INTERREG IIIB Research Articles

Minewater 2.0 Project in Heerlen the Netherlands: Transformation of a Geothermal Mine Water Pilot Project into a Full Scale Hybrid Sustainable Energy Infrastructure for Heating and Cooling

In the last 10 years numerous research and commercial initiatives have been undertaken in Europe to develop abandoned coal mining fields into low-temperature resources. One of the most successful is the Minewater project of the municipality of Heerlen, the Netherlands, where a low-temperature district heating system was launched in operation in October 2008, under the European Interreg IIIB NWE programme and the 6th Framework Program project EC-REMINING-lowex. The Minewater project is now being upgraded from a straight forward pilot system to a full-scale hybrid sustainable energy structure called Minewater 2.0. A totally new concept which becomes an essential part of the Sustainable Energy Structure Plan of Heerlen and has the following landmarks:•Energy exchange instead of energy supply: cluster grids for energy exchange between buildings and the existing mine water grid for energy exchange between cluster grids.•Energy storage and regeneration in mine water reservoirs instead of depletion.•Addition of poly-generation: bio-CHP, solar energy, feed in of waste heat (data centres and industry), cooling towers for peak cold demands.•Enlargement hydraulic and thermal capacity mine water grid through improving well pumps, pressure boosting systems and reuse of the existing mine water return pipe for additional supply and disposal of hot mine water.•Fully automatic and demand-driven supply of hot and cold mine water through usage of pressurized buffer systems at the extraction wells and sophisticated injections valves at the injection wells.•All geographically dispersed mine water installations at buildings, clusters and wells are equipped with sophisticated process control units that communicate with a Central Monitoring System (CMS) through the internet. A very new application in the build environment.The first phase of the Minewater 2.0 project is in operation since June 2013. In November 2013 at the congress we will be able to share the first experiences.

Sustainable strategies for regeneration of rural building heritage

This paper provides an introduction to the aims of the EU Villas project (Interreg IIIB Cadses 2000–2006). It entails the improvement and revitalisation of the aesthetic and economic aspects of architectural heritage by creating an evaluation model and defining a compatible strategic tool for re-use, in keeping with the planning criteria and sustainable policies of the CADSES area (Coccagna M. et al. Recupero e gestione dell’edilizia rurale dell’Emilia-Romagna: progetto Villas, “Paesaggio Urbano”, 2006). The European countries involved in this research project are developing common strategies to preserve and exploit their environmental and building heritage and to implement cultural-tourism activities. Specific tools have been developed in order to assess and valorise the aesthetic and economic aspects of architectural heritage, taking into account each country’s peculiarities (specific problems, users, regulations, etc).

Correction: Birds of a Feather: Neanderthal Exploitation of Raptors and Corvids

There is an error in the funding statement. The correct statement is: The excavations and scientific research associated with Gorham's Cave have been funded by the Government of Gibraltar and, additionally between 2002–04, by the European Community - Program Interreg IIIB: 2002-02-4, 1-U-048 -. R. Blasco and J. Rosell are part of the following projects: 2009 SGR 188 of Generalitat de Catalunya and CGL2009-12703-C03-02 of the Spanish Goverment. A. Sanchez Marco belongs to the CGL2011-28681 project of the Spanish Government, and J.S. Carrion to CGL-2009-06988/BOS-FEDER. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Heavy Metals and PAH Assessment Based on Mussel Caging in the North Coast of Tunisia (Mediterranean Sea)

In the framework of the Mytilos project (Interreg IIIB Medocc), international research cruises were carried out in 2006 in order to evaluate the level of Heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) along the coast of the western basin of the Mediterranean Sea. Caged mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were placed in situ at six sites in the North coast of Tunisia. Results showed total PAH levels were in the range 45.6-241.6 ng/g dry weight (dw). The ranges of trace metals concentrations expressed in μg/gdw are: Hg (0.1- 0.2), Pb (0.4-0.7), Cd (0.9-2.9), Cu (2.9-3.9), Fe (117-248) and Zn (250-426). Higher concentrations were observed at Rades, La Galite and Tabarka which can be attributed to the industrial activities implanted in the coast of Algeria and in the city of Rades. Concentrations of PAH, Cd, Pb, Fe and Zn are generally different from initial concentrations (before caging), depending on the adaptability of transplanted mussels to be used as bio-indicator of contaminants. Yet bio-monitoring using mussels give information on compound bioavailability which depends on their ability to accumulate contaminants in its tissue.

The Tres Tabernae archeological site (Cisterna di Latina, Italy): new evidence revealed through an integrated geophysical investigation

«Mercator» (Medocc, INTERREG IIIB) is a European project that is aimed at a detailed investigation of the historical and archeological heritage of the Mediterranean area. Within this project, broad research is being financed regarding the importance of the development of the main ancient merchant routes in this region. These various tasks include this integrated geophysical survey at the Tres Tabernae site, an ancient statio along the Appian way (close to Latina, central Italy). This was carried out using several techniques that are focused on the identification of buried archeological remains. The main goal of this investigation was to cover the area surrounding this partially excavated site to obtain a quick, but meaningful, result relating to the presence of interesting buried features. For this, the geophysical techniques involved were frequency-domain electromagnetic induction, groundpenetrating radar, and magnetometry. To obtain the best results, these methods were optimized, taking into account the kind of structures involved and their relation to the environmental context. The combination of these different geophysical techniques shows good results, indicating the possible presence of new buried structures, such as walls, floors and a lead pipe.

A feasibility study for the provision of electronic healthcare tools and services in areas of Greece, Cyprus and Italy.

BackgroundThrough this paper, we present the initial steps for the creation of an integrated platform for the provision of a series of eHealth tools and services to both citizens and travelers in isolated areas of thesoutheast Mediterranean, and on board ships travelling across it. The platform was created through an INTERREG IIIB ARCHIMED project called INTERMED.MethodsThe support of primary healthcare, home care and the continuous education of physicians are the three major issues that the proposed platform is trying to facilitate. The proposed system is based on state-of-the-art telemedicine systems and is able to provide the following healthcare services: i) Telecollaboration and teleconsultation services between remotely located healthcare providers, ii) telemedicine services in emergencies, iii) home telecare services for "at risk" citizens such as the elderly and patients with chronic diseases, and iv) eLearning services for the continuous training through seminars of both healthcare personnel (physicians, nurses etc) and persons supporting "at risk" citizens.These systems support data transmission over simple phone lines, internet connections, integrated services digital network/digital subscriber lines, satellite links, mobile networks (GPRS/3G), and wireless local area networks. The data corresponds, among others, to voice, vital biosignals, still medical images, video, and data used by eLearning applications. The proposed platform comprises several systems, each supporting different services. These were integrated using a common data storage and exchange scheme in order to achieve system interoperability in terms of software, language and national characteristics.ResultsThe platform has been installed and evaluated in different rural and urban sites in Greece, Cyprus and Italy. The evaluation was mainly related to technical issues and user satisfaction. The selected sites are, among others, rural health centers, ambulances, homes of "at-risk" citizens, and a ferry.ConclusionsThe results proved the functionality and utilization of the platform in various rural places in Greece, Cyprus and Italy. However, further actions are needed to enable the local healthcare systems and the different population groups to be familiarized with, and use in their everyday lives, mature technological solutions for the provision of healthcare services.

Building research and technology (R&T) transregional networks through an Interreg IIIB project

The present article is based on the results of an experiment in transregional cooperation: Interreg IIIB REPARTIR (2002–2006), a project aiming at constructing and reinforcing R&T networks in the South West of Europe (SUDOE). First, an inventory was made within a network of the regions' skills and strategies in the field of research and technology (R&T). Then, the regions endeavoured to develop three co-operating networks around themes and aiming for a possible commitment within a common strategy. This paper attempts to analyse the main results of this experience by using the analytical framework of proximity economics. By concentrating on the trajectory of the network building process, it illustrates the actors' co-operation and co-ordination dynamics, and tries to contribute to understanding the mechanisms which preside over and stand in the way when promoting transregional R&T networks.

Using the SyNaRMa system as a disaster management tool

Natural disasters have a considerable effect in human, infrastructure and economy. In the case of a, e.g., catastrophic earthquake that happens and affects the urban environment, immediate and efficient actions are required that ensure the minimization of the damage and loss of human lives. Local and national authorities should respond in order to meet the above objective. Nowadays, one of the most appropriate tools for this purpose is the web-based geographic information systems (GIS). Such a system, named SyNaRMa (Information System for Natural Risk Management in the Mediterranean), has been developed in the frame of an INTERREG IIIB ArchiMED project (2006–2008). The present paper aims at addressing the role of the SyNaRMa system as a tool for facilitating disaster management. It is argued that the development of a web-based GIS can assist disaster management agencies to improve the quality of their decision making and increase efficiency and effectiveness in all levels of disaster management activities. This research is primarily based on the findings of the abovementioned project that resulted in the development of an information system for natural risk management in the Mediterranean that can facilitate sharing, access and usage of spatial data in disaster management, i.e., preparedness, response and recovery activities.

Western Mediterranean coastal waters—Monitoring PCBs and pesticides accumulation in Mytilus galloprovincialis by active mussel watching: the Mytilos project

In order to evaluate the contamination levels in the Western Mediterranean basin, the active mussel watch methodology has been applied. This methodology consists of mussel transplantation (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from non impacted areas to selected coastal areas, characterised by potential impact from the continent due to contaminating sources. The areas of interest were selected along the entire coastal development of the Western Mediterranean sea, 122 sites in total. The time of mussel caging exposure was 12 weeks. The project was co-financed in the frame of the Interreg IIIB Meddoc Programme, aimed at determining the overall chemical quality of the Mediterranean sea, consistent with the Water Framework Directive 2000/60. Several partners representative of the coastal Mediterranean Countries were involved in the Project, with the purpose of building up a common surveillance network, adopting shared methodologies. In this paper we present the results of three yearly monitoring campaigns (2004, 2005, 2006) carried out along the coasts of Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, including the coastal environment of Baleares, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica. The contamination levels of Pesticides (DDT and its metabolites, Hexachlorocyclohexane isomers alpha and gamma) and Polychlorinated biphenyls, are reported and discussed. Statistical elaborations performed on the original data set were mainly aimed at validating the raw sample distributions, by means of the Johnson method. Both DD and PCB species frequency distributions have been approximated to appropriate theoretical distributions, belonging to the Log-normal and Bounded families. By integrating the related Probability Density Functions (p.d.f.), different accumulation values for DDT, DDD and DDE and PCB species have been estimated, corresponding to fixed percentage points of the area under the respective curves. By choosing appropriate probability level boundaries (33rd and 66th percentile), different regional zones have been ranked in terms of low, medium and high accumulation for Pesticides and PCBs.

The buried shape of an alpine valley from gravity surveys, seismic and ambient noise analysis

SUMMARY It has long been observed that damage due to earthquakes depends greatly on local geological conditions. Alpine valleys represent a typical populated environment where large amplifications can take place owing to the presence of surface soils with poor mechanical properties combined to complex topography of the rock basin. In the framework of the EU Interreg IIIB SISMOVALP Project ‘Seismic hazard and alpine valley response analysis’, a stretch of the Tagliamento River Valley (TRV), located in the north-western part of the Friuli Region (Italy) and close to the epicentre of the 1976 Mw= 6.4 earthquake, has been investigated with the aim to define the buried shape of the valley itself. Two non-invasive, low cost, independent geophysical methods were used: (i) detailed gravity survey and (ii) H/V spectral ratio (HVSR) of microtremors. Because of structural geological complexity and active tectonics of the Friuli region, an irregular valley shape was expected in this area. The independent analysis performed by gravity and passive noise, and complemented with refraction seismic velocity profiles, confirms this hypothesis and leads to two models that were consistent, but for some small scale details. The maximum depth estimated is about 400–450 m in the southern part of the valley, while a mean value of 150–180 m is estimated in the northern part. The sediment thickness obtained for this stretch of the TRV is quite large if compared to eastern Alps Plio-Quaternary rates; therefore the valley shape imaged by this study better corresponds to the top of carbonate rocks. Finally, on the basis of the obtained morphology and some direct measurements, we conclude that the TRV features an overall 1-D seismic response (i.e. the resonance is related only to the sediment thickness rather than to the cross-section shape), but in its deepest part some limited 2-D effects could take place.

A new perspective on the Walser community:

This paper focuses on an INTERREG IIIB project to conserve and promote the so-called Walser culture. The case study shows how different stakeholders are involved in a network that transcends national borders. First, the paper analyses how the stakeholders, who previously had no reason to interact with one another, come to work together in constructing common attributes of the Walser heritage, attributes that justify this cooperation. Second, the paper looks at the different ways used by project partners to conserve Walser culture. The role of such a network of partners in social cohesion and economic development is also underlined.

Androgen Receptor Gene Repeat Polymorphism, Leptin And Fat Mass In Young Men And Women

The exon-1 of the androgen receptor (AR) gene contains two length polymorphisms which modify either the amount of AR protein inside the cell (GGNn, polyglycine) or its transcriptional activity (CAGn, polyglutamine). Shorter CAG and/or GGN repeats provide stronger androgen signaling, and vice versa. On the other hand, androgen levels are inversely associated with fat mass. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that CAG and GGN repeat AR polymorphism influences body fat and serum leptin concentrations. METHODS: The length of CAG and GGN repeats was determined by PCR and fragment length analysis, serum leptin concentration by ELISA, and fat mass with DEXA in 282 men (28.6 ± 7.6 years) and 61 women (25.5 ± 6.7 years). All subjects were healthy and physically active. Individuals were grouped as CAG short (CAGs) if harboring repeat lengths of ≤21 in men and ≤22 in women, and CAG long (CAGL) if CAG >21 in men and >22 in women. GGN was considered short (GGNs) or long (GGNL) if GGN ≤23 or >23 in men and women. RESULTS: There was no relationship between GGN and CAG repeat length and serum leptin concentration neither in women nor men. CAGs and CAGL groups had similar leptin concentrations, and GGNs and GGNL groups as well. There was no relationship between CAG repeat length and whole body fat mass, percentage of fat mass accumulated in the trunk region and percentage of body fat neither in men nor women. The GGN repeat length was not associated to fat mass or to the percentage of body fat in men. However, in women, there was a linear relationship between the length of GGN repeat microsatellite and the percentage of body fat (% fat=2.16xGGN -21.73, r=0.31, P<0.05) and a trend for a similar relationship between whole body fat mass and GGN repeat length (fat mass (kg) = 1.41xGGN - 14.97, r=0.22, P=0.09). No association between CAG or GGN repeat length and trunk fat accumulation was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A long repeat GGN polymorphism is positively associated with increased percentage of body fat in physically active young women. Supported by Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (DEP2006-56076-C06-04/ACTI), Consejería de Educación, Cultura y Deportes del Gob. de Canarias (2006/179 0001 and FEDER), Proyecto Interreg IIIB BIOPOLIS, Fundación del Instituto Canario de Investigación del Cáncer (FICIC), Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Cabildo de Tenerife and La Caja de Canarias.

Numerical forecast and analysis of a tropical-like cyclone in the Ionian Sea

Abstract. A forecasting system has been implemented for operational weather prediction over southern Italy in the framework of the RISKMED (INTERREG IIIB) project, which aims at weather-risk reduction in the central and eastern Mediterranean area. The system comprises two different regional forecasting chains, one based on BOLAM and MOLOCH models, the second based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. On 26 September 2006, a subsynoptic-scale vortex developed over the Mediterranean Sea and affected south-eastern Italy. The cyclone was documented by radar reflectivity maps, Meteosat Second Generation satellite images and surface stations data. The observational analysis showed that the cyclone possessed the typical characteristics of a Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone. All the limited-area models employed in RISKMED were able to properly forecast the formation of the small-scale vortex, although with differences in intensity, trajectory and evolution. The predictability of the event has been evaluated employing a multi-model, multi-analysis approach. The simulation results show strong sensitivity to the specification of the initial and boundary conditions. Sensitivity experiments were performed in order to analyse the mechanisms responsible for the development and the maintenance of the cyclone over the sea. The life cycle of the vortex turned out to be characterized by different phases: the orographic cyclogenesis on the lee side of the Atlas Mountains; the initial phase of development, characterised by the critical role played by the surface heat fluxes; the transition to a tropical-like cyclone mainly as a consequence of the latent-heat release associated with strong convective activity over the Ionian Sea; finally, the maintenance of the vortex strength due to both the surface fluxes and the release of latent heat.

Depuranat project: sustainable management of wastewater in rural areas

The Urban Wastewater Directive is aiming to implement adequate treatments of collected wastewater before 31 December 2005 in small communities with a population until 2000 equivalentinhabitant. Within the framework of the DEPURANAT project, co-financed by the European Interregional Cooperation Programme (Interreg IIIB Atlantic Arc), several Natural Reclamation Systems (NRS) based upon no-conventional technologies of wastewater treatment, have been studied from different points of view in rural areas: their effectiveness for producing regenerated wastewater of acceptable quality for several reuse options and vegetal biomass for different purposes, their environmental integration or their potential of implementation. Most of these treatment plants achieved high mean removal efficiencies: TSS (73–96%); BOD5 (74–94%); COD (53–90%); E. coli (2–3 log units); Enterococci (1.5–4 log units). The environmental impact of the systems was determined using an adapted life cycle assessment methodology and the economic a...

A multi-method intercomparison approach for precipitation fields modelled by LAMs in the Alpine area: Two FORALPS case studies

Sharing knowledge and experience about NWP verification among forecasting centres, research institutions and environmental agencies in the Alpine area has been one of the main goals of the EU FORALPS project – INTERREG IIIB Alpine Space. In this framework, state-of-the-art verification techniques employed by project partners have been shared and applied to numerical simulations of selected case studies of rainfall events on the north-eastern Alpine area. In this work, a multi-method approach is presented. Simulations of two events with three limited area models (LAMs) are verified with traditional and more innovative techniques, including both traditional eyeball methods, categorical scores and skill scores, along with advanced object-oriented techniques such as the continuous rain area (CRA) analysis. Simulations of satellite observed fields (METEOSAT-7 Water Vapour channel) are also employed, to check qualitatively the impact of initialisation on the model error growth. Most importantly, it is shown how this multiplicity of perspective allows a deeper understanding of the results and facilitates their interpretation, thus suggesting that this multi-method approach should be followed in future works.

MONITOR: Hazard monitoring for risk assessment and risk communication

Protection against natural disasters is an increasing challenge for society. In many areas the frequent occurrence of natural hazards such as, for example, floods, landslides and forest fires has become a constant threat for inhabitants, the habitat itself and its resources. The overall magnitude of damaging events in the last decade clearly shows the need for comprehensive and innovative risk management. It is absolutely necessary to implement controlling mechanisms for the protection of population, land use areas, infrastructure and the natural space in endangered areas. Therefore monitoring tools and appropriate simulation procedures are indispensable. They have to provide necessary information for risk evaluation, successful risk management and communication. These are the main tasks the trans-national INTERREG IIIB Cadses Project is dealing with. The report gives an insight into the particular activities and will present some results of MONITOR.

Scienza e politica devono collaborare per affrontare l’impatto dell’ozono sulla vegetazione

Ground-level ozone pollution is steadily increasing over the whole Europe and in particular in Italy. Ozone is well known for its negative impact on human health, ecosystems and cultural heritage. Scientists, policy-makers, environmental agencies, and local stakeholders should be called to a cooperative effort to improve environmental protection policies. Nevertheless, the European Commission has not funded any research project on ozone impact on plant ecosystems in the last five years, despite the standard set by the current regulation (Directive 2008/50/EC) is known to be inadequate to protect plants from ozone. The discrepancy between scientific results and policies for environmental research and protection was discussed at a round table organized by the project Interreg IIIB Vegetpollozone. The main weakness was found in a lack of proper communication between scientific and social actors. In order to cast a bridge between science and policy about ozone and vegetation, this document summarizes the main points of interest to environmental protection.

CULTURAL HERITAGE IN EIA — REFLECTIONS ON PRACTICE IN NORTH WEST EUROPE

North-West Europe has a rich cultural heritage which is increasingly prone to impacts from development activities. This paper reports the findings of the "Planarch" study funded by the European Regional Development Fund Interreg IIIB programme. Overall, whilst there are examples of good practice, cultural heritage has a relatively low profile in EIA in the countries studied. Nevertheless, cultural heritage is important and makes wider contributions to society beyond its intrinsic value. Therefore, the profile of cultural heritage needs to be raised both within the planning process and EIA, and also in the minds of decision-makers, other specialists and the wider public. Ten guiding principles provide a first step in promoting the assessment of cultural heritage in EIA, and also to build the consideration of cultural heritage into more strategic planning decisions through SEA.

A multiscale approach for precipitation verification applied to the FORALPS case studies

Abstract. Multiscale methods, such as the power spectrum, are suitable diagnostic tools for studying the second order statistics of a gridded field. For instance, in the case of Numerical Weather Prediction models, a drop in the power spectrum for a given scale indicates the inability of the model to reproduce the variance of the phenomenon below the correspondent spatial scale. Hence, these statistics provide an insight into the real resolution of a gridded field and must be accurately known for interpolation and downscaling purposes. In this work, belonging to the EU INTERREG IIIB Alpine Space FORALPS project, the power spectra of the precipitation fields for two intense rain events, which occurred over the north-eastern alpine region, have been studied in detail. A drop in the power spectrum at the shortest scales (about 30 km) has been found, as well as a strong matching between the precipitation spectrum and the spectrum of the orography. Furthermore, it has also been shown how the spectra help understand the behavior of the skill scores traditionally used in Quantitative Precipitation Forecast verification, as these are sensitive to the amount of small scale detail present in the fields.

Geoinformation Analysis of Factors Affecting Wind Damage in the Šumava National Park

Geoinformation Analysis of Factors Affecting Wind Damage in the Šumava National ParkThis project forms part of the "Remotely Accessed Decision Support System for Transnational Environmental Risk Management" (STRiM) project undertaken within the framework of the European Union's INTERREG IIIB CADSES programme. The test took place in a 70 km2test area within the western part of the Šumava National Park. It is commonly known that windthrow occurs frequently in the Šumava Mountains, and it tends to occur in particular areas. The intensity of windstorms and the amount of damage caused appear to be relatively constant. In the case of Šumava, such meteorological hazards frequently become biotic hazards as they are often followed by bark beetle infestations. We hypothesise that, in particular areas, the incidence of windthrow, the amount of harm done, and the cost of alleviating that damage are in close relationship with natural factors prevalent in the area and with previous human intervention (forestry) in the landscape. Analysis of such factors, and a comparison with actual data on windthrow, showed that a) the most damaged stands were generally found on gently sloping sites of 8-15 degrees; b) the leeward side of elevations were more heavily damaged; c) non-natural forest stands were subject to more damage; d) damage increased with increasing stand density; e) middle-aged stands of around 12 years were at greatest risk; and f) the most damaged portions of the test area were located at sites with normally drained and deep soils. Further, landscape relief and active surface character appeared to play an important role in modifying wind speed and direction, thereby increasing the wind's devastating power.