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Symbiotic, circular bioremediation systems and biotechnology solutions for improved environmental, economic and social sustainability in pollution control

Project description

Bioremediation of organic and inorganic pollutants with circular value creation

Growing industrial and agricultural activity is leading to increasing contamination of surface water, groundwater, soils and sediments with heavy metals, chemical discharge, organic waste and more. Microorganisms have complex metabolic pathways enabling them to break down a vast range of organic compounds and absorb inorganic substances. Bioremediation relies on these living organisms to remove or neutralise pollutants. The ambitious EU-funded SYMBIOREM project will develop 12 bio-based technologies and strategies as modular solutions to enhance bioremediation efficiency, use secondary inputs and valorise residues and contaminants. The solutions will target the four most common pollutants of soil and groundwater in Europe as well as mixed contamination, eutrophication, organic micropollutants and microplastics.

Objective

The overall goal of SYMBIOREM is to improve the effectiveness, sustainability, circularity and cost-efficiency of bioremediation and revitalisation strategies for soils, sediments, surface water and groundwater. SYMBIOREM focuses on the intersection of advanced bioremediation methods with circular bio-based systems. Twelve novel bio-based technologies and strategies are developed as modular solutions to mutually enhance bioremediation efficiency, use secondary inputs, and turn residues and contaminants into valuable resources. SYMBIOREM investigates the exploitation potential of indigenous species with bioremediation capabilities, including microorganisms, microbiomes, proteins, plants and animals.
SYMBIOREM targets five archetypes of contaminated environments: industrial brownfields, mixed solid waste landfills, urban surface water bodies with mixed contamination, contaminated soils and surface water bodies, and European marine environments. SYMBIOREM targets the four most common pollutants of soil and groundwater in Europe: heavy metals, mineral oil, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and Volatile Aromatic Hydrocarbons (VAH). The project also targets mixed contamination, eutrophication, organic micropollutants and microplastic. SYMBIOREM recovers a diverse portfolio of resources from contaminated sites, including several Critical Raw Materials (CRM). SYMBIOREM will deliver new knowledge about bioremediation agents, their functionality in combination, as well as hazards of pollutant remobilisation.
SYMBIOREM elaborates new avenues for circular value creation and empowers people on the ground by involving citizens and key stakeholders in participatory research, co-design and co-management of bioremediation sites, to facilitate bottom-up replication and increased safety and sustainability of bioremediation and revitalization strategies in aims to achieve the targets of the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL6-2021-ZEROPOLLUTION-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/ EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 855 238,59
Address
BARRIO SARRIENA S N
48940 LEIOA
Spain

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Region
Noreste País Vasco Gipuzkoa
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 855 238,59

Participants (13)

Partners (4)

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