The ORION project is developing innovative tools to monitor and protect water quality. This contributes to the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems and the protection of our environment. To achieve this, the ORION project is organised into 6 work packages (WP).

In details

WP1: Governance and management

This module ensures that the project runs smoothly and stays on schedule. It coordinates actions and results, with URCA as lead partner. A steering committee (COPIL) has been set up to manage the administrative and financial aspects of the project.

WP2: Spatio-temporal dynamics of pressures

This module models the dynamics of chemical contaminant concentrations in the surface waters of the Meuse. The results will help in the diagnosis and sustainable management of cross-border waters. A new bioaccumulation module (Eco2BioAcc) will be developed to simulate the bioaccumulation of contaminants.

WP3: Microbiological characterisation of water bodies

This module is developing a tool to improve the microbiological diagnosis of transboundary waters. It uses molluscs as biological sensors to concentrate the micro-organisms present. The data will be used to map microbiological pressures and validate the use of molluscs as diagnostic tools.

WP4: Assessment of ecotoxicological hazards

This module assesses ecotoxicological hazards using sentinel species placed in the waters of the Meuse. It measures the effects of pollutants on the health of organisms and uses models to predict the bioaccumulation of contaminants.

WP5: Environmental diagnosis in real or degraded situations

This module carries out prospective scenarios to assess the impacts of pressure reductions and climate change. The results can be used to create cross-border maps of the status of water bodies and to optimise sustainable management strategies.

WP6: Production, communication and dissemination of information

This module promotes research and its results to water managers, students and the general public. It uses various communication channels, such as social networks, websites and conferences, to raise awareness of the quality of the Meuse's water.