Emerging contaminants in water systems pose a growing threat to environmental integrity, public health, and long-term sustainability. The Second Pan African International Conference, held from 1st to 2nd December 2025 at the University of Tlemcen, Algeria, provided a key forum for researchers, innovators, and policymakers to tackle these challenges. Centered on Africa’s transition toward sustainability through knowledge, policy, and innovation, the event offered fertile ground for scientific exchange and collaborative advancement.

PRIMA-SAFE: Pushing Forward Sustainable Treatment Technologies

Among the contributors, PRIMA-SAFE presented innovative work aimed at addressing the persistence of pharmaceutical contaminants in water. The team showcased their research on:

Synergistic Adsorption and Heterogeneous Fenton Oxidation Using Magnetically Recyclable Iron/Chitosan-Modified Biochar

This study focuses on combining adsorption and advanced oxidation mechanisms to remove sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a widely detected antibiotic that contributes to environmental contamination and antibiotic resistance. Here’s a breakdown of the core concepts:

• Biochar: A carbon-rich, porous material derived from organic waste. Its high surface area enables effective pollutant adsorption, making it a sustainable option for water treatment technologies.
• Iron/Chitosan Modification: Incorporating iron introduces redox-active sites that boost adsorption and catalyze reactions, while chitosan improves stability and facilitates heterogeneous Fenton processes.
• Heterogeneous Fenton Oxidation: An advanced oxidation process in which iron catalyzes hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to generate reactive species capable of breaking down contaminants at the molecular level.

The combination of these materials produces a synergistic effect, improving both adsorption capacity and oxidative degradation, particularly in dynamic conditions such as fixed-bed column systems.

Key Takeaways from PRIMA-SAFE’s Contribution

The SAFE team highlighted several important outcomes during their poster presentation:

• Hybrid Approaches for Sustainable Water Treatment: Integrating adsorption with heterogeneous Fenton oxidation enhances removal efficiency and supports low-cost, scalable treatment solutions.
• Enhanced Contaminant Degradation: The iron/chitosan-modified biochar demonstrated delayed breakthrough curves and stronger degradation performance, especially when combined with H₂O₂.
• Economic Viability: Operating costs below €1/m³ position this system as a cost-effective alternative to conventional technologies, which typically exceed €4/m³.
• Circular and Green Innovation: Using waste-derived biochar and recyclable magnetic components aligns the research with circular economy and environmental sustainability principles.

Why This Work Matters

Pharmaceutical pollution requires robust, affordable, and sustainable solutions. PRIMA-SAFE’s contribution demonstrates how natural materials, advanced oxidation processes, and column-based technologies can be integrated to address real-world water challenges.

The Pan African University International Conference underscored the value of scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing. PRIMA-SAFE’s participation reflects its commitment to developing practical technologies that protect water resources and contribute to a more sustainable future.

For more updates on PRIMA-SAFE’s ongoing research and initiatives, stay connected with our platform!

From field samples to risk-based decisions: PRIMA-SAFE labs analyze reclaimed water to track pharmaceuticals, antibiotic resistance markers, and other hazards—so farmers can reuse water safely and sustainably.

Why analyze reclaimed water?

In Mediterranean agriculture, treated wastewater can boost soil fertility and reduce fertilizer use—but it may carry organic micropollutants, pathogens, antibiotic resistance signals (ARGs), and pesticides. Our lab work turns these concerns into data for evidence-based reuse. primasafe.eu

What we test (and why it matters)

• Pharmaceuticals & other CECs: chosen because they’re frequently detected and can move from water → soil → crops. primasafe.eu
• ARGs (genetic markers tied to antimicrobial resistance): monitored to understand microbiological safety beyond classical indicators. primasafe.eu
• Agronomic/chemical basics (salinity, nutrients) to protect soil biodiversity and crop performance. primasafe.eu

Step 1 — From field to lab

Teams collect influent/effluent and irrigation-line samples following strict handling, then log them for chemical and microbiological workflows. This ensures comparability across sites and seasons, a core need in PRIMA-SAFE’s multi-country pilots. primasafe.eu

Step 2 — Prioritizing what to measure

We don’t measure everything everywhere. A PRIMA-SAFE study screened 148 pharmaceuticals found in reclaimed water and, using an occurrence–persistence–bioaccumulation–toxicity (OPBT) scoring framework, shortlisted 47 priority compounds for monitoring. It flagged:

• 6 compounds (e.g., iopromide, azithromycin, ibuprofen) with HQ ≥ 1 for soil organisms,
• 22 compounds likely to be taken up by crops (based on properties like logD and pKa),
• 7 compounds (e.g., diclofenac, carbamazepine, fluoxetine, citalopram) repeatedly detected in edible plant parts across studies—yet no human-health risk at observed levels (well below ADIs). primasafe.eu

What this means in the lab: we focus analytical chemistry on the priority list, so monitoring is both cost-effective and decision-relevant.

Step 3 — Bench tests that improve water quality

Alongside “measurements,” we test solutions. One PRIMA-SAFE publication showed volcanic ash–derived soil (VADS) can adsorb the antibiotic trimethoprim, achieving 77.6% removal under optimized conditions and confirming interaction mechanisms via mineral analysis. Response Surface Methodology helped tune contact time, concentration, mixing, and solid-to-liquid ratios. These insights guide filter media choices for low-cost polishing steps. primasafe.eu

Step 4 — Nature-based pilots + genetic safety signals

In pilot constructed wetlands, we trial bioaugmentation (e.g., Trichoderma asperellum) to enhance removal of selected contaminants. Results show >10% improvement for compounds like diclofenac and benzotriazole, while also tracking ARGs to understand microbiological risk trends. Highly polar compounds remain challenging—informing where advanced polishing may be needed. primasafe.eu

From data to decisions

All these measurements feed into PRIMA-SAFE’s goal: safe, practical water reuse tailored to local conditions and farmers’ needs—linking lab analytics, treatment optimization, and agronomic trials. primasafe.eu

From June 23rd to 26th, 2025, the SAFE project was proudly represented at the 7th IWA International Conference on eco-Technologies for Wastewater Treatment (ecoSTP2025), held in Stockholm, Sweden. Hosted by the International Water Association (IWA) in collaboration with KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Mälardalen University, the event gathered scientists, engineers, and decision-makers from around the world to explore the future of eco-technologies in water management.

This renowned conference is a key meeting point for innovation in sustainable and circular wastewater treatment. The 2025 edition focused on actionable solutions to current environmental pressures, highlighting advances in resource recovery, nature-based technologies, digital water systems, and techno-economic sustainability—topics closely aligned with the mission of PRIMA-SAFE.

SAFE Contribution: Techno-Economic Assessment of Biochar Adsorption

During the conference, the SAFE team presented the study:

“Techno-Economic Assessment of Biochar Adsorption for the Treatment of Surface Water”

This work evaluated the use of biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from biomass, as a low-cost, sustainable adsorbent for treating surface waters impacted by micropollutants. The study combined laboratory-scale removal data with a techno-economic assessment, offering insight into both the efficacy and financial feasibility of deploying biochar-based systems for decentralized water treatment.

Key aspects included:

• Removal performance for selected pollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals and trace organics)
• Estimations of capital and operational costs
• Applicability in small- to medium-scale treatment facilities
• Alignment with circular economy strategies and EU sustainability targets

A Platform for Knowledge Exchange and Innovation

Participation in ecoSTP2025 allowed the SAFE project team to connect with leading experts in the field, share its ongoing research, and engage in valuable discussions on eco-efficient solutions to water treatment challenges. The presentation sparked interest and dialogue around the potential for biochar technologies in both Mediterranean and global contexts.

SAFE’s presence at the conference highlighted the project’s active role in bridging experimental science with real-world application, contributing to the global conversation on how to treat water in more sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible ways.

From June 2nd to 6th, 2025, members of the Greek research team involved in the PRIMA-SAFE project participated in the prestigious ‘IX International Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment of Horticultural Crops’ and the ‘III International Symposium on Vegetable Grafting’, held in Thessaloniki, Greece. These combined events gathered researchers and professionals from around the world to explore advances in horticultural science and sustainable cultivation practices.

Representing ELGO-DIMITRA, Dr. Afroditi Tsampalla, Dr. Georgios Ntinas, and Ms. Ioanna Chatzigeorgiou presented findings from their ongoing research on the use of treated wastewater in agricultural irrigation, with a specific focus on its impact on plant environmental adaptation and resilience to abiotic stress. Their work addresses key questions about how alternative water sources influence plant health, growth, and long-term sustainability in food production systems.

Their presentations generated strong interest from participants, prompting valuable scientific discussions and opening new avenues for collaboration. The team’s data-driven insights contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting the safe and effective reuse of treated wastewater in horticulture—especially in regions increasingly affected by water scarcity and climate change.

Participation in this international symposium reinforced the SAFE project’s commitment to knowledge exchange and innovation across borders. It also highlighted the vital role of applied research in helping agriculture adapt to environmental challenges while maintaining productivity and safety.

Follow @elgodimitra to learn more about their role in the PRIMA-SAFE project.

On June 11th, 2025, the University of Basilicata in Potenza became the heart of scientific dialogue and strategic planning as it hosted the latest in-person meeting of the PRIMA-SAFE project. With representatives from all partner institutions present, the day was marked by an atmosphere of openness, technical depth, and shared purpose.

From the initial welcome to the final wrap-up, the gathering focused on one clear goal: ensuring coherence across work packages while maintaining the project’s ambitious timeline and scientific rigor. Each team had the opportunity to present their progress, raise challenges, and refine shared outputs. Through this dialogue, the consortium reaffirmed its commitment to delivering innovative and reliable solutions for safe water reuse in Mediterranean agriculture.

In the afternoon, attention turned to future outputs. A dedicated session on scientific writing brought together researchers from across the network to shape a common article. This collaborative writing phase is more than a publication goal—it’s a way to consolidate knowledge, align findings, and amplify the impact of PRIMA-SAFE’s ongoing work. Several groups were also formed to develop complementary papers, demonstrating the team’s readiness to translate results into contributions that will serve both science and society.

The meeting concluded not only with a sense of achievement but also with renewed energy and a stronger collective vision. Discussions were productive, goals were met, and next steps were clearly defined. As the project moves toward its final year, events like this strengthen the human and intellectual fabric of the consortium—ensuring that collaboration remains at the core of every advancement.

11th June 2025 – Room A4, University of Basilicata (UNIBAS), Potenza, Italy

The SAFE project continues to build momentum with its upcoming in-person meeting hosted by the University of Basilicata (UNIBAS) in Potenza, Italy, on June 11th, 2025. This gathering brings together researchers and project leaders from across the PRIMA-SAFE consortium to share progress, align on joint goals, and shape the next phase of collaborative outputs.

The day begins at 09:15 with participants gathering at the university’s main gate, followed by a welcome session led by Dr. Monica Brienza (UNIBAS) at 09:30. A series of structured updates on the six Work Packages (WPs) will follow, providing each team the opportunity to present their latest advancements and engage in focused discussion.

Morning: Work Package Updates

• WP1: Update and discussion with Dr. Serge Chiron (Université de Montpellier)
• WP2: Presentation by Dr. Gianluigi Buttiglieri (ICRA)
• WP3: Overview by Dr. Afroditi Tsampalla (ELGO)
• WP4: Update by Dr. Samia Khadar (CERTE)
• WP5: Contribution from Prof. Antonio Zuorro (Sapienza University of Rome)
• WP6: Summary by Dr. Monica Brienza (UNIBAS)

This detailed exchange ensures transparency and knowledge-sharing across the entire consortium while reinforcing the scientific backbone of the PRIMA-SAFE initiative.

Afternoon: Strategy and Writing Session

Following a lunch break at 13:00, the group will reconvene at 14:30 for a working session focused on defining the structure of a forthcoming joint scientific article. Led by Dr. Serge Chiron (UM), this session is designed to harmonize contributions from multiple partners and consolidate findings from the project’s diverse experimental and modelling efforts.

Working groups will also be formed to address three targeted writing initiatives:

• Experiment in Progress Article: Led by IRSA-CNR & UNIBAS
• Common Article on Trichoderma: Co-authored by IUT & UNIBAS
• Review Article on Trichoderma: Led by IUT, UNIBAS & UM

These collaborative writing efforts are a key step in translating project outcomes into high-impact publications and reinforcing the scientific visibility of the PRIMA-SAFE project.

Evening Networking

The meeting will conclude at 17:00, followed by a group dinner at Assurd Restaurant, located at Vico Stabile Francesco 10, in the heart of Potenza. This social moment will provide further opportunity for informal exchanges and partnership strengthening in a relaxed setting.

With structured discussions, strategic coordination, and collaborative writing at the core, the upcoming SAFE project meeting at UNIBAS marks another important step toward delivering practical and scientifically robust solutions for safe and sustainable water reuse in Mediterranean agriculture.

Stay tuned for highlights and outcomes from the event!

Meet the Sapienza team