- Three studies from the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) analyse the effects of emerging contaminants, ocean acidification, and antibiotic resistance in marine ecosystems
- The poster presented by Ulises Lora was recognised among the best of the conference, held in Barcelona from 28 September to 3 October
Researchers from the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), partner of the European project ONE-BLUE, took part in the SAME18 – Symposium on Aquatic Microbial Ecology, held in Barcelona from 28 September to 3 October 2025. This leading international forum on aquatic microbial ecology focuses on the role of microbiomes in the adaptation and resilience of aquatic ecosystems in the face of global challenges such as climate change and pollution. The symposium brings together experts from around the world to discuss scientific advances, innovative methodologies, and biotechnological applications, fostering interdisciplinary cooperation and knowledge exchange across generations and regions.
The event, which featured members of ONE-BLUE on the organising committee (including Ramiro Logares, María Montserrat Sala, and Caterina R. Giner) gathered over 300 international experts in microbial ecology to address how aquatic microbiomes respond to global change and human-derived pollutants.
During the conference, researchers Ulises Lora (ICM-CSIC), Jonah Díaz-Cruz (ICM-CSIC), and David Pere Arnal-Borràs (ICM-CSIC) presented three scientific posters showcasing preliminary findings aligned with the objectives of ONE-BLUE, a project funded under the Horizon Europe programme to study the impact of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) and climate change on marine biodiversity.
The work by Jonah Díaz-Cruz, entitled “Microbial responses to contaminant exposure and acidification: insights from mesocosm experiments,” explored the combined effects of emerging contaminants and ocean acidification on coastal microbial communities in the Mediterranean Sea.
Ulises Lora presented the poster “Microbial diversity in Irish marine coastal waters and sediments with contrasting pollution,” focused on analysing microbial diversity in coastal waters and sediments of the Irish Sea, in collaboration with IDAEA-CSIC and the University of Dublin. This work received the SIBECOL Best Poster Award at the conference.
Finally, David Pere Arnal-Borràs (ICM-CSIC, PhD student) presented the study “Long-term analysis of antibiotic resistance genes in a coastal Mediterranean microbial community,” which investigates the temporal variation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the Blanes Bay Microbial Observatory (northeastern Spain).
The participation of ICM-CSIC researchers in SAME18 reinforces the contribution of ONE-BLUE to advancing knowledge on the impacts of emerging contaminants and climate change on marine ecosystems, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
ONE-BLUE
ONE-BLUE is a pioneering project funded by the Horizon Europe programme, launched in 2024 with a budget of €6.2 million. Its main goal is to protect aquatic ecosystems from emerging pollutants and climate change by fostering transnational cooperation between regions sharing seas and marine-related challenges. Through close collaboration between science and policy, the project strengthens collective efforts to restore and preserve European marine ecosystems, contributing to the development of a more sustainable blue economy. For more information, visit www.one-blue.eu and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter/X to stay up to date with the latest project news.
About the Finnova Foundation
The Finnova Foundation is a European foundation based in Brussels, committed to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and EU funding as key tools to address major social, environmental, and economic challenges. Through its work, it supports public and private entities in accessing EU programmes such as Horizon Europe, LIFE, Interreg and Erasmus+, facilitating the creation of consortia, project development, and the transfer of best practices.
With extensive experience in EU project communication, startup acceleration, and training in EU funds, Finnova acts as a bridge between innovative ideas and European Union funding opportunities. For more information, visit www.finnova.eu and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Instagram to stay informed about our activities and open calls.