EFFORTS Project
Effective Operations in Ports
From 2006 to 2009
6th PCRDT European Fund
EFFORTS project is part of the Sixth Framework Program for Research and Technological Development (PCRDT).
The 6th PRCDT was the overall framework of EU activities in the field of science, research and innovation from 2002 to 2006. Its first objective was to contribute to the creation of a genuine European Research Area (EER) by improving integration and coordination of it in Europe, until now fragmented.
EFFORTS is one the integrated projects of the 6th PCRDT. They are projects of a significant size involving various stakeholders (industry, academia, communities …) which aim to create a critical mass in research activities focusing on scientific and technological objectives clearly defined.
Presentation
The European economy depends highly on the efficient operations of ports. Most of European trade passes through ports and this will continue to do so: a doubling of transport volumes is expected in the next 15 years.
That is why EFFORTS has been implemented to provide to European ports necessary knowledge for an efficient, profitable and eco-friendly development.
Different issues related to these developments have been tackled and now structure the program (see diagram below) to meet to the demand for improving port operations by seeking innovative products or process in the field of navigation, environment, organization and port infrastructure.
“Work package” 2.2 “Water Quality”
The program has been declined into two sub-projects:
– WP 2.2.1- « Ballast waters pollution during ships reception »
– WP 2.2.2 – « Aluminium pollution related to the protection of ports infrastructures/quays »
Financial backers, coordinators, partners
CETMEF, Port Autonome du Havre, IFREMER, TL & Associés, VTT, FIMR (Finnish Institute of Marine Research).
Context
Cathodic protection by applying sacrificial anodes made in aluminum is the most widely used system to protect steel in port infrastructure against corrosion (docks and piles). This protection induces high expenses for authorities managing ports. The anodes have a lifetime up to 15 years, which implies a slow dissolution and a chronic dissolution of elements that constitute metal in the marine environment. But if aluminum is not considered as a toxic metallic element to the marine environment, it is sometimes cited as a cause of health problems for humans.
Objective
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Improved the general situation of European ports, particularly face to water quality.
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Perform an inventory of the contamination in aluminum (from anodes) of water, in the different compartments of the marine environment (water, sediment, biotope), particularly in port environment.
Research method and sources
To evaluate the toxicity of aluminum, which depends on its chemical form and bioavailability (mobility) for the biotope, two studies were conducted in parallel and focused on the distribution of this element at the interfaces water/sediment and the interface water/biotope.
To participate in this scientific program, Corrodys has recruited two post-doctoral students between September 2007 and February 2009.
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