COMET Project Austrian Centre for Water Analysis

This COMET project addresses urgent environmental challenges caused by increased emission of known and unknown substances, materials, and pathogenic organisms into aquatic environments due to anthropogenic activities. As we face future ecological and economic issues transforming into a sustainable circular economy, safeguarding water resources becomes crucial. Therefore, the motivation for this project is to develop responsive, anticipatory, and data-driven research methodologies to assess environmental risks and ensure water safety through trustworthy technology. Our interdisciplinary scientific team combines expertise from the fields of chemistry, plastics -research, microbiology, water ecology, and data science. We will focus on research and development in water analysis, pollutant detection and removal, plastic particle tracking, and biomonitoring. The developed analytical toolbox will include advanced analytical techniques, including targeted and non-targeted chemical analyses using chromatography combined with (high resolution) mass spectrometry, single-particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the characterization of microplastic particles, and DNA-based techniques for microbial classification. We will use the methods and processes developed in this COMET project to assess riverbank filtration in the context of drinking water treatment, and to investigate how renaturation efforts influence the aquatic ecosystem and the associated drinking water production. The data generated will merge into a water monitoring tool in our data science hub. The main results expected of the COMET-Project include the development of innovative technologies and methodologies for comprehensive water quality monitoring. This encompasses improved detection methods for pollutants and trace substances, advanced bio-monitoring techniques, and the implementation of AI-driven data analysis systems. These outcomes will lead to a more thorough understanding of environmental emissions, enabling more effective strategies for protecting aquatic environments and water-related infrastructure. Ultimately, the project aims to contribute significantly to securing water resources and supply, thereby supporting the transition to a sustainable circular economy.