In the field, the scientific institution has deployed an oceanographic vessel, specialists in imaging with drones and researchers in infrastructure damage and hydrology. In addition, CSIC is analyzing sludge and dust samples in its laboratories, and has advised on the search for possible locations to store sludge
On October 30, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), a body under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, activated the institution's Disaster and Emergency Advisory Group (GADE) to offer and provide technical and scientific advice in the response and reconstruction work after the DANA that affected the province of Valencia on October 29, through the creation of different groups of experts in matters related to the emergency caused by the flooding.
Since then, CSIC has mobilized 150 people from 29 centers and institutes (of the 124 that are integrated in the institution) organized in 15 groups (floods, ground movements, water, health risks, social risks, waste management, marine affection, infrastructures, geographic information systems, remote sensing, hydrogeology and pollution, among others).
The work carried out by the CSIC technical and research staff consists of both strict scientific advice (recommendations, analysis) and operational work in the field (imaging with drones, seabed scanning with oceanographic vessels, building impact, search for suitable sites for sludge collection). All these tasks are being paid for with the scientific institution's own funds.
IATA's contribution
CSIC has provided advice on the identification of possible locations for sludge stockpile areas, according to the best geological conditions of the terrain. In addition, it is performing physicochemical and pathogen analyses of sludge and dust samples from the dried sludge. In addition, it will also provide support by moving a mobile air quality unit.
The Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC), located at the University of Valencia Science Park, is participating in these tasks, in addition to: the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME-CSIC), the Center for Soil Science and Applied Biology of Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), the Desertification Research Center (CIDE-CSIC/UV/GVA), the National Center for Metallurgical Research (CENIM-CSIC), the IETccCSIC or the Institute of Environmental Diagnosis and Water Studies (IDAEA-CSIC).
In addition, on November 9, the CSIC joined the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (CECOPI), the command center that manages the response to the emergency caused by the DANA in the Valencian Community. The aim of this measure is to coordinate with the emergency managers the technical scientific advice already being provided by the institution's specialists in various fields and to offer support for new needs that may arise.