in the course of the treatment. The phytoremediation experiments will be accomplished at LIMOS (Nancy CNRS), which has the expertise and equipment to apply this technique. The evaluation of bioavailability as well as toxicity will be conducted at the IFA (Tulln, Austria) which has the equipment and competency to carry out the respective tests.