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NEWS<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_padding=”0|0px|6px|0px” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=”undefined” admin_label=”Fila” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner type=”undefined” saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_post_title date_format=”j M, Y” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ title_font=”Saira Semi Condensed|500||on|||||” title_text_color=”#7f8789″ title_font_size=”28px” meta_font=”Saira Semi Condensed||||||||” meta_text_color=”#4893ac” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ max_width=”70%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” z_index_tablet=”0″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” meta_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” meta_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” meta_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” custom_padding=”0|0px|0px|0px||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|2%||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ihcantabria.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG-20240111-WA0045-1.jpg” title_text=”IMG-20240111-WA0045-1″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”14px” text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”3%||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Plastic pellet spills pose a growing challenge to marine ecosystems<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||2%” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Texto” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ text_font=”|300|||||||” text_font_size=”19px” background_color=”#ffffff” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ custom_margin=”2%|||” custom_padding=”|5%||” z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
IHCantabria is leading the European POLARIS project, an initiative that will promote new tools and strategies to improve the detection, monitoring, and management of accidental spills of plastic pellets, helping to protect marine and coastal ecosystems<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.27.4″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ custom_margin=”||1px|||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|5%|0px” z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ text_font=”|300|||||||” text_font_size=”19px” background_color=”#ffffff” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ custom_margin=”2%|||” custom_padding=”|5%||” z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Environmental Hydraulics Institute of the Universidad de Cantabria (IHCantabria)<\/a> is coordinating the European POLARIS<\/a> project, an ambitious initiative that combines scientific research, numerical modeling, environmental monitoring, weather forecasting, emergency response, and training, to protect European seas from emergencies caused by plastic pellet spills. The project brings together partners from several European countries with the goal of developing tools, knowledge, and response protocols to more effectively address this environmental challenge, while also promoting public awareness and engagement. POLARIS involves the participation of CEDRE, M\u00e9t\u00e9o-France, AZTI, SASEMAR, the Norwegian Coastal Administration, and IHCantabria. <\/p>\n Plastic pellet spills pose a growing challenge to marine and coastal ecosystems, as well as to economic activities linked to the coastline. Their small size, low visibility in the ocean, and high dispersal capacity make them difficult to detect, monitor, and recover. Furthermore, when they wash ashore, they can affect long stretches of coastline and require prolonged, complex, and costly cleanup operations. <\/p>\n In recent years, several maritime incidents in Europe and other regions of the world have highlighted the cross-border nature of this type of pollution and the need to move toward a coordinated response at the European level. Significant progress has been made in managing oil spills, but there are still no standard operating procedures or standardized protocols for responding to emergencies involving plastic pellet spills. <\/p>\n As explained by IHCantabria\u2019s representative on the POLARIS project, principal investigator Ana Julia Abascal, \u201cPOLARIS brings together a team of experts from different disciplines and countries to address this problem through a truly collaborative approach. By combining scientific research with operational experience, we aim to provide practical tools and evidence-based solutions that strengthen preparedness and support authorities in responding more effectively to plastic pellet spills.\u201d <\/p>\n Three strategic lines of action:<\/strong><\/p>\n The POLARIS project will address this challenge through a comprehensive approach that combines scientific research, technological innovation, and the strengthening of operational capabilities. Its activities are organized into three main areas: <\/p>\n IHCantabria will contribute its extensive experience in the analysis and numerical modeling of ocean dynamics and contaminant transport, the generation of hazard and risk maps, and the development of data-driven decision support systems, as well as the development of advanced tools for environmental risk assessment. As coordinator of the POLARIS project, it will play a key role in integrating scientific and technical advances, fostering collaboration among European institutions to develop solutions that improve preparedness and response to these types of incidents. <\/p>\n Among the activities planned as part of the POLARIS initiative are the development of predictive tools, risk maps, shared protocols, and multilevel coordination strategies. In addition, innovative technologies for the detection, containment, and collection of pellets will be evaluated, including the use of drones and experimental response systems. <\/p>\n POLARIS will thus help close a significant gap in the management of accidental marine plastic pollution by providing European authorities with knowledge and practical tools to respond more quickly and effectively to future emergencies.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ihcantabria.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783340733598.jpg” title_text=”1783340733598″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”5%||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”14px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”3%|3%|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n POLARIS, funded by the European Commission under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), specifically the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) through the “Knowledge for Action in Prevention and Preparedness (KAPP)” call for proposals.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_sidebar orientation=”right” area=”et_pb_widget_area_7″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IHCantabria is leading the European POLARIS project, an initiative that will promote new tools and strategies to improve the detection, monitoring, and management of accidental spills of plastic pellets, helping to protect marine and coastal ecosystems.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":175892,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[500,537],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-175903","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-news","category-oceanography-estuaries-and-water-quality"],"yoast_head":"\n\n