In the M01-M18 the RHE-MEDiation project designed, developed and implemented a tailored microalgae-based technology to cost-effectively bioremediate chemically contaminated waters. The project designed and developed innovative monitoring systems for real-time detection of diverse chemical contaminants, enabling automated on-site measurements. In particular, the RHE-MEDiation project advanced the state of the art by integrating microalgae-based technologies into wastewater treatment plants to reduce key pollutants like heavy metals and PFAS. The project also developed and integrated advanced monitoring systems and a data ingestion platform to provide precise, real-time pollution data for marine ecosystems. Key achievements include the accurate design of remediation technologies, the chemical and logistical characterisation of three demonstration sites, and the manufacturing and installation of photobioreactor (PBR) systems, notably operational at the Greek site. The project partially developed and deployed integrated measurement stations with autonomous and cooperative capabilities to assess chemical types and concentrations. The project designed and successfully tested the integration of measured data with the Digital Twin Ocean and Water Knowledge management platforms. These results partially enhance pollutant removal capabilities and establish a scalable model for marine remediation. Moreover, the project established participatory stakeholder groups for each demonstration site to co-create market, policy, environmental, and social acceptance frameworks, creating the basis for scaling from local to national and EU levels through an evolutionary model. Also, the integration of localised socio-environmental data ensures site-specific solutions, while monitoring systems improve the detection and tracking of chemical contaminants. These innovations directly contribute to achieving European regulatory goals, such as the Zero Pollution Action Plan and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. To ensure uptake and scalability, the project must address key tasks, such as: finalising the plant installation in the remaining 2 demo sites, successfully validating the efficiency of the technologies in the 3 demo sites, scouting how the technologies can be adapted for diverse environmental conditions, strengthening regulatory frameworks for water remediation, expanding data-sharing via EMODnet and select and fund 5 replication sites. Stakeholder capacity-building and the development of long-term governance models are essential to sustaining the deployment of these solutions.
