TecEUS - Technology-Critical Elements in Urban Spheres

The presence of technologically critical elements (TCEs) in our environment is constantly increasing. There is a complete lack of fundamental and scientifically proven knowledge about the quantity of TCEs present, the cycles of TCEs with regard to their formation and degradation, and the associated potential health risk. The TecEUS research project has therefore set itself the goal of thoroughly investigating the presence of TCEs in the environment as well as their behaviour and effects on humans. A novel technology (ICP-MS Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) will be used to capture details of TCE in the environment. In addition, it will be systematically tested to what extent urban green infrastructures (green facades) can contribute to the binding of TCE. This is particularly relevant with regard to the human health of the urban population and the assessment of health risks. The TecEUS research project aims to provide new knowledge on the following: A | TCEs accumulation in urban spheres (water, plants, soil); understanding of their formation and behaviour; B | effectiveness of green facades as a filter system for TCEs and their potential as a preventive measure in the field of human health; C | occurrence and increase of diseases depending on the increase of TCEs in air and agricultural products; D | assessment and modelling of occurrence, behaviour and impact and of TCEs in urban space using the example of Vienna. Due to its interdisciplinary orientation, the Tec-EUS team is able to consider the set project goals holistically, whereby the following findings can be generated as output: A new analytical method for quantification and tracking of TCEs in the environment will be applied and tested; distribution and occurrence of TCEs in urban spheres will be provided by an interactive system; binding and filtering effects of green facades with respect to TCEs will be demonstrated; the Viennese urban population and urban gardeners* will be used as active 'Citizen Scientists'; socio-economic effects, impacts and dynamics of TCEs will be modeled using the example of Vienna; socio-economic effects of green facades will be investigated as a sustainable precautionary measure; basis for modeling potential health risks will be given.