The mobility in Catalonia began with a meeting at school and a scavenger hunt along the streets in Torroella de Montgrì. During the afternoon, the students visited the Mediterranean Museum.
The mobility was interesting because we visited El Ter River, we participated the QBR Workshop, and visited Girona, a beautiful town with archaeological museums, ancient walls, churches and the River.
Sunday we were employed in a kayak trip along the Ter River and then, also, a QBR workshop on site. The castle of Montgrì was visited in the early morning while, the day after, we visited the Medes Island.
We visited Platera Beach after lunch and talked with Xavier Quintana (professor of environmental sciences, Life Project Girona University). In the village of l'Estartit, next to Platja Gran beach and Els Griells beach, we find La Platera beach. It is 1.8 kilometres long and is located in a very quiet natural area with few people. The areas of La Platera and Ter Vell are included in a plan for the recovery of the dunes, wetland areas and the fauna associated with this type of habitat. In this way, an attempt is being made to rescue part of the landscape lost as a result of the urban development associated with the tourism arrival. It can be easily reached by car or on foot along the seafront promenade of l'Estartit. It has a bar and lifeguard service. It is recommended for lovers of water sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing.
On Tuesday the group visited Barcelona and the most important monuments of the city.
The hydrogeological values
Hydrogeology is the science that studies groundwater, its origin and formation, its movement and its physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Geology affects the operation of the aquifers because the groundwater moves inside these geological formations. In Spain, these geological formations identify four different types of aquifers. Zones formed by loose or semiconsolidated materials such as gravel, sands and silt, Zones with carbonated rocks, generally limestone, In the western sector of the peninsula appear igneous rocks (slates and similar), materials classified as waterproof materials or with very low permeability, but with aquifers of local interest. In the CanaryIslands the aquifers are linked to volcanic rocks.A great part of the water used in the islands is of underground origin.
An aquifer is a geological formation, formed by one or more layers of rocks (gravel, sand, limestone ...) located in the saturated zone, able to store and transmit to the free water in important quantities. Is characterized by a significant permeability and a considerable extension and thickness.
The environmental objectives determined by the Directive by underground waters are to avoid the entry of contaminants and the deterioration of groundwater. Protect, improve and regenerate the groundwater and ensure a balance between extraction and recharge Reduce progressively the contamination of groundwater. The A.G.U.A. program has identified a total of 740 groundwater bodies, that cover around the 70% of the Spanish area. Many of these masses are associated with aquatic ecosystems that are to be considered in water extraction.