The InTheMED consortium, coordinated by Prof. Jaime Gómez-Hernández from IIAMA UPV, counts with the expertise of researchers from different research centers and universities from Spain, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Tunisia and Turkey. This consortium will develop the project in 5 pilot study cases (inland and coastal), more specifically in Castro Verde (Portugal), Requena-Utiel (Spain), Grombalia (Tunisia), Tympaki (Greece), and Konya (Turkey). These aquifers are located at distinct environments of the Mediterranean, which implies different characteristics for each one. The results and knowledge obtained in their study can be then applied to other aquifers of the region.
The 5 study cases traduce different associated problems. “While the coastal aquifers are affected by marine water intrusion, the inland aquifers suffer from activities such as agriculture and mining, and in one case even from seasonal tourism”, says the coordinator of the project. Moreover, all of them are in poor condition both quantitatively, due to a continuous and sustained extraction above the renewable reserves, and qualitatively, due to the high concentrations of nitrates or chlorides”, highlights Prof. Gómez-Hernández.