New publication: EU Water Directives through a Semiotic Lens: Framing Quality, Risk, and Circularity

Posted on by cherylmariecordeiro.se

Published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, August 2025
Cordeiro, C.M. (2025). EU water directives through a semiotic lens: Framing quality, risk, and circularity. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 13:1590166.

The European Union’s water governance framework is widely recognized for its clear legal architecture, offering predictable compliance structures and harmonized standards across Member States. Yet, the language that enables this clarity and coordination may also influence how environmental concepts are interpreted and implemented. Understanding how such language constructs meaning is essential for evaluating both the strengths and limitations of EU water policy.

Beyond Compliance: The Power of Language in Policy

EU water law not only regulates environmental behavior; it also plays a constitutive role in shaping how key policy concepts such as quality, risk, and circularity, are defined and operationalized. This study applies a triadic semiotic framework, drawing on Greimassian structuralism, Social Semiotics, and Ecosemiotics, to examine 11 foundational EU water directives, including the Water Framework Directive, the Nitrates Directive, and the Water Reuse Regulation. Through this lens, the analysis explores how regulatory texts frame environmental priorities, assign agency, and embed specific worldviews that influence implementation and policy outcomes.

Continue reading ”New publication: EU Water Directives through a Semiotic Lens: Framing Quality, Risk, and Circularity” →

Microalgae and EPS for Mitigating Antibiotic Resistance in Livestock Wastewater

Posted on by cherylmariecordeiro.se

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing challenges in both environmental and public health domains. A growing body of research is exploring nature-based solutions to mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), particularly in agricultural systems. A new study published in Bioresource Technology contributes to this field by examining the potential of microalgae and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to reduce ARGs in livestock wastewater.

🔗 Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132622

Overview of the Study

The research, led by Xiaoyu Xu and a multidisciplinary team from China and Sweden, investigates the interactions between algae and EPS and their role in mitigating the spread of ARGs in contaminated livestock water. As the agricultural sector is a known hotspot for antibiotic use and discharge, developing effective treatment strategies is both urgent and impactful.

Continue reading ”Microalgae and EPS for Mitigating Antibiotic Resistance in Livestock Wastewater” →

Circular Economy for Nutrients in the Baltic Sea Region

Posted on by cherylmariecordeiro.se

Once in decline due to persecution and pollution, cormorants have rebounded across the Baltic Sea since the 1980s thanks to legal protection, cleaner waters, and healthier fish stocks, now breeding widely along the coasts of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland.

In our recent contribution to Baltic Rim Economies (BRE, Issue #2, April 2025), Erik Sindhøj and I outlined current challenges and opportunities in implementing a circular economy for nutrients in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). The article, part of a series curated by The Centrum Balticum Foundation, reflects ongoing efforts within the Interreg-funded CiNURGi project and the broader framework of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). Continue reading ”Circular Economy for Nutrients in the Baltic Sea Region” →

Reflections from the FERTITEC Kick-Off in Thessaloniki, Greece

Posted on by cherylmariecordeiro.se

On 27 January 2025, the city of Thessaloniki, Greece became the meeting point for a shared vision of sustainable agriculture. It was there that we officially launched FERTITEC, an EU-funded Coordination and Support Action (CSA) bringing together seven international partners across Europe and Africa to advance innovation in circular fertiliser systems.

Now, three months on, we take a moment to reflect—not just on what was initiated, but on what was truly begun: a collaborative journey grounded in mutual learning, technical exchange, and a commitment to transformation.

More Than a Meeting—A Foundation for Collaboration

The Kick-Off Meeting (KoM) in Thessaloniki marked the formal start of the project, but it also marked something deeper: the forging of partnerships that bring together policy and practice, science and systems thinking, and knowledge and local context.

Thessaloniki, with its rich cultural heritage and welcoming atmosphere, provided more than a backdrop. It reminded us that building sustainable futures requires not only innovation, but also dialogue—across cultures, across sectors, and through shared experience. From structured sessions to informal conversations over meals, the KoM laid the groundwork for a collaborative ethos that continues to shape how we work.

Continue reading ”Reflections from the FERTITEC Kick-Off in Thessaloniki, Greece” →

The Decline of Fertilizer Use in Europe: Policy, Markets, and the Shift to Sustainability

Posted on by cherylmariecordeiro.se

Knowledge graph visualization for this blog was generated using InfraNodus, which mapped thematic clusters such as ”fertilizer”, ”nutrient”, ”agriculture”, and ”regulation” from EU forecast reports.

Fertilizers have long been essential for European agriculture, ensuring high yields and supporting food security. However, recent forecasts from Fertilizers Europe predict a steady decline in fertilizer use across the European Union (EU). This shift is influenced by evolving environmental policies, market conditions, and agricultural practices. Analyzing the Forecast of Food, Farming, and Fertilizer Use in the European Union reports from 2017 to 2031 reveals the multiple drivers behind this downward trend.

Continue reading ”The Decline of Fertilizer Use in Europe: Policy, Markets, and the Shift to Sustainability” →

Green Innovation at the Institute of Plant Nutrition, Resources, and Environment, Beijing

Posted on by cherylmariecordeiro.se

Text and Photo: CM Cordeiro, EB Sindhøj © 2024

Nestled in the bustling city of Beijing is a beacon of agricultural innovation—the Institute of Plant Nutrition, Resources, and Environment, part of the prestigious Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS). During my recent visit, I discovered how this remarkable institution is shaping the future of sustainable agriculture, addressing challenges ranging from resource management to environmental conservation.

About the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences

Founded in 1958, the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS) has grown into a world-class research institution. With 1,230 employees, including 574 with senior professional titles and 558 with doctoral degrees, the academy is home to an impressive roster of talent. This includes one academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, five Beijing Scholars, and several nationally recognized young scholars. The academy encompasses 15 institutes and centers, covering agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery. Its disciplines of ”Plant and Animal Science,” ”Agricultural Science,” and ”Environment and Ecology” have been ranked among the top 1% globally by the Essential Science Indicators (ESI).

Continue reading ”Green Innovation at the Institute of Plant Nutrition, Resources, and Environment, Beijing” →

Advancing Circular Nutrient Recycling: CiNURGi’s Progress in the Baltic Sea Region

Posted on by cherylmariecordeiro.se

Text and Photo: CM Cordeiro, Centrum Balticum © 2024

As part of our commitment to sustainability and innovation, we’re excited to share updates from CiNURGi, a collaborative project aimed at advancing circular nutrient recycling solutions across the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). Led by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, CiNURGi brings together 24 partners and 13 associated organizations across eight BSR countries to tackle nutrient management challenges while supporting regional and European sustainability goals. Read more on our first external newsletter here.

Key Highlights from Our First Year
Participation in the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2024

At the EUSBSR Annual Forum in Visby, Sweden, CiNURGi engaged policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders in discussions on nutrient recycling, reducing nutrient runoff, and creating market conditions for circular economy solutions. The project emphasized alignment with the EUSBSR Policy Area Nutri goals and contributed to dialogues shaping sustainable regional development. Continue reading ”Advancing Circular Nutrient Recycling: CiNURGi’s Progress in the Baltic Sea Region” →

Biowaste Management in Europe: Comparative Insights from Finland, France, and Italy

Posted on by cherylmariecordeiro.se

The EU Policy Framework for Biowaste Management

Biowaste management is a key element of the European Union’s sustainability agenda, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improving resource efficiency, and transitioning to a circular economy. The EU Green Paper on Biowaste Management [1] outlines three central goals for member states: separate collection, landfill diversion, and biological treatment. These objectives address the dual challenges of managing waste sustainably and protecting the environment.

Separate collection is essential for the high-quality processing of biowaste into compost and biogas, enabling its use in agriculture and renewable energy generation [2]. However, effective implementation requires substantial public engagement and infrastructure investment. Landfill diversion focuses on mitigating methane emissions from decomposing organic waste, which contribute significantly to climate change. The EU Waste Framework Directive mandates the progressive reduction of biodegradable waste in landfills, promoting alternative treatment methods. Biological treatment, including anaerobic digestion (AD) and composting, facilitates nutrient recycling and renewable energy production, supporting the EU’s circular economy objectives.

Continue reading ”Biowaste Management in Europe: Comparative Insights from Finland, France, and Italy” →

CiNURGi Seminar Highlights Key Discussions on Nutrient Cycling, Field Visit to HSY, and Resource Recovery

Posted on by cherylmariecordeiro.se

A screencapture from LinkedIn from the EU Interreg BSR core project CiNURGi open webinar held on 18 Nov. 2024. 60 participants signed up for this event.
Text & Photo © CM Cordeiro & , E Sindhöj 2024



The recent CiNURGi open seminar at HELCOM – Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, held on 18 November 2024, was a focal point for advancing nutrient cycling and resource recovery in the Baltic Sea Region. Part of a broader project meeting spanning three days in Helsinki, the event featured expert discussions, pilot project updates, and an insightful field study visit to Helsinki Region Environmental Services (HSY). Together, these activities showcased innovative approaches to sustainable waste and nutrient management.

Advancing Pilot Projects for Nutrient Utilization

During the seminar, CiNURGi leaders Erik Sindhöj and Cheryl Marie Cordeiro presented updates on pilot projects that address pressing challenges in biogas and nutrient utilization. These include advanced technologies for improving nutrient efficiency in digestate application, such as acidification techniques and weather-adaptive irrigation systems. The team also highlighted progress in urine separation and drying systems, which are currently being tested in Stockholm housing associations and the sports arena in Uppsala.

Continue reading ”CiNURGi Seminar Highlights Key Discussions on Nutrient Cycling, Field Visit to HSY, and Resource Recovery” →