Researchers from Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) are representing Türkiye in the BSB01314-ALGAWA project, titled “Utilization of Macroalgae Biofilter for Wastewater,” which has received funding under the European Union’s Interreg VI-B NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme.

The OMU team includes Prof. Dr. Emre Burcu Özkaraova and Müberra Ocak from the Department of Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür Baytut, Ceyhun Muradoğlu, and Ömer Güçlü from the Department of Biology at the Faculty of Science.

Project Receives Approximately €495,000 in Programme Funding

ALGAWA has a total budget of approximately €549,911, of which €494,920 is being financed through the Interreg VI-B NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme.

The project is coordinated by the International Hellenic University in Greece and is being implemented in partnership with OMU, the National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” in Romania, and the Ukrainian Scientific Center of Ecology of the Sea.

Building Regional Capacity for Ecosystem Protection

The project focuses on the design, pilot implementation, and testing of floating wetland systems developed through a Nature-Based Solutions approach.

By harnessing the natural treatment capacity of macroalgae, these systems aim to remove pollutants from aquatic environments through sustainable methods.

The ALGAWA project brings together:

● solutions inspired by natural processes;
● applied scientific research; and
● the active participation of local stakeholders.

This integrated approach is intended to improve the scientific and practical applicability of the innovative solutions developed during the project.

Living Lab activities will also be organised throughout the project to involve local authorities, academic institutions, industry representatives, and different sections of society. These activities aim to raise awareness of the proposed solutions and support their wider adoption.

Project Results to Be Presented at Workshop in Samsun

The project team will prepare a simplified technical guide and training materials covering the construction and operation of the systems.

Each participating country will implement its own pilot activities. The experience and findings obtained from these applications will be shared with the public at a workshop to be held in Samsun under OMU’s leadership at the conclusion of the project.