The Gems of Water is a citizen engagement project for water quality monitoring.
By challenging the typical roles of citizens and scientists, the project connects local groups concerned with water quality issues around the world to scientists, who provide methodological, technical and analytical support to monitor pollution caused by organic contaminants.
The Gems of Water uses an advanced technique, the Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE), to assess the occurrence of agrochemicals in surface and groundwater. The project is currently travelling to various locations, including Costa Rica, Kenya, Australia, Romania and Bulgaria.
The project aligns with UN resolutions on monitoring water quality. It supports the World Water Quality Alliance in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme Global Environment Monitoring System for Water (UNEP GEMS/Water) collecting different types of data on water quality around the world.
The Gems of Water stories
"In my case, at one of the points the extraction was complicated since the river changed and we could not reach it safely. Thanks to the help of a local, we were able to extract the sample from above a bridge with a fishing line. It was a beautiful experience. When there was something to solve, creativity was key to achieving it. Everyone's flexibility and enthusiasm was a plus. These insights will be valuable for future projects".
- Maria, Coral Conservation
"I was motivated to join by my passion for advocating for conservation protection and proper management of freshwater sources in Kenya for the benefit of people and nature".
– Enock, Kenya National Association of Water Resources Users Association
"The project is very valuable and gives the opportunity to evaluate the water quality for the content of substances with mini concentrations with a maxi effect on the biota. The project realizes the possibility of open and accessible science for citizens."
– Anonymous participant, Sofia University "St.Kliment Ohridski"
"One of the most interesting aspects of the project was the interaction with people and giving them the opportunity to experience some aspects of analytical chemistry applied to environmental protection, which is what I experience every day. The fact of sharing their needs with our professional experience and of having achieved these results should make all project participants proud."
- Giulio, EC-JRC
"For LAWROC, it is a new experience to work so closely with European scientists on a project of this nature, we have engaged local scientists for testing in the past but your ability to enlist us in a citizen science project using EU standards for testing has been quite empowering for us. You have given us confidence to continue the citizen science path!”
- Neil, LAWROC
How to become a Gem of Water
Citizens can receive a tool kit with instructions and protocols to become their own water scientists!
By becoming a water scientist, you will:
- receive a kit and lab tools to collect samples of nearby water sources
- extract the pollutants and send to JRC scientists
- have a virtual lab tour at the JRC in Italy, where scientists measure pollutants
- understand and share results with your community
Related publications
- Citizen-engaged screening of 230 pesticides in the Lake Naivasha catchment, Kenya, using stir bar sorptive extraction and GC-QToF-HRMS
- A powerful tool for the wide-screening of organic contaminants in citizen science initiatives - Development and validation of a SBSE GC-QToF-HRMS method Method report
- “The Gems of Water”: a co-created scientist-citizen approach for water quality monitoring
- Stir bar sorptive extraction TDU-GC-QToF-HRMS for screening 230 pesticides in waters surrounding banana plantations in Costa Rica through community engagement
- Debating solutions to water contamination - A role-play game
